I need help with a lincoln 180

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I bought a lincoln 180 (180 amp ) stick welder at a garage sale for $15.00. Someone took the leads off for some reason and I was wondering if # 4 leads will work with this welder. I also don't know which connection inside is the ground or stinger. There is a wide thick copper lead coming out of the bottom of the coil and a connection to the rheostat. Which is the ground and which is the stinger. Also I was surprised to see this welder is all copper and no aluminum. If I can get it to work I will keep it as the new lincolns are aluminum wire.Any help is appreciated.
Reply:If that machine is the one I think it is, it's an AC machine and stinger and ground will not matter. Post up picts of the unit ( particularly the face of the case)  and we can probably tell you for sure if it's an AC machine or not..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:Originally Posted by DSWIf that machine is the one I think it is, it's an AC machine and stinger and ground will not matter. Post up picts of the unit ( particularly the face of the case)  and we can probably tell you for sure if it's an AC machine or not.
Reply:As DSW said, if it is AC only, then it doesn't matter which is the stinger and which is the ground, since the current is alternating.Lincoln Powermig 255Hypertherm Powermax 45Thermal Arc 161SOxweld 24R OA TorchStill Looking for an Old Round Top Idealarc 250
Reply:Originally Posted by morgaj1As DSW said, if it is AC only, then it doesn't matter which is the stinger and which is the ground, since the current is alternating.
Reply:I'd use #2 myself but #4 should be fine.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps