Lincoln Idealarc welders

OmahaRed · Newbie Joined: 12 May 2011 Posts: 66

Ok, masters of the arc, Time to spout off!!

http://s1185.photobucket.com/albums/z346/redhandedbbq/welder/

I'm looking at a welder. It's a Lincoln, TM 300/300.
I've read a bit about them (hard to find much info, i guess it's kind of archaeic) and most men tend to say good things about them. I want to know what the arc masters here on the 'ring have to say about this particular guy. I may have to get a 100 amp 220v supply in my garage, but this may be the ticket to a new smoker for Red.

Don't be afraid to hurt my feelings, let me know exactly what you think about this stick welder.

Thanks in advance

Red
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Blazer · Posted: Mon Jan 02 12 9:39 pm Post subject:

If you can get it for a good price go for it. They do take up alot of space and are very heavy, but they do weld good....forever.

OmahaRed · Newbie Joined: 12 May 2011 Posts: 66

thats good to hear. I posted a three wheeler on craigslist and this is what i may take in trade for it. he doesnt have the tig setup for it, but for building smokers, stick will be good for now.
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k.a.m. · Posted: Mon Jan 02 12 11:54 pm Post subject:

OmahaRed, oh how I miss my Ideal arc. I ran a 250 in my truck fabrication shop and it was a hummer. Very Happy

Make sure you give it a dedicated circuit it will need it.
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OmahaRed · Newbie Joined: 12 May 2011 Posts: 66

100 amps should be sufficient, yeah?
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killswitch505 · Posted: Tue Jan 03 12 6:42 pm Post subject:

100a would probably be over kill i got my 250 on a 50a circuit and have had no problems 100a would be #2 wire (buck a foot) 50a would be #6 wire (.50cent a foot) breaker would be 40 bucks for a 100a and probably 20-30 for a 50a breaker so i would save me some money and go with a 50a set up i don't think you'll have any troubles
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tanglediver · Posted: Wed Jan 04 12 7:31 am Post subject:

That machine has a solid reputation, tough as they get, and a good solid investment for metal work. (Be aware, you're looking at near 500 pounds of transformer!) Smile

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morgaj1 · Newbie Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Posts: 28

IMO, the Idealarc series are the best transformer stick welders ever made. They are heavy and pull a lot of current. But if you can handle that, you will be getting an awesome welder! If you plan to use it at the higher settings, you will need a 100 amp circuit.

Blazer · Posted: Wed Jan 04 12 10:17 pm Post subject:

It would be nice to try it out first but i would say its ok ,they are very tough. The local vocational school had them and you know they got abused. As far as the tig setup they did make a high frequency version of that machine but i dont think that is one. Does it have a remote plugin on the panel? But you can scratch tig with an air cooled torch on steel. Wink

OmahaRed · Newbie Joined: 12 May 2011 Posts: 66

It does not have a remote plugin on the front. The kid who traded it to me (yeah, i went ahead and picked it up!!) said that he's seen shops use stick welders like this to power mig welders, using the elecrodes as the power source. not sure bout this. Guess it doesnt matter much, sticks will be plenty enough to build a smoker. We burnt up a few rods yesterday, and at 120 amps using 7013 rods, the machine barely even notices we were doing anything. I can see a lot of potential here, but MAN this machine is huge. stands about 4 feet high and 2.5 feet square or so. Weighs a bunch also.
At any rate, the drums i'm using are roughly 1/8 inch thick, Can anyone give a hand as to which sticks I should use? Keeping in mind that tensile strength is not the most important, I'm looking for an easy rod with forgiveness as one of the main characteristics as i'm still a novice welder. Thanks again guys for your help.

Red
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Char-Griller Smokin Pro
Char-Griller Grillin Pro 4100 w/OFB
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Big Fat Oil Drum

Blazer · Posted: Sun Jan 08 12 4:07 pm Post subject:

Yea a lincoln LN25 uses the lead as the power for the feeder, Normally used for fluxcore. I like 3/32 7018 and 1/8 6010 5p+ (gray rod) for rust,paint,gaps.

cupped wings · Newbie Joined: 14 Aug 2011 Posts: 30

sillk556 · Joined: 15 Apr 2010 Posts: 19 Location: Esperance NY

I built my smoker with my Idealarc tig 250 that has all the power you will ever need. I wired mine to a 70 amp breaker and never had a bit of trouble. 6010 5p+ is a great multi- purpose, all position rod. 7018 is nice but not nearly as forgiving. Good luck !
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