what is 'shielded' miller thunderbolt mean?

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ok..I know this is dumb question- but I'm sure you've heard them all. I have this old miller thunderbolt (very old- has the tiny handle on top not big wide one) that I got for $40 few years ago. I never got to working on it until now. It welds great but several issues (1) fan is junk (2) needs new toggle- can't find one yet (3) needed new plug ..But I got a 2-part question: why does this welder say 'Shielded' on front and what does that mean on a arc welder? I seen one like it on e-bay like mine and it was quite abit more than a non-shielded same type...or are those old TB's the same just diff in labling?  ALSO..can't seem to find a 220 fan..what is a good alternate fan? Thanks very much.  Gene
Reply:Well Sir, ...first thing you can try is to write down the exact model and serial number from the machine onto a piece of paper. Then go to the Miller site where you can download the original owners manual for that exact machine. http://www.millerwelds.com/service/ownersmanuals.phpIt will give you a parts break-down, with numbers that can be researched by any competent parts guy at your local welding supply. You may be able to locate the parts online, I should think.  Shielded may or may not refer to the process of "Shielded Metal Arc Welding", but that is my speculation. S.M.A.W. is long hand for "arc welding" or "stick welding". Once you get that machine back into shape, it should last a good long while. 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:Thanks- I'll get the part number. I'm hoping to find a 'used' fan..but may have to dig in deep and buy new one from miller. Thanks on the link too- Gene
Reply:I'm not familiar with that machine, but if it's new enough it may have fan on demand.  (your fan may be ok)Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:The fan is not an "On Demand" like mentioned as a possibility. That Welder has aluminum windings and will not tolerate not having the fan. At most the switch and the fan will not be more than $60. A cheap innvestment into a machine that will last another 20 years at least..
Reply:drujinin..I must be not looking hard enough but most I've found on net so far are $60+ just for the switch (that was for a lincoln) and fan is about the same. I use a linde mig for most everything..but thought I'd get this old girl up and going as I hate to leave it go to the dust. I would have to re-look..but I accually think it has heavy copper windings- could be wrong on that. This has to be one of the early ones by the looks. Thanks on all the input. I'll look closer on net for better prices. It certainly is still worth the investment compared to a compatable new machine. Just a little hesitant as it's just a AC machine.  Gene
Reply:Originally Posted by Genodrujinin..I must be not looking hard enough but most I've found on net so far are $60+ just for the switch (that was for a lincoln) and fan is about the same. I use a linde mig for most everything..but thought I'd get this old girl up and going as I hate to leave it go to the dust. I would have to re-look..but I accually think it has heavy copper windings- could be wrong on that. This has to be one of the early ones by the looks. Thanks on all the input. I'll look closer on net for better prices. It certainly is still worth the investment compared to a compatable new machine. Just a little hesitant as it's just a AC machine.  Gene
Reply:I had the fan out couple times..cleaned and re-installed- it would cut on-off intermediately- finally nothing. I also could see a winding sticking out like winding is broke?..very rusty. I tried to fix winding but still acted up. also lots of side play in armeture so noisey when/if it would run. I believe you on the alluninum windings- but look just like copper colored..must be a coating- Maybe the ancient ones did that- I sure wouldn't know thou...either way I certainy want a fan so I'll keep looking or just buy new. Thanks again- Gene
Reply:Originally Posted by Genook..I know this is dumb question- but I'm sure you've heard them all. I have this old miller thunderbolt (very old- has the tiny handle on top not big wide one) that I got for $40 few years ago. I never got to working on it until now. It welds great but several issues (1) fan is junk (2) needs new toggle- can't find one yet (3) needed new plug ..But I got a 2-part question: why does this welder say 'Shielded' on front and what does that mean on a arc welder? I seen one like it on e-bay like mine and it was quite abit more than a non-shielded same type...or are those old TB's the same just diff in labling?  ALSO..can't seem to find a 220 fan..what is a good alternate fan? Thanks very much.  Gene
Reply:thanks brian- just means stick welding then..thats good to know.
Reply:If you are feeling adventurous, you can get two fans that look much the same and run on 110VAC.  Connect them in series and you will have twice the cooling and will run on 220VAC.  Computers use fans that are very similar.  Try and see if an electronics shop that sells radio parts might have something you can use.Gordie -- "I believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
Reply:I have one small 110 now..and can get another- but say the two motors have a black wire and a white leads each..do I connect say black off motor '1' to white off motor '2' so as the two motors are tied together then run the other white off '1' and black off '2' up to the input leads of the 220? I like this Idea if it works!..110 are new for only $13 at box store. plenty of room. I could also get couple small PC fans if need smaller. thanks