New trailblazer vs old trailblazer (last year's model)

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So I noticed the new trailblazer have no AC weld option, as the 2013 and older did.I'm in the market for a newish trailblazer, and was wondering if the lack of AC option was a deal breakerThanks!
Reply:For the price of a new unit vs a lightly used one.. I'd go used and have the option to run a/c. There are some situations where you need A/C.What will you plan to do with the machine? Heavy use, light use, work, hobby?If it's not going to be used for everyday work you would probably have no issue with D/C only. But if you work it, some jobs call for spacific electrodes and then you might be in need of something with a/c capability.Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:knowing Miller they will make a trailblazer with AC &DC  next year and jack the price up
Reply:I can count on my fingers the amount of times I have used the a/c on my TB, but when I used it nothing else would do. I wouldn't buy a machine without it, though it might be years before I need it again. If you have an A/C shop machine, an enough power to run it on the TB, that might be a good option if the need arises.
Reply:Walker is totally right when you gotta have it nothing else will do and that's not including the fact of ...If you want to Tig aluminum all you need is a 251 -D box and you're good to go...But if your machine has no AC output at all you're screwed Running 7024 in 7/32 on ac is the ticket sometimes  when i cannot run my 12RC with dual shield doing a large flat fillet weldLet alone if you are having an arc blow issueBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:I have two of the Trailblazers with AC and I was very upset to find out that Miller took it off the new ones. I have the high freak box and have TIG welded enough aluminum with it too make it more than worth the cost of it even though I don't use it a lot. I consider my trailblazers to be great machines. They will weld anything that will conduct electricity. They have a smooth consistent arc that will pass a pipe test without working you to death.Right now if I were in the market for one I would try to find a used one with AC with low hours, and if you find one that has been sitting around or been hauled around a lot then just clean it out inside and check it out real good.The worst thing I can think of happening is if everything I ever welded instantly became UNWELDED
Reply:I have the new 325I love it! I also have a lincoln AC225 buzz box. I can run them both at the same time(not saying both welds are going to turn out if I'm double fisting it). For the times I'll ever need to Tig aluminum, I'll drag out a dynasty. I'm in a different scenario than mostTeach Ag Mech - Mike At Home:Lincoln Electric AC225Miller Challenger 172Gas AxeWork:eclectic bunch of 90's vintage blue boxes
Reply:Not everyone can afford a dynasty or most stand alone ac tig machine ...And why should i... Just to do a few aluminum welds i would do the payback on that would be measured  in years   The TB is a swiss army knife and can do AC tig with only a 400 to 500 (ebay) 251-D box and a tig torch (gas cooled) setup and an optional controller ...this can be done for less than a grand and also give you DC tig (HF or Lift Start) ...Payback would be in months and less if you get a lot of work for it to do Unless you go with a spool gun but there a lot of thing that you cannot do with a spool gun as far as repair work goesThe TB i have can do anything that is why i chose it...i told a miller rep that not having AC on the new TB's was a big mistake   The only thing i lack is the 251-D and i am thinking about a 12 VS equipped with a flux cored gun...Most of my local LWS stock most FC wire in .072 and upThose would complete the whole welding system in portable with what i already have      .....Except for a spool gunLast edited by killdozerd11; 09-18-2014 at 01:50 AM.Backed my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:I was also disappointed when Miller dropped the AC output on the TB. I had always felt the older TB's were just about the perfect all around engine drive for a guy doing small jobs. There are machines better suited for specific jobs, say air arcing a lot of heavy steel, but the capabilities of the TB let someone do just about everything in the low to middle end range..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Naaaah, they just tell you to go buy a Dynasty 200 now
Reply:Honestly, they probably will!! Haha the new and improved TB hahaHow much would you guys pay for a newish TB with low hours with AC?
Reply:There is a no hours one on CL here for 5 grand.
Reply:Originally Posted by Ian DuffinHonestly, they probably will!! Haha the new and improved TB hahaHow much would you guys pay for a newish TB with low hours with AC?
Reply:once a poster commented that they had to remember how to setup the box for aluminum;  throw in a cooler, different types of quick connects,  torches etc and you bet it can get confusing.  that pic of the Al weld was done with a TB.   it was a test pc i did before going out to use it.  i own  inverters also,  just found thatredundancy can be a good practice.  personally, even from reading the posts on this thread i can tell hardly anyone used the function anyway,  it won't be missed.miller is going to sell  a boatload of the new TB.  transformer/inverter who cares;  i'd guess about 90 percent of the people out there making a living with this equipment don't.recently i sold a 302 with 675 hrs for 3100;  took two days.found this older picLast edited by fdcmiami; 09-19-2014 at 12:11 AM.
Reply:Looks like a cart load of snakes I would have liked to have the new TB but the price also doubled since i bought mine ...But fuel consumption went way down also so it's a mixed bagI like alot of the new features on the newer TB's ...But can't get past the priceBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Originally Posted by killdozerd11Looks like a cart load of snakes I would have liked to have the new TB but the price also doubled since i bought mine ...But fuel consumption went way down also so it's a mixed bagI like alot of the new features on the newer TB's ...But can't get past the price
Reply:Originally Posted by Ian DuffinThe dealer I go through for most of my other welding supplies has a brand new TB 325 for $4600, that's with no extras though, but 0 hours, think I can do better used?
Reply:Originally Posted by teachagmechI think you can, but if it's not far off that price point, IMO new is worth warranty. Also if you're looking to get in good with your lws, you may be able to get a few goodies tossed in like quick connects and such much like buying a used machine that's already set up. If you're just looking at the base model though, you might as well go used. The excel power is what makes the new one so nice.
Reply:Originally Posted by Ian DuffinFrom my understanding the excel power is an add on though, much like an additional cost extra.How do you guys feel about propane generators?