Lincoln tombstone from HD

[bobcatdan]

So I have decided when I break down and replace my wire welder I'm going to buy a miller 211 and a tombstone. My question is, are the ones at HD cheapen in anyway compared to one from say airgas? I would rather buy one off of CL since I'm pretty sure it is state law that every farm must own one. They come up somewhat often, but prices vary from a $100 to what HD sells them for. Also if it is 10 years old or newer, I bet it came from HD. I know with heavy use, they do go to hell so I don't know if I want to buy a real old either unless I know it did little more then hold the floor down. Pa has one that is probably 40 years old and the contacts are about gone.

 

[premierplayer]

get an AC/DC machine

 

[bobcatdan]

If I found one, I'd buy it for the right price. For my needs I see DC not being necessary. I only would use it for those rare times I weld something heavier then the 211 should do or the need to weld cast would arise.

 

[sberry]

The machines are the same, they do not cheap them but I agree about a DC machine.

 

[bob15]

Buy a true tombstone welder: Lincoln Idealarc 250-250.

Not sure how close you are to this one:

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/4441048652.html

Price doesn't seem bad considering the shape it's in. They do have 40-50 amp input machines. This Idealarc has more copper than the HD machine and a much better duty cycle.

bob

 

[Murphy4570]

You can get the old AC-225 for $50-150 on craigslist. The older models are probably of better quality than what they sell now. Big and HEAVY.

Get one that has AC/DC capability. Mine is AC only, and it is a real ***** to weld out of position. DC is much easier from what I hear.

 

[G_P]

get an AC/DC machine

X2.

I have a AC stick welder and last year picked up an AC/DC machine for $20 at a garage sale. Welding DC is so much better. At least for me it is.

 

[John in OH]

Regarding old vs. new Lincoln "tombstones", the older ones probably have copper windings in the transformer. Do the newer ones still use copper or have they changed to using less expensive aluminum in the windings?? I don't know the answer to that question so that is some homework you should do. The most obvious way to tell if the new machines are as robust as the old machines would be to compare the weight of the machines .... although that will be hard to do for the old machines unless you haul a scale around with you.

Assuming all other things are equal, a machine with AC/DC capability would be preferable to an AC only, BUT depending on what you are welding, AC may be fine for your needs. DC does perform somewhat better on out-of-position welds (but when I weld out-of-position my welds all look like **** regardless of whether I use AC or DC!) Or, if you will be welding higher carbon steel and need low hydrogen rods, then go for DC as the small, limited input AC machines (like the tombstone) won't perform well with low hydrogen.

My family got a brand new Forney 180 amp AC machine in the late 1950s and used it for all the farm equipment repairs and fab work for over 40 years. I finally bought a used Lincoln AC/DC Idealarc 250 in the 1990s .... but, as noted, for over 40 years AC only served us well.

 

[zkling]

Get an older one, they are all over for ~$100 or less. Dang near impossible to kill.
Don't be afraid of other brand basic buzz boxes. If you can find an old Dialarc or Idelarc that would be better.
DC is very nice to have.
They do build different machines for the big box stores, but I don't think those are one of them. The small mig's are where you start seeing differences with those.

 

[sberry]

Idealarc is ok but its heavier with higher input demands. Yes they did change cooper to alum but its been a long time ago and doesn't mean a thing to the user, works just the same. AC buzzers do work, 6011 1/8 and 7018AC in 3/32 and 1/8 but,,,, again since this doesn't sound like a crisis look for a used one,,, either is fine to buy used and its rare to find one that has been really abused.
The DC version is so much better for equipment repair and has a great arc, almost as good as any and you do not need the duty or power of a lartger machine and these are for 50A service. Common welder plug. I have heavier machines but near 40 yrs in and this is till the machine I use. First pic old, its now hanging out in its home where its connected to a loom of sorts, 2 stingers on it. One of the best machines I have ever owned, used it wayyyyy beyond its duty cycle.

 

[pete379]

Buy a true tombstone welder: Lincoln Idealarc 250-250.

Not sure how close you are to this one:

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/4441048652.html

Price doesn't seem bad considering the shape it's in. They do have 40-50 amp input machines. This Idealarc has more copper than the HD machine and a much better duty cycle.

bob

I've had one of those for 20 years. bought it new. don't think I've burned 10 lbs rod -- mostly air-arc. good machine though

 

[kf4zht]

DC can be easier on some positions/rods and allows you to add scratch start tig later.

 

[zkling]

One of the best machines I have ever owned, used it wayyyyy beyond its duty cycle.

I don't think many of them have been used inside their duty cycle. At one point in time I actually had a pieced together air arc setup ran off of and old metal front knob version. Still ran fine, never got warm.