Is $100 a good deal for Lincoln AC/DC 225/125?

[Soundguy]

I just went to Tractor Supply's website to look at their prices on welders. I'm not a big fan of Hobart welders! Too many bad experiences in the past. I suggest you contact Mark at Everlast, and see what he can do for a Powerarc 200, dollar for dollar I can't see where you can find a better arc. :thumbsup:

and what's wrong with a hobart welder? it's just a grey miller usually?

My 235xl has been a great welder.. does anything I need+

way better than the old lincoln cracker box with the knob to select amperage vs a variable adjustment wheel...

soundguy

 

[Shield Arc]

and what's wrong with a hobart welder?

95% of my welding is at 70-110a.. on my hobart 235xl, 100a is 100% duty cycle...

I think you and I have different requirements of a welding machine. A large % of my welding was done at 400 + amps. I ran them for a living, you are a hobbyist. I had to run welding machines 8, 10, 12, 14 + hours a day 5, 6, 7 days a week. Hobarts are fine for the weekend warrior, not so much for the professional.

 

[easygo]

I have a Hobart AC/DC buzz box and it has been working just fine. Too bad the new ones cost something like $550 these days. Some day I would love to try a very fancy welder and see if I can tell any difference.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

If the idealarc is sold, then look at one of the inverters from everlast or longevity.

He did not respond to my email. Usually that is a bad sign.

I will try to call him tomorrow.

Is the old insulation on those old copper wires a problem? Cracked insulation could be a disaster I suspect...

David

 

[Shield Arc]

Some day I would love to try a very fancy welder and see if I can tell any difference.

Get your hands on one of these, I guarantee you'll take your tractor, and run over that Hobart! Turn around dig a hole and bury it!

Invertec Multi-Process Welders | Lincoln Electric

 

[Chilly807]

I bought an old AC/DC welder (Sears, made by Century) about a year ago for $140. It's rated at 230 amps AC, and 140 amps DC. Works like a charm, I hardly ever use my Miller mig anymore.

The process to convert AC to DC robs a lot of power from the older transformer style welders, but that doesn't mean they won't do the job. More farm repairs have been done with Lincoln AC or AC/DC machines like the one you saw than any other machine ever made.

For $100, it's well worth the "risk" you'd be taking. I agree with a short test drive, either with the previous owner or someone you know doing the driving. It was a good enough deal that I'd buy it, after being sure it still worked. I don't need it, but it is a good re-sell item for $150 +, and an easy way to make money.

The first thing you really should do, is sign yourself up for an "Intro to Welding" night class to learn basic welding and what to expect when you're shopping for a used welder. The money you save vs. buying new will pay for the course, and the knowledge will be with you for life.

Sean

 

[rankrank1]

The Lincoln AC 225 (DC125) was a steal at that price which is why it is already gone. The value is more like $250 even used.

For a hobbyist homeowner it is hard to beat a Lincoln AC225 (DC125), Miller Thunderbolt AC225 (DC150), or a Hobart Stickmate AC225 (DC160). While specs say that the Miller and Hobart have more DC amps, the Lincoln performs almost similary. In my opinion, the only real advantage of the Miller or Hobart is infinitely adjust amp settings (The Lincoln is tapped every 10-15 amps). Any of these welders can be powered off of 10 gauge wire and are light enough to move them around semi-easily. I previously had a Lincoln AC225 Only (NO DC) and since purchased a used Miller Thunderbolt AC225 (DC150). Comparing the two welders: The Lincoln was stronger on AC compared to the Miller on AC (both fed on same supply circuit) and the cabinet and cooling fan were made much better on the lincoln too. I only kept the Miller because it had DC. Had my Lincoln had DC, then the choice on which to keep would not have been easy.

The Lincoln Idealarc is an even better welder and some would argue one of the best transformer based welders of all time. That said, it is not ideally suited for a homeowner hobbyist unless you have a nice shop. The thing is immensely heavy and will not roll around that easily. Also, the power requirements are immense. I would not run off of less than 6 gauge wire as they can easily pull 70-90 amps depending on whether or not you have the power save capacitors and they have impressive duty cycle too so no skimping on power feed. Great welder for the serious user though if you have the shop and the proper electric to feed it.

As for buying used: I would only buy any of these welders used as a tranformer based welder will last forever. If it works when you buy it it will be working for your grandkids as there is so little to break.

