Shopping for a variac – Page 1

https://www.ebay.com/p/1127332453?iid=372842692756

Call the owner in that eBay link above that I first posted above (I don’t know anything about the unit or seller in this link just above in this post).

Edit: Ok, here you go
http://www.shitintogold.com/VARIAC.php
http://www.shitintogold.com/

Another Edit: Owner’s name is David.  Looks like he might have a different/new URL; I think the company name was / maybe still is DRCO.  I might have picked a different URL but you’re buying a variac not a PR firm.

Yet another edit:
Tell David you don’t want (can’t afford / can’t justify) the brand new cosmetics – you just want his least expensive reliable variac and see what he says.  His pricing reflects the fact that he likes to make products that operate like and look like they came new from GenRad decades ago – but I think he can cut the price down if you go for the electronics over the case condition.  Tell him that you are going to report back to EEVblog if he takes good care of you (that’s his only MO anyway) and therefore this is his chance to tap into a new market – but first you need a reliable variac that you can afford.  If his least expensive unit is too expensive for your budget keep shopping elsewhere – but I think he will try to take good care of you.

Good luck!

And another PS,

Those Powerstats like Shock posted look good.  Ask David if you go for a Powerstat vs. a GenRad if that would help keep the budget in line.  For all I know the Powerstats might be the same or more or less; the good thing with David is that he just likes making and refurbing good products and he’s big into variacs.  I don’t think he has any axe to grind whether it’s Powerstat, GenRad, Staco, or any other manufacturer, model, or design.  It’s like asking Michelangelo for something in marble – but it needs to be an affordable statue.

Fwiw, my variac looks a lot like this plus two meters and two fuses and it looked like it just came new (inside and out) from the factory.Call the owner in that eBay link above that I first posted above (I don’t know anything about the unit or seller in this link just above in this post).Edit: Ok, here you goAnother Edit: Owner’s name is David. Looks like he might have a different/new URL; I think the company name was / maybe still is DRCO. I might have picked a different URL but you’re buying a variac not a PR firm.Yet another edit:Tell David you don’t want (can’t afford / can’t justify) the brand new cosmetics – you just want his least expensive reliable variac and see what he says. His pricing reflects the fact that he likes to make products that operate like and look like they came new from GenRad decades ago – but I think he can cut the price down if you go for the electronics over the case condition. Tell him that you are going to report back to EEVblog if he takes good care of you (that’s his only MO anyway) and therefore this is his chance to tap into a new market – but first you need a reliable variac that you can afford. If his least expensive unit is too expensive for your budget keep shopping elsewhere – but I think he will try to take good care of you.Good luck!And another PS,Those Powerstats like Shock posted look good. Ask David if you go for a Powerstat vs. a GenRad if that would help keep the budget in line. For all I know the Powerstats might be the same or more or less; the good thing with David is that he just likes making and refurbing good products and he’s big into variacs. I don’t think he has any axe to grind whether it’s Powerstat, GenRad, Staco, or any other manufacturer, model, or design. It’s like asking Michelangelo for something in marble – but it needs to be an affordable statue.