old Emerson welder

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I was browsing local Craigslist and found an old Emerson AC welder for sale. It's a 180 amp unit. The guy had it in barter, but when I emailed him he said he'd do $75. I'm sure I could get it down some from there, too. I rarely want to do anything thicker than I can reasonably do with my 110 MIG, but every now and then it might be nice. Seeing as I won't be using it often, AC isn't a big deal. I have 220 power in my garage, although only 30A. For the price, or maybe offering him $60, is it likely to be reasonable? I could use a fixed lens mask anyway, and from the pictures I'm assuming that's included. Thanks for any help.Lincoln 175HD
Reply:I recently got an old Lincoln AC180C, which is continuously adjustable.  The guy was asking $125.  I emailed him and said I might be interested, but not at that price.  I said I just wanted to preserve the old thing and already had welders.  He came back with $50., and I hadn't even made an offer.  It does look like there's a lot of copper on that input cord. "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:Those 180A welders were made in the days of Rural Electrification and were limited to a current draw of 37.5A, IIRC. Should be OK on a 30A breaker within the limits of its duty cycle.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Any idea as to age from the pictures? Is there much to go wrong with it?Lincoln 175HD
Reply:listen as far as old...as long as it works...it will be better quality than new. Made to work good and last forever.Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:I agree, I like old tools. Was just curious.Lincoln 175HD