Is this welder any good???

[SteveL]

I've got the opportunity to pick up a Thermal Arc Dragster 85 inverter welder for $330. It comes with the TIG access. pkg but no tank. Used maybe three times by original owner.

It would be for basic shop stuff and repair and most likely nothing heavier than 1/8" thick angle iron or 1" to 2" square tubing. I really don't have to have a welder but always wanted one. Is this a decent deal???

 

[1320stang]

Never heard of it, but no, I think you can do better, you're only saving $30 over buying a new one. My buddy always tells me used is only half of new, at most.

http://www.brwelder.com/indextemplate.cfm?file=shop/results.cfm&SubCategory=17

For $50 more, I'd look at a Hobart Handler 125 wire feed welder, you can convert it to gas later if you want as well.

http://store.cyberweld.com/hoha125.html

 

[Major Ramifications]

Thermadyne is a good brand. They own Victor and Tweco.
As far as it only being $30 less than a new one, I think 1320Stang had better look at the link he posted again. $360 is for the power supply only. The welder kit is $430 with the leads and holder. Then the TIG kit is extra.
As long as the thing looks pretty close to new, then it is not a bad deal. I would try to negotiate a better price if I were buying it. But I agree with 1320Stang that you should consider a flux core wire feed or MIG unit as your first welder. To me, they are much easier to use. A small wire feed unit sounds perfect for what you want to do. Hobart is a good brand, and so are Lincoln and Miller. But I wouldn't overlook the cheaper brands like Craftsman, Campbell Hausfeld, Clarke, or even , dare I say it, Chicago Electric (Harbor Freight).

 

[djjack]

I have one. I haven't tried the scratch start TIG yet. The stick works good for what the welder is. I paid $250 for it when Sears had them on closeout. I also have a MIG and started with flux core and quickly moved to gas. I'd recommend MIG with the option of gas as the best choice. I've had a lot of fun with the MIG. The gas makes welding easier and cleaner. I like the Dragster but I wouldn't be satisfied with it as my only welder unless I had very specific needs.