Keep or sell my Thunderbolt?

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My very first welder I bought years ago was a used circa 1984 Miller 225 amp Thunderbolt AC stick welder (crank on the top) that I think might now be superfluous since I have my 250 amp Hobart IronMan mig.  I really don't like stick welding even though I took a 12 week adult-ed welding class.  I can weld with it, but I far prefer the mig.  My welding is primarily for a hobby, but we do have a small ranch where I need to occasionally repair or build something.Is there any reason why I might need the old Thunderbolt?  If I was going to have a stick welder, I really would want one that was DC.  I know the Thunderbolt won't be worth much, so I was planning on donating it to our library's resale shop.Your comments are much appreciated...JohnHobart IronMan 230, Miller Diversion 180, Victor O/A, Grizzly G4003g gunsmith latheESAP MiniArc 161LTS, Hypertherm Powermax45, Milwaukee 14" chop saw, etc.
Reply:I keep my stick welder for jobs where I need to use rods that are not easily found in mig configuration.  Anytime I need 7018 (low hydrogen) hardfacing or the nickle/iron rods to weld cast iron, THAT'S when it comes in handy to just put the correct rod in the stinger and go to town.  Not so easy to do if all you have is a mig welder.Miller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig  Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma
Reply:I greatly prefer mig to stick, but for some things stick just works better. Emergency repairs on my plow for example. It's usually snowing/raining and getting all the rust and paint off in the wet usually isn't an option, and the repair can't wait. Also repairs on buckets and so on where it's difficult to get the old surfaces 100% clean. If I'm building from scratch I'll almost always grab the mig, but since I have to work outside often wind and weather don't always align when things need to get finished. Then it's time to grab the stick machine.As far as a DC machine, DC is nice, but I made do for a lot of years with only an old Craftsman AC buzzbox. There's probably very little I couldn't do with that compared to my DC machine today. You just have to choose the right rods. I'd keep the AC machine until you have a replacement..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:I only have a 175 amp mig so the ol' AC/DC Thunderbolt sits over in the corner waiting to do the jobs I don't feel the mig has the amps for or a job outside the shop when the wind is blowing. IMO I'd keep it, it doesn't cost anything sitting there.                                            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:convert it to a scratch tig setup.  i guess it has to be ac/dc to do that though.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Originally Posted by brucerconvert it to a scratch tig setup.
Reply:yea i seen that when i reread your post.. can you get one of those hf units for it?tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:I know they carry no bling factor but I dearly love my old AC arc welder.See, I build a lot of hay trailers. I like to assemble them outside on the front concrete apron of my shop. I drag my leads outside and use 3/32 6011 to do all my tacking during the initial stage. The welder just sits there and hums all day waiting for me to do the next tack weld.Then, when I get it all assembled and trued up, I fire up the Bobcat on my truck as sew all the joints and seams up with the DC and 6011.I could build them inside with my Millermatic mig welder but then I'd not be working outside in the nice weather. Stick has a lot of advantages, and anytime you need to weld outside in any kind of a breeze, you'll be glad you have it.Kevin- Springtown, TexasTruck:Chevy cab/ chassis 1 ton dually, big block and flatbedMiller BobcatVictor cutting rigTool boxes crammed full of stuffShop:Millermatic 250Lincoln 135Lincoln 225AC tombstone
Reply:I could build them inside with my Millermatic mig welder but then I'd not be working outside in the nice weather.
Reply:It's a no brainer.  Keep your AC stick welder unless you can upgrade to a DC or DC/tig machine.  There are lots of reasons that a stick welder is worth keeping around, even if you do most of your welding with a MIG.If you only had a MIG I am not suggesting to anyone they need to run out and buy a stick welding machine (unless they needed one), but since you already have one why not keep it?"The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25
Reply:I would keep the stick welder as well. I prefer mig as well but there ar times when a machine that needs repair will not fit in my shop door. The stick welder then comes in to save the day. Roll out 50 feet of cable and go.  I also use my stick welder to do a far amount of hard facing in the fall on deep rippers. Welding out ofdoors save me from eating a pile of smoke.
Reply:IMHO i would keep it for Quick fixes on the ranch  when the metal is rusty and dirty and no time for cleanup you just wire brush,slap in a 6011 rod and whack in a bead then a 6013 on top and shes relatively good lookin  and doneZeb Millermatic 200Miller Dialarc 250 ac/dcAll people have the right to stupidity but some abuse the privilege
Reply:Keep it.  I can't see loosing capability when you aren't gaining anything by selling/giving it away.  I might change my mind if you said "I have this really expensive nice welder I never use that I'll sell for loads of cash and buy tools that I really need"  That seems like a step up.  Getting rid of the thunderbolt seems like a step down.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:MIG welding is notably not as strong as stick DC. I'm struggling with a similar question with my '84 Millermatic 200 MIG. Question is: "Do they still make 'em like they used to?" Then we get into how old are we? If you don't use it, lighten your load!-Tom GingrasClick Here: Discover the secret art of welded sculpture..
Reply:John,Unless you replace it with an AC/DC machine of similar or larger size I too suggest you keep it for the reasons already stated.Tom,I vote you keep your '84 as it'll probably outlast both of us and many newer units.  I have two caskets planned for my funeral - one for me and one for my '81 MM200 as well as a meter box on the headstone with a direct burial line running to it. MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Originally Posted by tjtorchartMIG welding is notably not as strong as stick DC.
Reply:Most likely a welder who understands how welding works can weld with anything.I'll make no claim to that. Some folks just have the gift. MIG in the wind is funky, but you can crank up the gas pressure and shield with the empty hand like with a cigarette lighter. Keeps the hands warm, too.I'm curious about how long an extension Duane plans to run from his caskets.........-Tom GingrasClick Here: Discover the secret art of welded sculpture..
Reply:I have used my stick machine many times to pierce a hole or to cut off a piece of steel with 6010 or 6011. Now that I have my plasma cutter I have not used it as much for this but it's still there if I need it.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Another one here saying, keep it. i bet you would miss it trust me. You can never have to many weldersYa gotta spend money to make money!