Lincoln Idealarc vs. Miller Dialarc

G6 at Snook, TX

Well-known Member
I am normally a Lincoln man, it is what I have used, but I am building a new shop and want to put a solid electric stick welder in it. Which is a better machine new these days? The Idealarc or the Dialarc? I don't envision doing any welding that isn't stick.
 
I have a lincoln square wave 255 tig, the guy that
tought me to weld had a miller syncrowave. I like my
lincoln better and so did he. But then they are both
tig machines and used mostly for that.
 
Acording to the welding forum I go to the new inverter type welders are suposed to work well too, but some think reliability is a problem.
 
The 3 in 1s are cheaper and will stick or Mig out of the box 115 or 220v. Things are changing, just look around before you buy.
Victor
 
I have lincoln idealarc at home, miller dial arc
at work, both work fine, you just want to stay
away from tombstone tops that have preselected
ranges as the only control, infinite adjustment
allows you to dial it in to your preference for
specific rod
 
I can't answer your question because I don't have any experience with Miller Dialarc welders, but despite having a sentimental preference for Lincoln products over Miller, I've come to have high regard for Miller products and I suspect that either a Dialarc or an Idealarc would exceed your expectations. If a purchase in the $2000 to $3000 range is no big thing for you, then there's nothing like a shiny new piece of equipment---you don't take a chance of buying someone else's problems, you've got warranty protection, and of course, it's got that new welder smell. But this is something you can save about $2000 on and still have a welder that will do all you ask of it (well, maybe not carbon arc gouging) and last for generations. Used Idealarc welders go for between $250 and $450 on Craigslist in my part of the country, the Puget Sound region. Granted, they only come up about every six weeks or so, and they're the old round top ones, but they're fine welders. If you can get one that was owned by an individual rather than a welding shop or school, as I did for $450, you'll get a welder that's almost certain to have thousands and thousands of hours of useful life left---more than you'll ever be able to use it.

Stan
 
The big crank on the front indicates that the welder has infinite adjustment control. Typically it's low end welders which have tapped settings (click to a fixed amperage), but that's not really why you wouldn't want one. Lincoln's tombstone buzz box is a great little welder, but it tops out at 125 amps DC, and it has a 20% duty cycle at EVERY amperage setting. An Idealarc, on the other hand, puts out 250 amps DC at 30% duty cycle. That means you'll have a 100% duty cycle at somewhere upwards of 150 amps (I'm estimating---I couldn't find the specs).

Stan
 
I don't have a lot of experience with the Miller stick welders but I have the 250 Ideal Arc AC DC that is probably the best welder I've ever used. I've run mostly the SA-200 and type like it. I've owned a bunch of Miller tig's, I currently own the Miller-Matic 200 mig, nice machine.
My 250 has the input caps love the machine. Awesome arc.
David
 
Things have changed for sure. I use miller's at
work (old machines) but smooth. Have 2 miller's at
home and old Lincoln buzz box.
Had some new projects come up and I needed more
versatility. Looked at miller multi-matic but with
everything it was $2300.
Checked out northern tools and thermal dynamics
and both were overseas machines. I bought the
Klutch brand before Christmas. Finally got to use
it. Hate to say this but so far performance has
been superb. Drive system smooth as my miller. Able
to stick weld 16 ga. With 7014 dc rod (just to
see).haven't tried the tig or spool gun but I'm
hoping the example is being set. Did mig 17 ga tube
up to full weight pipe 1/4" walled. The machine
didn't lack the finesse for thinner tube and
plenty of power for the heavier stuff. Probably
could have handled 3/8 fairly easy. Cheap ground
cable though.
Depending on what you need it to do. For around
700 get a new welder with a lot extras.
Sorry to say like to had the miller but for 3
times the amount and usage couldn't justify it.
Now everybody can give me a hard time I'm
guilty.
 

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