kaid59•16d ago

Had to pick between a used Miller welder and a new Hobart stick machine

I was looking at Facebook Marketplace last week and found a 2005 Miller Thunderbolt for $400, but it had some rust on the case. Then the local supply shop had a new Hobart Stickmate on sale for $550. I went with the Miller because the guy said it ran fine and I figured I could clean it up. Hooked it up to a 220 outlet in my garage Saturday and it laid down a bead like butter. Anyone else take a chance on used gear over new and regret it or love it?

2 comments

2 Comments

bettyfox16d ago

Four years ago I would have told you buying used is stupid and to just get the new Hobart. Then my neighbor let me borrow his 1980s Lincoln tombstone that he had sitting in his shed for like ten years. That thing fired up on the first try and I welded a whole trailer hitch with it. I ended up buying an old Miller from a guy off Craigslist for $350 six months ago and it needed a new ground clamp and a wire brush on the inside but otherwise runs perfect. You just have to know what to look for like if the fan spins and the transformer doesn't smell burnt. I honestly trust the old stuff more than some of the new Chinese made machines now.

miles7216d ago

Hold on, did you say 2005 and it laid down a bead like butter after sitting on Facebook Marketplace? That is wild. I honestly thought those old Miller Thunderbolts were hit or miss by that point in their life. I mean, you got a machine that is almost 20 years old for $400 and it runs that smooth right out of the gate. That's some serious luck right there. I've seen people pay twice that for stuff that needs a new capacitor or something, and yours just worked.