Tombstone age?

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I just bought a very used Lincoln AC225 and am curious about its age.  It's so old the bearings on the wheels have worn out and gouged the axle holes in the case out to keyhole shapes!  The previous owner was a little hazy, but seemed to think it dated to the 70's at least.  There's a number stamped on the front which, naturally, I didn't make a note of.  The welder is 100 miles from here, but perhaps someone could point me at the relevant information.  The Lincoln website didn't offer any clues.  It's a tribute to Lincoln that as rusty and beat-up as this unit is, it works perfectly!
Reply:My son-in-law got his grandfather's old tombstone a couple of years ago, and we found a date chart online.  I don't guess I saved it, but Google and see what you find.
Reply:Check here:  http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...of_machine.pdfOld ones (at least up to 1976 or so) have the welding leads coming out side-by-side rather than over/under.The really old ones (early 1962) had very widely spaced leads.  Some have a metal tap selector knob and I think some have a green faceplate.Last edited by Oldendum; 07-23-2014 at 11:16 AM."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:Thanks, Oldendum - I should have found that link myself.  guess it was hidden in the Artisans Only catacombs.  I'll have to take a closer look at mine.  I think it's not really old because it does have a plastic selector knob; I figured the early units would be metal or maybe Bakelite.  But, mine does have the super-custom 6" wheels.  Yup, it's a donk.(the original wheels were shot and I had a pair of 6" lying around.  Right shaft size and all.)
Reply:Update:  I looked at the info from Lincoln noted above, and confusion reigns.  The numbers on mine don't seem to mesh with anything on the list.  Here's a photo of the nameplate in case someone is better at reading heiroglyphics than I am.:The beast works great, so it's only a matter of curiosity.
Reply:The linked doc says that the code ####-407 was made in some 4nn year.  Now, since your pic shows narrow side-by-side leads and a short face nameplate, it could be 1964 or 1974. Not sure when they stopped using the "Lincwelder" name on the front. Lincoln could probably tell you which year based on the code number.  I'd guess July 1974."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:Sand and paint please , the grand kids will love it! .That one is new a plug tap one is older.
Reply:I bought my Lincoln 225 in 1964 for 93.00 new.It has a metal pointer.
Reply:They were still making that style with the side-by-side leads and white knob in late 1974.  List price was $98."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:I purchased mine new in July, 1974 and it has the white plastic adjuster pointer, and I believe the leads protruding as the photo shows. On the face of mine is some yellow stamp marking and thinking it in an inspection mark.SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....