Have a (1973)Lincoln Ac-225-s, Should I upgrade too a Lincoln Idealarc 250 tombstone

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Hi everyone.I am asking for any and all opinions on this one.I am wondering if I should be considering the purchase of a Lincoln IdealArc 250 (tombstone) for $300. Would you think that it is that much better than my Lincoln ac 225-s. Considering that the Idealarc has AD/DC, and a bit more amperage.I am wondering if it will be more versatile and useful to me, and /or easier to master, than what I have?And what about reliability, I mean my ac225 is a tank from way back, would the idealarc be built so sturdily.here are  pics of the two.Thank you Attached Images
Reply:Yes, the 250 is a "real" welder it will run circles around the old buzz box.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I wouldn't hesitate for a microsecond!Mike
Reply:What they said Dave J.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:Well that is a good enough consensus for me.I will jump on it then. and sell on my ac-225-s.Thank you everyone.
Reply:Once you stick weld with DC+ polarity, you will never stick weld with ac again. The 250 Idealarc ac/dc has many benifits over the ac225 buzzer. The Idealarc ac/dc has smoth dc weld current. The Idealarc has more weld power/ current.   The Idealarc has a much higher duty cycle. The Idealarc is a multi voltage powered machine. You can tig weld with the Idealarc on dc- current via scratch start and a tig torch with a gas valve. The disadvantages of the Idealarc are the primary amperage demand and the mass of the machine.
Reply:Snoeproe, I just saw  your post on this machine from'09.Did you set that up for TIG?Was that difficult? I think I will have to do that too.
Reply:Is it possible to keep the 225 off in a corner as a backup for the day the 250 skips a beat due to a faulted diode in the rectifier and must be repaired?  When something must be repaired, a dusty 225 on hand is better than no machine on hand unless you can quickly borrow another one...
Reply:I still want an IdealArc 250 for my collection."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Sell the 225ac welder.  Once you go dc you won't want to go back.  I say cash in pocket trumps old welder in corner.
Reply:I am on my way to check it out. I will post pics when I get back if it is a successful journey.Regarding the 225 ac, I will probably sell it as I am trying to cut down on number of equipment.My deal with myself is to upgrade my stuff if possible , but on the condition of removing like items.Otherwise I will need to buy more Seacans to hold it all. LOL
Reply:Sell the AC225. You will never use it again. It will be a cold day in hell before you have any problems with the Idealarc 250. DC tig welding steel and stainless steel is as simple as it gets with the Idealarc 250 ac/dc. I have stud to tweco cable adapters on mine to accommodate tweco cable connectors. You need an air cooled tig torch with a gas valve. The torch needs the pig tail connector to connect to your machine. A bottle of argon and a regulator will complete what you need. I prefer Red 2% thoriated tungsten for dc tig welding ferrous metals. It starts and welds best for me.Remember, DC+ for stick welding and DC- for tig welding steel and stainless steel.Last edited by snoeproe; 09-23-2013 at 11:37 AM.
Reply:HI All,I got the Idealarc 250. I couldn't be happier! The fellow I got it from bought it new in 1978 for $700. He is 86 and was a welder for the Canadian military Engineers, and took care of the machine, no dents and everything clean and up kept. I tested it out in DC+, and everyone is right, even for a newb like me it set a smooth bead  and was no problem for me to make a clean tee joint  in 1/2" plate on the first pass.Though Mamma mia, is this box heavy , I knew it was 365lbs, so I took my trailer with a loading ramp, instead of heaving it into the back of my truck, but even then it was heave ho, and breathe, heave ho to get it in. It is home now though and sitting in my garage. Wow 100% duty cycle @ 140amps! Here are some pics. A couple of questiions for you all. 1.How does one use the "arcair" handle (pic #5) , I know it should be for cutting, it has a air compressor fitting( can I use compressed air?)  and then do I some how plug that into the welder, (I can't yet see what the fitting is like in the boot) pic# 42. is that black button on the arc air , there to turn on the air and off?sorry for the fast and silly questions, I am just excited.3.Snoeproe, when I am going to get the TIG stuff , I would think I should work backwards and get the torch handle first and then get the fittings back to the machine, Yes? Attached ImagesLast edited by Maxtcc; 09-23-2013 at 02:39 PM.
Reply:Here's the Arcair site:  http://victortechnologies.com/arcair  The torch is used with compressed air and carbon rods for gouging and cutting. Except for the smallest torch, they take a very large volume of air."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Thanks Oldendum,now I get it , 8 cfm is a lot of air.I guess I am just missing the power supply cable, I should be able to make one up though if I need too.I think that the first thing I will get into will be setting it up for TIG work as Snoeproe, suggested. Not for a little while though as I actually don not have a need for it yet. Right now I think I will practice and build up some good technique..
Reply:Nice machine For your cutter you just clip the end in your rod holder jaws. Nothing more to buy - at least that's how mine is set up Dave J.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:Carbon Arc Gouging (arcair) info. Hobart Stickmate LX235AC/160DCRanger 305GVictor 315 O/A rigHope to acquire in the next couple of years: Hypertherm PM45 and Dynasty 200DX
Reply:Originally Posted by MaxtccThanks Oldendum,now I get it , 8 cfm is a lot of air....
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumThe baby Arcair handle (K2000) takes 8 CFM.  AFIK, they are less common and priced higher than the larger handles (K3 or K3000, etc.).  You may have one of the other models that takes 22 CFM or more.
Reply:Unless you need to set the neighbor's house on fire when arc gouging, you might want to sell that Arcair torch."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumUnless you need to set the neighbor's house on fire when arc gouging, you might want to sell that Arcair torch.
Reply:Originally Posted by MaxtccWell I checked it and rechecked and could find no identifier marks on it.But searching the I-net and comparing images my guess is that it is a K-3 and therefore 80psi @ 22cfm.Hey anybody want to buy an official , vintage, tried and true Arcair K-3 gouging cutting torch system?
Reply:Ya. With only a 250 mamp machine, your restricted to using very small carbon electrodes for arc air cutting/gouging.When i'm arc air gouging I like a 400 amp machine mininum and preferably a 500 amp machine.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:For setting up Tig, look at the sticky in the Tig section by Tozzi.  Very informative. That machine welds soooooo smooth.  I had to get rid of mine because of space limitations and wish I hadn't.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum