Is it wrong to like AC welding?

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My first "real" stick welder was a Miller Thunderbolt 225, the one with the crank on the top.  It always seemed easy to use, easy to strike an arc, etc.  Then I got a Lincoln AC/DC 225/125.  I never liked it as much on either AC or DC.  I sold it a while back at quite a profit, since I bought it on Craigslist for $1.00.  Yes, $1.00.  Now I have a Thermal Arc Predator which I have discovered isn't really the greatest for 6010 and 6011, although it does OK with 6011, sort of.  Works great with 6013, 7014, and 7018.I've really been missing my Thunderbolt, so I picked up an old Craftsman AC welder that looks like this:I've been trying to get the hang of whip-and-pause for some time, and yesterday I was feeling pretty good about the 6011 beads I was laying with this welder.  Then I ran some 6013 for a little while, and liked those beads also; they had nice wash-in at the toes, no visible slag inclusions, and no undercut.  A little extra buzzing and crackling doesn't bother me.I'll eventually get my "borrowed" Weldanpower AC/DC running, and then I'll work on 6010.  In the meantime, am I less of a man  for liking my AC machines?
Reply:I still use my Lincoln 225 A/C welder alot.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Nothing wrong at all.I learned to stick weld on an AC only Lincoln buzz box on "the farm" and you don't have to worry about arc blow.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:What could possibly be wrong about playing with molten metal? AC is all I've ever arced with.250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
Reply:Nothing wrong with AC welding as it has certain advantages one of which is magnetic arc blow as mentioned by Duane. Fast fill rods xx24 actually run better on AC. You might look for a good used Dialarc 250 or Idealarc 250 to weld with before you give up on DCSent from my iPad using TapatalkSteveLincoln IdealArc 250Lincoln SA200 1966 RedfaceSteve1990 Miller Dialarc 2501993 Miller Maxstar 140 STR2015 Lincoln MP2101966 Lincoln SA200 Redface
Reply:Originally Posted by SparkieNothing wrong with AC welding as it has certain advantages one of which is magnetic arc blow as mentioned by Duane. Fast fill rods xx24 actually run better on AC. You might look for a good used Dialarc 250 or Idealarc 250 to weld with before you give up on DCSent from my iPad using TapatalkSteveLincoln IdealArc 250Lincoln SA200 1966 Redface
Reply:AC is also used for hardfacingBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Chalk up another vote for AC. I like it just fine - but I run DC machines too and like them as well.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:My first owned welder was a Twentieth Century 295 amp 100% duty cycle. I built a lot of stuff with it. I never mastered out of position welding with AC. Years later I weld vertical and overhead with DC. I'm not sure whether I could do it with AC. I used to envy DC owners.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:I prefer to run 6011 and 7014 on AC. 7018s are really the only rod I use that needs to be run DC. Here's a neat old video from the 30's or 40's on the benefits of AC welding: My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:7014 was my butter rod. I love how it lays down on white bread.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:if welding ac is wrong i don't want to be right. 7024 loves ac.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Originally Posted by StelthMy first "real" stick welder was a Miller Thunderbolt 225, the one with the crank on the top.  It always seemed easy to use, easy to strike an arc, etc.  Then I got a Lincoln AC/DC 225/125.  I never liked it as much on either AC or DC.  I sold it a while back at quite a profit, since I bought it on Craigslist for $1.00.  Yes, $1.00.  Now I have a Thermal Arc Predator which I have discovered isn't really the greatest for 6010 and 6011, although it does OK with 6011, sort of.  Works great with 6013, 7014, and 7018.I've really been missing my Thunderbolt, so I picked up an old Craftsman AC welder that looks like this:I've been trying to get the hang of whip-and-pause for some time, and yesterday I was feeling pretty good about the 6011 beads I was laying with this welder.  Then I ran some 6013 for a little while, and liked those beads also; they had nice wash-in at the toes, no visible slag inclusions, and no undercut.  A little extra buzzing and crackling doesn't bother me.I'll eventually get my "borrowed" Weldanpower AC/DC running, and then I'll work on 6010.  In the meantime, am I less of a man  for liking my AC machines?
Reply:Originally Posted by mad welder 4Hey I have the same craftsman.It will run Excalibur real well, it will run 7024 like a dream, most 7014 will do well but depends on the rod.I heavily modified mine. I found I liked AC so much that;1 I altered my craftsman so I could still use AC if I wanted2 I invented my own "rough DC" mode that sends raw unfiltered DC current to the leads, its kind of like AC the way its rough, noisy and ripples the current but also a little like DC for better penetration or faster deposition. Great for 7024.
Reply:Simple, rugged, inexpensive, and capable. Whats not to like?