Need welder advice...

[dntfxr]

I'm looking to pick up another welder for the shop. All I have right now is a little Lincoln 110v mig which is fine for lighter stuff but I would like to get another machine for heavier fabrication and repair, up to 1/2" but mostly 1/4" -3/8" materials. I found an older Miller dialarc250 whiteface machine in very good shape with 50' leads for 500$. Or for a little more money I can buy a brand new Thunderbolt or similar machine. I've never used either but I think I'd prefer the dialarc, I hear they're pretty bulletproof.

I also like the idea of playing around with Tig. Is it very expensive to set these up for Tig, or would o do better to look into another machine for that? I did find a Lincoln Squarewave175 for 800$ a few hrs from here. Reality is Stick welding will do 90% of what I need but I do like the
versatility of Tig.
Anyone have experience with these machines or have any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I'm looking to pick up another welder for the shop. All I have right now is a little Lincoln 110v mig which is fine for lighter stuff but I would like to get another machine for heavier fabrication and repair, up to 1/2" but mostly 1/4" -3/8" materials. I found an older Miller dialarc250 whiteface machine in very good shape with 50' leads for 500$. Or for a little more money I can buy a brand new Thunderbolt or similar machine. I've never used either but I think I'd prefer the dialarc, I hear they're pretty bulletproof.

I also like the idea of playing around with Tig. Is it very expensive to set these up for Tig, or would o do better to look into another machine for that? I did find a Lincoln Squarewave175 for 800$ a few hrs from here. Reality is Stick welding will do 90% of what I need but I do like the
versatility of Tig.
Anyone have experience with these machines or have any suggestions?
Thanks

Depends on wether you want new/used/plug-in/engine drive/duty cycle. 1/2 inch material; if you are like me you want to use 5/32 rod at up to 180/200A. Shop only or some field work? Duty cycle; most engine drives are 100%, low cost plug-ins are 20%. That has to do with how long you maintain the arc and duration of steady work. If plug in do you have capability to provide 60-100A single phase power. Incidential work you can probably get by with the 20% and 60 Amp power supply. Some of my projects are extensive enough that 20%is a pain to wait for it cool down and come back on. I have a AC/DC 225A 20% and find I need a higher duty cycle. Now we are talking a lot more money, even for a used one. The 20s are a dime a dozen on the used market. I only paid $50 for mine . I can burn up a bunch of them for the price of a 100%.

Tig; way to go if you do a lot of work on thin material, stainless, aliminum, or other exotic alloys even copper and bronze. The shielding gases are very expensive, even more so for the small cylinders. You have to have a lot of work to use the lower cost big cylinders. Even a small cylinder cost $200+filling. 20CF of argon/co2 mix is around $70. Each material requires a different gas blend. Using tig for thick material takes many passes and is slower than Oxy-Acet welding, which I am equipted to do also and good at. 1/4" material I do in one pass.

Most arc welders of all types you can get a mig set up. Costs as much as the welder on the lower end. Keep the mig you have for light work

Need all these parameters answered before I could start to recommend.

Ron

 

[dntfxr]

Thanks for the response. As I stated, the welder is for the shop so I don't need a engine drive. 20% duty cycle would get old, and I think the thunderbolt is around that. I don't mind used if it's built to last and like I said the ac/dc stick would probably do 90% of what I need. The 175 squarewave can weld stick too so it's not like I would have to run shielding gas all the time. But the tig option would be nice for some projects. Does anyone have any opinions of those particular machines and if the price seems good? Also does anyone know how much it would cost to set up the regular non-HF Dialarc for tig?
Thanks

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Thanks for the response. As I stated, the welder is for the shop so I don't need a engine drive. 20% duty cycle would get old, and I think the thunderbolt is around that. I don't mind used if it's built to last and like I said the ac/dc stick would probably do 90% of what I need. The 175 squarewave can weld stick too so it's not like I would have to run shielding gas all the time. But the tig option would be nice for some projects. Does anyone have any opinions of those particular machines and if the price seems good? Also does anyone know how much it would cost to set up the regular non-HF Dialarc for tig?
Thanks

Shop around the welding suppliers and the net. Try Northern Steel's on line catalog. They have a wide range of stuff to compare. Used depends on condition and what you know about the seller and/or his machine. Auctions are bad as a lot of junk gets unloaded there and you cannot try it out. Remember the austioneer works for the seller. The welding supply outfits taht rent equipment and turn it over every 5 years or so at about 1/2 price or less and thwey maintain stuff well. UI agree stay with the 75-100% stuff for your use. You will find the TIG set up is pretty spendy for casual use. Depends on your finances.

Ron

 

[Shield Arc]

I took a quick look on ebay, this was the first torch I came across, there might be better deals on there. The cost of renting / buying a bottle of argon will very depending on your LWS. I just had my 250 cf bottle of Argon filled for $55.00. But you should be able to get into Tig for around $200.00 less the bottle.
You'll need a flow meter, air cooled Tig torch, power lug, (torch in ebay add has one) and some tungsten, and filler rod. I've Tig welded off CC stick machines since Christ was a corporal. Of course you won't have the luxury of a foot pedal, but xray quality Tig welds are made everyday with scratch start Tig torches.

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

WP17FV-25R TIG Torch Complete Welding Outfit Air Cooled | eBay

 

[yomax4]

I'm looking to pick up another welder for the shop. All I have right now is a little Lincoln 110v mig which is fine for lighter stuff but I would like to get another machine for heavier fabrication and repair, up to 1/2" but mostly 1/4" -3/8" materials. I found an older Miller dialarc250 whiteface machine in very good shape with 50' leads for 500$. Or for a little more money I can buy a brand new Thunderbolt or similar machine. I've never used either but I think I'd prefer the dialarc, I hear they're pretty bulletproof.

I also like the idea of playing around with Tig. Is it very expensive to set these up for Tig, or would o do better to look into another machine for that? I did find a Lincoln Squarewave175 for 800$ a few hrs from here. Reality is Stick welding will do 90% of what I need but I do like the
versatility of Tig.
Anyone have experience with these machines or have any suggestions?
Thanks

Is the Dial Arc 250 the HF modle or just the Dial Arc. If it's the HF modle you an add a foot control to it. I see them used a lot for a couple hundred. Tig Torch will be a hundred too. Check with Welding Supply Distributors. They always have used stuff around.

 

[dntfxr]

Thanks for the links and suggestions guys. This particular Dial arc I found isn't the HF version unfortunately. I wish it were because it looks to be in excellent shape in a non- industrial shop. HF would also allow for lift start tig also right? Would I do better to hold out for HF? I'll check with the local Airgas and the other big welding supply here to see what is available in used machines also.

 

[Shield Arc]

HF is very nice for helping to get started with DC Tig, but not really needed. HF is a must for AC Tig!

 

[dntfxr]

HF is very nice for helping to get started with DC Tig, but not really needed. HF is a must for AC Tig!

Thanks Sheild Arc, AC Tig is required for aluminum right? I may just keep looking and research some more.

 

[Shield Arc]

Well it's not necessarily required, you can weld aluminum with DCEN and helium, now that's old school at it's best!:laughing:

Here's a picture of a weld I did on DCEN with 100% helium.