Is this a good deal for a 200dx?

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Stopped by my lws tonight. They have had the same dynasty 200dx on the shelf for about 2 years now it seems. Its the contractor kit with finger controls. I am definatley a pedal guy though. He will sell it to me for $3300.He can get a machine only for 3100 to 3200.I was originally going to buy the bare bones and equip it myself, and they carry CK torches and superflex hose/cable. What would you guys do.I could use amother regulator as I currently share reg and argon with my mig.Thanks
Reply:I bought mine about 1 year ago for about 2900 $ (welder only) -  it come from one of the smaller compannies-  NOT the big one that starts with "A".  (they would NEVER come down to the internet price (2800+/-)  and the smaller companny quoted me 2900 on thefirst try (no BS) -   guess who made the sale !So I vote that he is screwing with you (pricewise) - also find out if it has the updated blue lightening arc start .....  if it doesnt- thats another strike against it even if it waas a good price.Tim( I LOVE the welder though ....)
Reply:Originally Posted by jethroI bought mine about 1 year ago for about 2900 $ (welder only) -  it come from one of the smaller compannies-  NOT the big one that starts with "A".  (they would NEVER come down to the internet price (2800+/-)  and the smaller companny quoted me 2900 on thefirst try (no BS) -   guess who made the sale !So I vote that he is screwing with you (pricewise) - also find out if it has the updated blue lightening arc start .....  if it doesnt- thats another strike against it even if it waas a good price.Tim( I LOVE the welder though ....)
Reply:I would speculate that the answer is difficult without knowing where you are located.  I believe that you mentioned a "small town in Alaska" in a previous thread.  If that was you, the answer, as you well know, may be yes.  People down in America do not understand how difficult and expensive shipping up here is.I purchased my 200DX (with the expensive contractor kit) locally (Air Liquide) in Anchorage 3.5 years ago.  I was able to convince them to match the IOC internet price (at that time).  I didn't know any better, & bought the contractor kit.  They realized that I would be back.  I have bought all my supplies from them since.  They have treated me quite well.  They also have a "setup room" and frequently have equipment there to test out.Feel free to email me if you do live near Anchorage.  Jerry in Anchorage
Reply:Originally Posted by MusktI would speculate that the answer is difficult without knowing where you are located.  I believe that you mentioned a "small town in Alaska" in a previous thread.  If that was you, the answer, as you well know, may be yes.  People down in America do not understand how difficult and expensive shipping up here is.I purchased my 200DX (with the expensive contractor kit) locally (Air Liquide) in Anchorage 3.5 years ago.  I was able to convince them to match the IOC internet price (at that time).  I didn't know any better, & bought the contractor kit.  They realized that I would be back.  I have bought all my supplies from them since.  They have treated me quite well.  They also have a "setup room" and frequently have equipment there to test out.Feel free to email me if you do live near Anchorage.  Jerry in Anchorage
Reply:All the "stuff" adds up quickly.  The CK superflex hose  (water cooled) is fantastic.  You can buy a ground clamp and go to an electrical supply & get ground cable made pretty easily.  A regulator isn't too bad, either.  Those dinse (sp) connecters seem to be very expensive up here.  I really like my CK FlexLoc torch.  Whether to go air or water cooled is purely up to you.  An EBay torch & hose shouldn't be terrible.  I started with an 8o cu. ft. bottle.  Bad Plan!!  Refill cost difference between the 80 & 155 is minimal.  The bottle was nearly $200 (Alaskan Dollars)  when I bought mine.  Air Liquide gladly upgraded my 80 to the 155 for only the difference in cost--no penalty.I haven't bought any tungsten locally.  Several vendors on EBay sell American made at pretty good prices.  I look first to see if they will use USPS (especially the flat rate boxes) before I even look about pricing.  There is frequently a huge difference in the final cost based purely on shipping.  I have purchased from ArcZone, & was satisfied.We have an AirGas in Anchorage, too.  I go in there now & then.  Their prices are comparable to AirLiquide; however, I sometimes feel that their knowledge is just a bit less than AirLiquide.  Again, AirLiquide has treated me really well, even though I am a very small customer.  I talked to IOC about shipping the Dynasty up here--WOW!!.  Seems as though every vendor in America wants to help UPS & FEDEX pay of their aircraft fleet overnight.  We do get UPS & FEDEX ground up here in Anchorage; however, the cost is nearly as much as 2nd day air, & takes nearly two weeks.Enco gives free shipping to all of the "Lower 48".  They do not even offer a slight break to us in Alaska (but I digress).Anyway, I hope you get it worked out.  I like my 200DX a lot.  I just wish I was a whole lot more proficient with it.Jerry in Anchorage
Reply:MusktAs a fellow Alaskan you too know all the ins and out of shipping here. If its FedEx or UPS I dont even consider it. Cost is off the charts and UPS flies right over Ketchikan and goes to Anchorage, sits there a few days and finally comes our way. In fact if for instance i find something in Oregon they send to Lexington Kentucky then back to Seattle then anchorage then ketchikan. USPS priority only way to go.My LWS is at the mercy of the shipping gods as well, but at least the stuff they barge are grouped and bulk orders, so it relieves some of the cost to the customer.I plan on going air cooled for now. Do you use your flex loc as your standard torch? I am still debating on which way to go.I have a very old miller cooler that i got for nothing. It needs cleaned out bad though. I may just build my own.Well i will get the skinny and make a decision tomarrow.
Reply:The Flex Loc is the only one I use.  Check the "Tig Cooler Build" thread--I have a pic of the one I built about 3 years ago.  I hope my skills have improved a bit--sometimes, I wonder though.Good luck, & good nightJerry in Anchorage
Reply:Too bad you're so far. I just sold an 18 month old D200 full Tigrunner setup with a NEW 88 tank for 3500.  Still warranteed.  Maybe thing just cost more up by you?TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Latest is i can get it for 2950 stripped or 3150 as a kit. I think the pedal, ground and extra regulator make the kit form worth it.