Hard to choose which one

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I am throughly confused here, I have the ability to get my paws on a OLD (1950's) 400 amp welder (might be a Lincoln) from a client I am working with before it is entered into the auction. The problem is 1.the thing needs a tune up 2. it has no cables 3. it needs better tires 4. needs a fresh coat of paint but it has storage boxes out the wazoo built onto the trailer, I can order a brand spankin new Lincoln ranger 250 for around 4K with cables and other goodies but I would need to spend around $300 for a new trailer. The old one from the pricing I am doing will cost me $600 for the unit, $500 or so for cables, $50 for a tweco-tight, and what ever the paint, tune up, and used tires. So my question is what would you folks recommend I just got addicted to stick welding and I will get my self into a welding class as well as some training from my uncle who was doing it years ago. I plan on building a few industrial strength log splitters, building a flatbed for the truck, and fixing general farm machinery.
Reply:Tough choice. My thoughts are the trailer fixed up would be a far better trailer than the new $300 trailer.  I don't think you stand to lose too much going with the used even if the welder itself is a dog.  You can always dump the old welder and stick a new Lincoln or Miller on it.DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:If it is a lincoln, if you're a gambler, if you're ready to fix more than meets the, if you have the time to fix before using it and if the engine will run in it's present condition then you might have found a good deal. If your repair projects are pressing and you need a reliable welder right now or you think you might get in over your head and run out of money before you get the older welder running you might be better off with a new welder. For your intended usage you could get by just fine with a ranger GXT, ranger 10K or bobcat if funds are a little tight.
Reply:My golden rule is if I can invest the money now and get a good product I wont need to buy again. I looked at a GXT but I am preferring the new chopper technology that Lincoln is offering as well as the day or more fuel economy, the Lincoln rep told me the ranger will burn 0.5 GPH of fuel in idle and 1.5 GPH running full tilt and it's equipped with a 12 gallon tank and I don't want to get laughed at with a blue welder. The other thing with antique is that it has been sitting idle for possibly twenty years out side in a field I will sell it at auction if I can't fix it for less than a new ranger. I am going to guess it would be like rebuilding one of the 1940's trucks thats on that property just I would be able to weld with this restoration. As far as my $300 trailer what I am thinking is raiding one of my local scrap yards for a service truck body and slicing it off right after the cab then welding up a strong tongue with a 2 In ball hitch.
Reply:If you're familiar with restoring old vehicles and have the time, money, knowledge, tools and place to work on it, get the old one.   With something as old as what you're describing, it's not the completed result that is so important, it's the journey of the restoration and all the tinkering that goes into it that is the true joy.It sounds to me like you really want something that already works, so my feeling is it's ok to get something used, but much newer and in good condition, that way you can get to welding with it.   You'll probly spend less in the long run than restoring something so ancient.   If you look around, you can find some good deals on used machines that are still fairly new and in good shape and save alot of money over buying brand new.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Blackdoggy,DesertRider33 really sums it up. It depends on the  model and condition of  the old welder. Sometimes "needs a tuneup" means after you install a new engine! You could probably buy it cheaper at the sale anyway. Plenty of ready to run gas drives around for under a 1000 bucks.If the generator is important to you, keep in mind that it is unlikely that the old welder will have anywhere near 10 KW of AC power. You can buy enough cable and Twecos to get started, for less than 500 dollars.Good LuckAs for  cherry picking any absolute auction... Your client has to be careful, that's a fine line. Word travels fast, and it will drive bids extra lowww.But as long as we're pillaging and plundering! Those 40's trucks; are they big, big trucks, like highway tractors, or just old two ton farm trucks?Last edited by denrep; 01-19-2008 at 12:54 AM.
Reply:Even with the new ranger I will still be putting down 300+ for a tweco and cable not to mention the nice solar auto darkening helmet with auto off. I think this old clunker will just be added to the sale sheet after I drag it off the hill side and take some photos of it.  Any starting bids??