Need a shop machine

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So I have a new shop and need a good stick/ tig machine. I single phase power available. I've been spoiled by 100% duty cycle engine drives so i don't know really what it's reasonable for an electric machine. There is a dail arc with HF closer by that looks like it could fit my needs. Any input would be appreciated.Sent from my DROID RAZR using TapatalkLong after the price is forgotten, the quality will remain.Both of my Poppy's 1954 Short Hoods -Third generation to weld with it and teaching a fourthSA 2## - Bought and sold more than I can remember or care to list, 8 in the shop right now
Reply:I learned to weld on a HF dialarc, I think it is a pretty nice machine, and I normally see them on C list pretty cheap. What are you planning on doing with the machine? lots of stick? tig? Heavy aluminum? depending on that Im sure others will be able to give you some better advice.- Christian M.C3 Welding & Fabrication - CNC Plasma Cutting-Mobile Welding-Custom welding and fabwww.c3welding.com
Reply:Light stick and stainless tig, I'm looking to do aluminum. There's alot of boat work around me. I've got an old 200 for the heavy stuff. Sent from my DROID RAZR using TapatalkLong after the price is forgotten, the quality will remain.Both of my Poppy's 1954 Short Hoods -Third generation to weld with it and teaching a fourthSA 2## - Bought and sold more than I can remember or care to list, 8 in the shop right now
Reply:I have an older Dial Arc 250 HF and love it.  Can't imagine much it can't do and the duty cycle runs up there close to 100% until you get way up in the amps.  I stick and TIG with it both.  Only downfall is the size and weight of the monster, which limits the portability.  Not really a factor for me as my shop is small and a 25 foot lead will reach anywhere I need to go.RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:Got a 25 x 25 shop and 300' of lead so I'm covered there. Found an idealarc  fit the same price with no HF. Sent from my DROID RAZR using TapatalkLong after the price is forgotten, the quality will remain.Both of my Poppy's 1954 Short Hoods -Third generation to weld with it and teaching a fourthSA 2## - Bought and sold more than I can remember or care to list, 8 in the shop right now
Reply:What are you looking for in a machine? Does it need to be a CC/CV machine? Would you like to arc air? do you want some 110 volt aux power built into the machine?Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:Got plenty of 110 in the shop and Lincoln 135 mig so no need for cv. And that is a negative on the air arc. Sent from my DROID RAZR using TapatalkLong after the price is forgotten, the quality will remain.Both of my Poppy's 1954 Short Hoods -Third generation to weld with it and teaching a fourthSA 2## - Bought and sold more than I can remember or care to list, 8 in the shop right now
Reply:So just stick/tig? you want ac/dc or just dc? if you want ac/dc i'd recommend the Dialarc,Idealarc,Syncrowave,Precsion Tig, Dynasty,Squarewave all of the machines I mentioned are either Lincoln or Miller ac/dc tig/stick welders that are good used or new so happy shopping.Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:Do i need the hf for tig aluminum?Sent from my DROID RAZR using TapatalkLong after the price is forgotten, the quality will remain.Both of my Poppy's 1954 Short Hoods -Third generation to weld with it and teaching a fourthSA 2## - Bought and sold more than I can remember or care to list, 8 in the shop right now
Reply:If you are using a transformer machine that doesn't include some sort of waveform control, you need continuous HF in order to weld aluminum. If the AC output is a square wave, then you only need HF to start an arc.
Reply:You need a big ole transformer machine with remote voltage capability, HF and a gas solenoid.  Used older Syncrowave without the bells and whistles (and without all the PCBs to malfunction and need $$$ replacement) or a 330 A/BP come to mind.If you can find a Miller Shopmaster, you'd be able to go CCCV, but you'd need to add an HF box.  You'd be able to upgrade your mig when the time comes.  An XMT304 lacks the AC, but is CCCV as well.  Great machine.  When you get into heavier and bigger projects, MiG is gonna save you a lot of time and your 135 may not cut it.Last edited by Drf255; 11-22-2013 at 04:58 AM.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Find an old syncrowave and call it a day.Miller Dynasty 200DXMiller Spectrum 250DMiller Millermatic 200Bunch of old blue dinosaurs....
Reply:You need hf to tig aluminum with ac. If you don't plan in tig welding much aluminum, a 250 Idealarc or Dialarc will be all you need. Both machines will tig steel and stainless via scratch start dc. Both are excellent stick welders, will last forever and you can get either machine relatively cheap used.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:If you want to tig alum, you will need a machine capable of AC tig that has HF capability. You will also need to have a remote like a pedal to control your amps ( it's not 100% required, but the vast majority of people won't have success without one.)That pretty much describes an old Miller 330A/BP or an equivalent or a Syncrowave if you are looking used.Knowing how thick you need to weld would tell us how big a machine you need. Anything 200 amps and less is usually a 3/16" or less alum tig. If you need to weld thicker, or need to feed it a steady diet of 3/16", then you need top look at a bigger machine..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan