CENTURY 230/140 vs Lincoln Tombstone AC/DC

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Firstly. I've never welded before.There's two buzz boxes locally available for what I think is a decent price.1) CENTURY 230/140 AMP WELDER $2002) Lincoln Tombstone AC/DC $400I'm leaning towards the Century. It's a clean looking unit, while the Tombstone looks new. Is the Century an adequate unit? Does the Lincoln have a feature, or do something, the Century doesn't ? I like the fact the Century has removable leads. Why would you choose one over the other?Thanks
Reply:Welcome, posting your location has a impact on prices. I would go for the Lincoln, name brand and bullet proof. $400 is definitely high by me. Northern Tool has a New one with warranty for $529.99. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5113_200435113A Miller thunderbolt AC/DC is nice too. As for the fixed leads, you could cut and add cable connectors. http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/stor...les-connectorsDo you have ample power to run this ? 220 volt  ?
Reply:I'd try to get the Century for $150., assuming the leads are in good shape."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Sorry, fixed location part. Charleston, WV basically.Yes, I've got 50amps feeding a very old devilbiss air compressor. It's hardwired to a switch, so that will be easy enough to address.The Lincoln is a 3.5 hour round trip and the Century is 1.5 hours, also a factor. Homeless Cheapo has it for $549, NT gets me on the shipping.Thanks.
Reply:Here, I'll just post the links.CenturyLincolnDo the Century's leads appear to be "good"?Thanks
Reply:BTW, I just assumed this. But does a DC welder do both DC- and DC+ as long as either A) the leads are removable or B) there is a switch?
Reply:Originally Posted by MeYHymNBTW, I just assumed this. But does a DC welder do both DC- and DC+ as long as either A) the leads are removable or B) there is a switch?
Reply:Can't tell lead condition from the pic.  Just make sure they are not aged or cracked, and that the plugs/sockets are not corroded."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:And I should also add I have a ac/dc buzz box and im not the biggest fan of its capabilities. If all you're doing is 3/32 7018 or vertical up with 1/8in 7018 its okay. It does weld very nice.
Reply:Originally Posted by MeYHymNHere, I'll just post the links.CenturyLincolnDo the Century's leads appear to be "good"?Thanks
Reply:Thanks for all the input. Neither is negotiable on the price.The Century is what you see, nothing else. I asked if it could be tested and that question was ignored.The Lincoln comes with 2 1/2 boxes of rods and he said I could weld if I wanted to, may be able to talk him into a few lessons.So in regards to these two, the sellers made my mind up. Funds are very limited and I'm not making a purchase without seeing it fully operate. When I get back from the trip Monday I'll give a report and maybe some pics. Now off the Garbage Freight for a helmet.Thanks to all for your help.
Reply:There is nothing really major to go wrong in the Century. Before everyone blows up about that comment the Lincoln has diodes too! As clean as that Century looks, I would feel pretty confident that the diodes are OK! I weld for one neighbor who has a Century at his shop, it works as good as any other welder of that design capability.
Reply:For someone who has never welded before. I wouldn't buy either one. You should look at an inverter with hot start, and arc force. Make welding a lot easier for you. Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPFor someone who has never welded before. I wouldn't buy either one. You should look at an inverter with hot start, and arc force. Make welding a lot easier for you.
Reply:If you're willing to spend $400. , why not get an ESAB Miniarc 161LTS inverter?  It's 160 Amps DC output, works with 6010, is dual voltage, light, has 3 year warranty and 100 day satisfaction guarantee.$410. delivered:  http://www.bakersgas.com/ESA05581016...FShp7AodjnEABg$400. but not sure of shipping:  http://www.threemulesweld.com/esab161lts"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Get the Lincoln for $350.  Not a screaming hot deal, but you can use it for 10 years and get $250 back out of it at least.  If you are hung up on the removable leads get some Tweco connectors later for it.
Reply:Originally Posted by PipelinerGet the Lincoln for $350.  Not a screaming hot deal, but you can use it for 10 years and get $250 back out of it at least.  If you are hung up on the removable leads get some Tweco connectors later for it.
Reply:I bought this Montgomery Wards buzz box in the mid 1970s. This is about as good as I can do with it, with 7018. The pipe weld is with a $300.00 Everlast PowerArc 200. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:this is my buzz box I bought for 175$ with 50ft of leads. I use it mostly for crude repair work. Lincoln 7018 runs the best on it. It burns a 6010 okay. But I still like it. My kids will probably learn to weld with it.
Reply:Century is a Lincoln product.
Reply:Originally Posted by swampwelder13And I should also add I have a ac/dc buzz box and im not the biggest fan of its capabilities. If all you're doing is 3/32 7018 or vertical up with 1/8in 7018 its okay. It does weld very nice.
Reply:Originally Posted by PavinsteelmanCentury is a Lincoln product.
Reply:Here's a Lincoln IdealArc 250 ac/dc welder - $350 in Ennice N.C., which is 3 hours from Charleston.  It's been listed for quit awhile so you might get it for less.http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/tls/4597812289.html"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:That is the best deal a real tombstone!
Reply:I do some welder repair.A Century I repaired had 85 amp diodes on the DC side with no AC/DC switch.Century made welders for many companies.Removable leads are trouble, thats why Lincoln uses fixed leads.I still wonder how a welder could have a 140 amp rating with 85 amp diodes in it.The Lincoln has a 125 DC rating and is over priced for a used machine.The Century may have problems with holding its amp setting while welding.The Lincoln is the better welder.Thats the one I would buy.The Idealarc is a good machine.I have a Lincoln 225 ac I bought new in 1964 for 93 bucks delivered to my door.Lots of welders for sale here for under 200 bucks.
Reply:The Century has always been a bottom line welder.I been inside the Lincoln and the Century, the Lincoln is a better welder.
Reply:Notice he states, "Firstly, I have never welded before".A buzzbox will be a sizable investment for him initially to find out he needs to practice basic welds and that he needs a dedicated welding shirt, gloves, shoes.At which point, he'll give up and find an easier hobby or go out and buy clamps, grinder, cut-off, vise, steel.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmer37Thats the one I would buy.The Idealarc is a good machine.I have a Lincoln 225 ac I bought new in 1964 for 93 bucks delivered to my door.Lots of welders for sale here for under 200 bucks.