Looking for a used welder: Dare I even ask about this one?

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http://lubbock.craigslist.org/hvo/4124304261.htmlThis looks a little bit more promising than the craigslist AC only craftsman welder just down the street from me. On this one I think I can make out an AC/DC amp range on the dial, I think it goes up to 180 or 190 amps (could just be my eyes trying to be hopeful) and it has 3 lead connections, I assume there is a common, a DC out put and an AC out put?It doesn't have any leads but that is ok because I have plenty of 00 gauge, a stick holder and 300amp ground clamp to make some.I emailed the guy Friday afternoon, have not herd back so I think this is a place of business and are closed for the weekend.What do you think?old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:I'd buy that for 25 bucks that way if it don't work you can sell it for scrap copper and make what you bought it for.Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:Only problem is its an hour drive each way, if it were just a few minutes down the road that would be the plan.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:If you look carefully at the picture, the Amps dial seems to have HIGH and LOW on it.  Probably AC only with two ranges, a very common arrangement."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 OldendumIf you look carefully at the picture, the Amps dial seems to have HIGH and LOW on it.  Probably AC only with two ranges, a very common arrangement.
Reply:I take it that people just don't want to let go of their old AC/DC welders then?old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:Check w/ your local LWS. I found my A/C D/C Thunderbolt at my local Airgas for $150. They got some in on trade from one of the local high school's ag shop. I've had it for about 6 yrs and it's performed admirably. Just try to have patience and the money you want to spend in hand.                      MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Well...http://lubbock.craigslist.org/tls/4026396851.htmlorhttp://abilene.craigslist.org/tls/4051336501.htmlorhttp://lubbock.craigslist.org/tls/4104439547.htmlor?Stick with the brand names if you think you might need parts.  Miller has probably got one of the longest reaches back in time on parts, also there are others out on the internet the can get vintage or equivalent partsCon Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:Low-budget AC/DC welders weren't that common.  They are in demand by hobbyists and areas of low population just don't have many available.  Here on the east coast, you can occasionally get an Idealarc or Syncrowave 250 AC/DC welder for less than $200. , and $300 - $450. is not uncommon. Most people don't have an electrical circuit big enough to feed them, or have the space they need."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:Nothing wrong with that sureweld its a miller or p&h custom built for national cylinder gas.
Reply:Originally Posted by PavinsteelmanNothing wrong with that sureweld its a miller or p&h custom built for national cylinder gas.
Reply:Originally Posted by PavinsteelmanNothing wrong with that sureweld its a miller or p&h custom built for national cylinder gas.
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumLow-budget AC/DC welders weren't that common.  They are in demand by hobbyists and areas of low population just don't have many available.  Here on the east coast, you can occasionally get an Idealarc or Syncrowave 250 AC/DC welder for less than $200. , and $300 - $450. is not uncommon. Most people don't have an electrical circuit big enough to feed them, or have the space they need.
Reply:Originally Posted by con_fuse9Well...http://lubbock.craigslist.org/tls/4026396851.htmlorhttp://abilene.craigslist.org/tls/4051336501.htmlorhttp://lubbock.craigslist.org/tls/4104439547.htmlor?Stick with the brand names if you think you might need parts.  Miller has probably got one of the longest reaches back in time on parts, also there are others out on the internet the can get vintage or equivalent parts
Reply:The Lubbock Thunderbolt is an AC only version.  If you can live with AC only it is a tough little buzz box.  Several of us own T-bolt AC-DC versions of that and have decades of use and abuse on them without any troubles.  The newer version T-bolt listed in the ads is basically the same transformer and all just flopped over on it's side and purdied up for the changing tastes of today's fashion wary weldor.RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:Originally Posted by tanglediverAC has been around the block a time or two. You can't hurt them without a tractor. You can't much move them bigunns without one neither!
Reply:Originally Posted by copeNo, and the need for DC is overrated IMO.  A lot of rods have been burned on AC machines.
Reply:Originally Posted by copeNo, and the need for DC is overrated IMO.  A lot of rods have been burned on AC machines.
Reply:I am mostly interested in a machine that will be good for hard facing that can take care of heavier welds that my 135 amp mig cant quite do with solid wire and high CO2 gas.I used to weld with a AC/DC tomb stone a lot but it was a very long time ago, around 13 years ago I believe. It was a long time ago but I remember I did not like AC so much.Although if I really wanted to I bet I could build a rectifier array and get some DC out of it.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:Originally Posted by mad welder 4I am mostly interested in a machine that will be good for hard facing that can take care of heavier welds that my 135 amp mig cant quite do with solid wire and high CO2 gas.I used to weld with a AC/DC tomb stone a lot but it was a very long time ago, around 13 years ago I believe. It was a long time ago but I remember I did not like AC so much.Although if I really wanted to I bet I could build a rectifier array and get some DC out of it.
Reply:Originally Posted by gnm109It's certainly possible to build a DC section into an AC machine. The only problem would be the cost of the parts.You would need a nice switch, some large diodes and some capacitors. That could run you close to $100 retail unless you have a lot of items in your spares box.  There are so many inexpensive AC-DC welders floating around that I wouldn't bother, though.
Reply:Originally Posted by mad welder 4I am mostly interested in a machine that will be good for hard facing that can take care of heavier welds that my 135 amp mig cant quite do with solid wire and high CO2 gas.
Reply:I found a like new AC/DC Lincoln tomb stone for $425 at a pawn shop.From what I have found if it has leads, which I believe it does that's not a bad price.What do you think?old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:Haggle him down regardless, it's a pawn shop Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by mad welder 4I found a like new AC/DC Lincoln tomb stone for $425 at a pawn shop.From what I have found if it has leads, which I believe it does that's not a bad price.What do you think?Price is borderline high in my opinion. Northern Tool lists the AC/DC Lincolns and Hobarts for about $550 new. I've seen a lot of industrial "tombstones", the old Idealarc's, or Millers Dialarcs in that $450 price range. They are way better units than the typical homeowner "tombstones". They are infinitely adjustable and have a much nicer arc compared to the homeowner units. I'd want to see that machine down in the $300-350 range myself, $400 tops if I was desperate..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:That's too high. I paid $200 for mine on CL. They usually go for $200 to $300. I'd pay $300 but that would be max. That said, it's a good welder and will do most anything you want in stick welding.Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:For a home shop stick welder I like to recommend the older Lincoln IdealArc 250s/250. In a picture they look like the current small tombstones, but in person you see that they are much larger. They are also copper wound and rated to run 1/8" rod at 100% duty cycle. And they are dead simple and run forever. Best of all, since they look old, you can often find them really cheap. I bought mine for $150 and that included leads and an extra-long (100') power cord. I lucked out later and found a guy parting one out and bought his original factory cart made for the IdealArc 250/250.metalmagpie
Reply:I did see an Idealarc 250 around here for $115., but typically they are $300. - $450.  I don't know why I didn't buy the cheap one, but I had just bought the Dialarc 250. and I think my back hadn't yet healed from moving it.   They can be a good deal because they are larger and, ideally, should have more than a 50 Amp input."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