Hobart GPB-257. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

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Made a deal on this beauty today, runs and welds.  Has the Willy's engine.  Auto-idle needs work, functioning via a tarp strap at the moment.Curious to know the year of it, any idea?This Hobart number 3 for me in the last year LOL




Last edited by MilitiaMetals; 08-22-2020 at 04:18 PM.
Reply:Upon a little research, I have found a manual online!  They refer to it simply as a G257 and apparently it's a "Pipeliner" machine.https://archive.org/details/HobartPi...e/n11/mode/1up
Reply:Some interesting pages from the manual






Reply:Wife might castrate me, found 2 more Hobarts today lol







Reply:Interesting machines, especially the one with the generator turned 90 deg's. to the gas engine. Play dumb when someone comes looking for the gas tank for their boat.
Reply:Well the guy with the grey one wants wayyyyy too much.  I made a deal on the one that has the generator pulled off the engine.
Reply:On the way home!


Reply:Went to fire her up, outta gas!To do list:Rebuild starter(slow, has a dead spot)Replace lower rad hosePull rheostat and rebuild or replaceBuild a gas tank (eventually

)Fix idle controlIdle control is not functioning, previous owners "bypassed" it with a tarp strap LOLThis system is just a "push and hold" solenoid, power is supplied via the welder, is it 12volts DC or 120v DC?  I think it's faulty, looking to replace it or investigate further with tips/info from you experts as I'm out of my expertise in this particular area.

It's wired into this block with a coil around some type of core, what is it?

Anyone have schematics or information pertaining to this system.
Reply:Check in tomorrow and let us know your wife’s reaction. That is, if your still alive.  I love those old Hobart welders. Such style, my favorite is the 6 cyl Chrysler powered ones.  I’ve only got one old 1966 SA200

Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkSteveMiller Dialarc 250 (1990)Miller Maxstar 140 STR (2003)Lincoln SA200 Redface Pipeliner (1966)Lincoln MP210 (2015)Victor and MECO torches
Reply:And definitely getting rid of that disgusting looking exhaust!
Reply:

Originally Posted by Sparkie1957

Check in tomorrow and let us know your wife’s reaction. That is, if your still alive.  I love those old Hobart welders. Such style, my favorite is the 6 cyl Chrysler powered ones.  I’ve only got one old 1966 SA200

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Tested it with 12v applied directly to the terminals without success.  Pulled it apart and found the supply wiring shot and shorting, ran new wiring to the solenoid. Tested again and success!  Just have to redo bushing on the operating rod and lever as it sticks a little.Starter has given up, needs a rebuild, will send it away next week.MorganEverlast PowerARC 200STi (2018)My homemade Welder (2011)Lincoln SA200 (1978)Lincoln SA200 (1974)CANOX Big Red 300 (1974)Homemade (early 60's)Hobart Hillbilly 300 (early 50's)Homemade  (early 50's)Hobart G-200 (1945)
Reply:Looks good and complete this time less the side vented doors.  Thumbs up.Lincoln, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics, Victor, Miller, Dewalt, Makita, Kalamzoo.  Hand tools, power tools, welding and cutting tools.
Reply:

Originally Posted by MilitiaMetals

Still alive and no castration either

  Up to 7 welders now.
Reply:

Originally Posted by N2 Welding

Looks good and complete this time less the side vented doors.  Thumbs up.
Reply:Threw her on the War Rig so it's easier to work on.....and see what she looks like

  I'm torn on how I'll mount it when she's done, lengthways like this vs sideways directly over the rear diff.


MorganEverlast PowerARC 200STi (2018)My homemade Welder (2011)Lincoln SA200 (1978)Lincoln SA200 (1974)CANOX Big Red 300 (1974)Homemade (early 60's)Hobart Hillbilly 300 (early 50's)Homemade  (early 50's)Hobart G-200 (1945)
Reply:Not that it should make much difference but I’m thinking mounted like that gives you longer sides on each side, could potentially offer less wind drag for a 1/2 mpg gain and maybe just maybe will make it more stable with the weight being centered.  This is all just me thinking out loud on my random theories.  Never mind me.Lincoln, ESAB, Thermal Dynamics, Victor, Miller, Dewalt, Makita, Kalamzoo.  Hand tools, power tools, welding and cutting tools.
Reply:

Originally Posted by N2 Welding

Not that it should make much difference but I’m thinking mounted like that gives you longer sides on each side, could potentially offer less wind drag for a 1/2 mpg gain and maybe just maybe will make it more stable with the weight being centered.  This is all just me thinking out loud on my random theories.  Never mind me.
Reply:Pulled the starter, have sent it in for a rebuild.  Should have it by the end of the week.  Planning on retrofitting a GM 1 wire alternator as well.  Have switched to a negative ground.  Had hoped to hear the dang thing run, oh well, soon enough!MorganEverlast PowerARC 200STi (2018)My homemade Welder (2011)Lincoln SA200 (1978)Lincoln SA200 (1974)CANOX Big Red 300 (1974)Homemade (early 60's)Hobart Hillbilly 300 (early 50's)Homemade  (early 50's)Hobart G-200 (1945)
Reply:

Originally Posted by MilitiaMetals

Pulled the starter, have sent it in for a rebuild.  Should have it by the end of the week!
Reply:Lol truthfully my projects usually take longer than expected.  These projects are my only real hobby other than varmint hunting.  Some of the welders may not be worked on for a long time, I collect too.  If it’s cheap and interesting I usually can’t resist picking them up!
Reply:

Originally Posted by John T

Well glad to hear you are outsourcing some work. With all the old iron I was starting to wonder how you got any work done ...
Reply:Well the armature is shot in my starter,  Can't find one in western Canada, let alone a starter!  Have a few people on the hunt for me.  In the meantime I guess it's back to the '45 Hobart.MorganEverlast PowerARC 200STi (2018)My homemade Welder (2011)Lincoln SA200 (1978)Lincoln SA200 (1974)CANOX Big Red 300 (1974)Homemade (early 60's)Hobart Hillbilly 300 (early 50's)Homemade  (early 50's)Hobart G-200 (1945)
Reply:This place can repair it.
Reply:Studying such old products, it becomes clear that previously manufacturers were not burdened by the issue of economic consumption of fuel. The main thing is durability and quality. Now the priorities in manufacturing have changed. Probably, there are some positive and negative sides to it.

Originally Posted by Steve_12

Studying such old products, it becomes clear that previously manufacturers were not burdened by the issue of economic consumption of fuel. The main thing is durability and quality. Now the priorities in manufacturing have changed. Probably, there are some positive and negative sides to it.
Reply:

Originally Posted by MilitiaMetals

Most of these old girls sip fuel, be lucky to use a gallon an hour on average welding
Reply:

Originally Posted by ronsii

And.... 50...60...70 years later they still work with a bit of TLC not like the disposable units of today - where after a year or three you just throw away all those resources(fuel, materials, time, etc..) that it took to make the disposable welder