Opinions on older Lincoln Idealarc TIG 250/300 units

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What can and can't you weld with one of the Idealarc TIG units (say mid 70's through 90's) that you could weld with the newer fancier units like the Syncrowaves and such?I've seen a number of Idealarc TIG's at reasonable prices and I'll primarily be working on steel and aluminum (no titanium).
Reply:the synch isnt new, but the inverters are and you can change the arc considerably, very focussed if you like, actually makes it like it has more power. They are very thrifty with the electric input demands, are portable and would work well with cords.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:Right. I understand about the newer machines (including inverter setups) but I'm more curious how an older Idealarc TIG unit would hold me back (if it would at all).
Reply:I've only been shade tree welding for 2 yrs, so this is a discussion thats WAY over my grasp, but this guy feels that the old stuff is just as good. Its a loonnggg read but, isn't it all.....http://www.weldreality.com/equipment_evaluation.htm
Reply:I have an early 90's Lincoln Idealarc Tig 300/300 at home, and at work we have newer Miller Synchrowave 250's and 351's.  It surprised me to no end when I got my Lincoln and found that it had a much more stable arc than the newer Millers.  I cannot figure out why, but I feel much more in control with the Lincon than the Millers - and I have a lot more time in on the Millers!  The Lincoln also seems to be able to hold an arc at much lower amperages than our Millers.  So, other than it weighing close to 1/2 a ton with the undercarriage, cooler, and bottle I happen to prefer mine over the newer square wave Millers we have at work!Jason
Reply:I have several welders around the shop and  I just bought a 180SD. syncro. while it is not the largest unit I have ever used.  I find that it is a very smooth machine, using either stick or tig. It is a great unit in my book. I have not used a new Lincoln so I cannot pass judgment on them. I do love the new miller smoooooothone good deed is worth a thousand good intentions
Reply:I'm not that familiar with the Lincoln Machines, and I don't know what year the machines went from a sine wave to square wave, but I think you should make sure you get a square wave unit.  The older Miller 330A/BP are good machines, but since they are sine wave units, the Syncrowave 250 has a better arc with the square wave technology.Seems to me that a Lincoln/Miller discussion is like a Chevy/Ford discussion.
Reply:I have had my Lincoln tig 250 (1984 model) since 1992, I would not trade it for a new inverter, Welds great, I weld mostly aluminum. I have tried the new inverters, cant tell any difference, but I am not a pro weldor that welds 8 hrs a day. The main thing I noticed was that the Miller 200DX was VERY loud on AC.