luvit's first welder (father's 225A Lincoln) -- what would you do next?

luvit · Sep 21, 2012

this is the welder my dad had used up until about 1990 ..before he got a wire feeder.
at night, i used to watch him weld through the big shop doors from my 2nd story window -- about 200ft away
i couldn't sleep due to the welding noise (no central air, ya know) so i watched.
i have 20/20 vision, i guess i survived.

i recently mentioned i was looking for a welder someday soon, he offered me his old welder.. probably not used for 15-20 years.

so i have some inspection and cleaning to do.. i notice that the insulation is cracking on the lead cables..

My dad built the table which the welder is mounted to.. it weighs a metric ton.
my little teenage daughter helped me gently guide this thing down a ramp so i could get it in my shop.

i should be able to test it within a week.

now i need ideas from you expert welders on what you would do next to this thing..

longer cables?
new clamps?
better ideas that require unmounting it from the table?

BD1 · Sep 21, 2012

I must be the first to see this. It's upside down ! :lol_hitti

The flat part is the upside. Sorry, I had to say it before the others.
I would blow it out and turn on and test it. The cables don't appear to be frayed or dry rot. The stinger and ground replacement would be a good start.
This will be a good test, everybody says you can't kill those tombstone
machines. Depending on what work it will be used for warrant repairs or replacement. Being a AC only, depending on location, you can get them gor $100.00 or less.

sberry · Sep 21, 2012

Buy some 7018AC.

kald · Sep 21, 2012

It looks good, the transformers glyptal/paint looks good form what I can see in the pic.

LG63 · Sep 21, 2012

If dirt dobbers a problem in your area you might pop the back off to inspect. I bought a used buzz box years ago and only recently found out it was full of dirt dobber nests. Apparently didn't hurt anything but I cleaned them out anyway.

JSGAuto · Sep 22, 2012

How long are the wires? I like to have my machine inside, and long cables outside. Keeps the mess (especially arc welding), smell, and junk out of the garage.

The stinger (positive clamp), and ground are probably fine. They get nasty fast. Just clean them up so you have good contacts.

I'd be more concerned over the condition of the cables and the power cord. It's a lot of power that you don't want to get hit by! Also good advice to open up the machine to clean out some of the dust in there.

.....Watch your power bill go up!!
Jim

luvit · Sep 22, 2012

BD1 said:
The cables don't appear to be frayed or dry rot.
Depending on what work it will be used for warrant repairs or replacement. Being a AC only, depending on location, you can get them gor $100.00 or less.

I did notice the cables are dry rotting, not the power cord, though.
I have a lot of practice ahead of me, I'm only familiar with some DC wirefeeders.
In my area Craigslist is next to useless, unless I search for my interests in other towns which are an hour or two away.

sberry said:
Buy some 7018AC.

I'm listening.. I have been researching just a little bit and determined that I don't know enough about AC Arc Welding to actually repair anything, yet.

kald said:
It looks good, the transformers glyptal/paint looks good form what I can see in the pic.

are you mocking my pics? lol.

LG63 said:
If dirt dobbers a problem in your area you might pop the back off to inspect. I bought a used buzz box years ago and only recently found out it was full of dirt dobber nests. Apparently didn't hurt anything but I cleaned them out anyway.

I don't have dobbers, but i do plan to open it up just for the 30 plus years of smoke and dust which seeped-in.

JSGAuto said:
How long are the wires? I like to have my machine inside, and long cables outside. Keeps the mess (especially arc welding), smell, and junk out of the garage.

I'd be more concerned over the condition of the cables and the power cord. It's a lot of power that you don't want to get hit by! Also good advice to open up the machine to clean out some of the dust in there.

I have the same thoughts on the cable lengths going outside.
The cable conditions are not great and with a little research, I did learn about getting zapped... I've never been zapped by a DC wire welder.. i'm not a fan of getting zapped.
I'll supply better pics of the cables.. i'm sure they would be feared.

lilredex · Sep 22, 2012

Never been a big fan of under table mounting of those.....so all the junk can fall on it. I prefer it up out of the way, close to the door.

