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Hello all,I did some thread searching but didn't quite find what I'm looking for.I am new to welding (one class a few months ago) and I was wondering if someone could tell me if the DC advantages are significant for a rookie? I can get my hands on a Lincoln AC 225 for a pretty good price but its AC only.What does the AC/DC option give the welder that the AC only doesn't have?What would I use the DC option for if I bought the AC/DC version?I'm trying to determine if the DC option is worth kicking out the extra cash.Thanks for the advice,hd883chopper
Reply:Get the AC/DC machine and you will be only using the DC side.DC pros1. more rod selection2. better arc starts3. smoother running4. I think the machine will be quieter5. DC is what is used out in the field
Reply:Thanks Jay. I continued to search regarding this topic and I found a website that discussed some of the same points you raised. It's interesting that you said that if I got the DC, I'd be using that much more than the AC.Maybe that's why the 225 AC that I was looking at was so cheap. The guy probably wanted to buy the AC/DC.
Reply:You may find that you'll be using AC more than you thought you would. I'm not saying to buy an AC-only machine. By all means, if you can afford it, get the AC/DC machine.In situations where arc blow is a huge problem, or where you're making a number of short welds(re-strike with AC rods is easier), AC is pretty good.DC excels at out of postion work, and gives you a wider variety of rods to choose from which are compatible with DC.One caveat......................The small AC/DC transformer machines are somewhat weak on the DC side. Not enough "dig" at the same amps a larger machine is capable of (like an Idealarc, or engine drive). I've found that 125amps on the crackerbox doesn't do as well as 125amps on my little Ranger. When I encounter this, I switch to AC and crank up the amps."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Since doing a couple of reviews of AC only machines I have gotten a bunch of email that tends to support the DC side being more for the pro who faces a much wider range of potential jobs where an AC only machine does a good job for the small repair, hobbyist-type welders. I have two friends (both VERY good welders) that both have AC/DC machines in their own garages and both told me that for my needs the AC machine is just fine. So far that has proven to be true for me.Tom Hintz, publisherwww.newmetalworker.comLincoln Pro Mig 180Lincoln AC 255Determination
Reply:Sooner or later you will want to be able to weld vertical and overhead on things that are too large to roll over and lay flat, you will want to have DC for this.. Starting out on small projects an AC welder is fine, but if you do much welding eventually you are going to want to replace it with a DC machine."The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25
Reply:Thx for the info everyone. It looks like I'll be getting the AC/DC version. At least that way I can grow into it as I become more experienced. Looking seriously at the Miller Thunderbolt XL.Thanks again!HD
Reply:i have one and i think you'll like it. jmho, mikeOl' Stonebreaker "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:I have never run an AC/DC machine in AC. I have used AC machines, though. AC rod choices are limited, DC welds all rods. AC is more likely to shock you if you're working in adverse conditions. AC requires more amps to make the same welds.
Reply:Originally Posted by 76GMC1500AC requires more amps to make the same welds.
Reply:Originally Posted by hd883chopperThx for the info everyone. It looks like I'll be getting the AC/DC version. At least that way I can grow into it as I become more experienced. Looking seriously at the Miller Thunderbolt XL.Thanks again!HD
Reply:Should you ever want to do stick welding with aluminum electrodes, they will not run on AC at all; you need DC to run those electrodes.Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:hd883, if you can, look around for a lincoln ideal arc 250, it has ac and dc current in spades and the old ones that have the round case are very reasonable- 250 to 300 bucks in pgh pa. the thunderbolts and similar can't compare and you won't save any money buying one of them because you will be shopping again soon. Plus, you'll have to sell your buzz box if you're wife is like mine. luck, ralph |
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发表于 2021-9-1 00:21:43