I am picking up a used Lincoln Ideal Arc 250 circa 1988 model year and wonder if anyone has used it to tig aluminum and what your impressions were. I will be welding aluminum boxes regularly and wondered if this is the right machine.
Reply:Is it the high freq model?MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:The Idealarc 250 will not tig weld aluminum as it does not have high frequency. You can however purchase a high frequency add on box for the machine but the HF box will set you back another $1200-$1500 new.The Idealarc 250 welds steel/stainless steel very nice with DC scratch start tig. It is a VERY good stick welder as well.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:This is what you need to AC tig weld aluminum with an Idealarc 250http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...et.aspx?p=2000JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720