[MinnesotaDave]

It's in the range of prices I've seen.

Mine was $225 with no leads. 1979 model.

Dave J.

 

[MinnesotaDave]

I agree, power factor correction is not a concern for home use.

While at full power it is a hungry beast (90 amps wide open), a 60 amp breaker will rarely ever trip for normal mid range use.

As another plus, at 365 lbs, it's harder to steal - LOL

Dave J.

 

[MinnesotaDave]

Too heck with portable stuff - buy all tools too heavy to steal - and then lock up the cherry picker

Dave J.

 

[MinnesotaDave]

I think not. Please enlighten us.

I've looked into the math behind this before. It's not terribly simple but suffice to say it's a real deal and major power users work with power companies to reduce their bills using the technology.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_factor
The reading for welders starts at "Non-linear Loads"

Dave J.

 

[MinnesotaDave]

I don't want to sound wishy-washy, but some of the comments made here is making me think that both Lincoln Idealarc & Miller Dialarc may be more machine than I need. I'm not going to weld big trailers or bridges. In regards to power, I can bring in 100 amps without any problem. Aside from the above two choices & Miller Thunderbolt, what other brand stick welders are considered good that will provide infinite amp control, AC/DC and reasonable cost? In the craigslist, I see brands like Ward, Century, Craftsman, Hobart, Airco, etc.

I would not hesitate to get the larger machines, they roll on wheels just fine
They last longer, run better and have higher duty cycle.

Many of the low cost AC/DC versions are hitting 20% duty cycle very quickly on DC. Like at 100-120 amps.

Dave J.

 

[MinnesotaDave]

originally posted by drujinin - Bought a DIAL-ARC a couple of years ago for about $350(?). Prices reflect by State location. It runs all I usually need for Circuit Breaker duty cycle (50amps) unless I really push the Welders Duty Cycle, then the breaker will trip. It is somewhere around eight 1/8" 7018 at 125amps going as fast as you can load them into the Stinger.

drujinin - as noted above, go to a 60 amp breaker and you won't trip it at that amperage anymore

(I'm assuming you would also use matching wire of course)

You are still at 100% duty cycle on the welder at 125 amps. Pic from the 1978 Dialarc manual.

Dave J.