Buying Older Arc Welder

I have a 110 mig welder but I am wanting to do a rear notch in my car and maybe some other frame work. I know I could preheat the metal and get better penetration but I still dont trust it. I'm using flux core wire and even with good penetration the welds are not as strong as the parent metal when welding heavier metal. I have found a couple of 220 arc welders in different places for 50.00. The one unit looks old like maybe 10 years and I was wondering, if it still makes an arc would it be a good thing to have? does anything normally go bad on these?

 

I have an old red lincoln 225 AC machine that was left on and used about 20% , 40 hours a week for several years . Other than a switch and lead replacement ,it has served me well and paid for itself many times over. If it is a brand name machine , Hobart, Lincoln ,Miller , ESAB ,Linde ,even Craftsman, chances are it's probably OK . Check the duty cycle ratings and take a close look at the leads , power cable and plugs for detioration or overheating . Most older machines are copper wound and will last a long time if you don't exceed their duty cycle.

 

I went to a shipyard auction, bought a fullsize miller from 1960, burns rod like its brand new! 50 bucks! =D Gov auctions are also a good ticket

 

I bought a Lincoln from a buddy for 75 bucks, and it burns like new as well,...take a couple peices of spare scrap over there and some new rods and weld up a bit, I'll bet you'll be suprised how well made and tough these old welders are!

 

Test drive it before you buy and you'll be golden. Just like any other tool, test it out.

 

Let's not forget AO Smith.

 

I use the new Hobart mig for most things but I have a big old Fourney welder/car starter/batt chgr' I got at a farm auction cheap. When a plow part breaks or you need 1/2" thick steel welded that thing will do the job. I also use thick old sticks or even a bolt to cut steel with it ocasionally. I used to weld my exhaust pipes with skinny sticks before I found out you can't do that .

An old timer-welder told me ,"yeah those Fourneys' made a smooth arc" - . Maybe differences in windings?, it does weig a ton....

Powerband

 

I am still using my old red 225 Lincoln my dad bought sometime before 1962. I have a Panasonic gunslinger 260 Mig on gas, that converts to AC by fliping a switch and pluging in the lead. The lincoln welds as good as the pan as an ac welder. I bought the pan because at the time it was a little cheaper, more power and twice as heavy (still copper wound instead of alum) as miller, lincoln or hobart. It uses Miller disposables so no problem there.

 

why don't you get the gas attachment for your mig and convert it to solid wire? your welds would be about 200 percent better.

Arc welders are for fences,man. Hot rod your Mig, and you will never look back.

And check out Craigslist tools- Killer deals on 220 Mig and pre converted Mig welders turn up just about daily.

 

Thanks for the input, I'll probably go see the one thats for sale near by and pick it up if it looks to be in good shape.

 

If its a good old copper wound one and it turns out to be junk you can still get a good part of your 50 bucks back. Have you seen the price of copper lately?