WHAT should I do?

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Hello Need your experience again.Back in 1994 I purchased a Lincoln AC-225-S when they went on sale! I had no need for it then, but knew the day would come when I was no longer be able to manage my gas engine welder!  Well that day has come, I unpacked the machine this week, and all seemed okay, until I tried to move the selector knob. It is really hard to move and then will only move 2 clicks each way from where it was. I opened it up; only thing I can see is just a little white corrosion on the contacts.  I cleaned the contacts, but it still is pretty hard to turn the knob. What should I do? The shaft on this Model is plastic; it will break for sure like it is! Is it safe to lube the shaft, and what about the contacts? Do they make a lube that is safe to put on them? Don't need to start a fire or short something out! Thanks
Reply:I would use dielectric greaseDynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:Used to be a spray contact cleaner that could be bought at most Radio Shacks called RCA Tuner Cleaner.  I used it for cleaning points and contacts for several years.  The TV dosen't have a tuner any more so this might be renamed now.  Used to spray on work it back and forth several times then spray again to flush out any debris.  It also had a dry lube in it that would creep into several places.  It was not electrical conductive, however the power was to be off when it was used.
Reply:You should be able to fix that quite easily - pull off the side/top panel, take apart the rotary switch, clean all the contacts (I used a glass-fiber pen - autobody repair section of store), grease them slightly and put the switch back together. Should work like a charm.If you use the 'search' function, you will turn up two threads on this - with lots of pictures and detailed instructions of how to do that.Restoring your Lincoln AC-225 welderhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=4533Refurb of a Lincoln Lincwelder AC-225-shttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=59987 If the switch is still 'stiff' you can try weakening the compression spring - or replacing it with a softer one.e.g. I have one older Lincoln that is smooth as silk and the other newer one is a Ba*tard.Maybe Lincoln used a weaker spring on the older ones - or the spring is just tired!Good luck with this.Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:A simple contact cleaner, (if it has no grease on it and you have access to both of the contact surfaces) IS...wait for it A pencil eraser. It will not damage the finish of the contact either. Just somptin for yalls to file away for a rainy day. Don't believe me try it on a heavily oxidized contact sometime.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:an eraser works great for contacts used that trick to clean the contacts on slot cars years agoidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:Get a dry film lube. This is the one I use.http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/CRC...ubricant-4JB33Common problem for gear in moth balls or storage. Places like shipyards, industrial plants, etc where equipment is not run for months / maybe even years have the problem with electrical switches, they don't want to move again. Spray with something like this, problem gone. Don't have to clean the switch, just spray and cycle it. Do not use on energized gear.Can find in many local hardware stores.
Reply:Originally Posted by Old_ChipperThe shaft on this Model is plastic; it will break for sure like it is!
Reply:Originally Posted by bert the welderMust be made in China............
Reply:Originally Posted by CharleyhorseI really like my Harbor Freight ARC-180 AC/DC stick welder.  It's got a big copper coil in it and a heavy duty rectifier.  It'll run 3/32 sticks all day long, I use it just as much or more than the Miller Thunderbolt. Never any problems with any switches.....