What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £400 (~$533) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £340 (~$453) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £260 (~$346) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £180 (~$240) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £100 (~$133) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Cordless tools sold without batteries or a charger, which can cost more to replace than the tool is worth, and worn brushes on corded tools.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a welder is worth what is being asked:
- Damaged torches and burnt leads
- Missing earth clamps
- Failed wire feed mechanisms on MIG units
- Discontinued models with no consumables
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Recognised brands with parts and consumables available
- Higher duty cycles for sustained work
- Complete with torch, earth clamp and leads
- Inverter models, which are lighter and more efficient
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeit batteries and chargers are widespread and are a genuine fire risk. Fake tools themselves are rarer but exist in the premium brands.
Ask which battery platform it takes, exactly what is included, and for a photograph of the tool running. Buy batteries from a reputable source rather than with the tool.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about a welder, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Read the plate and say. This is the question that decides whether the buyer can use it at home at all, and it is the most common wasted enquiry.
Say so. Regulators are a real cost and gas cylinders themselves cannot be posted and are usually the supplier’s property.
Quote it with the amperage it applies at. Duty cycle is how long the machine can weld before it needs to cool, and it is what separates hobby machines from serious ones.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- State the process: MIG, TIG, stick or multi-process
- Run a test bead if you are able
- Confirm torch, leads and clamp are present
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The machine whole, from the front, controls visible
- The rating plate showing amperage, duty cycle and supply requirement
- The torch, earth clamp and leads laid out
- Any consumables or regulator included, plus any damage
Details to confirm before you commit
- Welding process or processes, and maximum amperage
- Duty cycle at a stated amperage
- Power supply required, and whether a standard plug is fitted
- What is included — torch, earth clamp, regulator, consumables
Live welder listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse tools & diy for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
Steady year round with a modest spring lift. Multi-process machines and known brands sell within a fortnight to a knowledgeable audience.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have a welder sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell welder for what to photograph and how to price, or what welder is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used welder?
Around £39 to £260 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check a welder before buying?
Ask which battery platform it takes, exactly what is included, and for a photograph of the tool running. Buy batteries from a reputable source rather than with the tool.
Is buying a welder second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Cordless tools sold without batteries or a charger, which can cost more to replace than the tool is worth, and worn brushes on corded tools.
See also: all buying guides · welder value guide · selling welder · Tools & DIY · condition grades.