1953 Miller Restoration

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So about a month ago I was looking around on craigslist, and ran across an old Miller ac stick machine for $100. I decided it would be a really interesting restoration process. I went and checked out the machine, apparently it hadn't been used in about a decade, but it welded just fine anyway! I brought the machine home, and had my father check it out. My father is head of sales and marketing for ITW Welding North America, and he has worked for/with Miller for about 5 years now, so anything Miller interests him. He loved the machine, and we got some pictures and he sent them to some other Miller people. The serial number was still legible, so we were able to have someone go back through Miller's records and find a build date. Turns out it was made in 1953. Here's what it looked like after we got it home and I cleaned off the faceplate a little;This is the machine after removing the shell. Now began a long process of removing the rust and paint from the shell. I ran over it with a wire wheel first, and then we decided to just have it sandblasted instead. Miller was nice enough to run it through their paint line for us, so it has the official Miller blue paint on it.This picture is when it was still sitting in paint dept waiting to get picked up.I'll post more later, as of right now it won't allow me to upload any more pictures. And I'm not sure why some of these pictures are sideways, they aren't sideways on my computer. Also, I need to lubricate the moving parts on this thing, any ideas on what to use?
Reply:That is too cool, defiantly something every Miller Fanatic would want!Sent from under a Miller welding helmet
Reply:Hey, you want to race my 1952 Lincoln?  Mine has the crank handle in front, where Henry Ford intended them to be."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 have an old dialarc I got from a buddy for a C note . it needs a new face plate or a photo of one . right now I cant read it. could you steer me in the right direction on finding one ??>Thanks and Merry Christmas,LEFTY Attached ImagesThere is never enough time to do it right ; But plenty of time to do it over .
Reply:I think that is a Miller 250.  Not a Dialarc, the one before that.  Not sure if there is a manual on Miller for that.  Is this the one?Or this?Last edited by Oldendum; 12-21-2013 at 06:52 PM."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 would be the top one !!!There is never enough time to do it right ; But plenty of time to do it over .
Reply:it came with a gouging and stick leads and about 50ft. of 20/0 grounding wire...There is never enough time to do it right ; But plenty of time to do it over .
Reply:Looking forward to seeing the finished product.browndogwelding.com@welderassassinMy Blog on The Fabricatorfacebook.com/BrownDogWelding
Reply:So I've got a few more pictures to share. Here is the shell after I got it home;Unfortunately the sheet metal isn't 100% straight, there are still some small dings.  With the face plate on; The handle had to be cut into, to remove the stuck roll pin. I tried everything to get it out, pushing, drilling, you name it, but it would not come out, so I decided to cut into the handle instead. The handle is made of cast aluminum, so I got to experience welding something cast for the first time. It was heated up to 200 degrees, and then tig welded with a Dynasty 200 with 4047 Filler rod. It was then sanded back down, the inside drilled back out, and it was painted with Rustoleum Hammered paint. I still have to drill the hole for another roll pin, but hopefully I can get around to that tomorrow, while we're getting hit with a massive snow storm. These are pictures after cutting/filling/and paint. Ready for a new roll pin hole! The grating here is a back cover, and the rod is the amperage indicator, it moves up and down with the primary coil and sticks through to the faceplate. photo 3Here are some closer up shots of the transformer, right before cleaning and paint smaller parts. photo 3photo 2I'll keep posting more as more is getting done. Thank you for looking!
Reply:Dang that's beautiful!!!!!Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:I wear a sharpie around my neck !!!that was my first plan ... Thanks for the helping me track one down !!!There is never enough time to do it right ; But plenty of time to do it over .
Reply:Very nice job on the restoration !!!!There is never enough time to do it right ; But plenty of time to do it over .
Reply:Very cool!Idealarc 250AC 225SVictor OA-older made in USA stuff.And a crap ton of other stuff.
Reply:That's almost as old as i amlooks better tooThe main thing is not to panic or get excited Bobcat 250, X-Treme 12VS,  MM211Meltabo, Milwaukee,Porter Cable,Dewalt,MakitaVictor O/A, Ingersoll-RandEvolution Rage2, 40 amp PlasmaLincoln 225 AC/DC
Reply:Well it's almost done, I just have to get the switch guard and the back cover put back on, I got it together enough last night to weld with it again. It welds very nicely! Sorry about the messy garage haha I've been keeping busy with different projects lately. There's a little water on the table in the bottom picture, it's just from the work piece being quenched.The only upside I've found to welding in winter, is being able to take your work pieces outside and quench them in the snow.
Reply:Here is the finished machine, I finally got my leads taken care of as well. I also included a couple photos of my work area. image by taylorclarkjenkins, on Flickrimage_1 by taylorclarkjenkins, on Flickrimage_3 by taylorclarkjenkins, on Flickrimage_2 by taylorclarkjenkins, on Flickr
Reply:All I can say is excellent restoration job! It's fun to make these old machines look as good as they weld.Proud of you, sir.PapaLincoln Idealarc 250 (circa 1962)Lincoln Weldpak 155 w/Mig KitLincoln Squarewave TIG 175
Reply:this machine should sit  above ground, away from moisture in plain sight on a podium! Too nice to work with. On the other hand that would be an insult to the work horse that diserve all respect for services rendered, give her some work...WOW!
Reply:You can pick up a smoker cover for that. It would probably fit great.Idealarc 250AC 225SVictor OA-older made in USA stuff.And a crap ton of other stuff.
Reply:Originally Posted by snowbirdthis machine should sit  above ground, away from moisture in plain sight on a podium! Too nice to work with. On the other hand that would be an insult to the work horse that diserve all respect for services rendered, give her some work...WOW!
Reply:very pretty, thanks for sharing.I've never seen that style Miller before, mostly Lincolns of that era.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:beautiful work.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:NONONONONO.Measure that sucker out and go to an auto upholstery bro(or chick) and get a nice Microfiber cover made for her.All cut pieces and piping in the corners.I say automotive person because they'll "understand" and maybe stitch you out a Miller logo for it !Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Dang. Lucky dog!!!!I saw one of those on the local CL for like $150 & looked almost new.Looking good man!!!!
Reply:Is this a common thing for Miller to send older covers on the paint line? if so, thats super awesome customer service and a GREAT PR move!If I ever saw one of these and had the cash, I'd for certain pick it up!I really doubt it's something they do too often. I'm sure if you knew who to contact, and asked, like I did, they wouldn't have a problem painting it for you. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk