Hello all, a few Noob questions about a miller thunderbolt 225

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Good day to all, just to let you know i've never welded a day in my life lol.. my brother 22 years old passed away Christmas morning. He went to school for welding and worked at a metal fab place doing welding..he loved to weld. At work there was a old thunder bolt 225 laying around and my boss told me I can have it. I want to start learning. I need to test the equipment but it has no leads to it. Are leads interchangeable? How do I go about finding leads for this machine ? This may sound like a stupid question but i've searched the threads and can only find references to #'s, not even sure what that means!!
Reply:Fortunately, leads are interchangeable / replaceable.  You should be able to take tell your local welding store that you need leads for a thunderbolt and they will set you up.  Worst case is taking in the welder with you to the LWS and they can probably test it there.
Reply:I'm sorry about your brother. That is a tragedy.You should post some pictures of the welder on here. Many of us have them or have had in the past. Get the model number and serial number (if there is a serial number) and look up the Owner's Manual here:   http://www.millerwelds.com/service/ownersmanuals.php  These machines are almost bulletproof, very simple to work on, and not much to go wrong with them. Some really old ones don't have a serial number, that I could find anyway, in that case use the dropdown box to find the Model Number. That will get you started and show proper electrical hookups, maintenance, etc.Then ask more questions and post pictures so you can get help from the guys on the forum. Welcome to welding.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Wow, really sorry about your brother. That is sad introduction in joining the site.  Welcome, and there are a great bunch of guys here to help. As far as the Thunderbolt goes, they are great machines and keep on going. Here's Miller site for the age of machine by serial number. http://www.millerwelds.com/service/s...reference.htmlSome machines are AC and some AC / DC  . Most of the older ones have a male round pin push in connect from cable end to machine.Here's some reading from a old post. http://weldingweb.com/archive/index.php/t-59737.htmlPosting your location will help.
Reply:My condolences on your loss.I used to have a Thunderbolt 225- they're great little machines. Mine had been in my brother's barn for years before I got it. If I can suggest, download the owner's manual and read about the routine maintenance for it: it would serve you well to lubricate the mechanism that adjusts amps. Because mine had sat for so long the cooling fan required lubrication too. When you get it powered up and turned on the cooling fan should start right away.The machine is designed for 50 amps of input power but it will run well enough on a 30 amp circuit- for you that probably means the clothes dryer circuit in your house. You can buy or make your own extension cord for it- let us know how and where you plan to run it, and folks here on this forum can recommend solutions if you run into problems.
Reply:Sorry to hear of the loss of your brother.A "FREE" T-bolt 225?  Dude you need to jump on that like stink on cow dung!  I bought mine 35+ years ago and still have it.  It has been through he!! and high water (seriously, it was flooded once).  BULLET PROOF!Like other said go download the manual.  T-bolts need some minor adjustments on the shunt slides from time to time and the open frame blower fans do like a bit of oil when you do the adjustment.  We can talk you through all that and blow the dust, cob webs, and mouse dropping out while you have the case open.Seriously, jump on that deal!RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:Thank you guys for the support and help, When I get back home from work today i'll update with a picture ! Great community here. Not like the car forums lol
Reply:Lots of folks willing to help out here. If you put your location in your profile you might even find someone willing to help you get started.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.