Thermal Arc Tigwave 250 AC/DC

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Ok, I know absolutely nothing about TIG welding as my only experience so far has been O/A. I watch CL most of the time and today I saw an ad for a Thermal Arc Tigwave 250 AC/DC for $600. The guys says it comes with "foot pedal control and everything it origionally came with". What's the deal with this? I know it's a pretty big welder and will likely draw a decent amount of power, but aside from this would it make for a good noobie/hobbyest TIG machine? I'd probably want to buy a tank too...anything else I would likely need and cost of these things (trying to get a whole picture). And what size circuit would I probably need? My breaker box is in the garage so it shouldn't be hard to install a beefy outlet.Thanks for any help/advice/whatever! Attached Images
Reply:I would buy it in a minute , It is a great deal. It will use a 100 Amp Service I belive.
Reply:Nice machine, and originally made by Hobart. Thermal got 300 amps, and above machines When ITW bought Hobart. Should last a real long time, and probably worth about $1500.00 as it sits.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Would there be anything in particular to watch out for when taking a look at this? What else would likely need to be added other than a cylinder (what type of cylinder/gas would I need)?
Reply:I went to take a look at it. It comes with the foot pedal, a small regulator, and what looks like some sort of water cooling unit, but nothing else. The guy doesn't know anything about it since he "bought it at a garage sale intending to learn how to use it", and obviously didn't have any means to show me that it worked. He said he'd let it go for $500, but that's still too much of a project for me...I'd really be looking for something more "plug and play" ready.  Thanks for the help anyways!
Reply:Originally Posted by ian1386I went to take a look at it. It comes with the foot pedal, a small regulator, and what looks like some sort of water cooling unit, but nothing else. The guy doesn't know anything about it since he "bought it at a garage sale intending to learn how to use it", and obviously didn't have any means to show me that it worked. He said he'd let it go for $500, but that's still too much of a project for me...I'd really be looking for something more "plug and play" ready.  Thanks for the help anyways!
Reply:Originally Posted by Sparky#1He didn't have any way to plug it in and see if it fired up ? that's a beautiful machine especially at that price.
Reply:Originally Posted by ian1386Nope. Not only did he not have 220, but it didn't even seem to have a power cable extending anywhere from the machine. Assuming it does work, what would be needed to run it? Just a torch + gas (and of course power)? What would those set me back?  If it really is a great deal I may consider diving into the project, but I want to have a better idea of what I'm getting into before I dive in.
Reply:Originally Posted by Sparky#1Do you have a buddy or someone who tig welds? This could be a sweet deal or a scam,I'm leaning towards a sweet deal. Maybe someone on here could be nearby and willing to help.
Reply:Single phase?Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by David RSingle phase?
Reply:I bought the thermal arc welder mentioned above a couple of weeks ago. Welder came with a foot pedal, Regulator, and thermal arc cooler but no tig torch. Took it home and changed the input voltage from 460 to 230 and it fired right up. Welds perfect not a thing wrong with it.
Reply:You got a deal!Lincoln Powermig 255Hypertherm Powermax 45Thermal Arc 161SOxweld 24R OA TorchStill Looking for an Old Round Top Idealarc 250