1949 short hood check up

admin

I have a 49 short hood,  The welder runs and weld good but-- When welding with 7018 or any other rod, I have to have my stinger on the neg pole to get a stable arc. The stinger will also ground out on housing.  The machine sat in storage for at least 10 years.  Were and what do I start the check up.  I've been a shop welder on aircraft to a pipe welding shop for about 20 years.
Reply:I am not familiar with that particular machine, but given its age and time in storage I recommend checking all wiring. Between dry rot and rodents chewing, could be there are exposed/shorted wires somewhere.