Another "Help me buy my next welder" thread

[Big Barn]

Don't overlook considering an older transformer machine like a Lincoln Idealarc.



They can often be found on Craigslist quite cheaply.

Terry

 

[Shield Arc]

my support experience from one of the brands that is known for having good support was pretty lackluster.

I had this welder in the largest welder repair shop in Seattle for 45-weeks.:thumbdown::thumbdown:

 

[sd455dan]

I'm not going to tell you what brand welder I bought and had issues with. I will only say that it didn't get taken care of until Oleg got involved. You can probably figure it out from that and I'm not trying to disparage any particular brand, I've only shared my experience. A 2 hour round trip to town sure beats a 9 month wait, I'm just saying...

If you're worried about the AC225 not having enough power (I think you'll find it does), there are a lot of used Idealarc welders of various sizes available for around your budget. I see 3 withing 250 miles of Memphis (not sure exactly where you are) priced from $1100 - $1300 - Lincoln Idealarc - Memphis Classifieds - Claz.org.

An inexpensive Chinese welder might be fine for hobby use and you'll probably get a good one and might never need to have it worked on, in which case you'll be just fine. My experience though, wasn't good and my support experience from one of the brands that is known for having good support was pretty lackluster.

That's kind of what I have- a cheap $400 200 amp tig/arc and 50 amp plasma cutter combo and it has been great. Then picked up an old Ideal arc Tig 300 300 for under $100 that needed some tlc. Also an Italian built gas only mig that was my sole welder for over 20 years.

If the chinese unit goes boom- there's always the 800 lb. Lincoln and it will also tig aluminum, and when thick steel is involved it has PLENTY of OOmph.

I see there is a Tig 300 300 in Colorado for $350 with the pedal

Lincoln Arc Welder TIG 3 3 w Foot Pedal Working | eBay

If you can find one of these beasts locally they are built like tanks and have plenty of power- I really like mine and the chinese multi process to- but it has all of 15 days warranty left, but It has already paid for itself in my mind .

If my Lotos bites the dust I would seriously consider one of the Everlast units for the money and warranty.

The Idealarc Tig 300 300 will be handed down to my son when i kick the bucket.

 

[STx]

I had this welder in the largest welder repair shop in Seattle for 45-weeks.:thumbdown::thumbdown:

That's unacceptable. Did they give you a loaner at least? I would have been raising some heck with Lincoln corporate about that.

 

[Shield Arc]

Did they give you a loaner at least?

No. All my welders are just toys. But I'll never go back there again!

 

[Arc weld]

Yeah, they should have gave you a loaner. :irked: How are you supposed to weld on Tuesday without your Tuesday machine? I bet the neighbor lady had something to do with it. unch:

 

[CADplans]

I use my household back-up generator as my welder,,,

I just used a full tank of gasoline welding a landplane, so the "generator" gets some run time.
I have the MIG setup for it,, and the bottles, but, I am happy just stick welding.

This machine will R E A L L Y penetrate a root pass,,, if you crank the machine up. :thumbsup:

I have it on a cut down old boat trailer, so it is portable power,,, also.

 

[Shield Arc]

I bet the neighbor lady had something to do with it. unch:

She called the sheriff on me a couple weeks ago. She said I've been running my tractor at 5:00 A.M. It doesn't get light until 6:30 A.M. She also said I sneak onto her property and steal rocks out of her drive way.:liar:

 

[Arc weld]

The missing rocks aren't from her driveway... they fell out of her head. I'm sure you could build a rock thrower(high power) to send her some rocks. Is there a law about running a tractor when it's dark or early in the morning? It can't be any louder than the gouging you're doing at 4:30 am.

 

[Shield Arc]

The missing rocks aren't from her driveway... they fell out of her head.

That's what my wife said.:laughing::laughing:
In this county, you can't do any property maintenance between 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M.