ESAB Heliarc 250

[flux]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if any of you may have any experience with the ESAB Heliarc 250. It's an old, heavy, transformer style TIG/stick welder from 1994.

My former boss is willing to part with his unit for $500 (I cover freight charges across country) with the following things included:

1) external water cooler unit
2) foot pedal
3) grounding cable
4) HW-20 torch
5) flow meter (NO bottle though)

I learned on a unit probably older than this one and then switched to a nice, new Miller unit. That was 3+ years ago (while I was still in school) and so I'll essentially be relearning on this welder in my garage- for hobby and project use. I plan on using the welder mainly for steel (90% of the time) and likely nothing thicker than 1/4"- mainly tube and flat stock.

- First off, is this a good deal for such an old unit?
- Is it overkill for my needs and perhaps too much of a power supply burden in a standard home garage?
- Does this unit have an auto start feature or will I be scratch starting?
- With the simple square wave technology of 20+ years ago, will I still get good penetration and clean welds? Do new units have a true electrical (besides efficiency) advantage over this unit?

Anyway, I'll stop here. If anyone can provide some sort of feedback, I would much appreciate it. Thanks guys! :D


- Lukasz

[arcackle]

That is a good welder. The heliarc 250 has high freq. circuit for arc starting.
If the welder is fully functional I think $500 is a good price for it.

[flux]

Thanks arcackle! The high frequency arc starting implies I need not scratch start my welds during both DC and AC (steel and aluminum) welding?

- Lukasz

[Brand X]

http://www.esabna.com/literature/Archive/Manual/F14-001%20-%20F14-999/F14-329-B_Heliarc-250ts_AC-DC_Power_Source.pdf

[flux]

http://www.esabna.com/literature/Archive/Manual/F14-001%20-%20F14-999/F14-329-B_Heliarc-250ts_AC-DC_Power_Source.pdf

Thanks Brand X, but the link to the manual is for the stick welder version of the Heliarc 250, not the TIG. Apparently, there are a couple of 250 models out there- the one I'm looking at is the TIG/stick (not sure which 250 version it is though).

I appreciate you finding the manual though, I may be able to locate the other 250 model there.


- Lukasz

[Brand X]

http://www.esabna.com/literature/Archive/Manual/F14-001%20-%20F14-999/F14-447_Heliarc-350_AC-DC.pdf


Try looking at the 350 model. It's at least the tig version.

[Pin Head]

- First off, is this a good deal for such an old unit?
- Is it overkill for my needs and perhaps too much of a power supply burden in a standard home garage?
- Does this unit have an auto start feature or will I be scratch starting?
- With the simple square wave technology of 20+ years ago, will I still get good penetration and clean welds? Do new units have a true electrical (besides efficiency) advantage over this unit?




I have an 87 vintage Heliarc 250, which lacks the square wave features. It may be overkill for home use, because it is an industrial grade unit.

The manual indicates that it needs a 100 A breaker. I run mine off a 50A circuit, which is the largest breaker I can stuff in my existing box. It will run at about 220A on AC before it pops the breaker.

It probably has HF start and no doubt it can weld anything that you can weld with newer units. They are great stick welders too.

They are not as efficient as newer inverter machines and you can really see the meter spinning even when they are idling.

$500 sounds quite reasonable and as long as it runs it will probably be worth at least that.

[FusionKing]

Just get it:cool:...unless the freight is a big bunch of money:confused:....prolly more than the welder:mad:...then don't get it:(

[hankj]

My former boss is willing to part with his unit for $500

I'd be inclined to save up a couple more $500 bills and buy a new inverter based GTAW power source. Shipping a boat anchor from the righ to left coast is not cost effective in my mind!

Hank

[flux]

Thanks guys for taking the time to voice your opinions. I looked into shipping costs and it looks like 350-400 lbs. across the country takes more than a $0.39 stamp. In fact, it's likely going to cost me at least $500. I'm starting to think saving up more money and buying something new locally is the way to go.

If any of you guys are in the DC area, I may be able to get one of you a good deal on the ESAB. Those interested send me a PM.


- Lukasz