Inexpensive, Cool Old School Welders

[ndnchf]

Like most of you I regularly browse Craigslist. Occasionally I see a really cool looking old welder for sale pretty cheap. I'm well set for welding equipment, so I'm not looking to buy one. But I thought it would be fun to share one that is currently listed in my area and ask you guys to share what you find.

So basic ground are: it should be $100 or less and roughly 30 year old or better. Whatcha got?

How's this for a cool old spot (not sport!) welder for $50:

https://richmond.craigslist.org/tls/d/mechanicsville-sport-welder/6827130820.html

 

[lis2323]

Here’s a few of mine that I bought.

The Forney on the left was $45 with leads. The Forney next to it was $50, no leads.



This old Miller was free after selling off the related welding gear that was part of the package.



Here’s a 9 HP Briggs and Stratton powered DC welder with 65 feet of 1/0 cables I found for $50.



And a pair of Lincoln SA200’s. They were over $100 but I sold one for twice the price I paid and ended up with one free so I don’t know if that counts or not.



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[mike93lx]

I have a lincoln ac225 from the 60's that cost me about $50 plus new leads and a stinger.

Have used it 2x in a few years. Too big, heavy and power hungry.

 

[Backwodsurvivor]

I picked up an old Sears/Craftsman 200 amp buzzbox for 50 bucks 2 years ago. It came with 30 foot leads. These things are crazy simple on the inside just a coil and a fan. I also picked up a Lincoln Weldanpower for $250 a few months back... If i recall I dated it early/mid 80's. I really need to figure out pictures...

 

[sberry]

That little 9 hp Briggs DC is realty cute. I have a couple SA also but if I had to cart one around it would be that 305.

 

[sberry]

How much power does the little Briggs have?

 

[ndnchf]

Please post photos or a link to the ad with pictures, not just descriptions. This is a VISUAL thread - they ain't cool if you can't see them

Here is a cool old Marquette that qualifies. I saw it it craigslist last year for $60.

 

[noahwins]

That 9hp Briggs is begging for a full restoration. Would make a great piece at a county fair or antique machinery club. Got any pics of the kinds of welds it's capable of?

Great way to teach kids about combustion engines and electricity because everything is right there in front of their eyes.

 

[ndnchf]

Here's another $50 diamond in the rough.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/396209047792598/

 

[ndnchf]

Another $50 beauty.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/451253508750274/

Nice old Idealarc 250 for $100. I have one of these and I love it.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1177163389125806/

This one looks like a Buck Rogers space ship - says make offer. If it was nearby I'd offer $50, so it qualifies

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/422900934948433/

 

[lis2323]

How much power does the little Briggs have?

I don’t know, but the seller claimed it would burn 3/16” rods. I’m skeptical but he seemed knowledgeable.

I’m waiting for carb parts so I will wait and see.


It only has a few hours on it. Bought it recently from a retired fella who welded at local shipyard 35 years.

He put it together for personal use a long time ago. He advertised it for $50 OBO. The cables were worth more than that. I gave him the fifty and thanked him...






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[lis2323]

That 9hp Briggs is begging for a full restoration. Would make a great piece at a county fair or antique machinery club. Got any pics of the kinds of welds it's capable of?



Great way to teach kids about combustion engines and electricity because everything is right there in front of their eyes.

No pics of welds yet. Had to order a new needle valve and gasket for the carb.

The generator was apparently a salvaged airplane part from Princess Auto in Winnipeg when they were mail order only.


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[sberry]

What does it say on the dial? 16 hp will put out just north of 200 dc. I would think 9 would make a bit above 100 or so.

 

[lis2323]

What does it say on the dial? 16 hp will put out just north of 200 dc. I would think 9 would make a bit above 100 or so.

I’m thinking you are correct. I will wait and see.



I don’t NEED this welder to weld. It will be fun thing to have for $50 plus carb parts.


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[sberry]

Might not even need parts, I clean them all the time. They certainly could have used that dial on several machines, I really doubt it would run over 150A Just doesn't have the engine power. I remember some of those Multiquip types back in the day, compacts, seems they had 11 or 13 hp and were listed at 140 maybe. They would run 1/8 lo hy.

 

[lis2323]

Might not even need parts, I clean them all the time. They certainly could have used that dial on several machines, I really doubt it would run over 150A Just doesn't have the engine power. I remember some of those Multiquip types back in the day, compacts, seems they had 11 or 13 hp and were listed at 140 maybe. They would run 1/8 lo hy.

Nope. Cleaned and polished needle and reassembled. Still leaked. Parts will be under ten bucks.

 

[sberry]

Doors on the 200's bring up the value as does even simple paint. Oil price is up some, I heard piping is good, I should replace a seal in the old one, squirt it and over these up for sale or really should build up a truck and go to work.

 

[lis2323]

That’s a nice little trailer!

Not spiffing up my remaining SA. It’s always out on permanent loan to one of two friends. One used it whenever his old Lincoln Vantage was in the shop until he bought a NEW Vantage 400.

The other friend uses it for his excavating business while he takes his 250 Ranger gold mining in the summer.


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[zkling]

If I had the space, I would have a small welding museum. From linde, union carbide to Lincoln, miller and hobart; carbon arc torches to first feeders. The massive boxes with dozens of switches and analog gauges just has that mad science appeal to me. Alas practicality sets in and unfortunatly many of the older machines have been scrapped.

Anyone have an old wood boxed welder?

 

[lis2323]

If I had the space, I would have a small welding museum. From linde, union carbide to Lincoln, miller and hobart; carbon arc torches to first feeders. The massive boxes with dozens of switches and analog gauges just has that mad science appeal to me. Alas practicality sets in and unfortunatly many of the older machines have been scrapped.

Anyone have an old wood boxed welder?

Any pics of one? I tried Google image but to no avail.


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[pikapp]

LS,
That's quite a collection you have sir. That 400amp Miller is the bomb! If your Iowa class battleship needs repair, you don't even need to call anyone! Nice Forney C-5a, C-BBT and an F-230 (275?). Great machines. I started with a F-105 and recently graduated to a C-B so I could repair the frame on my convertible.

 

[yhprum]

The older the better I reckon.i accept the newer inverters will use less power, but for most of us in a non production environment it’s not worth worrying about.

 

[wornoutoldman]

Deal or no deal?

https://northernwi.craigslist.org/tls/d/conover-miller-220v-welder-50-weld-rod/7093263472.html

 

[ndnchf]

Deal or no deal?

https://northernwi.craigslist.org/tls/d/conover-miller-220v-welder-50-weld-rod/7093263472.html

Nothing to get excited about. No deal to me.

 

[lis2323]

Clean. A. C only. Ok welder. Too much asking price.

 

[ndnchf]

Here's another cool old welder. But a bit overpriced.
https://annapolis.craigslist.org/tls/d/davidsonville-welder/7078618828.html

 

[ndnchf]

Here's another. I like the skirted fenders on castor wheels.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/413961355924621/