Lincoln 225 arc welder

[Kentuckian]

Does anyone still use a Lincoln 225 arc welder? I tried doing a search and did not find any posts. I know the new way to go is a Mig welder but...

 

[sberry]

Yes, they are widely used, great item to buy used, can often get them for 100$ or so. If I was buying new in this class it would be Hobart Stickmate XL AC/DC though, another 150$ and so much better unit especially if working on machinery where lots of out of position is the norm and also provides options for other electrodes than those listed for AC only.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Just used my Miller thunderbolt XL (replaced my OLD tombstone) this past Friday. Plow frame was cracked, I could MIG the outside but could not clean up inside the frame. Broke out the old 6011 and burnt it in.
I find the stick handy for thick stuff, dirty stuff, and stuff I can't get a gun at.

 

[A_Pmech]

Does anyone still use a Lincoln 225 arc welder? I tried doing a search and did not find any posts. I know the new way to go is a Mig welder but...

I have one.

Different processes for different purposes.

 

[PCO6]

That, and torches, was what I learned to weld with. It would be weird not to still have one after all these years.

 

[lilredex]

Also have one.......it comes to life when REAL welding needs to be done. My other options are Oxy-acetylene and a Miller 135. Would I be lost without it?? ................definately.

 

[Kentuckian]

Well you guys make me feel better about my ole Lincoln 225 arc welder. I bought it in 1973 and it has served me well. While I do not use it a lot, its there if I need it. I was beginning to think everyone was embarassed to admit they had one. I only hear talk about everyones state of the art MIG welder.

Thanks for reassuring me fellows. I think tomorrow I'll find something to weld just to be using my old piece. LOL

 

[kc-steve]

Kentuckian, I don't mean to make ya feel bad, but I think "state of the art" for your tombstone would be an AC/DC stick welder. Although MIG is also considered an "arc" welder, it is really made for thinner stuff than stick welders can handle. I almost bought a Lincoln 225 a couple of years ago but that AC/DC thing sold me on a Miller Thunderbolt XL. Running it on DC with an "infinite" setting makes life easier, IMO.

Steve

 

[bryna]

I have one.... I also use it for the big stuff, dirty stuff, etc.

 

[LawnDart79]

I just bought one the other day at an estate auction for $35. It looks kinda rough and the wheels are shot, but the cables are in great shape and it works well.

It'll probably get a new paint job and a set of wheels next summer and will then be like new!

 

[LawnDart79]

I just bought one the other day at an estate auction for $35. It looks kinda rough and the wheels are shot, but the cables are in great shape and it works well.

It'll probably get a new paint job and a set of wheels next summer and will then be like new!

Here's a pic...

 

[Griff93]

I had the miller thunderbolt 225 as my first welder. I have a dialarc 250 now that I use for stick when the occasion arises. There's nothing wrong with stick in the proper application. It's still probably the best way for a home/hobby guy to weld 1/4in and above.

 

[chubby one]

Had one since 1980 My Grandmother bought it for me after my Dads Garage burned down losing a business my job a race ready dirt track car tools everything . I was only 19 at the time tough times she bought it for me to build another race car . That is when you know if you can weld 083 and 065 tubing with a stick is tough you learn to fit real good real quick 6011 3/32 rods love um. I tell people now if all you can weld with is a mig you ain't no welder I remember clear as day it was 130 bucks plus tax .There is no telling how many pounds of rods have been burnt in that thing. Still use it today for tough or nasty jobs.

 

[Kentuckian]

Yeah those were the days when things were cheap. In 1973 I had just bought my 2 1/2 car garage and there happened to be a 3 bdrm brick house on the property.LOL I liked it so much I am still in the same house today but with a much larger newer garage.

Anyway back to the welder...that first year there I decided to supply the garage with new tools so I went to the bank and borrowed $3000. I went on a spending spree at Sears. Among the many new tools I bought was my Lincoln 225 arc welder for $105. Like I said earlier, it has given me good service over the years.

 

[v7guy]

I used one when I was working for a city agency a few years back, it was a real nice welder, always did the job. with that said my MIG is a lincoln electric "idealarc SP150"... and I'm pretty happy with it for the most part.

 

[dabirdguy]

I built my Rotisserie with one.
Got a sun burn doing it...LOL.

We called them Tombstones. Great welders. Run forever.

 

[gmwelder86]

If you look long enough on craigslist you can find the lincoln 225 that will run ac and dc. Although not a requirement like stated before dc opens up a larger electrode selection and I have found is smoother running. I have the ac/dc and use it for everything, with a steady hand and 6013 you can weld some sheet metal, would be putting in exterior patch panels in with it, but for small project around the house of a smaller thickness it works great.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Ive had one since 85, I couldnt count how many Ive seen at sales (auctions) over the years, I wouldnt be suprised if that is or was the highest volume selling welder of the 20th century.

 

[beerbudget]

Still have one, still use it alot!

 

[Craftman]

Also have one.......it comes to life when REAL welding needs to be done. My other options are Oxy-acetylene and a Miller 135. Would I be lost without it?? ................definately.

Yeah I use it when I need to weld 1/4 inch and more or if I whan a be sure to get good penetration on 3/16.

I have a migpack 140 autoset for 3/16 and under, and oxy/acetylen set-up that I use mor for cutting and heating then for welding.

 

[bimmer1980]

Definitely the way to go when welding structural steel or other thick items.

