Need a DC welder

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I'm very interested in DC welding. Many friends that work on pipelines give me some large looking rods with 8010 on them and tell me to burn them up and I will learn the difference. They also give me a lot of smaller rods just not that often. My issue I only have a old Airco AC welder that's about 55 years old. Any suggestions on what to buy new or used. I'm just a weekend warrior with my amateur welding but I'm having fun learning. Thanks.
Reply:Get an ac/dc Lincoln tombstone
Reply:[QUOTE=Rus103;5166381]I'm very interested in DC welding. Many friends that work on pipelines give me some large looking rods with 8010 on them and tell me to burn them up and I will learn the difference. They also give me a lot of smaller rods just not that often. My issue I only have a old Airco AC welder that's about 55 years old. Any suggestions on what to buy new or used. I'm just a weekend warrior with my amateur welding but I'm having fun learning. Thanks.[/QUOTEWelcome to the site.What's your point/ goal? "burn them up and learn the difference" Difference in what? If they are pipe liners then somebody owns a DC machine that they can let you try a few rods on. It won't take long for you to see the difference in the arc. If you want a DC hobby machine I would suggest the miller thunderbolt as you are not stuck with the fixed taps that the Lincoln has. If you want to practice for real world pipe welding or field work you will likely want a larger machine. What's your goal and budget? Hope this helps.
Reply:http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Lincoln-...item35e111daaahttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Lincoln-Elec...item19f707155bhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Idealarc-250...item43b4c180f9SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....
Reply:Originally Posted by puty72Get an ac/dc Lincoln tombstone
Reply:Just use ac no arc blow works fine ,run E-6011.  Can find transformers up to 1000 amps single phase. Or find a DC converter for your Airco.
Reply:For that 8010, you're going to want a pretty pure DC power source with some good voltage. An AC/DC Tombstone or T-bolt wont cut it. Look for a Lincoln R3R 3 phase machine, Or find a good SA200 engine drive.
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopBad advice.They won't run big 8010 downhill.
Reply:An old Idealarc 250 would be great for you.   It needs space and power though.Ask yourself what you're really gonna be welding though?  There's no weekend warrior use for huge 8010 rods.   After a few years of buying, trading and selling machines, I'd personally go for a small quality brand 160 amp inverter.  You could also go for the new multiprocess Lincoln.  That machine will do all except for AC tig and is around a grand.  The ESAB 161 is something like $400 and is reported to be great.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:The tombstone and T-bolt was the two I was looking at and wondering if they would burn the 8010. Thanks for answering those concerns. I will stop accepting the large rods and just wait for the smaller ones. My purpose for learning about DC is I own and drive an 18 wheeler with flat bed trailer and have a small 150 acre farm. Something always needs repairs and I'm told DC arc is easier to control and stronger. I'm pretty good with my old AC Airco.
Reply:Nothing wrong with a big old AC transformer machine, especially the bigger industrial ones. True DC has a nicer arc, but for sticking together metal in a farm setting, you probably won't need a DC machine much.Old industrial Idealarcs or Dialracs that do AC/Dc would fit the bill nicely. They have a much better arc than their smaller home owner oriented cousins that are sold in the box stores. Many times these can be found pretty cheap used, in fact often for less than guys want for the box store units.Take a minute to add your location to your profile so we know roughly where you are. Many here browse CL regularly and may know of a deal near you..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Welcome to the site.What's your point/ goal? "burn them up and learn the difference" Difference in what? If they are pipe liners then somebody owns a DC machine that they can let you try a few rods on. It won't take long for you to see the difference in the arc. If you want a DC hobby machine I would suggest the miller thunderbolt as you are not stuck with the fixed taps that the Lincoln has. If you want to practice for real world pipe welding or field work you will likely want a larger machine. What's your goal and budget? Hope this helps.[/QUOTE]Gundog77. To answer your question I'm a "hobby welder". I very seldom weld for even friends because I explain to them my work doesn't come with a guarantee. That usually makes them nervous. I just laugh.  My budget is around $500 or less. I will buy some DC rods once I get a machine.
Reply:For well under 500, you can find a Dialarc - a proper machine, rugged and with a good duty cycle, that will still be welding at the end of this century.  There is no rule that prevents you from doing hobby work on an industrial machine. -Marty-
Reply:I gave $300. for my Dialarc and $350. for my Idealarc.  With good leads and cart/dolly."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by Rus103Welcome to the site.What's your point/ goal? "burn them up and learn the difference" Difference in what? If they are pipe liners then somebody owns a DC machine that they can let you try a few rods on. It won't take long for you to see the difference in the arc. If you want a DC hobby machine I would suggest the miller thunderbolt as you are not stuck with the fixed taps that the Lincoln has. If you want to practice for real world pipe welding or field work you will likely want a larger machine. What's your goal and budget? Hope this helps.
Reply:Oh Yeah. I guess my location would be helpful.  Baton Rouge, La. I really appreciate everyone help and patience.And I have 220 volt plug in shop I can hook to.
Reply:Originally Posted by Marty FeldmanFor well under 500, you can find a Dialarc - a proper machine, rugged and with a good duty cycle, that will still be welding at the end of this century.  There is no rule that prevents you from doing hobby work on an industrial machine. -Marty-
Reply:Buy 1/8 or 3/32 ac rods  suitable for your test material . Small sealed packages . many large hardware stores and farm supply stores have them .                                      Regards,Ed
Reply:Originally Posted by pennswoodsedBuy 1/8 or 3/32 ac rods  suitable for your test material . Small sealed packages . many large hardware stores and farm supply stores have them .                                      Regards,Ed
Reply:Originally Posted by Rus103And I have 220 volt plug in shop I can hook to.
Reply:[QUOTE=mad welder 4;5172441]Is it a clothes dryer receptacle?No. I'm thinking it's a 50 amp I currently have but I can change that easily to anything or even direct wire into breaker box.
Reply:I'm am steady looking at craiglist and various facebook sites hoping to find something useful. So far not much in stick welders but lots of mig and tig.
Reply:How about other suggestions on finding a decent used DC unit that will last awhile? Ebay just doesn't seem to be very helpful.
Reply:I just found a Lincoln Idealarc R3R-400 close by for $450. Is this a strictly DC welder? Does it require single phase or three phase? Seems a bit high on price when compared to other used machines like it on ebay.Last edited by Rus103; 12-29-2014 at 05:01 PM.Reason: clarify type
Reply:Originally Posted by Rus103I just found a Lincoln R3R-400 close by for $450. Is this a strictly DC welder? Does it require single phase or three phase? Seems a bit high on price when compared to other used machines like it on ebay.I am very happy with my Everlast PowerArc 300   I got new for $270. From Amazon Last edited by Underdog57; 12-29-2014 at 08:11 PM.Reason: SpellingEverlast PowerArc 300
Reply:Originally Posted by Underdog57I am very happy with my Everlast PowerArc 300   I got new for $270. From Amazon