Looking at a Firepower FP235

[aczlan]

I have someone who is offering me a Firepower FP235 AC welder in trade for something else I have. Anyone used one? Whats it worth? (he claims that it has never been used, he got it from someone else and hasn't a chance to use it)
Looks like "Firepower" is made by Thermadyne
Manual: http://www.thermadyne.com/IM_Uploads/DocLib_2642_56-1841.pdf

How can such a machine be tested? I assume that running a partial stick through it and seeing how it turns out is the only way.

Thanks

Aaron Z

 

[dstig1]

It looks like a simple AC buzz box. Not worth a lot. Maybe $100 or $150 at best, but it is not Red or Blue, so the price you could actually get for it will tend to be lower than that. I wouldn't be surprised to see something like that posted on CL for as low as $60 or $75...

 

[aczlan]

It looks like a simple AC buzz box. Not worth a lot. Maybe $100 or $150 at best, but it is not Red or Blue, so the price you could actually get for it will tend to be lower than that. I wouldn't be surprised to see something like that posted on CL for as low as $60 or $75...

Looking to keep it rather than resell it as we dont have a welder.
Looking on Craigslist, I can pickup a used Lincoln AC/DC for under $300 or a AC only Craftsman for $75... Will keep looking.

Aaron Z

 

[k0ua]

I would rate it on the upper side of the 100- 150 range,, as it has fully adjustable current range instead of taps . If it is just the AC version not the AC/DC version of course it is not desireable. But still useful, and better than some because of the full adjustability.. Too bad it is not the AC/DC version.

James K0UA

 

[dstig1]

Infinite adjustment is indeed much better than taps, but my experience with welders is that it goes very cheap if it is not red or blue, no matter what. You can use that to your benefit and get a deal on good equipment, but if you are talking cash value, then you are back to "is it red/blue or other?"

Plus it is AC only... FWIW

 

[aczlan]

I would rate it on the upper side of the 100- 150 range,, as it has fully adjustable current range instead of taps . If it is just the AC version not the AC/DC version of course it is not desireable. But still useful, and better than some because of the full adjustability.. Too bad it is not the AC/DC version.

I should have mentioned that it is the AC only version.
Need to find out what leads come with it and such. He wants to trade the whole boat and trailer for it (19' IO boat with a mostly intact Mercruiser 470 IO and a tilt trailer).

Aaron Z

 

[dstig1]

Well what do you think the boat/trailer is worth? More than $150? If so, I'd keep looking...

 

[aczlan]

Well what do you think the boat/trailer is worth? More than $150? If so, I'd keep looking...

Trailer $300 as it sits. If I get the paperwork straightened out, it would be worth $400-600.
Boat, the engine is probbaly worth $250-400 as it sits ($500-800 if I can get it to run), outdrive another $150-200, steering and power tilt could probbaly be sold for $100ish misc wires and such another $100 (prices per my uncle who is in the boat business), hull will probbaly cost $100-150ish to dispose of.
Currently asking $700 for the boat and trailer together "as-is where-is".

Aaron Z

 

[dstig1]

Uhhh yeah, you are way out of balance on THAT trade... Unless he's throwing in $500 or more on top...

 

[aczlan]

Uhhh yeah, you are way out of balance on THAT trade... Unless he's throwing in $500 or more on top...

Glad I posted on TBN rather than just taking the prices I found online ($375-500) as good. :thumbsup:

Aaron Z

 

[k0ua]

Now way I would trade. Sell the trailer and boat and buy a really nice DC welder from Everlast or Longivety or find a nice older Miller Thunderbolt or Lincoln AC/DC welder. and have money left over.

James K0UA

 

[aczlan]

Spoke to the guy who runs a fab shop locally and he recommended MIG vs stick. He said he wouldn't go over $200 on it (to be able to get my money back out of it if needed).

I told the guy that I would need $500ish in addition to the welder and he disagreed with my valuation of his welder (hung up on me), so the deal is off.
Now to see if I get any more nibbles on the whole thing, or if I part it out. Will probbaly end up parting it out as that will sell easier.

Aaron Z

 

[k0ua]

In my opinion, for what it is worth, I think you made the correct choice.

