Thumbs Up Or Thumbs Down On This Variac?

[rp]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280464825688?ss ... 1438.l2649

Hey all, I'm living in Italy now and need to replace my variac. This looks ok, 10 amps, price seems reasonable if one ignores the euro to dollar exchange, shipping's fair. I wish it has an amp meter rather than a silly volt meter. I wasn't sure if it was new or old equipment with the retro style but it has the CE Rohs sticker on it so it's something current and prolly Chinese. My old Tenma was Chinese and it was killer. Anyone have any advice?

[David Root]

That actually looks pretty skookum compared with my El Cheapo 1kVA variac (also Chinese). Price is OK I think for 3kVA.

You do use your Variac with an isolating buss don't you? Occasionally I forget to connect mine in but I haven't gotten shocked yet.

[brentm]

Hah... I had to look up the meaning of Skookum.... Being a Pacific Northwesterner... all that came to mind was Skookum Chuck.

[Gaz]

Haha, Skookum jargon is awesome. I remember when I first moved up to the NW, and my girlfriend's grandma asked me if broccoli in my salad would be skookum. And FYI Sadi Hawkin's dances (where the girls traditionally ask the guys) are called "Tolo" dances up here.

But yeah, the variac looks hella skookum (a little modern NW twist).