Lincoln AC-225-s vs IDEALARC 250

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Hello everyone, I am have a option of buying between a Lincoln AC-225-S and Lincoln IDEALARC 250. Could anyone tell me which of two performs better or has more features. Thanks everyone in advance
Reply:Idealarc, hands down - not even close Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Yep ^^^^^^ everything he said and more.  Infinite adjustment and at least 175 more pounds of awesome. Last edited by Pipeliner; 10-30-2014 at 10:36 PM.
Reply:Haha!  I like to measure old welders by pounds of awesome as well - my Airco = 900lbs of 1963 awesome Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:The difference between a machine made for production quality as opposed to hobby usage. Both good machines in their element(s) but the Idealarc is a much  more robust and stable machine in regards to arc quality.SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveHaha!  I like to measure old welders by pounds of awesome as well - my Airco = 900lbs of 1963 awesome
Reply:The idealarc has a much higher duty cycle rating. The idealarc is also a multi voltage powered machine. The idealarc has infinite amperage adjustment. Neither of those machines has dc weld current. You want a dc stick welder, not an AC stick welder.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by Pipeliner1963 that even smells awesome I bet!
Reply:I would bet the IDEALARC is copper wound vs Aluminum
Reply:"You want a dc stick welder, not an AC stick welder. "I'm not 100% sure I agree with that statement. True DC has a much nicer arc than AC does, but plenty of projects have been made with AC only stick machines over the years. In many cases locating a decent AC/DC stick machine at a reasonable price can be difficult. A good AC machine will do 95% of what most home hobbyists want to do. If the price on that Idealarc is right, I'd buy it and sell it later if you find the need for an AC/DC machine. If the price is under $150 I doubt you will loose any money on the resale. Even if you bought at $250 and sold at $100 say 3 years later, $50 a year for a nice stick machine like that isn't unreasonable..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:IdealArc 250s are the template that other welders are judged by.  Go with the 250, you won't be sorry. Here's mineSent from my iPad using TapatalkSteveLincoln IdealArc 250Lincoln SA200 1966 RedfaceSteveMiller Dialarc 250 (1990)Miller Maxstar 140 STR (2003)Lincoln SA200 Redface Pipeliner (1966)Lincoln MP210 (2015)Victor and MECO torches
Reply:Get the AC dialarc and keep it till you find the DC machine you want or for as long as AC works for you.When I was AC only I was surprised how much I could do with AC, because years ago I was spoiled, we had an AC/DC dialarc and I used DC most of the time.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:Dialarc? That's a Miller. Good machine but not quite up to the Idealarc. In a 3 phase machine, Miller would get the nod.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveDialarc? That's a Miller. Good machine but not quite up to the Idealarc. In a 3 phase machine, Miller would get the nod.
Reply:I wouldn't buy either because of AC only.  If you hold out, you should be able to find an AC/DC machine for a little more.  I just sold a ACDC225 that was clean as hell for $250.  I bought my Idealarc ACDC250 for $150 with 150' of 2-0 leads.  It's Idealarc hands down if you got the space, just wait for DC.  BTW, pics are deceiving.  I thought the two machines were roughly the same size when I looked at my first one off CL.  I went with a medium sized SUV only to have the seller ask where I was gonna fit it. The IA can fit 3-4 AC225's in it.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by DSW"You want a dc stick welder, not an AC stick welder. "I'm not 100% sure I agree with that statement. True DC has a much nicer arc than AC does, but plenty of projects have been made with AC only stick machines over the years. In many cases locating a decent AC/DC stick machine at a reasonable price can be difficult. A good AC machine will do 95% of what most home hobbyists want to do. If the price on that Idealarc is right, I'd buy it and sell it later if you find the need for an AC/DC machine. If the price is under $150 I doubt you will loose any money on the resale. Even if you bought at $250 and sold at $100 say 3 years later, $50 a year for a nice stick machine like that isn't unreasonable.
Reply:I have both, and have compared the AC on both machines.  I like the AC-225, but the Idealarc is just a smoother, more powerful machine. My Idealarc also has DC, and that performs awesome.
Reply:I have an ac/DC idealarc. I tried the Ac on it once.DC allows you to run all and any rods. That's not the case with AC.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Idealarc one of the best welders u can get
Reply:The welding world started on AC! Miles of weld was laid. AC is still used a lot every day. If the prices are right, BUY!
Reply:I was unaware the 250 was AC only but I still think you should go with it. They are much better machines than the 225. My only welder for years was a idealarc TM300 which was AC only and it served me wellSent from my iPad using TapatalkSteveLincoln IdealArc 250Lincoln SA200 1966 RedfaceSteveMiller Dialarc 250 (1990)Miller Maxstar 140 STR (2003)Lincoln SA200 Redface Pipeliner (1966)Lincoln MP210 (2015)Victor and MECO torches
Reply:For those that don't know the difference between the two Idaelarcs, there are a couple of clues that quickly key you in in an Idealarc is AC only or AC/DC. If you compare the one shown by the OP to the picture of Sparkie's machine, the switch in the upper right is a dead give away of an AC/Dc unit. Also the double scale where the pointer is is another clue  the machine is AC/DC . The pict of the OP's shows neither..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Another vote for the Idealarc being "better" than the AC-225.  That being said however, another analogy is this:  I'm a deer hunter.  I could take a deer with a 30-06 which is "bigger" and more "powerful" than my .243, but my smaller and lighter  .243 will get the job done all day long.  For the home workshop, the AC-225 will continue to work and take the abuse you dish out to it and it too will work "all day long" for your needs.  It too has been a "work horse" of a machine for weldors of all types (beginners, students, hobbiests and many pros).   Albeit I don't see many pros using a AC-225 as their first choice tool for the job, none the less many do have one in their "tool box" for back-up or whatnot. As a few others here have already said and I will bow down to them with their professional knowledge and know-how on the subject, but I too feel that "AC" has served me well for all of my stick welding needs.   My AC-225 (AC/DC-225/125) also does "DC" and I find myself going back to AC mode, more than not.  I've made so many things with that stick welder, more so now than my MIG machines because it's so much fun!   Between the two, get whatever you can afford and don't look back.  Just my unprofessional (hobbiest) opinion.   If you can afford the Idealarc, get it.  If not, then get the AC-225.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:You can easily add diodes to get DC with either machine. It has been shown and done here on WW. I would build an external box for the diodes if I had AC only.