Picked up my first welder today

dragoneggs · May 15, 2014

Arc weld said:
You can get a lot of exercise welding overhead. The real test is being able to keep a steady hand and good weld while sparks and spatter are showering you and occasionally burning through your clothes and into your skin.

Wow! you are making that seem like an exciting adventure. I think I will stay above my welds... being just a newbie speaking, but that isn't a thrill I am looking for. :laughing:

Happy Gilmore · May 15, 2014

The Procedure Handbook of Arc Welding by Lincoln came in the mail yesterday. Looks to be quite a bit of information, did I mention quite a bit.

Happy Gilmore · May 17, 2014

Interestingly enough the seller with the Idealarc 250 on CL e-mailed me back today. He said he still had it for sale, but had nowhere to plug it in to test it. I'm now perplexed :confused3:

joshuabardwell · May 17, 2014

Happy Gilmore said:
Interestingly enough the seller with the Idealarc 250 on CL e-mailed me back today. He said he still had it for sale, but had nowhere to plug it in to test it. I'm now perplexed :confused3:

As a regular CL seller, I can tell you this: you should not pay his asking price. If the ad has been up this long and it hasn't sold yet, then his price is too high. Maybe the guy is just not very responsive on his emails and he actually has people beating down his door, but that's not my instinct.

joshuabardwell · May 17, 2014

Happy Gilmore said:
Interestingly enough the seller with the Idealarc 250 on CL e-mailed me back today. He said he still had it for sale, but had nowhere to plug it in to test it. I'm now perplexed :confused3:

As a regular CL seller, I can tell you this: you should not pay his asking price. If the ad has been up this long and it hasn't sold yet, then his price is too high. Maybe the guy is just not very responsive on his emails and he actually has people beating down his door, but that's not my instinct.

Arc weld · May 17, 2014

Like I said, one of few welders that IS worth taking a chance on for $300. Generally one of the most bullet proof welders ever made! The guy sounds like a straight shooter. You'll know more when you meet him in person. Maybe you could make a deal with him where you give him say $200 cash and a post dated check for $100. The machine doesn't work, you cancel the check. This way he's getting a little more money for having to wait an extra week or so till you fire it up. If he won't go for it, say you're taking a gamble and offer $250. $300 is still a great deal if he won't budge much on price. Don't let it slip away. Other buyers might be worried they can't try it out too but don't let it slip away. It's a very good machine.

Happy Gilmore · May 17, 2014

When we spoke over a week ago, he said he'd take $275.00, I like your plan AW. Anything to look for on a machine that is just sitting as is?

Arc weld · May 17, 2014

See how the crank for the amperage turns is about all I can think of. The knob you turn is spring loaded and pulls out but most people just turn it as is. You could check to make sure it's a 230 volt machine. I'd guess it is but could be a multi-voltage set up. There should be a wiring diagram on the back of one of the panels to show how to hook it up for different voltages.