My first shop:

Present:

The fan will probably need oiling. You might get some 3/32" 7014 rods to play with, one of the easiest to lay down with that welder.

sberry · Sep 22, 2012

As for the power bill,,, not much, less than 50 cents an hour arc on time. Get 3/32 7018AC and 1/8 6011, if you have heavier work get some 18 in 1/8 too. Ideally is getting a lesson or 2 on the proper techniques to run these electrodes, you could practice forever and still not get it although there are written instructions.

luvit · Sep 22, 2012

lilredex said:
I prefer it up out of the way, close to the door.
The fan will probably need oiling. You might get some 3/32" 7014 rods to play with, one of the easiest to lay down with that welder.

Great tips, my hanging space near a door is quite limited. I was thinking of leaving it under the table, add hinged panels to the table legs on the left left and right side of the welder, and place the whole thing between my two overhead garage doors. -- the metal side panels were to give me more space to store tools, magnets, etc.
But there may be cons with that.

sberry said:
Get 3/32 7018AC and 1/8 6011, if you have heavier work get some 18 in 1/8 too. Ideally is getting a lesson or 2 on the proper techniques to run these electrodes, you could practice forever and still not get it although there are written instructions.

Thanks, I'm not too bad with wire feed welders, and will see what training i can find in the area for the challenges that come with AC arc welders.

mm k, i measured the cables to the tips, power is 5.5ft, ground is 13ft and the stinger is 18ft long.
Here are some anomalies:
pic 1: some kind of connector for splicing.. is this a *factory* connector to easily interchange stinger cables?
pic2 & Pic 3: another splice in the stinger cable, first covered with tape, and then reveals more tape that someone took a lighter to.
pic4: cracks in the insulation right against the stinger clamp, near my body.. lol

sberry · Sep 22, 2012

lilred is right, 7014 is fine too but I don't care for it a lot for couple reasons, one bing the slag tends to bury the puddle, it is quite fluid and the mechanical characteristics of 7018 are better although not a real issue for most. It used to be way more popular when it was one of the only options of its type, when they came with the 18AC it lost some of its appeal. It is a little looser than the DC on verts, you have to weave it to make it hang in there. I dont use it much, with a couple more rods practice I could shape it up a bit.

luvit · Sep 22, 2012

are your two pics the difference between the two rods?

sberry · Sep 22, 2012

No, those are both with 1/8 7018AC They are posted in the position they are welded in. You can see how the vertical wants to sag, its the nature of AC, hard to run a true stringer with it, needs a little weave.

Here is something similar with DC, you can see the first bead, a simple stringer, covered it in the second pass. It would help a little to clean the plate first, you can see the scale on it, as I recall it went thru a fire.

kald · Sep 23, 2012

luvit said:
I did notice the cables are dry rotting, not the power cord, though.
I have a lot of practice ahead of me, I'm only familiar with some DC wirefeeders.
In my area Craigslist is next to useless, unless I search for my interests in other towns which are an hour or two away.

I'm listening.. I have been researching just a little bit and determined that I don't know enough about AC Arc Welding to actually repair anything, yet.

are you mocking my pics? lol.

I don't have dobbers, but i do plan to open it up just for the 30 plus years of smoke and dust which seeped-in.

I have the same thoughts on the cable lengths going outside.
The cable conditions are not great and with a little research, I did learn about getting zapped... I've never been zapped by a DC wire welder.. i'm not a fan of getting zapped.
I'll supply better pics of the cables.. i'm sure they would be feared.

Definitley not mocking your picks or your welder. The zoomed in pic of the bottom shows the transformer to be in good shape. I work on industrial batteries and chargers and these welders are a somewhat similar and a very basic version of the equipment I work on and deal with.
If the transformer coating (glyptal or varnish) is not showing signs of peeling, chipping or significant heating then your good to go.
I just tore mine down that was my dads, a 1980 model, and it looked new inside with only a small flake off the aluminum transformer.

