Weather vs Welder

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Just Looking For Info. What Effect Does The Weather Have On A Welder Sitting Out In The Open 24/7 - Just Asking? - I'M Sure It Has Some Affect Over Time Just Wondering How Much - I Was Always Taught If It's Worth Haveing The It's Worth Taking Care Of - Now I Know That If You Work Outside Of Shop Then Its Going To Get Wet/Snow Sometimes But What About Outside All The Time - ?
Reply:Any good portable welder, (engine drive) should survive a long and healthy life outside.    I have a couple that are WELL over 30 years old pushing 40 that work just as well as the day they were made.   They look a little weathered but weld just fine.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Hey Renagade, it would be easier to read your posts if you will only capitalize the first letter of a sentence.  As far as welders go, Dualie is right - engine drives are made to be outside.  Mine stay in the shop when they're not out on the road, but they hit all kinds of weather out there.  If you're worried about the paint, you can buy a cover or a local tarp shop can make one for you - the kind of shop that makes truck tarps.  You do need to keep an eye out for critters making nests in there or just curling up to be warm.  I killed a groundhog hiding in the belts of a Big 20 I started up once.  It was a heck of a mess to get out of there.
Reply:Having anything left outside especially in the winter haft to be hard on it. lolI made a car cover into a welding machine cover a few years ago that I cover my welder with when I don't plan on using it for awhile and it does help IMO.  Other times I try to keep it in the garage especially in the winter months. lolBesides that I can't say. Good luck manSlowhand Last edited by slowhand; 02-16-2012 at 05:26 PM.
Reply:Different machines take to the weather differently.  The housing of my Miller engine welder (an AEAD-200LE) is not designed to be left outside by itself.  Many others are.If snow can form up against metal, or leaves can collect, and that traps water against a surface, that can cause problems.  Being out in the rain, isn't that bad by itself, as the water will just drip off (except that the control panel of my engine welder will get wet, and water can drip into the 110V outlets, etc.).Be aware that rain must not be allowed to enter the exhaust.  Most machines avoid this, but if you divert the exhaust yourself, it's something to consider.
Reply:Here is an old pic of that welder cover I spoke of above.  I bought a good car cover for about $100.00 and had the old lady to cut it up and make a custom fit cover for my Lincoln.  When I use it I can rest assured it is protected.  It stays dry and protected.  Besides using something like this I don't know.  This is the best I've found. lolUnder it the machine stays dry and protected no doubt.  I use it when I'm not going to use the machine for some time, but I don't use it enough because I can already see the effects of the weather.It was easy to make after I done some measuring.  I keep it on using 2 bungy's that go under the machine.  It takes about a minute to put it on, or take it off. lolHope this helps ya. Slowhand  Attached ImagesLast edited by slowhand; 02-18-2012 at 04:32 PM.
Reply:i bought a heavy duty grill cover for my champion elite from lowes.  it doesn't look as good or fit as good as slowhand custom cover, but it does keep the machine clean and dry.  it was only $25.  a hobart specific cover was $100.  fro me, it doesn't have to be an exact fit to save me $75.
Reply:I have my buzzbox sitting atop of a few 2x4's outside near the outlet I have for it unplugged and I cover it with a cheap plastic trash can turned upside down over it that I got from the local hardware store. It seems to be handling the weather just fine, but then I only wait for clear days before I use it.Montgomery Ward Powr Kraft AC-DC 230/140
Reply:I have the heavy blue miller canvas covers for my big d40 and trail blazers. Sloshed out fuel killed the one on the diesel, otherwise 10 years of NY weather doesn't bother them.IW Local 580 NY, NY
Reply:My old Lincoln's(SA-200 and SA-250) with full sheet metal don't mind being left out. My newer Miller I keep a cover on, because  it is not fully enclosed.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."