New guy from Al. with a question

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Brand spanking new here. I'm not a welder by trade, but have done minor things around my dads shop as a much younger man.  I'm ignorant of the lingo and no nothing about the proper techniques required to strike an arc, but I have always wanted to get proficient enough to do some things around my shop.  I need to start out with a question that I hope someone can answer. I am the new owner of an "old" AC arc welder that was in my father in-laws shop. I'm not sure where he got it, like me, he loved old stuff. The metal label on the front says Hinckley-Myers Co. There is an on-off switch in the front center, three plug in holes on the left upper corner in front, and three more on the right upper front. The left side holes are marked Lo, Med, Hi, and the right side says 1,2,3. The name "The Jiffy Arc welder" is also on the label. Anyone ever hear of this thing? I'm hoping to restore it and hopefully use it. The data plate has settings for different metal and thickness ie: Lo 1,2. It needs a new on-off switch, power supply cord, ground, and electrode set-up. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Reply:Sounds like an  AC buzz box from the early part of the last century. Good luck.
Reply:how about a pictureWorth a thousand words......Where you at in Al?1981 Lincoln SA 200Miller Trailblazer 302gMiller 211 Mig Welder w/ AutosetI'm learning to stick metal together
Reply:I'll try to upload a picture later today. Thanks.
Reply:Hello Mikey55,Welcome, This is a great place to troubleshoot and ask questions.Best,D. PumphreyLONGEVITYPhone: 877-566-4462
Reply:Hi Ya Mikey55 and Welcome to the Welding Web Family. Yep sure would help if you posted a picture of the welder and maybe even the Manufacturer's label identifying the Model Number.If you want to post your location, show your personal avatar, or have a signature on each post telling fellow members where you are located; an avatar of you or your shop, and a signature telling fellow members what types of equipment you have, you can do it all by following these steps:1. Locate and click on USER CP2. Under YOUR CONTROL PANEL, YOUR PROFILE, click on EDIT YOUR DETAILS3. In the EDIT YOUR DETAILS, you can enter Optional Information and Additional Information such as your Location (an other info)4. While in USER CP you can explore some of the other functions - Avatar: you can have picture of you, your shop, your wife, children, dog, etc (keep it clean- no nudes)- Signature: you can list all your equipment, a link to your shop, or maybe some witty sayingCo-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:I'll really try an upload a picture showing the label etc. I'm covered up at work and simply have not had the time to even take a picture. I'm really glad that I found this place and look forward to absorbing all this info. I think I went back and added my location earlier today. If it didn't work I'll do it again. Thanks.
Reply:Okay, all personal info is posted,  forgot to hit the save button.
Reply:Here are a few pics of this old girl, Ain't she a beaut? I've taken the top off, and it appears to all be there, although it's a might dusty, but everything is connected. The on-off swith teminal ends are not attached to the switch anymore, my fault. I suppose I can find a switch that will work. It will need a new power cord, it's there but not in good shape. My biggest question is the leads, do you suppose something can be modified to work, that is if it checks out ok. I know I could probably find a cheap model to do what I want, but this is the fun part for me. Thanks Attached ImagesHinckley-Myers, " The Jiffy " AC arc welder ???
Reply:I did manage to fix the wheels so that it rolls around all nice and smooth..Hinckley-Myers, " The Jiffy " AC arc welder ???
Reply:sweet old machine..hope it burns  nice..
Reply:looks like a pretty sweet old machine. Just needs a little love. And sounds like the price was right.Thermal arc raider 10,000 proESAB multimaster 260300 amp ac/dc heliweldhobart handler 140lincoln LN 25 wirefeedermiller spoolmate 200profax sp 200ramsond cut 50dy plasma cuttercampbell hausfield 30 gallon air compressor
Reply:May I suggest that you open the case, clean all the contacts and check all the wiring... if you have a professional electrican pal, have him work with you to put the welder through its settings. Check all the switches, replace wiring and plug. See that it has adequate cooling. Replace tongs because a fault or lost insulation can injure you. What hurts equipment most is being dirty. It should work well for you. Happy days--
Reply:Thanks AnneD, I'll definetley do as you suggest and have it checked brfore trying to play around with it. You mentioned being dirty can cause problems, well this baby has a very nice layer of dust on the inside. Gonna try an blow most of it out with the compressor so that I can al least "see" the wires, lol.Hinckley-Myers, " The Jiffy " AC arc welder ???
Reply:The company is still around,has wandered a bit from its roots.:http://subaru.spx.com/History.aspx
Reply:That is just too cool Bluewelders. Rekcon how old this thing is? I stopped by a welding supply shop today to inquire about a switch, cables, etc. He was alot of help, and told me how to go about checking to see if the thing will even power up before spending any money on it. The only thing I failed to ask was the proper breaker I need to install. My 220 outlet in the shop is only 30 amps, thought maybe I'd need a 50, but wasn't sure. The data label on the front says 30 amps max on primary, and the best I can tell it says secondary 140 amps max. I really want to plug this thing up... from a distanceHinckley-Myers, " The Jiffy " AC arc welder ???
Reply:A 30amp circuit should run it.As to its age.Does it have a plate on it somewhere that lists patent numbers?Older companies used to be good about that.
Reply:Nah, no patent number. Only number on the thing is the serial number that is shown in the picture I posted. I wired a 220 plug that matches my set up and plugged her up. No smoke or sparks, just a steady little hum. I'm not sure how to go about testing for power at the plug-ins located on the front, also shown in the pics. I guess I need to spring for some cables to see if it will srtrike an arc.Hinckley-Myers, " The Jiffy " AC arc welder ???