 

[dstig1]

I have a Hobart AC/DC buzz box and it has been working just fine. Too bad the new ones cost something like $550 these days. Some day I would love to try a very fancy welder and see if I can tell any difference.

Oh there's a difference, let me tell you! I started with the Lincoln AC225/DC125. It worked fine. I stuck rods and had what I considered an unusually difficult time with 6011. Then I took a class and we ran on XMT304s at school. OMG it was night and day. Smoother running, no sticking, much happier. That is why I was looking so hard to get one, and was tickled when I finally did, with a stop off with another welder in between. I bought cheap and sold for more than I paid on the first two. So in the end I got the XMT304 cheap (net cost). That is not a bad way to go.

The problem with the AC/DC tombstone is the 125 limit on DC. It's just a bit too low to give you the headroom you need, but you can go to AC easy enough. If it was a 250/150 or something like that, then I think it would be golden. Still they are cheap, plentiful and easy to resell so you really can't lose, especially as a first stick machine.

 

[5030]

The Lincoln AC 225 (DC125) was a steal at that price which is why it is already gone. The value is more like $250 even used.

For a hobbyist homeowner it is hard to beat a Lincoln AC225 (DC125), Miller Thunderbolt AC225 (DC150), or a Hobart Stickmate AC225 (DC160). While specs say that the Miller and Hobart have more DC amps, the Lincoln performs almost similary. In my opinion, the only real advantage of the Miller or Hobart is infinitely adjust amp settings (The Lincoln is tapped every 10-15 amps). Any of these welders can be powered off of 10 gauge wire and are light enough to move them around semi-easily. I previously had a Lincoln AC225 Only (NO DC) and since purchased a used Miller Thunderbolt AC225 (DC150). Comparing the two welders: The Lincoln was stronger on AC compared to the Miller on AC (both fed on same supply circuit) and the cabinet and cooling fan were made much better on the lincoln too. I only kept the Miller because it had DC. Had my Lincoln had DC, then the choice on which to keep would not have been easy.

The Lincoln Idealarc is an even better welder and some would argue one of the best transformer based welders of all time. That said, it is not ideally suited for a homeowner hobbyist unless you have a nice shop. The thing is immensely heavy and will not roll around that easily. Also, the power requirements are immense. I would not run off of less than 6 gauge wire as they can easily pull 70-90 amps depending on whether or not you have the power save capacitors and they have impressive duty cycle too so no skimping on power feed. Great welder for the serious user though if you have the shop and the proper electric to feed it.

As for buying used: I would only buy any of these welders used as a tranformer based welder will last forever. If it works when you buy it it will be working for your grandkids as there is so little to break.

It is and isn't. It is a great welder in the right application (available amperage/voltage) but it's a conventional transformer welder so the power factor sucks. Better off with a solid state inverter unit and there are getting to be many inverter based welders on the used market.

Put another way. get a used Idealarc and youe wife will faint when she pays the utility bill (if your man cave can handle the amp draw in the first place).

 

[JB4310]

The problem with the AC/DC tombstone is the 125 limit on DC. It's just a bit too low to give you the headroom you need, but you can go to AC easy enough. If it was a 250/150 or something like that, then I think it would be golden. Still they are cheap, plentiful and easy to resell so you really can't lose, especially as a first stick machine.

That's why I mentioned it was a little light on the amps, at least by the numbers (someone mentioned they are similar, The Lincoln /125 and the Miller/150)

I went from a Miller thunderbolt ac only to the Thunderbolt ac/dc. For my projects using 1/4- 1/2" materials I seem to be right around 125 and up amps dc, at least that's what it says on the machine.
I would not be able to do what I want if limited to 125. and so far have not needed more than 150. So those 25 amps seem to be right in the critical sweet spot for the semi serious hillbilly welder like me. At least going by the numbers.

It is and isn't. It is a great welder in the right application (available amperage/voltage) but it's a conventional transformer welder so the power factor sucks. Better off with a solid state inverter unit and there are getting to be many inverter based welders on the used market.

Put another way. get a used Idealarc and youe wife will faint when she pays the utility bill (if your man cave can handle the amp draw in the first place).

Can't imagine a hobby/ occasional welder needing 250 amps dc, unless his hobby was building small bridges on the side.
Serious farm maintenance yes, but not a tinkerer. No offense David


JB.