What to look for in a used machine

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I plan on buying a stick machine pretty soon, or when a good deal comes up. I was wondering if anyone had any advice?What are the key points to inspect?PROUD   AMERICAN
Reply:Transformer, inverter, engine driven, gas or diesel?                     MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Oops, should of specified.I am leaning towards a transformer, maybe a inverter if the deal is right.PROUD   AMERICAN
Reply:If there are leads make sure they are in good shape. Check all functions of switches if you are able. Other than that make sure the machine welds like it should.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Fletcher, a lot depends on your available electrical service.  Many old transformer stick welder sell cheap but requite a lot of amperage.  Not much to go wrong other than corroded switches and leaky capacitors.  Find out what size welder you can support with your electrical service and look onto Craigslist for used welders.  Post the links and people here can tell you what is a good deal and what to avoid."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:I would suggest a AC/DC machine. Verify that you have the power requirements , and monitor craig's list.
Reply:The garage has its own electrical service, its 600 amps 3 phase. Its not in service but were gonna get that in service again. One of my family members is a licensed electrician so he will do it at cost for us. My grandpa fixed cars on the side in the past and had the service put it. Later on after he pasted and before we moved in it was disconnected.PROUD   AMERICAN
Reply:Figure out what you will be doing "most" of the time and get something "mostly" for that. Weld with the machine long enough for it to stay at its operating temperature. If I was going to buy a big money machine(used, I'll take the factories word for ratings on a new unit) I am going to push that machine to the top end of its rating because I want to know if it has a weak spot. If its a stick welder you want take a bunch of 7018 with you and weld till they run you out or your satisfied that the machine is good. Do the same if you have a wire feeder. Don't buy an AC only machine unless your gonna tig till the cows come home. If you have 220 I would say inverter. They draw less power and I'm not going to argue they weld better than a transformer machine but I like them better. I have 2 400 amp Powcons and the 300 amp arcon Workhorse and I haven't tripped the breaker yet. I'm running 1/8 7018 and .035 wire for a couple hours at a time. Then its coffee break.  Powcons are a very good machine and often worth the money but parts can be expensive or hard to find if you don't know where to go.Arcon Workhorse 300MSPowcon 400SMTPowcon SM400 x 2Powcon SM3001968 SA200 Redface1978 SA250 DieselMiller Super 32P FeederPre 1927 American 14" High Duty LatheK&T Milwaukee 2H Horizontal MillBryan
Reply:Originally Posted by Fletcher94The garage has its own electrical service, its 600 amps 3 phase. Its not in service but were gonna get that in service again. One of my family members is a licensed electrician so he will do it at cost for us. My grandpa fixed cars on the side in the past and had the service put it. Later on after he pasted and before we moved in it was disconnected.
Reply:I see a lot of big Lincoln R3 s for sale. Usually cheap due to 3 phase. Hell I didn't know you could power the space shuttle. You could be in bizness cheap for a machine if you don't have to ship.Arcon Workhorse 300MSPowcon 400SMTPowcon SM400 x 2Powcon SM3001968 SA200 Redface1978 SA250 DieselMiller Super 32P FeederPre 1927 American 14" High Duty LatheK&T Milwaukee 2H Horizontal MillBryan
Reply:Dialarcs 250's and Idealarc 250's are single phase welders. If you have 600v 3phase available in your shop, buy a 3 phase welder. That opens a lot of doors for you in regards to machine selection.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Agreed. 3 phase machines go cheap since most people can't use them..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
Reply:Thanks guys. I have been keeping a eye on craigslist but nothing seems to jump out at me. I buy a good amount of hand tools via craigslist. I've never bought machines off Craigslist. I am just in school now for welding. Currently I would just be tinkering around with a few small projects. I won't be doing anything big at home in the near future. I want a machine I can grow with. Down the road when my skills are better I plan on building larger projects. Part of me is still unsure on the machine I even want. Partly I am thinking just a transformer stick machine. Then part of me sais look into a multi process machine. The miller dimensions peek my interest but that's more then i want to spend. For the price of a used dimension with accessories I could go get a couple stick machines. At the same time I would rather spend a few more dollars and get a welder with more flexibility. Really any suggestions and advice is welcome.PROUD   AMERICAN
Reply:I am still finding old machines from time to time which, I never even knew existed. I agree, the 3 phase rigs go cheap, but you have lots of options. Don't poo-poo a good single phase machine if you find a really good deal. If I had to choose a dream machine from certain categories, I could put together a small list. A single machine is really not going to do it all. I have posted in the past that you can accomplish a lot with a multi-process inverter and a dedicated tig machine. But I really love a big ole transformer.I have yet to delve into the universe that is "portable welding", so I leave that to the rig weldors aboard. Can you say SA200? City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Have you gotten a price from the power company to hook up your power service.  It might be worth your while to ask what the minimum bill will be.  You may change your mind if it is for a hobby shop.  But if the cost of power fits your needs do find a 3 phase machine.  I see them on the Decatur Il craigs list now and then.DanLast edited by DanD78; 12-14-2013 at 03:13 AM.Reason: Spelling
Reply:Depending on what type of money you're wanting to spend, a good ole XMT 304 CC/CV inverter won't take up much space and will support multiple processes.  They're reliable, have the 14-pin connector allowing modern high-end Miller accessories to interface, and are easy to use on steel and stainless.  Aluminum with a spoolgun.Expect to spend $1000 or a little more, depending on where you live and what's included, for a good used unit.  Resale value is high too, if you find welding isn't your cup of tea.EDIT:  I should add, for stick welding all you'll need is a set of leads and you're ready to go.  For wire-feed, you'll need a feeder which can add significant extra expense.  I use a Suitcase 12RC with mine because I can use the same feeder with my engine-drive in the field.  For TIG, there isn't a gas valve in the machine, nor are there flow timers, etc.  You control all of that with the valve on the torch.  For a spoolgun, I use the Miller 30A that I bought used for $750 years ago.Last edited by tbone550; 12-14-2013 at 09:13 AM.
Reply:Definitely check on the cost of the 3-phase service.  Base service cost, cost per kWh, demand and power factor surcharges and so forth."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:Originally Posted by OldendumDefinitely check on the cost of the 3-phase service.  Base service cost, cost per kWh, demand and power factor surcharges and so forth.
Reply:Chicago Craigslist prices run higher than say Milwaukee's.Suggest shopping neighbloring communities.Going to school and learning welding?Then buying a BIG 3 phase machine is bad advice!Just because you are living there now, Uncles and Dad talking about turning the 3 phase back on is no justification to buy a 3 phase machine.Buy a good used Miller Thunderbolt or Lincoln 225 AC/DC that you can take with you when you leave.Like you stated, "PROJECTS" not "PAYING JOBS" to justify a large 3 phase machine.I do 3 to 4 paying welding fab/repairs per month and 4 to 5 personal projects.I get by with single phase machines just fine.
Reply:I inquired about 3 phase power. Its not as pricey as I figured.Either way we need to do something for power. When power to garage was disconnected we just used a extension cord from the house. We never really did nothing in the garage since. I have a radial arm saw an a few power tools. Its really been hard to work out of the garage with limited power. Nothing on craigslist right now is grabbing my attention. As soon as I see one I will be sure to post it here.PROUD   AMERICAN