Sears 50 amp arc welder/carbon arc torch

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Found this poor little guy at a garage sale getting thrown out for having a broken on/off switch.   The lady selling it didn't know it's condition, but I brought it home and it buzzes(as a buzzbox should, presumably).  It makes an arc with some 1/8 6010 rod but just sticks fast.    I'm new to welding, just taking some courses at the local college and loving it.  I can't decide if something is wrong with the machine, or what.  It's a 50 amp welder, so it should start 6010 I think, I know that's pretty cold but the machines at school run it at 50.  Please let me know what you think, so I don't just go buy another little buzzer if this one is usable.   Thanks in advance!Merv. I'm never in a hurry, I'm just moving fast.
Reply:If the output is not DC, then 6010 rod of any diameter will not work very well, if at all.Try 3/32" 6011 rod if the output is AC. But if you are putting out DC, then go to a smaller 6010 rod diameter, like 3/32".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:Enjoy the welder and carbon arc torch in good health. I think you will find it works better on smaller daimeter rods.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:Check out the stick welder calculator at http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...calculator.php  You will need pretty small diameter rods, 3/32 or better yet, even smaller.  According to the Miller calculator, the current range for 3/32" 6011 rod is 40 to 85 amps.  Not a perfect match for a 50 amp machine.  If its an A/C only machine, I'd recommend trying both 6011 and 6013 rods... 6011 for dirty metal, thicker material.  6013 makes pretty welds, need to prep metal well.  Hopefully you can find this rod in thinner diameters easily.. either 1/16" or 5/64"  That would match your welder much better. good luck with it..zip
Reply:Uh... 50amps? You are going to be welding with spaguetti!!!! And let me tell you, it is not fun AT ALL. Also I woudn't try cellulosic rods with that machine, might not have enough OCV to run them properly. I would stick to 6013 1,6mm.Good luck,Mikel
Reply:I used to use one of them as a carbon arc,it worked good for that.As a welder,I tried it once ,even with tiny 6013 it was pitiful
Reply:Well you have a welder but you are looking at sheetmetal guage plate for welding.  Anything larger use another machine or you bill be dissappointed. 6011 1/16 and maybe 5/64 are possible.
Reply:Sounds a bit like the ones that were made with a few light bulbs inside, and no transformer.  I think they included a copper penny to put in the fuse box, along with some cord that screwed into the light-bulb socket above the workbench.  "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'd like to try to use this as a carbon arc torch for some small projects too,  is the product I need called brazing rod? I think it just has to be copper coated carbon rod of a very small diameter. Thanks for all your thoughts. I'm never in a hurry, I'm just moving fast.
Reply:50 amp carbon arc gouger   Whatcha gonna "gouge" with it? Tin foil?
Reply:I would like to see a picture of this device.
Reply:I think the old carbons for AC were "cored", which I take to mean they have something inside to help stabilize an AC arc.  I've seen pictures of an old box of Sears carbons indicating "cored".  McMaster -Carr has various sizes of copper clad an plain carbons in various sizes.  http://www.mcmaster.com/#air-carbon-...trodes/=jho5om"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