I'm sure this has been beat to death...

[MJL]

... and I know this is a Hobart forum, but I'm looking for advice. I started on a stick welder (AC only) went to mig, and recently I've been wanting to go back to being able to stick weld. this time I want DC capability, and found an AC/DC Thunderbolt. ($200) The seller also told me he has an AC/DC Dialarc with pedal and leads etc ($350) for sale as well. In another listing I found a Lincoln 250/250 Idealarc tig with leads, foot pedal, etc for the same price as the MIller. I've been googling the heck out of these two machines trying to figure out if one has an advantage over the other. I don't plan on tig welding right now, but it would be nice to have the capability if I want/need in the future. The only disadvantage to either of the tig machines is they are power hungry, heavy, and take up a lot more space.

To be honest, I don't weld much as it is, and thought about buying the Thunderbolt for now and maybe getting an "affordable" (Cheap) tig when/if the time comes. What would you do if you were in my position?

[Sberry]

Ok,,, those are all good, the red one looks especially interesting and no one is being robbed with any of them. But since you mention power as a concern it is a reality and the Tbolt which is a very good machine operates from a common 50A circuit which is a huge bonus in my humble opin. I wouldnt have a problem with either other if I needed the punch or had to tig cheap for some reason and I say had to, wouldnt bother unless I had to but a mig and stick really carry the weight especially for common equipment repair or general fab.

[yooper]

... and I know this is a Hobart forum, but I'm looking for advice. I started on a stick welder (AC only) went to mig, and recently I've been wanting to go back to being able to stick weld. this time I want DC capability, and found an AC/DC Thunderbolt. ($200) The seller also told me he has an AC/DC Dialarc with pedal and leads etc ($350) for sale as well. In another listing I found a Lincoln 250/250 Idealarc tig with leads, foot pedal, etc for the same price as the MIller. I've been googling the heck out of these two machines trying to figure out if one has an advantage over the other. I don't plan on tig welding right now, but it would be nice to have the capability if I want/need in the future. The only disadvantage to either of the tig machines is they are power hungry, heavy, and take up a lot more space.

To be honest, I don't weld much as it is, and thought about buying the Thunderbolt for now and maybe getting an "affordable" (Cheap) tig when/if the time comes. What would you do if you were in my position?

I'm surprised the prices are so low , each of those welders would bring double or more on craigslist ..You can't go wrong with any of them ..

[coxhaus]

I would rather have the Idealarc and run it off a 50 amp plug. You won't be able to run high power as I think it requires a 100 amp connection. But your duty cycle will be 100% for what power you can pull.

I learned to weld on an old Idealarc in about 1975. They are a very nice welding machine.

[metalmagpie]

I have owned 2 Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC machines. The first one I bought new and always obeyed the crippling duty cycle, waiting, waiting. That machine welded exceptionally well the whole time. I sold it to my friend in a weak moment. I miss it. Lot of capability in a small footprint. I built a cage around it from 1" square tube, had the whole thing on casters. The second Thunderbolt came to me used, and it didn't weld as well. It worked, but somehow it seemed diminished. I figure the original owner welded way too long with it and really heated the windings to the point where things started to go south, but since it still worked, he sold it to another fool (me). The moral of the story with these little aluminum-wound buzzboxes is you don't know if someone before you has abused the thing. So truly beware.

I also used to own an Idealarc 250-250, the original tombstone about 3 times the size of the ones they sell at Home Depot. That thing could run 1/8" 7018 rod on a 100% duty cycle. It was built like a tank. I have no doubt it is still running somewhere. That one came to me for less than half the price of the used Tbolt. They seem to go for cheap. And they are extremely robust stick welders! Try to get one on the factory cart. Oh, and I run everything from a 60 amp circuit, even machines that say they draw 120 amps. They don't if you don't turn 'em up. And I don't do heavy welding at home. So I'm good with a 60 amp circuit.

metalmagpie

[Sberry]

I am not sure how and when it hurts them but I never pay attn to it. Have ran whole handfuls of 1/8 lohy on the little machines and never have a problem with one.
I agree that a dial will run from a 60. If you tailor a circuit for those remember that cause the plug fits doesnt make it a general circuit for other welders, the smaller machines are designed to be on a circuit limited at 50.