A Bit of Lead Management

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I found an old copper wound Lincoln AC235-S on the local Craig's list.  It has spent years in a dirt floor barn and and you could tell.  But it has been used somewhat regularly and had a new 25 ft stinger lead and a somewhat shorter work lead (also new) with a 300 amp Tweco clamp.  As the guy I bought it from was a full time welder rather than a hobbiest like myself his "lead management system" consisted of two E6011 rods bent into "S" hooks and hanging from the handles of the Tombstone.Well, being a hobbiest I decided to provide the leads with a bit more radius to rest on as the machine will only see use when the MM180 is not enough machine.  The cable do show a bit of kink from hanging on those welding rods.Let the Pics speak;Larry "I feel for the man who cannot spell a word more than one way."  by Mark TwainLincoln AC225-SLincoln Weldpac 100 Miller Matic 180 (auto set)Miller Spectrum 375 ExtremeMiller Spoolmate 100Victor Super Range II
Reply:Looks nice, Larry. First rate job. And to think, I've been wrapping my leads around old Mig wire spools for all this time.  There's no end to my laziness......I r 2 a perfessional
Reply:Neat.Looks like you have a bit more weld bead than is really needed for the metal thickness though.
Reply:Originally Posted by MoonRiseNeat.Looks like you have a bit more weld bead than is really needed for the metal thickness though.
Reply:Neat work. You gave the old machine some new 'martian ears'.
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyNeat work. You gave the old machine some new 'martian ears'.
Reply:Man, where I work, those would be awesome.  Most of the machines have lead holders made from whatever could be thrown together!  It's bad enough having co-workers claim that they all have thier own machines and how it's their god given right to pile all of their shyte on them, while they think "If I write my name on it, it's mine!  HAHA!"  Vessel shop smessel shop...I've only ever worked in one shop where all of the smaw machines were spooled...those were nice! Seriously though, nice work!  I agree, the second picture relates my favorite comeback!Last edited by mb_welder; 07-10-2008 at 07:52 AM.
Reply:Neat cable holders! I may try something similar with the Lincoln Idealarc 250. Take Care,John
Reply:That old tombstone is a great unit. I had one a long time ago. To tell you the truth, I probably welded more stuff with that than I have with my new gear. Mine was a/c only. I always wanted an a/c-d/c unit. Scratch start tig was possible with one. I saw it done once.Anyhow, your idea is great. I wish I had thought of that. What I did with mine was used a red harbor freight handtruck. used some ubolts to hold the welder to the handtruck. Loads easier to move around. I wrapped the leads around the handle of the handtruck. Worked great for years. My dumb @$$ traded the welder to a buddy. Wish I had it back.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:Nice looking cable holders. I actually did work in two shops where I had my own machine. One was designated by the owner (he wanted to see if I could burn an antique Lincoln up like I did the new Miller, lol) and the other shop was a case of I was certified and nobody else was so da boss told 'em if I needed the machine to go get a different one. I did actually have a machine I preferred and it just so happened to be the smallest and oldest, lol.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:They'll be very handy as it's always quicker and easier to be able to hang them like that.I'd probably have made them the same way but in hindsight, how about if you'd made them in the same shape as the welder? Say about the size of the outer edge of the Amps scale on the front, or maybe just slightly larger, however the proportion lies?"One of the things we have to be thankful for is that we don't get as much government as we pay for." (Charles Kettering)Mitch 180 (NZ)Lincoln SAM-400-220 + ?-400 Fordson Major + 2 x Tractapac Humber 80 + Procut 40 PlasmaMiller Spectrum 375