KenS · Sep 23, 2012

A lot of information out there on venerable Lincoln Tombstones. Take a look at these for inspiration and information:

Restoring your Lincoln AC-225 220V tombstone welder...

Trusty Lincoln refurb...

Removable leads for Lincoln tombstone...

Extended Lincoln tombstone leads..

dwp99 · Sep 23, 2012

I own the same welder and have had it for almost 28 years. It was used when I got it so I don't know how old it is. I just recently replaced the cooling fan motor.

I would say your leads are showing their age but there not so bad that you can't use it. I cut my leads and installed connectors so I could lengthen them. There are no factory connectors in either of the leads, yours have been repaired.

Murphy4570 · Sep 23, 2012

Ah, an old buzz box! Great old welders, can't kill them.

I have the same model, and fabricated a simple steel cart for it to sit on. Dragging the damn thing around is a real no-go, it is heavy! I just made a simple L frame out of steel bar, put some wheels on it, a handle, and hooks for the leads and whatnot, and I can wheel the thing around.

One thing about these old stick welders, be always mindful of where the ground clamp and positive stinger clamp is. I electrocuted myself once.

warren57 · Sep 25, 2012

I had that same machine for over 40 years. It may be a little more work than a dc machine, but believe me it will weld anything you want.
Buy some 6011 rod a good all position rod. a lot of sparks but easy to weld with, good penetration. Next buy some 6013 a good AC rod for a smooth weld, less splatter, less penetration, More liquid puddle as there is more flux, but easy to weld. Best for flat welds.
Stay away from the 70 series rods until you weld for a while. They are strong and lay a nice bead, all position, but takes a little experience to control the puddle.
Good luck.

kald · Sep 25, 2012

warren57 said:
I had that same machine for over 40 years. It may be a little more work than a dc machine, but believe me it will weld anything you want.
Buy some 6011 rod a good all position rod. a lot of sparks but easy to weld with, good penetration. Next buy some 6013 a good AC rod for a smooth weld, less splatter, less penetration, More liquid puddle as there is more flux, but easy to weld. Best for flat welds.
Stay away from the 70 series rods until you weld for a while. They are strong and lay a nice bead, all position, but takes a little experience to control the puddle.
Good luck.

IMO, the 7014 is the easiest rod ever when run horizontally. Extremely smooth, looks good and easy restarts.

luvit · Oct 3, 2012

.
i appreciate all the feedback. i have not touched the welder, yet, due to numerous reasons.
here are some accessories i ordered.
i forgot to order a chisel hammer, but i was also thinking of making a homemade chisel hammer.
i already own a wire brush.

i had a coupon for free screwdrivers... so ignore those. lol.

Kevin54 · Oct 3, 2012

I don't know **** about welding, BUT......throw a tune up on that welder. clean it, new cables, new clamps, maybe repaint it, then use the hell out of it. You grew up watching your dad use it and possibly make a living from it, refurbish the welder and make good use of it.

I like lilredex's idea about getting it up and out of the road and keeping it clean

shovel · Oct 3, 2012

My Lincoln tombstone looks identical. My Dad got it from a guy that bought it new in 1965. I love the writing on the top of yours: Pull knob out before turning. Lincoln should have put that on these machines. These are simple, worry free welders. I have to open mine up to get the dirt dauber nests off the fan blades if it sits up, which it does quite a bit. I only use the machine on steel 1/8 thick or more. I agree with the 6011 rods. You can see the puddle work and know you are getting good penetration. Throw a couple of pics of sample welds up on the board; there are a lot of folks here who will gladly help. It is a good machine, have some fun and build some stuff!

luvit · Nov 12, 2012

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luvit's first welder (father's 225A Lincoln) -- what would you do next?

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