Trailerblazer 250g

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I'm looking to pick up my first used gas powered welder. I ran across a Trailblazer 250g with only 750 hours on it. You can tell that it was taken care of. It looks brand new and seller says it's in excellent condition. He put a new face plate on it and the paint is in perfect condition. He was asking $1800 but says his bottom dollar is $1500.Is that a good price? I haven't came across any other Trailblazer 250 so it's hard to compare. Should I wait around for a Bobcat 275 or Trailblazer 302? $1500 is right around where I want to spend because I'd like to get a high freq box. I can't see myself welding anything thicker than 1/8" aluminum. If it's just me using it will a 4000 watt gen be enough to run a small air compressor and a grinder? They both wouldn't have to run at the same time but would be nice to not have to worry about it.What do you think?Thanks,Brian
Reply:I just pickup the same machine a few weeks ago, and am very impressed with the welding part. The generator part it just O.K. I have two small compressors that I experimented with on it just this week. The small 230v compressor it would start and run from empty, but would not restart it without tripping the breaker once it was full. The Puma 115v compressor it would, and seemed to work just fine. So it really depends on the size of the compressor.It has run all of my grinders without any problem, and I tried my new M.K. Morse 14" dry saw on 6" X 1/4" channel iron and it did great. It will not run my little 30 amp Hypertherm plasma cutter though. After just a minute or so it trips the breaker. I guess I have an excuse to buy another metal saw.I have not tried to do any tig with it yet. That will have to wait, but it might be just my imagination, but I thought the arc was better and easier to adjust then the 250 Bobcat I rented last fall on the low amp setting for stick, so personally I would stick with a Trailblazer. Now if you can get a 302 for the same price, and condition go for it. I think the price plenty fair.
Reply:Gee,That seems like a good value for a used unit in like-new condition.The 4000 watts would probably be close to the start-up wattage for a 1 HP compressor, but maybe it would do it.Otherwise, cool, especially with CV and a suitcase MIG along with it.
Reply:IMO, looks like a nice machine, and they do weld good, BUT,  I always shy away from anything that looks like it was just painted.  If this is the seller pictures , you can see the black overspray on the 4+4 below it, again just my opinion.trailblazer 325 efi excelSlugger sawMiller 12vs Miller 135hypertherm45xpLincoln Sp 200 Lincoln Idealarc 250  Ac/ Dchougen and Milwaukee magstrailblazer 250g "1987"HTP aluminum feeder ahp alpha 200dangerous amount of tools
Reply:We use Trailblazers in field const. much better arc than the Bobcats, flattens the bead out which the Bobcats will not do unless you move the rod side to side. We only use 5p+ and 7018. Stringers only, good tig machine also.
Reply:Also, its on ebay, and if you zoom in on the pictures you can tell it has been painted ,  again just my opinion.  test ALL functions before you take it home.
Reply:Thanks guys. The only compressor I have right now is a pretty good size. I'd be purchasing a new compressor so can make sure I get one that would do okay. Thanks for pointing the paint out Tom. I've seen old bobcat's with faded paint, rusty metal, and over 2000 hours going for more than what he's asking for the Trailblazer so it really caught my attention. It sounds like I shouldn't lose too much money if I run across something else later on. I could try and get him down some more. I just emailed him and asked what his bottom dollar was. He came down from $1800 to $1500 and said he'd just keep it and use it as a second welder if he needs too. Not sure what I want to do.
Reply:As long as the hours are accurate, and it all works like it should that's a pretty good deal from where I'm sitting. The paint thing is pretty normal for CL flip artists. I would like to see what it looks like inside. Hard to say tho. If it runs good I would buy it for that kind of money. I've owned four trailblazers, two of the older style like this. They all ran good, no problems.IMHO of courseExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:think I would be in at 1500, as long as the hours matched also.  in a year or two from now you can prob sell it for the same you paid if you decide you want a different machine.
Reply:There was one on the local CL for $1350 and said like 750 hours, but it looked kinda rough. There was a time I would have been all over it, but stuff doesn't sell like it used to and seeing $2K for one all cleaned up and checked out isn't likely gonna be a quick sell by any stretch of the imagination.I've had two of the 250G units, one the early model with the rounded top and a later model like this one. Both had less than 500 hours and were immaculate. I got $2300 for each of them.Those days are long gone tho.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:I guess it doesn't come with any leads. I probably only have about 25 foot of lead on my arc welder but I wouldn't want to have to swap back and forth. What would you guys recommend for length? 50'? That would be what, another $300 or so? There's also a newer Bobcat 225 with the 10K gen. 87 hours but he's wanting $3000. He's moving so says he needs it gone. I wish I knew when he needed it gone. Might be able to get a good deal on it depending on if he absolutely can't take it with him.
Reply:Sections of 50' are ideal. Then, have your stinger and ground clamp on short sections maybe 10' long. I have all my stuff set up with Tweco disconnects so I can swap between any of my machines.A 50' section of 1/0 shouldn't be anymore than a couple bux a foot. No way you need to spend $300 for lead.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:One last question. If I get a high freq box will it weld aluminum similar to an inverter? If not, could the gen run an inverter? I wouldn't tho so but I don't know. As long as the welder could do  a good or better than good job at welding it I think I'll pull the trigger. Our subdivision has probably 300-400 houses. We have an electric only motor rule on the lake and I bet half have pontoon boats and the others jon boats. I could probably get my money back for the welder in no time repairing leaks. I did email him earlier and asked if he'd take $1250 since it doesn't come with leads. We'll see. Thanks again for all of the helpful advice.
Reply:It will not run aluminum anything close to an inverter as far as performance goes. It'll do the job good enough to get it done, but beyond that a quality inverter will blow it away. For general repairs, no sweat. You can pick those boxes up for $300-500 on average.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Okay....another question. I came across a Bobcat 225 cc/cv ac/dc with the Kohler. Has 87 hours. It comes with 50' leads. 8500 watt. $2200 for it. The trailblazer 225g 4000 watt without leads for $1500. Figure after I buy leads for the Trailblazer the Bobcat would be around $500 more. Which one would be the better machine to buy?
Reply:The TB is still a better machine. You don't get any remote operation with the Bobcat. Granted you will have more AC output.Just depends what you wanna do. The Bobcat has less hours and more power, but the Trailblazer has more features.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948