Lincoln AC/DC 225/125: Education Needed Please

[michiganhotrod1]

Hi all;
I am helping my sister clear out her late husbands equipment and ran into an old Lincoln tombstone, see the photo. It is free to me if I want it. Stored in a garage for probably 20+ years, and the cable ends are pretty chewed up.
I understand these are useful tools, but have no idea how to get this resurected or even if it is a useful item in its current state.
I know this is a vague question, but is it worth messing with and where is a good source for repair or parts information.
Thanks for any help.
Mark

 

[mike93lx]

Open it up, unbolt the leads, go to a welding shop with them and buy new ones. While you are in there, clean the contacts and the fan.

I had a AC225 I did all that to and ultimately, I had a welder that functioned fine, but it was still a monstrously heavy, power hog. If I had the same welder come through need g new leads and any work, I'd sell it and buy a modern, inexpensive inverter unit.

 

[jsaw]

I have one just like that, have had it for 35 years. I works good for me. I use it every now and then.

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

Being the acdc model makes it pretty desirable. Easy $250 for sale on marketplace or keep and use.

 

[American Locomotive]

Being the DC model makes it a far more useful machine than just the normal AC 225. I'd put some cables on it and get welding!

 

[strutaeng]

That's a AC/DC machine, which are desirable and useful than the AC only models.

Not really much go wrong with those. I would fix the wiring and power it up. Maybe remove the cover and make sure there's no internal wiring issues like chewed rat stuff.

Have you welded before? Are you thinking about learning?

 

[michiganhotrod1]

That's a AC/DC machine, which are desirable and useful than the AC only models.

Not really much go wrong with those. I would fix the wiring and power it up. Maybe remove the cover and make sure there's no internal wiring issues like chewed rat stuff.

Have you welded before? Are you thinking about learning?

I took two Votech classes years ago, but never practiced again since i did not have a welder (and other parts of life got in the way).
Thanks for the help all.
Mark

 

[brownbagg]

no no no, dont sell it, that the ultimate machine, mine is 45 years old and planned on using it today. .on mine, I cut the cable off and added some quik connects, so my cable can hang on the wall

get you some 1/8 7018 and burn about 130 on dc+, dc- will be too much splatter

but enjoy it forever, one of the best thing lincoln made
the box store dont sell the dc model anymore

 

[brownbagg]

please dont sell it

 

[finn]

Take the advice given above and buy new leads at the welding store.

Your grandchildren will still be using it in fifty years.

 

[brownbagg]

here mine, sitting in the corner, costing no money, no tank rental, just happy, 45 years, ready to go, and oh he so happy when he burning, just hummming along

 

[brownbagg]

when me and my brother turn 16 we did not get cars, we got welding machine, i got a lincoln, my brother three year old had a miller matic, which really was a better machine, had a crank on top to find tune. Dad had a monkey wards powematic, i think that was a century machine. yes we could of shared but dad was a tool man. each had there own tools, we even had our own 220 plug ins

so 45 years later. brother a heavy equipment operator and Im a CWI

 

[rockinacummins]

Nice machine. Clean it up, buy some leads, buy some rods, and start practicing. In a couple years you’ll have lots of new friends.

 

[mogandave]

I agree with everyone that it's a nice unit worth keeping.

I would power it up and make sure it's working before I did anything. It likely is, but it may not be.

Rather than installing new leads (the copper does not go bad), I would install a set of cam-locks and just re-hash the old leads. Then later when/if you need longer leads you can just plug them in.

The cam-locks will also allow you to swap the leads for positive or negative ground.

Heat-shrink comes in real handy re-hashing old leads.

 

[mike93lx]

I agree with everyone that it's a nice unit worth keeping.

I would power it up and make sure it's working before I did anything. It likely is, but it may not be.

Rather than installing new leads (the copper does not go bad), I would install a set of cam-locks and just re-hash the old leads. Then later when/if you need longer leads you can just plug them in.

The cam-locks will also allow you to swap the leads for positive or negative ground.

Heat-shrink comes in real handy re-hashing old leads.

Copper absolutely can go bad. Cracking and corrosion are the biggest issues. And when the insulation is dried and cracked enough, heat shrink isn't the solution, IMO.