I had a similar 'blue box' TIG deal come my way a while back & I passed. I cant recall the model number, may have been a 210 or 250 or even a predecessor. The guy said it was 5K new & had never been turned on, wanted 2-3K if I recall. I just didnt have a burning need but I did research it bit. When I called one of the local welding shops Miller dealer, he said he can still get parts but the older models are actually getting more expensive & more lead time depending on the vintage.
So I'll ask this of you experienced welders, is there even any good reason to consider these big name units when you can get a brand new Prime or Everlast or other decent offshore unit available for about the same money or less brand new & a warranty? Seems like they have more functions, knobs & dials & even the packaged torch/pedal seems pretty decent. Not that knobs & dials are what a hobbyist needs, in fact the opposite may be true at least initially. But are the big names falling behind when it comes to these features or exactly what justifies the 2-3X price premium? When I took a evening TIG class at SAIT a few years back it was all Miller, but the instructor even said 'that's what we buy here but I wouldn't be opposed to getting a reputable offshore model for home use'.
I'll start with saying that I <cough> may be related to the guy that helped invent wire, when someone dropped a penny between him and another equally cheap soul!
I have taken some calculated risks, and equipped myself with some pretty nice Brand name welding machines, for usually, a bit less than buying the home grade stuff.
I bought a Miller 250HF AC/DC TIG/Stick machine for considerably less than $1K, around $600, IIRC, though, by the time I put a water cooled Torch and cooler on it (also bought pretty cheap), I figure I have a G-note and maybe another hundred into it. Too big to pick up and run with, so odds are good, that it won't grow legs...
I bid on an Acklands branded diesel powered welder on Crown Assets. Acklands Welders are mostly Miller, with Orange paint, instead of Blue. This was a Miller Bobcat 225D, AC/DC power source and genset. Got it for just over $650. Had 12 original hours on it! Had a TIG HF Box, and a regulator for Argon too, as well as a set of decent cables. Was advertised as being sold "For Parts Only!" When I asked why, the guy said they advertised stuff that way, so people could not complain....
Anyways, that one took me a few hours of troubleshooting and research, to sort out. Had power to the 110v and 220v plugs, but no spark at the stinger. The grease on the main power switches on the front panel, had solidified and rolled into relatively solid balls, which held the contacts apart, so, no power reached the stinger. Some solvent, some new Dilectric grease, and I have a near brand new and very capable welding machine!
To round out the collection, I have a Lincoln LN-25 suitcase wire feeder that can run off either power source, and a little Lincoln MIG welder that runs on 110V, that was cheap, is ugly, but came with a regulator as well. I replaced all the drive bearings and the liner, and it has been a really handy tool too.
So, from my perspective, much like buying lathes or milling machines, I can get a decent used machine, that was built UP to a Standard, rather than DOWN to a Price Point, for the same money or less, I'll take the Brand Name any time!
Warranty does not carry a lot of weight with me, as rather than hearing how good the Warranty service is, I would much rather hear that they just don't know, as they have never needed it, from other users. Price-wise, the cost new, for those accepted as 'better' quality welders, is pretty much reaching the prices where I can expect to run across the occasional deal on a similarly equipped used Brand Name machine.
That's MY line of thought, anyways. Most of my shop equipment has been bought at 'bottom feeder' pricing levels, though I did treat myself to a new Miller Plasma cutter and a new Air Compressor, a few years back.
As always, YMMV!
