LIncoln Idealarc 300/300 TIG

[hoffman]

I just got one of these big suckers and was wondering if anyone had any input positive or negative, It's AC/DC with hi-freq. I don't have a torch, regulator, cooler or pedal.

Thanks

[timw]

I bought one 3 years ago not working. I found a bad PC board in it and emailed Linchon with the numbers from the board. They emailed me back that the machine was obsolete and parts were no longer available. ??? It was a 1979 machine!! The stick part still worked. I sold it as is. If you need a lawn ornament or a place to tie up your dog it's a great machine other wise I would not put a lot of money in it.
Just another reason why I like Blue! tim

[bjdenommee]

Tim maybe you just got one that was beat on, I have (2) and have never had any problems with them.

The thing thats nice about them is the excess power, if they were just a little ligther.

BJD

[Kdredneck]

I would have to think that if the only problem was a PC board, that is something that could be rebuilt or just check it out and replace the bad components.

[billyboy]

I just got one of these big suckers and was wondering if anyone had any input positive or negative, It's AC/DC with hi-freq. I don't have a torch, regulator, cooler or pedal.

Thanks

How old is the unit? Mine is circa 1968, and it works great. I've seen my grandfather put down some tig welds with this machine that I would stack up against most I've seen with a fancy new one. I talked to a lincoln repair guy and he said you could get parts, they were just expensive. I just replaced my fan motor after it burned up. Lincoln wanted $300, I found an elctric motor that would fit with the same RPM for $100, and it works fine.

[timw]

I also talked to a local independent welder repair guy and he told me those machines were dinasoars. Something about the electrical design of the transformer, it has a large transformer and a smaller one on top of that and he said they suck energy. I don't remember the specifics but he told me to cut my losses it wasn't worth the effort. I sold it for $150. With 50' leads, peddle and water cooled torch and tank.
I've got a Miller Dialarc 250 AC/DC so I had no use for the stick machine.

[billyboy]

yeah, it's definitely a dinasour, and REALLY sucks the energy. But it was given to me, so it's still better than spending a load on a new one. Plus, it works like new. I didn't have to pay for any cables, pedals, hoses, tanks, torches, tungstens, or cups either, so I'm not gonna complain to much about my electric bill!! You could easily spend what it's worth just on getting ready weld with it, I'm sure, and that's if it all still works.

[hoffman]

It's the "rounded" one not the "square" one so I'm thinking 1960's. This thing doesn't have any PC boards in it. I pulled the side cover to look at the power cable and it's full of some pretty serious looking pots and caps. Really heavy....

[billyboy]

Sounds like mine. Keep in mind that if you want all 375 amps out of that sucker, Lincoln said it needs an 80 amp breaker . Mine is on a 60 amp, but I never go above 275. I tried a little carbon arc gouging at 300 and kept tripping the breaker. I think 250-275 is all I can get without causing safety issues.
You can go to the lincoln website and get and owners manual for obsolete machines. You can look it up by the number on the front. I think the manual number for mine is IM-247. If you call them directly they can help you out too.

[leeave96]

I know nothing about this machine - except what I have read about Idealarc welders in general and my limited experience with my Miller Dialarc HF.

I gather that the Dialarc and Idealarc are similar machines in capacity, quality and durability. My Dialarc has been one of the best used pieces of equipment I have ever bought. I have been told that it has a very soft arc and I can tell you that it has a LOT of head room and duty cycle. Just for kicks, I have cranked-up the amps and I can make a 6011 really sizzle! As to the duty cycle, when I am practicing laying weld beads across a steel plate - back and forth, over the entire surface, I feel like I am getting into some duty cycle issues that would cause a problem with a buzz box. I don't think I'm even close with the Dialarc.

I said all of that to say this. My feeling is that the Idealarc is going to give you the same results as my Dialarc. I think you have a great machine & tig to boot!

Good luck,
Bill

[FM117]

Hoffman
If you pull the cover on the other side from the power
cable you will find the pc board if nesc.
Make sure it's a single phase unit, I think lots
of these were 3 phase.
I've had 2 of em, still have one and it gets used often.
Mine were early 70s vintage and worked great.
Newer technology will be better on ac ( aluminum)
for some projects, but these old machines are
still real useful and it sounds like the price was
right. I'm using mine on a 125amp breaker and
it will run "full out". These things were rated with a
60% duty cycle at 300 amps.....can really cook things
if you need to.
Dave

[wricwo]

Lincoln Idealarc Foot Amptrol

I need a foot amptrol for the Lincoln Idealarc TIG 300/300. I have a Foot Amptrol off of a Lincoln Squarewave, but the plug is larger than the Idealarc contactor receptacle. I was wondering if there was some kind of adapter that I can use to plug the squarewave foot amptrol into the idealarc. If not where can I find a K870 foot amptrol for a decent price. Thanks.

[Pin Head]

One other thing that these old boat anchors have is copper; lots of it.

With the price of scrap copper at a historic high, they may be worth a lot more than you pay for them.

[m16ty]

Wricwo,
I've got a old 300/300 and love it. I bought a hand amptrol for mine at Airgas and they sold me a pigtail with it that changed the plug to the new style. I don't know for sure if they ordered it from linclon or some aftermarket co. If you need me to I could probally dig around and find the part number off the sales ticket.

[NsWelder]

Dont suppose you still have that part number kicking around for the pigtail? i would really appreciate it. thanks