Should I buy this machine? Lincoln idealarc dc-250

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I'm looking for a more powerful machine than my 135 amp mig welder. I usually only weld 1/8" thick steel or less but occasionally need to weld thicker and sometimes need to weld aluminum. The guy is asking $450 or trade. Is this worth it? It's a stick welding machine, right? The guy said it can be mig or tig but it needs the leads. I prefer mig welding so I would mainly use the machine for mig welding after I got the leads. Let me know your thoughts.Thanks in advance! Attached Images
Reply:Those are good old machines. You're going to have another $4-500 into lead, stinger and gun, so if you have some trading fodder I'd go that route. Price is propably fair as is though (assuming it's in good working order)... you might try working a little better deal if he'll go lower.President & SalesAdvanced Wear Coatings, Inc. [email protected]
Reply:I disagree on the components. A Tweco or Magnum will run a couple hundred by itself, he will need a connection kit at @ $50, probably another $50 for lugs, QC and stinger, and cable's going to run a couple dollars per foot for #1, so there's another $100 or so if he wants 50'. That's all assuming it has the drive rolls he needs (or any at all) and a regulator and hose still living on it. If he needs those it will run another $40-50 for drive rolls and probably anywhere between $100 and $200+ for a regulator/flow meter setup depending on how nice he wants to go. Not trying to be negative here, but just to get it set up for mig and stick (new parts at LWS) he'll be in for $400+ before the possibility of drive rills and regulator.  Originally Posted by 7A749Yeah, Lincoln's version of the Miller Shopmaster, SANS AC output.DC Stick, TIG & MIG.You should be able to put a gun on it cheap enough. No way it's gonna cost more than a couple hundred for everything MAX. I take it the feeder comes with it, only no gun?You sure wouldn't touch a Shopmaster for close to what the guy wants for it.Even if there's no feeder, those LN 7's come along all the time for cheap if you look around.Not a bad deal.IMHO of course
Reply:All the "little things" really add up fast.  personally If its MIG you want to do I would hold out for a nice Dedicated 220 mig machine.  often see them in the $500-750 range for a 250amp range machine and it will be more compact too.  for that price u should be able to find one with a gun, tank and regulator included.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Do you have the power to run it?Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749It's a single phase machine, Ed. You prolly already know that I'm betting a 50 amp circuit will run it just fine.These were a nice multi purpose DC machine. Again, kinda Lincoln's answer to the Miller Shopmaster. Miller quit making them some years ago. They made the Shopmate (dunno if it's still in production) but it was only DC.I wish it was for sale around here.I would have been loading it up for $400. I bet it would bring a grand easy plug & play for MIG.I bet I even got a gun that may fit in that LN7 feeder drive.
Reply:I'm actually having trouble finding any machine over 200amps for less than $1100 on craigslist. I've made up my mind, I'm either looking for the Hobart 210MVP or the Miller 211MVP. I can get the Hobart and spool gun new for $1050 from Northern Tool. I found a guy on craigslist selling a "like new" used once Miller 211 for $800 so with the spool gun that would be like $1017 but for a "used" one. My electrician said he would install a 230v outlet in my garage for $85 plus the price for the plug. Any thoughts or tips on where to get anything cheaper?
Reply:Thats would be a nice machine but I think for a hobbiest, its way overkill.. If it were me I would also want a smaller machine in my garage, but all i cave is a 2 car garage, so i take that into consideration.. I like the smaller inverter machines for home shops and garages.. I have a lincoln 180c that does fine but I also want a little more power, I really like the looks of the thermal arc 211i.. Thermal Arc  introduced three machines earlier this year with pretty good pricing, and nearly perfect machines for a home shop... thermal arc 181i,211i,252i I have yet to year anything bad about them..  the smaller thermal arc units are imports, the 252i is made in usa..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Well if you want it, it's on craigslist in the Kenosha are I believe! I think it's still for sale.
Reply:If it was me, I wouldn't be interested if I had to chase down the other half of it at added expense. For the same dollars (or less), it would take to round this one out, you can pick up a complete 250A, 220V 1ph MIG machine.Thermal Arc Fabricator 2101970 Lincoln RedfaceMiller 150 STLStill need a Syncrowave and a plasma and a milling machine and a lathe and a bigger shop and a....
Reply:This is true, assuming the exact components you need are for sale in the timeframe you need them. You can typically get your distributor down to 20% on items like this, which is well worth it most times when you want quality parts and need them when you need them. The used market is great and I buy a lot of stuff online, but it's too inconsistent to tie your overall cost of a machine purchase to.  Originally Posted by 7A749That's why there's ePay............ With as cheap as even new guns, consumables, regulators, etc can be had online, why would anyone go & pay retail for them? I've seen brand new Tewco guns on Craigslist for a bill & change. Bought brand new regulators (quality ones, not china crap) on the List for under $50 as well.I've been around the used machinery game for a long time. No need to pay expensive retail for stuff that's readily available elsewhere for much less. The price on that machine (assuming the feeder comes with it) is very good.I wouldn't sell one that cheap. Far more flexibility than an MM 250. Throw some used stick lead & a good used air cooled torch on it & put it to work. Geez, I had BINS of TIG torches, MIG guns & lead I picked up at auction & on ePay for next to nothing. I would throw that stuff in with a machine package to sweeten the deal for free. I prolly scrapped just as many busted Tweco guns up I couldn't sell.Guess it just all depends where someone wants to look for their stuff & how they choose to go about it.Retail, yeah those prices sound accurate.IMHO of course.
Reply:I would buy it, because I have all the crap that it needs to work hanging around.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."