TA 181i or roundtop Idealarc 250?

admin

What's your guys' opinion on this type of versus question? I've been throwing around the idea of buying the new TA 181i as a first welder, even a MM211.Right now I'm not sure what size thickness I'm realistically going to be welding. Main project is to build a solid log rack, then my dad hit me up to build a trailer for our lawn tractor (at another house) and I would like to build him a nice oversized wagon to load his yard tools on at his house. Eventually I want to build a bbq pit out of 1/4" and I would like it to be trailer mounted.That brings up another question, would say the 181i or mm 211 be strong enough for critical welds like building a bbq trailer, I'm talking in a couple of years? If not I've been working a ton of overtime and with taxes coming around I suppose I can hold out for something bigger like a lincoln 256, mm 212, or TA 252i.Or should I nab the $300 Idealarc and run with it? Do the idealarc's really suck down electricity like it's going out of style? Would that make a big difference?
Reply:I personally would go for the TA181. Its a nice welder. If I had to do it all over again today, Thats what I would have bought to get into the hobby. Does everything but tig aluminum. A foot pedal and torch will set you back another 300-350. It should handle what you are talking about just fine.Hobart Handler 210 with SpoolgunHypertherm PM30 PlasmaHTP 221 Tig WelderHF BandsawHF Auto Dark Helmet
Reply:Originally Posted by mikeb9550I personally would go for the TA181. Its a nice welder. If I had to do it all over again today, Thats what I would have bought to get into the hobby. Does everything but tig aluminum. A foot pedal and torch will set you back another 300-350. It should handle what you are talking about just fine.
Reply:The MM212 isn't that much of an improvement over the MM211- sure a better duty cycle and some other small thangs but might as well get yerself an Ironman 230 and save a bunch of cash over the MM252 etc etc.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:http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb...807184055.htmlEd 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:Thermal Arc should be selling the 200i (210amp) soon, might wait to get your taxes, then check your options.The 252i would be a nice American made machine, they are made in New HampshireHeres the Cigweld 200i, just a matter of time before they build them with a maroon case and sell them in the U.S.http://apac.thermadyne.com/south-pac...ID=2302&brand=tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:I haven't used a T/D 181 but if you want a beast of a welder with a 100% duty cycle at an average amps(70 to 150) than an IdealArc is a bullet proof reliable beast that can weld about any thickness steel you want, and you can set in up as DC neg tig.  The 181 is probably going to max out at about 3/16-1/4 and will have a much less D/C. I did NOT notice much of a difference with my IdealArc in power consuption, unless you are going to be welding at 200 amps all day 7 days a week than you aren't going to see a large hit to your power bill.Plus the old round top Idealarcs are just so damn cool looking... Attached ImagesLast edited by DemonSpeeder; 01-19-2012 at 03:57 PM.Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:The Idealarc has a much higher duty cycle, much more power (amps) and is a proven, tried and trued design thats been around for a long time. It will draw 70 amps at max output. (you wont be welding at that output building a trailer). The idealarc is also a multi voltage input machine, mine is a 230v,460v and 575 v primary input voltage machine. As stated, the 250 Idealarc will scratch start dc tig weld very well.The TA 181 will mig weld as it is a cc/cv machine. It is an inverter power suoply so it will draw a bit less power to run. The TA will also stick and tig weld.If you need mig ability, the TA is your machine.For everything else, the Lincoln would be my choice.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Looks like the 200i is going to be a pig, at around 60 pounds dry weight.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:Buy the inverter,   You will not be sorry. In the end, it does more for less electricity.When would you need to stick weld with 250 amps?DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Thanks guys, this noob really appreciates your input. The more I learn about the possibilities with welding the more I want to learn. I think maybe the 181 would be the way to go to start out been working a ton of overtime at work. I just called a lws and they have the 181i for $900 + tax and he mentioned a cylinder for $150 but I didn't ask the size. I'm not sure if they'd be willing to work a deal, I have seen the 181i listed for $800 & free shipping on the net.