James K0UA

 

[aczlan]

In my opinion, for what it is worth, I think you made the correct choice.

Thanks, I appreciate it. After a 10 minute discussion with the guy who runs the fab shop I went from being iffy on the price to firm on $200.
He also offered to let me try some of their welders when I get closer to buying something and to test the welder to make sure it worked properly (as long as I brought it in to their shop and they weren't swamped that day). Great guy and they do great work there.

Aaron Z

 

[dstig1]

I'd even argue $200 is on the high side, at least around here. But it isn't crazy high. ~$700 was crazy high... Yes - no question that was the right call. Start searching CL to get an idea of what is out there for your area and prices, etc. If you are not near a big city, then use SearchTempest or CrazedList or one of the other aggregators to give you a larger search area to work from. Then you will know when the right one comes along and is priced well.

 

[aczlan]

I'd even argue $200 is on the high side, at least around here. But it isn't crazy high. ~$700 was crazy high... Yes - no question that was the right call. Start searching CL to get an idea of what is out there for your area and prices, etc. If you are not near a big city, then use SearchTempest or CrazedList or one of the other aggregators to give you a larger search area to work from. Then you will know when the right one comes along and is priced well.

$200 might be a little high, but I didnt think he would take me up on it. Once I get the boat sold, there are a couple of nice 110v migs (Matco 140 amp for $450 and others) on CL. I also added to the CL ad for the boat that I am interested in trades for a larger 110v or a 220v MIG welder.

Need more time to be able to part out the boat...

Aaron Z

 

[dstig1]

The Matco and Snapon, etc ones are rebadged and often cost way more than they are worth as you are paying for the rebadge. They don't make welders at all just get one of the big companies to do it for them and slap their name on it. In those cases you are better off waiting for a major brand - Miller lincoln hobart Thermal arc or some of the older ones as you will get more bang for the buck from them than the ones rebadged by the tool companies. Just FYI.

If you get a decent price on one of them, no biggie and go for it, but a lot of guys want gold for them as they think "Snapon" stickers make it worth more... Here's an example of a good sounding Miller 140 that is probably similar and comes with a bunch of extras (my area, not yours...) just for example.
http://duluth.craigslist.org/tls/2964416113.html

 

[aczlan]

The Matco and Snapon, etc ones are rebadged and often cost way more than they are worth as you are paying for the rebadge. They don't make welders at all just get one of the big companies to do it for them and slap their name on it. In those cases you are better off waiting for a major brand - Miller lincoln hobart Thermal arc or some of the older ones as you will get more bang for the buck from them than the ones rebadged by the tool companies. Just FYI.

So I had read when looking up that model online, brand doesn't really matter to me as long as it runs... As the guy at the fab shop said, there are probbaly a decent number of MIG rigs that are being sold by shops like his because they aren't reliable enough for use all day long 5-6 days a week, but for what I am doing, they will do just fine

If you get a decent price on one of them, no biggie and go for it, but a lot of guys want gold for them as they think "Snapon" stickers make it worth more... Here's an example of a good sounding Miller 140 that is probably similar and comes with a bunch of extras (my area, not yours...) just for example.
Hobart Handler 140 Welder w/ Gas

Will certainly be looking for a good deal and not for a particular brand. Once out of warranty, the Snap On branded Miller or Lincoln will work just as well as the one branded by the factory (and it might be easier to get parts for as well).

Aaron Z

 

[deereman75]

So I had read when looking up that model online, brand doesn't really matter to me as long as it runs... As the guy at the fab shop said, there are probbaly a decent number of MIG rigs that are being sold by shops like his because they aren't reliable enough for use all day long 5-6 days a week, but for what I am doing, they will do just fine


Will certainly be looking for a good deal and not for a particular brand. Once out of warranty, the Snap On branded Miller or Lincoln will work just as well as the one branded by the factory (and it might be easier to get parts for as well).

Aaron Z

Except the snapon machines are made by century or systematics, and arnt that good, and the tips cost about $5 a piece.

 

[aczlan]

Except the snapon machines are made by century or systematics, and arnt that good, and the tips cost about $5 a piece.

Good to know. Will avoid them in that case.

Aaron Z