Smith's welder?

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This is at the bus garage for the school system I work for. I've never seen another like it, thought I'd share it here. Attached ImagesRob H.
Reply:I like it, very futuristic looking retro, if there is such a thing.Miller 185Lincoln Weldanpower 225Lincoln 225 buzz boxCheap-o C&H 110v (my first welder)
Reply:I've always thought it was cool, the mechanics say it still welds great. I haven't taken any time to clean off any of the other tags on it. We were just kinda talking wondering how old it is, so I thought I'd throw it out here. I've seen some wild old stuff pop up on here from time to time.Rob H.
Reply:Late 40s or early 50s, made by AO Smith, the same people who make water heaters.It'll probably still be working for another 50 years.
Reply:I used to work at a school district and they had an old navy P&H welder with a hand crank start on the engine, smoothest arc I have ever welded with, fine tuned by engine speed. I hope to buy it some day if and when they auction it off
Reply:Thanks Old Fart, I was kinda guessing it in those years. Being it's the only one I ever saw like that , just wondered. I'm sure it'll be around alot more years, I do think they'll have to break down and buy some new leads for it sometime. There's a lot of bare copper showing!Rob H.
Reply:I just found this site , looken for welding stuff. I have something to show you, we have named it R2D2 .I changed the plug a few weeks ago (wrong plug and all bent up) . Turned it on and you could not tell it , did not make a sound (went to see if the stove (that was on the same circut) was on, which it was), I scratched the electode , and it sparked, layed down a bead at 150 amps (way to hot), and melted a hole in the 1/8 plate, moved the pigtail to 90 amp , and ran a bead. note to self: put a light in R2D2, for it is dangerous without a indicater (on/off switch is not a good enough one). We are going to make this DC, it is now  a AC.     This is in our church basement. Attached ImagesLast edited by mopartopy; 02-15-2011 at 02:27 PM.
Reply:that thing looks like one of the bad guys from Dr. Who.
Reply:After viewing another old welder thread the other day I was thinking about these old Smiths.  The first welder I ever struck an arc with about 50 years ago.  The one I used was purchased new in 1953 when the family that owned the shop built the new building.  I have only seen one other in all these years and it was equipped with a TIG set up that Sears sold as an add on.  Yep!  Reminds me of a Dalek from Dr. Who as well.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:kinda looks like my shop vac........
Reply:!!! Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!!  .No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan