IA250 vs. TBolt225/150

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Let me start off by saying I really don't need another stick welder, my dynasty and TA95 can handle all I will probably ever need.  I just WANT one.  I'm really enjoying the stick process.  So of the two above, which would you pick?The IA250 roundtop has much more coolness factor and more amps, but I doubt I will ever need to weld at more than 150 amps DC.  The 375 lb weight is gonna make transport kinda tough.  The TB is much lighter, is BLUE, and probably has more than enough juice for me.  I can get either for around $250.  So if you had an irrational addiction to welders, which would you pick?TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Although I would never go so far as to call myself a welder, I've had both.  You are correct on the cool factor of the IA250, people that don't know anything about welders will ask you about it.  It welds really nice but if you need to move it it's a pig.  The Thunderbolt on the other hand you can pick up, throw in your car, it's just portable.  I've never welded anything very thick and they've both done the job.On another note I've never paid more than $100 for a ac/dc Thunderbolt and $130 for an ac/dc IA250.  I'm not sure how much time you have or how quickly you want it, but I'm subscribed to some equipment auctions, yard/estate sales.Tom
Reply:Cart with casters solves movement problems. If you need a cart to go get the Idealarc, ask for base dimensions from an owner (I'm not an owner, though I've used them) on this board. Have a couple of loops etc to strap welder to card for transport.I'd get the Idealarc. The very short-term annoyance of dragging it home is more than compensated for by arc quality and you can even do light gouging if you wish. Buy lunch and fuel for someone with pickup truck and go for it. If you want to make it easy, weld up a reese-hitch hoist since they are insanely nice to have and portable, or bring a common engine lift.
Reply:I'm a big Miller fan, but I'd happily trade my AC/DC Thunderbolt for an AC/DC Idealarc 250, no question at all.If I found one "stupid cheap" local, I'd probably buy one even though I really don't need one..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:The Idealarc is twice the machine that the TB is. Much more oomph, as farmall stated. It offers you arc gouging options. Much higher duty cycle than the TB at higher amps. Very good scratch start dc tig welder too.I have mine on a cart with wheels, moves around the shop well. 2 guys can pick one of these up and load it in a truck, no problem.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Literally about to leave to buy an IA250 ACDC.   3.5 hour round trip for a CL listing.  Just looked at the CL pics again and noticed that the SN plate was cut through and removed from the faceplate.  The person selling it is an old lady emptying her garage.  The price is very good.  The machine is better than 30 yrs old.  Even if it's probably stolen, how would the true owner be found?So here sits the Dilema.  Buy it and realize its stolen, but whenever the theft was was long ago, or turn it down and keep looking.  For $100 more, I can find a machine with a SN on it.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:There can be any number of reasons the nameplate is missing/ damaged besides theft. It could be because it was loose and the noise was irritating to whoever ran it. Might be because they wanted to paint it at some point and never put it back on right, or simply didn't bother to. Even one that has obviously had the number scratched off might simply be from something rubbing up against it in transport.We'd probably need to see picts to even try to make a call on this one. I do congratulate you on at least thinking twice about something that might be stolen. Not many would now days sadly. If you really feel uncomfortable, walk away. If you think it's legit, but want to cover your azz, you can always ask for a notarized bill of sale. Paying a notary is cheap, and IIRC the last time I had one done, they photocopied the drivers licenses of both parties for documentation. Most people probably don't want to be bothered with the hassle for a small dollar purchase, but if you tell them your accountant needs the bill of sale for business purposes come tax time, most are understanding..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:I wound up buying it.  A recent widow was selling it.  She said her husband had it for 30 years.  She knew nothing of it being non-legit.  It came with the factory 3 wheel cart, stinger and ground clamp, quick connects and 200 feet of #2 welding cable.  I opened it up and found some original tags still in place.   The wiring diagrams and tags had 1964 dates on them.  The SN was cut out of the faceplate.  There is a perfect rectangle missing and you just see red paint through it.  Kinda a drag, but there would be no way to find the rightful owner.  I removed one live mouse and his belongings from it, blew it out, greased up the gears and pluged it in.  Welded perfectly.  Actually is a bit too much machine for me.Last edited by Drf255; 07-22-2012 at 05:33 AM.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:the welding cable is worth $500....