It is especially good when you are welding outdoors. The wind will blow the shielding gas away on a mig welder.

a month ago, I finished up welding my overhead structural beam and columns for my new garage.... my craigslist Lincoln AC/DC stick welder worked like a champ!!

 

[willy3486]

I don't weld as much as many here do but I still have a couple of welders. One is a CH 110 stick welder I use for small stuff. I have a lincoln 220 volt one my MIL gave me that was my FIL that I use for everything else. My FIL had a wire welder I never got the hang of so I just use the CH 110. But mostly I use the Lincoln. As far as welding I haven't run across anything I needed welded I couldn't do with those two. I had one of the portable benchtop Chinese 220 welders I sold after I got the lincoln. I hated it. Those old Lincoln you can't kill it seems. I had one years ago my uncle wanted it bad so I gave it to him. I wanted to find another like it and the MIL gave me this one. Its like a favorite screwdriver. There may be fancier ones in the garage but this one I just go to over the other stuff.

 

[Amitygravel]

Are the AC/DC models so much better that if an AC model was available for a reasonable price I should pass on it ? I did pick up an old Forney this past summer but haven't had a chance to get it up and running. I gave 25 bucks for it so if it doesn't work out I'm not going to be in the hole too much on it. Are any of you familiar with this brand ?

 

[DHS]

Are the AC/DC models so much better that if an AC model was available for a reasonable price I should pass on it ? I did pick up an old Forney this past summer but haven't had a chance to get it up and running. I gave 25 bucks for it so if it doesn't work out I'm not going to be in the hole too much on it. Are any of you familiar with this brand ?

An old electrician friend of mine swears by his Forney.

 

[slip knot]

Forney are good welders. That one certainly would look cool and will weld as good as any. You may want to see if its a transformer machine or if it has an electric motor turning an armature setup. The armature machines work good but the motor is always running and turning the electric meter$$$ even when your not welding ( with the switch on). The transformer type machines only consume electric when your burning rods. otherwise its sitting idle. I've welded with both and would use both anyday. I currently have a Lincoln tombstone AC/DC and a Miller AEAD for portable work.

 

[lilredex]

Anyone have experience with this one?? [The H8151 model.]

http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2011/Main/621

 

[gorilla]

One of the advantages of a stick welder is that you can purchase electrodes for different metals and welding processes. With a simple A.C. welder you can weld mild steel, SS'T and cast iron.

 

[5lima30]

I have an early 80's vintage Lincoln 225 AC that I learned on. I am by no means an expert however I have done some pretty heavy duty fabrication (farm implements). I have NEVER hit the duty cycle even during extended sessions. I've even used it as a "redneck" plasma cutter prior to getting a metal cutting saw. After I complete my garage build I plan on getting a Lincoln or Miller MIG to supplement the old Lincoln. YMMV.

 

[Test Tech]

Here's a pic...

I have one just like Lawndart79's, it works well when you need a stick welder. I like to use it when I need to weld something away from home as its easier to move than my mig or tig machines. Actually my Lincoln 225 is currently stashed in the garage at my church.

 

[cnc-me]

Definitely the way to go when welding structural steel or other thick items.

It is especially good when you are welding outdoors. The wind will blow the shielding gas away on a mig welder.

a month ago, I finished up welding my overhead structural beam and columns for my new garage.... my craigslist Lincoln AC/DC stick welder worked like a champ!!

Can't tell if that is a fork truck or the worlds largest cord reel.
:

 

[Professur]

Another advantage to a tombstone is that you can use it to tig steel.... add a high freq unit and you can tig anything.

 

[bgoodwin]

Are the AC/DC models so much better that if an AC model was available for a reasonable price I should pass on it ? I did pick up an old Forney this past summer but haven't had a chance to get it up and running. I gave 25 bucks for it so if it doesn't work out I'm not going to be in the hole too much on it. Are any of you familiar with this brand ?

I just sold a forney just like that one about a year ago. I bought it 15 years ago for $50 and sold it for $60. The only reason I sold it was because I had bought a new mig and the only way to force myself to use it more was to sell the old stick welder. As soon as I felt more comfortable using the mig I went and found an old lincoln tombstone on CL for $35.

 

[gahrajmahal]

Mine dates from around 73 also. I recently needed some test panels for painting a car and since mine looked like yours it became the guinea pig. When I took it apart for painting the power cable had heat cracked and the insulation had cracked off. If I had plugged it in I would have had a good light show.

My top tip for stick welding, heat your rods before welding to drive the moisture out. It will weld clean and without spatter. A toaster oven works well or a few minutes in front of then space heater is good too.

 

[Professur]

Damn damn damn http://montreal.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-tools-equipment-Soudeuse-W0QQAdIdZ252177088

Forney,with the carbon arc torch. Note the battery charger optional connections ... I wants my precious....

 

[Ben Buck]

I still have mine, bought it in 1996, from the local LOWE's Knows, for 100 dollars, even have the fixed lense helmet still going strong. Good machine

 

[gorilla]

Proffessure, I hope that you meant a AC/DC tombstone. I would hate to see someone try ti TIG steel with AC.

 

[Professur]

I did indeed

 

[Joe69]

Mine's not a Lincoln, but I have an AC/DC Century. I built my logsplitter with it. But then, I do most of my welding at work with the Miller Bobcat in my service truck.

Joe