"New" welder Dad got, Miller Dialarc, anyone know info about this?

[sled_dog]

Anything anyone can tell me about this thing? Dad thought it would be good for me, but being a non-wirefeeder, its useless to me at this moment. If I can set it up as a TIG its usefulness just HEAVILY increased. Buddy of Dad's he got it from said it would easily setup for TIG, but he doesn't have the stuff. He does have a SpoolGun which could be mildly useful. Anyway, anyone know the specifics of this thing?

 

[79k20350]

whys it have to be wire feed? whats wrong with stick? better than nothin

 

[sled_dog]

I can MIG weld rather well. I just need a new 220V machine. I am trying to save up and buy a Lincoln 255 right now. He figured a Stick machine with a spool gun was as good, obviouslly not understanding, it isn't.

I am still looking to start my own fabrication shop. I can't stick weld a car together for people. People don't want to pay for the look of a stick weld.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Someone correct me if i'm wrong but isn't a spool gun a wire feed?

 

[sled_dog]

correct, however the feed/spool are ON the gun. Try getting into any tight spots and weld with the spool on the gun. Plus the added weight on your hand all the time. I've never used a spool gun but I don't care to. Besides which, I want a Lincoln 255 for digital adjustment it has. Amazing how often changing voltage .2 here or there can make a weld SO much better.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Got you. I thought you were saying it didn't have the capacity to run a wire feed even though you mentioned spool gun.

 

[rjfguitar]

I agree on the spool gun, it's not a substitute of a good 220 MIG. I think what you have is not what you want. Although, looks aside, I love my stick welders, Nothing penetrates like a stick of 5/32 and a 300amp machine.

 

[stoney126]

was looking at getting a lincoln 255 as well, the powermig 255.It's what we used in school. What would you say the price of used one should go for.

 

[sled_dog]

seen them go for around 1200-1500 in good condition.

Looks like the only thing I can do is get a box and turn it into a scratch start TIG. I already need a lot of practice with a TIG having to learn a new starting method won't help that.

 

[cybrfire]

Seems to me I've seen a box like that hooked up to a standard wire feeder. Can't say for sure how it was done.

For tig it'd have to be a scratch start which would complicate things if you intend to use it for aluminum.

 

[sled_dog]

yea I found the info that it would be a scratch start. So bad for me on 2 counts, oh well. Dad can use it, ha.