Miller Thunderbolt 225 AC Only

[pvfloor]

Hi, There is a Miller Thunderbolt 225 AC with new leads and lots of sticks for $50 at a garage sale near my house. The guy said it works well and he is very firm on the $50 as he recently ( not sure how long ago) spent $100 on the leads.

Is this a decent price?
Is this a good welder for me to learn how to weld?

I know it is not a good welder for sheet metal and I don’t really have a need for a welder at this time.

My plan is to eventually work on my Chevy, to include taking the body off , swapping motors and transmissions. But, if this welder is a good enough price to just have a welder sitting around in the garage and to eventually learn to weld I would probably pick it up.

Thanks

 

[Wrench97]

New leads and lots of sticks is worth the $50.
I have a old lincoln tombstone A/C only welder I bought in the 70's here at home I've welded lots of things even exhaust flanges a couple times(though it's not ideal from that thin a gauge) they work.
If you are thinking about sheet metal body panels and exhaust you probably want to look for a mig machine.

 

[Bert_]

$50 is good. AC only is just ok but you can still do a lot with it.

 

[JimDon]

I bought a Miller for $40 that is so old you plug the leads into different hole around a round clock face on the front. Sorry I forgot the model number and too lazy to go in garage and dig it out. Anyway, it is AC only, and 150 amps. Came withe leads stinger ground clamp, etc. will run on 120 or 240. Again, it’s AC only, but I buy 7018AC and it runs that like a champ. Can’t really do sheet metal with it, but does just about everything I need it to. Love it! Also runs all the typical farmer and digging rods you can get for ac machines. Also runs hardface rods and especially likes the blue all purpose cheap rods I can buy at Menards. For $50, that Thunderbolts is a steal. I bought mine not knowing it worked or not (estate sale after previous owner had passed away. ). But I knew I could scrap the copper and make the 40 back a couple times over if it didn’t. Good luck to ya, Jim

 

[nadogail]

I paid a lot more for a Hobart Stickmate, which seems to be the equivalent machine, Hobarts were sold at a lower price point than Millers

 

[kctgb]

For general welding repairs and home/farm use AC is fine. It’s a good deal. DC is for welding 7018/6010, 6010 won’t run on AC. Plenty of good AC rods for general welding repairs. 6011( AC equivalent of 6010) 6013, 7014, 7024(flat only welding no out of position). Have lots of fun for $50.00.

 

[Jacko264]

To make it simple stick is ok from 3mm up to what ever you want
say in a ship yard
mig is more refined and welds from 22 gauge up to what ever you want with the right welder
50 is a good price
but a mig is worth getting