Lincoln Idealarc tm-300

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Hello, im new to this forum, and I had a quick question I would like answered. I don't actually know much about older arc welders, but I do know how to weld. I found online an older lincoln idealarc tm-300 for around $80 through a government surplus. My question is, is it any good? any thing I should know about it? Is it worth buying? I mean its a huge machine, but for $80 it might be just the beast I need.
Reply:Yes, it's a beast of a machine - and power hungry.  Just under 110A on 230V.  A bit better with input power factor capacitors at just under 80A at full output.So, if you can support the power requirements, $80 is a steal for a working 300A machine.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Another question is, it isnt too hard to set the amperage on the machine right? I have been spoiled I guess and welded on all newer machines.
Reply:you crank the big wheel to adjust amps and the little poiner follows along to tell you where you're at.
Reply:If you can look inside, turn the crank and make sure the jack screws trun and the iron goes up and down, If the jack screws are bad , the welder may not be adjustable and no good to use.
Reply:buy it. If it is shot, scrap it for copper, way more then $80 worth of copper in there. If it works, you have one of the best shop welders. Only better deal I saw was a 300 amp 3 phase idealarc at ritchie bros for $15. (but it had no leads)Deereman75 from TBNLincoln electric AC225SBlueshield O/A torchSmiths aircraft torchCH 3HP 220V air compressorlots of power toolslongevity stickweld 250
Reply:I dont see a polarity switch on this unit which means it may be an AC only machine. Could be another reason the cost is low. We have an Idealarc TM at work. It is a very smooth running machine but we do run it on 3 phase power and it does have dc with a polarity switch.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Originally Posted by snoeproeI dont see a polarity switch on this unit which means it may be an AC only machine. Could be another reason the cost is low.
Reply:I didnt even know they made a ac only idealarc.... Basicaly a giant miller thunderbolt.Deereman75 from TBNLincoln electric AC225SBlueshield O/A torchSmiths aircraft torchCH 3HP 220V air compressorlots of power toolslongevity stickweld 250
Reply:Is their anything wrong with an AC only machine? I mean I realise i would be restricted to only certain electrodes, but it should still be fine for most every application right?
Reply:The problem with ac only, it will not tig weld and does not weld out of position as good as a dc machine would. DC machine is much smoother as well.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:One of the best welders ever made we use them every day tm-300/400/500/650 & in Ac & ac / dc. Im cleaning up one now for me.  We sub arc welded with them , arc gouged with them . Find a Hy freq box for tig and you can use them with a Multiweld to run several welders on single, two or three phase power.Same case was used on R3S welders and AC 1000 welders.  John
Reply:Okay, that makes sense. But it is well worth buying it for practice, and for fabbing things up for my truck correct?