Buying a Lincoln 225 AC

admin

So I hopefully will be the proud owner of a new Lincoln AC buzzbox in the next couple days. I took a look at it today and it looks good, however I don't really know what to look for. The guy doesn't have 240 power at his place (which is his reason for selling it) so I can't test it.My question is what should I look for to try and figure out if I should buy it? I've already looked the leads over for cracks etc. and there are none, they look good. Anything else I should look for on it?Thanks in advance guys.Craftsman 90 amp Arc welder
Reply:Nothing really to look at without power, make sure the dial turns all the way both directions and you're about done.Hope it's cheap, they sell from $50-$150 around here.I've owned a couple and my first welding job it was the only machine the boss owned - did a lot of work for him with it 6011 and 7014 (or 6013) will do about anything you want done 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:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveNothing really to look at without power, make sure the dial turns all the way both directions and you're about done.Hope it's cheap, they sell from $50-$150 around here.I've owned a couple and my first welding job it was the only machine the boss owned - did a lot of work for him with it 6011 and 7014 (or 6013) will do about anything you want done
Reply:How much? They are very basic machines and it takes a lot to kill one of them. I'd have no issue buying one untested as they are fairly easy to repair the minor issues that usually come up.The Lincoln AC 225's are a nice machine, but there are plenty of other units out there that are a bit nicer. If you had your location listed in your profile so we knew where you are located, maybe someone could make a suggestion as to other possible choices.The biggest drawback I see to these style Lincolns is the tapped settings. Granted those taps are really close to what settings you will need on average, but that doesn't allow you to fine tune your settings like an infinitely adjustable machine will. There are plenty of old Sears Craftsman's and Montgomery Wards units out there on average and many are fully adjustable and often go for a fraction the bigger name Lincolns go for. On average I see AC 225's running from $50-150, usually towards the higher end of the price range. A similar output Craftsman or Wards machine, Usually will run in roughly the same range, but sell for $50 or more cheaper than the Lincolns will. Then there's the big boys like the Idealarcs and Dialrarcs that stand well above the smaller units in quality on every level.I'm not trying to discourage you from getting this. The Lincolns are great machines and take a beating and keep on going. I'm just wondering if there might not be a better choice you might be overlooking, possibly for less money..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:Originally Posted by lighttekkuYeah. I offered him $100 for it. He said he's gonna do some research on the price and get back to me.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWHow much? They are very basic machines and it takes a lot to kill one of them. I'd have no issue buying one untested as they are fairly easy to repair the minor issues that usually come up.The Lincoln AC 225's are a nice machine, but there are plenty of other units out there that are a bit nicer. If you had your location listed in your profile so we knew where you are located, maybe someone could make a suggestion as to other possible choices.The biggest drawback I see to these style Lincolns is the tapped settings. Granted those taps are really close to what settings you will need on average, but that doesn't allow you to fine tune your settings like an infinitely adjustable machine will. There are plenty of old Sears Craftsman's and Montgomery Wards units out there on average and many are fully adjustable and often go for a fraction the bigger name Lincolns go for. On average I see AC 225's running from $50-150, usually towards the higher end of the price range. A similar output Craftsman or Wards machine, Usually will run in roughly the same range, but sell for $50 or more cheaper than the Lincolns will. Then there's the big boys like the Idealarcs and Dialrarcs that stand well above the smaller units in quality on every level.I'm not trying to discourage you from getting this. The Lincolns are great machines and take a beating and keep on going. I'm just wondering if there might not be a better choice you might be overlooking, possibly for less money.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveThat's a fair price - and you'll have a lot more fun with it than with the little 90 amper you've got now
Reply:Another nice thing about a $100 Lincoln, is you can use it for years and still sell it for $100 when you upgrade 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:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveAnother nice thing about a $100 Lincoln, is you can use it for years and still sell it for $100 when you upgrade
Reply:I'll see if I can make the changes later when I get back from dinner. With the current issues the site has been having lately, I can't easily access some things I normally can.No problem on that Lincoln. I understand the money issue completely. For $100 chances are you'll easily be able to recoup all your investment ( if not make a small profit) if you ever decide to upgrade and sell it. Tapped settings are not the end of the world with this, and probably won't matter much..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:Even if it has aluminum windings which almost all of them do. They have had copper windings in them since the early 60's (so I have been told).
Reply:Originally Posted by lighttekkuSell it? Why on earth would I do that? It's always good to have a backup, or in some people's case, 20. :laughing:
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWI'll see if I can make the changes later when I get back from dinner. With the current issues the site has been having lately, I can't easily access some things I normally can.No problem on that Lincoln. I understand the money issue completely. For $100 chances are you'll easily be able to recoup all your investment ( if not make a small profit) if you ever decide to upgrade and sell it. Tapped settings are not the end of the world with this, and probably won't matter much.
Reply:Originally Posted by SlobThat's right. I bought mine new on sale for $78.37 including sales tax back on July 17, 1974 and still have it. I may need it someday......
Reply:Originally Posted by drujininEven if it has aluminum windings which almost all of them do. They have had copper windings in them since the early 60's (so I have been told).
Reply:Originally Posted by lighttekkuHave you used it at all? Or is it still brand new?
Reply:Originally Posted by lighttekkuSell it? Why on earth would I do that? It's always good to have a backup, or in some people's case, 20. :laughing:
Reply:Originally Posted by SlobI couldn't even begin to tell you how many hours are on that machine. It has been used inside, outside, in basements, in attics, and just about everyplace you can imagine one wouldn't need a welder at. It was such a good machine and versatile it was never sold. On top of all that it's the first machine I ever owned. I used it the week before last for a small job welding some unistrut together with 6011. You won't go wrong with one of these machines to start out on.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveHmmm....stop spying on my shop
Reply:Got your location taken care of for you..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:Originally Posted by DSWGot your location taken care of for you.
Reply:From what I've been able to find, the AC225 always used aluminum in the transformer.  Not sure about the 180 they made for a brief time.  I don't believe that one had a fan."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:When Jesus comes  back and says  "Bros.i need a welder for these shackles to go on the politicians.I'm  taking him a 225 and a box of 6011. IT WILL BE DONE.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumFrom what I've been able to find, the AC225 always used aluminum in the transformer.  Not sure about the 180 they made for a brief time.  I don't believe that one had a fan.
Reply:See this thread, post #3:  http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...-Copper-WeightI saw another thread where someone had asked Lincoln and they said always aluminum."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 welderOriginally Posted by OldendumSee this thread, post #3:  http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...-Copper-WeightI saw another thread where someone had asked Lincoln and they said always aluminum.