Picked up an old Lincoln AC-225 buzz box in good operating condition today at a yard sale for $20.
We don't need it, just got it to give to a young man who works for us and has been looking for a 'starter' welding machine...
Carla
Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.
Good on ya!
--Winston
Score one for getting it, score two for giving it!!
I have an old Airco 225 sitting in the garage that is reserved for a suitable newbie.
This is an awesome deal Carla!
I recently bought a Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC, with leads, for $40.
i
I had one of those in a previous life, and will buy the next one I see on sight if it is a good price. That is one little fantastic machine for small rods. You will reach the limits real fast with most any 1/8, although it did 6010 decently, but low duty cycle. I also used it a lot for DC TIG on SS, scratch start. Absolutely amazing how heavy that little sucker is. It's all transformer. I'll give you $50 right now.............
I love that infinitely variable crank adjustment.
Steve
I agree. These Thunderbolts are a hell of a welder in a small package. I bought and sold two of those. I have a Syncrowave, so I do not need one, but I was very impressed.
That said, I was also very pleasantly surprised by a tombstone AC buzzbox.
i
The Tombstones are great, except ............ one needs the AC/DC model rather than straight AC, and I don't like the voltage jumps as much as the infinitely variable kind. Other than that, for a welder that can be had for free to $50 used, they are one hell of a piece of equipment. I got my last one free. If we had a penny for every pound of rod burned by Tombstones, we'd all be millionaires.
Steve
You would probably be pleasantly surprised by a Montgomery Wards AC welder. No prestige here, but it has a continuously variable current and a higher open circuit voltage than a lot of other welders. Decent duty cycle too. I have no idea of who really made the welder.
Dan
Steve, what I was getting at, is that even the AC tombstone laid great welds.
What I really dislike about both Lincoln tobstones and Miller Thunderbolts, is wimpy handles.
i
I meant machine body moving handles.
i
This is what I would do, also.
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