Arc welders?

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Would a Miller 240v 180a DC welder be good enough for general repairs including welding 7018 on crack repairs(1/4")?found one for a good price little older unit tho..HOBART IronMan 230 MIGSmith Lifetime WH200 HD O/A Torch
Reply:Yes, if it runs properly you should be able to run 1/8" 7018's with out problem.
Reply:Thank you HOBART IronMan 230 MIGSmith Lifetime WH200 HD O/A Torch
Reply:Well the welder turned out to be a AC unit so i didn't buy it,trying to find a DC machine.HOBART IronMan 230 MIGSmith Lifetime WH200 HD O/A Torch
Reply:I might be wrong, but I don't believe you can buy a strictly DC crackerbox machine.They're either AC, or AC225/DC125ish.  Go red or blue, and you'll be extremely happy with this type of machine...........very versatile and reliable"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammI might be wrong, but I don't believe you can buy a strictly DC crackerbox machine.They're either AC, or AC225/DC125ish.  Go red or blue, and you'll be extremely happy with this type of machine...........very versatile and reliable
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammI might be wrong, but I don't believe you can buy a strictly DC crackerbox machine.They're either AC, or AC225/DC125ish.  Go red or blue, and you'll be extremely happy with this type of machine...........very versatile and reliable
Reply:You forgot to add, that the inverter units are more tolerant to low voltage and long extension cords.
Reply:I didn't mean to confuse anybody, and it may be different terminology in different parts of the country.Here a "crackerbox" is a 240v AC, or AC/DC machine.  Like the classic Lincoln.A "tombstone" is referring to the Lincoln Idealarc, a much bigger machine.I never considered the inverter machines.  They're relatively new to me, and not within my price range for the type of machine I use.  From the little I've read about them, they seem to be really nice machines.  They're sort of outside my arena"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Gotchya FS...anyway the welder in my OP turned out to be a AC unit ,, so on the hunt again i found a Lincoln buzz box AC225/DC125, would 125amps be enough power to do strong repairs on up to 1/4" and 7018 rod? seems little low to me?HOBART IronMan 230 MIGSmith Lifetime WH200 HD O/A Torch
Reply:It will, but barely.  The duty cycle at 125 amps is extremely low on this unit.   Only about 20 percent at full 125 amps.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Originally Posted by lugweldIt will, but barely.  The duty cycle at 125 amps is extremely low on this unit.   Only about 20 percent at full 125 amps.
Reply:Duty cycle, while important, is a relative thing.(I believe the Lincoln 225/125 is thermally protected in DC anyways, might be wrong)You can push duty cycle, which I'm guilty of And for the average dude like me..................2 minutes out of 10 is a pretty good cycle given the investment.  Can do a lot of welding in 2 minutes arc time.  And remember, that's 2 minutes steady, without rest.  The time to stand back and admire yer work, or conversely..........cut it apart because ya made the weld in the wrong place  allows the machine to cool down"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:daman...........everything I've ever posted, project wise (mostly farm stuff) has been welded with a little crackerbox.Don't underestimate these machines, you'd be very happy with one"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:i just think its funny , he told the guy with the "white" Hobart avatar to go "red" or "blue" for happiness.........................then the "green" and "yellow" guy is helping him out too.        thermal arc 252i  -  millermatic 350P -   miller XMT, cp300ts, 30a 22a feeders, buttload of other millers, handfull of lincolns, couple of esabs  -   Hypertherm 1250 G3
Reply:If thats the case yea 2 mins is allot for continuous welding i'd never go longer then that i'd say.yea i've seen your pics  , like to pick a good used ac/dc for 7018 use just to have one i guess but if 125 A isn't going to be adequate i'd look for some something lil bigger. Originally Posted by woi2ldi just think its funny , he told the guy with the "white" Hobart avatar to go "red" or "blue" for happiness.........................then the "green" and "yellow" guy is helping him out too.
Reply:The Stickmate is a nice machine too, it's actually blue underneath"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:That also means 8 full minutes of rest between,  not one or two minutes, if it is run full.  But when you are welding that equals about a rod or two.  Time flies when your having fun and you probably think you've only been welding for 30 seconds or so, when your time is really up.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:I thought 125 sounded low,hard to say if i would hit DS probably not,maybe keep this one on back burner and keep looking it has been for sale awhile now.HOBART IronMan 230 MIGSmith Lifetime WH200 HD O/A Torch
Reply:around here those are also called Lincoln cracker boxes or tombstone welders. Idealarc 250 also called tombstone welders, but not nearly as common. Lincoln 225 AC come up all the time. easily the most common welder on craigslist. priced $125-250 range. Lincoln 225 AC/DC units seldom come up for sale and are gone quickly. avg price $250-$375if that 225 AC/DC Lincoln is priced right... I'd be jumping on it... an excellent little box.  Originally Posted by damanGotchya FS...anyway the welder in my OP turned out to be a AC unit ,, so on the hunt again i found a Lincoln buzz box AC225/DC125, would 125amps be enough power to do strong repairs on up to 1/4" and 7018 rod? seems little low to me?
Reply:The 225AC/125DC Lincoln is a very capable welder, like sam, I have used them on many things that where in the 1/4 and 1/2" range, though 1/2" was pushing it, I did however do a deep bevel and multiple passed it!The machine I am currently looking to buy used "sam will probably shoot me for this" is a Miller Thunderbolt, it comes in either 225AC and 150DC or a 300AC and 200DC models.http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...bolt_xl_ac_dc/Some don't like the variable control, but after testing the one that my nephew has out, I liked it allot!I would like to get the 300/200 model.#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:daman,      Since you already have a small buzz box I would stay away from getting another one, might as well look to move up.  I would look for a used Lincoln Idealarc which will give you 250A DC and 300A AC.  If power consumption is a problem then get a Thermal Arc 160s which will also allow you to have a tig machine with foot control and can be found at times on ebay for around $800.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jay Odaman,      Since you already have a small buzz box I would stay away from getting another one, might as well look to move up.  I would look for a used Lincoln Idealarc which will give you 250A DC and 300A AC.  If power consumption is a problem then get a Thermal Arc 160s which will also allow you to have a tig machine with foot control and can be found at times on ebay for around $800.
Reply:daman,     Then I would consider getting the Hobart Stickmate 200/160.  Having 160A of dc should let you 5/327018 rods plus having the machine being infinitly adjustable will let you dial it right in vs having a tapped machine.
Reply:Originally Posted by damanHmmm i didnt know that thanks,looking for used so hopefully i can pick up something right.a have a AC at my disposal to use but if buying i want a AC/DCThread is 4 years old.  Hopefully he found one already....TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:I think he probably has
Reply:Originally Posted by bwebb53123Its really easy to build an AC to DC converter with some parts from a local welding supplier and commercial electrical supply.  you might even be able to buy one online and addapt it to use with your existing machine. Could save you some money and some space.good luck
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255Thread is 4 years old.  Hopefully he found one already....
Reply:I built a DC converter for 101.09.I put a reactor together for 14.00 for wire.4 300 amp diodes cost 36.00 from Fair Radio.I had a lot of the parts on hand.25 feet of #4 weld cable cost 22 bucks.The converter has its own cables.My converter can handle far more than 125 amps.Most converters are small and cut into the welders cables.My converter is good sized and has 3 cooling fans.It lets me use the 6010 rods Ive collected over the years.