Reply:Thats average price for a new 3 in 1 inverter in this range. Keep in mind you should be able to pick up a used Idealarc for half that much or even less. The Idealarc cost double that new.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Buy the Lincoln Toumbstone AC/DC do every thing find a Lincoln Hi Frequency and a LN -25 for mig , it will work and arc gouge too . John
Reply:Also, if you are wanting to learn tig, you want something with a foot pedal or can take a foot pedal (The TA can take one). I am just starting to self teach myself on my new HTP. Its going well but I couldnt imagine trying to control the puddle at a contant rate. Sure people can do it but you have to make up for it by speed and that is the hardest part when learning. Also there is the mig thing. My thinking is that everyone needs a Mig and some want a Tig. The Stick feature is just a bonus IMO, my new inverter TIG can do 200 amps either AC or DC Tig so I plan on playing around with it a little. I couldnt imaging only have a stick welder as my only machine. I have yet to run into a project where the material thickness was too much for my 220V Mig. Trying to repair thin projects with a stick welding will be a trying tasks.Hobart Handler 210 with SpoolgunHypertherm PM30 PlasmaHTP 221 Tig WelderHF BandsawHF Auto Dark Helmet
Reply:mike made some good points.However, I am a firm believer that learning to tig weld without a peddle is the way to go. It teaches you to learn how to read your puddle and thats critical in tig welding. Most welding education facilities teach their students to tig weld without a peddle. It makes learning the procedure much more easy and in the long run your better off. Once you get tig welding mastered without remote amptrol current control, then go ahead and learn with remote amptrol control. You will be that much better.At the large industrial place I work at, we all do our annual pressure stainless pipe tig tickets without remote amprol current control. Same goes for day to day tig welding of stainless pipe. Set the current and go to it. Forget about tig welding up on 3 flights of scafolding with a foot peddle, that aint happening neither. It will make you that much better of a welder and if you go work at different facilities, you are that much more able to get the job done being able to tig weld without remote amptrol control.Last edited by snoeproe; 01-20-2012 at 01:30 PM.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by mikeb9550Also, if you are wanting to learn tig, you want something with a foot pedal or can take a foot pedal (The TA can take one). I am just starting to self teach myself on my new HTP. Its going well but I couldnt imagine trying to control the puddle at a contant rate. Sure people can do it but you have to make up for it by speed and that is the hardest part when learning. Also there is the mig thing. My thinking is that everyone needs a Mig and some want a Tig. The Stick feature is just a bonus IMO, my new inverter TIG can do 200 amps either AC or DC Tig so I plan on playing around with it a little. I couldnt imaging only have a stick welder as my only machine. I have yet to run into a project where the material thickness was too much for my 220V Mig. Trying to repair thin projects with a stick welding will be a trying tasks.
Reply:Of all the machines mentioned, I would go for the Thermal Arc 252i. It has a better wire drive than the 181i and is better at stick welding. I have not used the 181i personally, but even the manual does not recommend it for 6010 or 6011, implying that it does not have the OCV necessary to be a good stick welder. I tried the 252i at Fabtec and it ran 6010 nicely. It also has a decent 2-roll wire drive and more MIG options than the 181i.If you need the option of 120V MIG, get the 181i or the Millermatic 211 AND the Idealarc.Just my $.02,JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:were i you id want someone to tell me to get the idealarc..as a learner you dont need all the options..time for that later..why buy something that says it wont do 6010???????
Reply:Have a real good look at how all the machines are built before you buy, chassis, wheels, torch, ground clamps and sloppy feeder roller drive, some companies are running on old reputations and producing junk.
Reply:For 300 I would have bought the idealarc and then ask for opinions. They weld so smooth. Much better. I have a 250 square top and love it. I have run lots of the round tops and dont see any diff. I am tig  welding stainless with it now. Great machine. If you let it pass you will probably regret it.
Reply:Well after taking some factors into consideration I chose to go with the idealarc, i plan on picking it up Saturday. Biggest thing I considered was finances, I know my current job is limited, maybe 6 more months at the earliest and I figured $300, with a 100% duty cycle at my welding needs, well thats not bad. I just noticed one of the local colleges has a few openings in their basic welding class so i'm trying to get into it, but i noticed they are booking fast.Thanks for all your input, it was a difficult decision deciding what would be my first welder.
Reply:Round tops rock!!!(Just don't rock too much.)  Attached ImagesCity of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Want to have some fun? Hook up a compressor and an air arc torch to it, and crank up the power. For example...City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny