School me about this Century welder

[twistinglane]

An uninformed neighbor is discarding this Century 230 amp / infinite amp selection welder. He thinks it "worked" some years ago. I don't know about welding either... But was thinking about learning and would be interested in a machine that could do either auto sheet metal or say 3/8 plate steel. Is this one a reasonable bet to drag home?
Thanks for your thoughts!
Paul

 

[speed bump]

It will work, AC is a lot harder to strike an arc with than DC but it gets the job done. I wouldn't plan on any sheet metal work with it though.

Mostly that machine will either frustrate you and you will decide welding is really hard or frustrate and enthrall you to the point where you buy something else.

 

[zendriver]

IME you get good at welding by welding.

Take it in home, plug it in and start welding. If the rod sticks, not enough heat. If it burns through, too much heat.

Century probably sold millions of welders like that. Somebody made them work.

Follow welding safety procedures. It will struggle with thin stuff, IMO

 

[PCO6]

I purchased the Canadian Tire Mastercraft version of that welder in about 1990 and used it for 10 years or so. I agree with motoretro's comments although mine was DC only. It was a good welder - no complaints.

 

[G-ManBart]

That's an AC only machine, but it would be good enough for starting out. AC doesn't weld as well as DC, and limits your electrode choices, but can still do good work. Lots of farmers have kept their machines going with nothing more than just an AC machine like that. If it's inexpensive (say $100, it's worth it). If not, you can get a similar DC machine for around $250 if you keep your eye on Craigslist for a while.

The good thing is that machines like that are dead simple and have very little that can go wrong with them inside. I'd bet money it still works.

 

[Roberts210]

I've used 1/16th 6013 rod and 45 amps of AC to weld thin metal, altho not automotive sheet metal.

 

[twistinglane]

Thanks for all the insightful replies! I guess I'll hold out for a DC machine. I tipped off a couple buddies about this likely solid freebee.

 

[Todd.Brock]

If it's free- pick it up and burn some rod!

 

[Cope]

I've been arc welding since 1970, and until I got a Tig machine a few years ago, I never ran DC. Guess someone forgot to tell all the trailers, and wire cable racks I built that they were inferior somehow. That Century machine should last a lifetime.

 

[G-ManBart]

I've been arc welding since 1970, and until I got a Tig machine a few years ago, I never ran DC. Guess someone forgot to tell all the trailers, and wire cable racks I built that they were inferior somehow. That Century machine should last a lifetime.

Nobody said an AC machine can't weld good beads. The fact remains, DC generally works better, and gives you more flexibility in rod selection. Certainly, the advent of 6011 and 7018AC has closed the gap significantly, but DC still has advantages.

 

[sberry]

I agree, 7018 AC has helped a lot, it is "looser" than the DC versions and needs some weave on verticals to hold it up and too large a beads on overhead and it will sag. DC is a real plus for out of position work like machinery and buildings, piping etc where it cant be turned flat. 1st is DC, second AC. The operator has to "work" to try to get it to flatten out.

 

[sberry]

The price is right, plug it in.

 

[PCO6]

That's an AC only machine ...

My mistake (typo). I meant AC. I learned to stick weld in the '60s on a AC Lincoln tombstone. I've never used a DC so I can't even comment on the differences. Built lots of "stuff" ... ignorance is bliss. I rarely use my current Lincoln 220. Now pretty much mig and O/A only.