Which welder would you keep? AirCo 250 HF or Lincoln Idealarc 300/300 TIG

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First off, thanks for any insight.  I've got two good welders.  Both have liquid cooled torches.  Both work.  I picked up the Lincoln recently in a lot sale of tools and I don't need two shop 220V 100A draw TIG machines. 1973 Lincoln TIG 300/300  I have found it is heavier than it looks! Thank goodness for front end loaders.  It has a Miller Radiator-1 to go with it.  Late 70s AirCo (rebadged Miller) HF250 dialarc.  Non P model. Home made liquid cooling system that works fine.  Most of the work I do is generally odd farm/ranch fab jobs, thin wall chromemoly tube, and occasional body work.  I also have a Lincoln 125 SP for small stuff like stitching body panels.  I don't do much aluminum, but like having the capability for that once in a great while project.  I have welded with the Airco and it welds fairly nice.  I haven't even plugged the Lincoln in yet, but I expect the same.  It has very few hours on it and has lived indoors in a very dry cool climate since the 80s.
Reply:tough decision...I'd keep both and probably buy another if a deal comes up....that lincoln sure does look sweet
Reply:Originally Posted by Michael raytough decision...I'd keep both and probably buy another if a deal comes up....that lincoln sure does look sweet
Reply:if I had to choose I'd probably keep the lincoln and I'm a miller guy for the most part. always nice to have the extra power if you need itBlue stock- shopmaster, a/bp330, maxstar 150stl, maxstar 210, hf251, Tbolt ac/dc, mm 135Red stock-ranger 8, weldanpower 150, idealarc 250 ac/dcEsab plasma, Victor OA set, Air products ac/dc 400 ampIt's me flipped in snow..doughnut fail
Reply:I would keep the lincoln!Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
Reply:Any particular reason of why one over the other?
Reply:lincoln has more output doesn't it???Blue stock- shopmaster, a/bp330, maxstar 150stl, maxstar 210, hf251, Tbolt ac/dc, mm 135Red stock-ranger 8, weldanpower 150, idealarc 250 ac/dcEsab plasma, Victor OA set, Air products ac/dc 400 ampIt's me flipped in snow..doughnut fail
Reply:I can't vote on the poll...I'd keep both and buy more
Reply:The Lincoln for the extra power for sure.
Reply:If you've got juice to run it without dimming the lights in the next county over, I'd keep the Lincoln."You can't out puke a buzzard"
Reply:Originally Posted by PipelinerIf you've got juice to run it without dimming the lights in the next county over, I'd keep the Lincoln.
Reply:Do you have the pedal for the Lincoln? They can be hard to find if not. Everything i own is blue, and i would keep the Lincoln if i had to choose. That was the first real tig welder i owned and it is a beast that will lay down a nice bead.Mike
Reply:Originally Posted by leightrepairsDo you have the pedal for the Lincoln? They can be hard to find if not. Everything i own is blue, and i would keep the Lincoln if i had to choose. That was the first real tig welder i owned and it is a beast that will lay down a nice bead.Mike
Reply:Well then i would keep it and hook it up. I would push the Airco in the corner, out of sight out of mind, and keep it as a spare.Mike
Reply:If the Linc ends up being for sale and you're in the Midwest let me know what you want for it.Never mind, you're in CO. Yeah, keep the Linc. It's a nice machine. The Dialarc HF should bring you some good money. It's in nice shape.Last edited by 7A749; 05-08-2016 at 08:58 PM.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749If the Linc ends up being for sale and you're in the Midwest let me know what you want for it.Never mind, you're in CO. Yeah, keep the Linc. It's a nice machine. The Dialarc HF should bring you some good money. It's in nice shape.
Reply:It's got one of the nicest AC arcs in the business for an analog machine.I've always liked the way they weld and prefer them over their Miller counterparts.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:I have an Ideal Arc 250 at home and I used to work at a place that had an Ideal Arc 500. If that 300 is anything like those two I'd keep it.My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:It will go to your grandkids . Buy a LN 25 and have a mig too. Good to gouge too.
Reply:I'd keep the Lincoln because I like them.  I have a lot of arc time on one in TIG mode and it is a great machine.  I've never ran the Airco (miller), so I can't compare.  If you weld aluminum those extra amps can be pretty valuable.
Reply:When I picked up an Idealarc TIG250/250 I asked the professional power supply repairman on another site what he thought.  His reply was that there is very little parts support for these machines. He said open it up, blow out all the dust, make sure all connections are tight, and maybe soak the windings in Glyptol.  Capacitors do go bad, but replacements can be found.
Reply:I'd keep the Lincoln for the fine control, even if it is slightly backward. Nice clean units anyway, looks like a pair of winners!SqWave 200Millermatic 190Airco 200 ACHypertherm PM45Boice-Crane Band SawVictor O/A
Reply:I vote for the Lincoln. The code on it is 7288-C. The "C" means that it was fitted with the Power Factor Capacitors at the factory. That lowers current usage when welding. It also has the 120 VAC outlets for powering a water cooler. In the parts lists that I have, that was a factory option with an "R" code (for receptacle) They are a great machine and practically bulletproof.Last edited by gnm109; 05-09-2016 at 02:48 PM.Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:Originally Posted by gnm109I vote for the Lincoln. The code on it is 7288-C. The "C" means that it was fitted with the Power Factor Capacitors at the factory. That lowers current usage when welding. It also has the 120 VAC outlets for powering a water cooler. In the parts lists that I have, that was a factory option with an "R" code (for receptacle) They are a great machine and practically bulletproof.
Reply:Originally Posted by CSMThats useful!  I havent been able to determine what the p ment.  Is there any good reference material on the welder other than Lincolns owners manual?  Also, what exactly do the power factor caps do?Thanks for the explanation.