New 210dx vs used 280dx

[H80N]

Thanks guys! I'm going to look at the 280dx tomorrow. How many hours on the timer would be considered "heavy use"? Or should I even worry about it? Is it one of those "If it's worked this long, it will work alot longer" or " if it was going to fail, it would have done so already" deals?

Probably so....

IMHO...more a matter of how it was treated rather than total hours

[derrickd]

Well, I looked at some welders tonight. The 280dx is over 3 years old and out of warranty. It has 500hrs on the timer, they are going to see if they can give me a 30 day warranty.
I also demo-d a 252. Then I tried out a Lincoln 256. Just using the settings on the doors, and playing with run-in a little, the Lincoln had smoother starts and a more stable arc. If I manipulated the puddle too fast on the Miller, it would start to sputter. Now I really don't know what to do. I had planned on walking out with 2 blue machines......

[H80N]

I understand that the POWER MIG 256 is Made in Mexico... the MILLER MM252 is Made in the USA......

Red machines are made all kinds of places.some by other companies an relabeled.red.... you might be surprised

"Just look at the serial number of the welder you are looking at.
If assembled in USA it will start with U, I is for Italy, C is Canada. M is for Mexico.
P is for Poland. and etc."

[cruizer]

Well, doesn't really matter where its made, as all machines no matter what is says on the front, have components made elsewhere. Now while I don't care for the Itialian Tigs, the ones made in Poland. the serial # will start with a "P", (Capital of the Tig world) are pretty good. Curious though did you happen to get the serial# of the 280DX, cant see it being out of warranty just yet.

[derrickd]

It's md460373L. I was going to check it myself later also. I'm guessing it's older than 2 years. It is, however in excellent shape externally.

[cruizer]

Well if you go by the serial# then it was born on November 22, 2013, so yes it still has full warranty. likely a lot more if you go under when the unit was actually purchased. That info would be on the original bill of sale.

[derrickd]

Miller customer service confirmed. Sold Jan 14. Just less than 1 year remaing. They also said technically the warranty doesn't transfer......they have just never denied one because of that fact