Arc Welding Questions.

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I inherited this machine when my uncle died in 92, it is from around the 70's, so my question is that I plan to   use it on 220, so I imagine it will not have full output that it should on 230 Volts, it is a 180 Amp A/C machine.My questions are to do with what size rods, what type and what amps should I use for the rods you specify, or what would it handle.I imagine it can only handle certain sizes or types of rods, hence my questions. Also, who would have made this for Sears up here in Canada?Thanks for any help.Bill
Reply:It will run fine on 220 , 230 or whatever your voltage is in that area.  If you were to connect a voltmeter to your line and monitor it over a day you would find some variation due to loads in your area.  I am not sure what brand it was built under.  To start use some 1/8th diameter E 6013.  It is an easy rod to use on AC.  Other selections you might try are E 6011 and E 7014  ( both AC rods)
Reply:Use the low tap when ever possible, the arc will start easier. Looks like it has a fairly good guide on it for setting the amps. 6011, 6013, 7014 and 7018AC will be the rods you will use 95%-100% of the time so if other rods are listed on the welder don't get side tracked by that. 7018 and 7018AC are not the same and you will not have much luck of getting 7018 to run while 7018AC will run fine. Start with 6013 and 6011 if you're purely a hobbiest you may never need any other rod.
Reply:Chances are, you are actually at 240V anyway.  But it will run from anything in that nominal range.
Reply:Thanks, as I posted elsewhere, I picked up some 7014 rod in 3/32" and 1/8" and then a welder in our outfit was by our shop and just happened to have a box of 3/32" 6013 for me to try, so ran some beads last night, but being in a rush I did not take the time I should have on them, but at least I am trying to get some time in on this machine.