New very heavy toy for the shop

[hairy_apple]

Picked this bad boy up yesterday. Don't have 220v in my shed (yet) I haven't been able to play with it yet, but tested it out before I bought it and it welds sweeter then some of the brand new welders I've used.

Getting it into the truck was interesting with the old guy I bought it from, his old wife, and me who had shoulder surgery a while ago. Two come alongs and a bunch of 2x4s later it was in.

 

[ojaij40]

Picked this bad boy up yesterday. Don't have 220v in my shed (yet) I haven't been able to play with it yet, but tested it out before I bought it and it welds sweeter then some of the brand new welders I've used.

Getting it into the truck was interesting with the old guy I bought it from, his old wife, and me who had shoulder surgery a while ago. Two come alongs and a bunch of 2x4s later it was in.

That is a very good ol' machine Hairy. We used those often in the professional pipefitting world. It was referred to as a "tombstone" because of its shape. You will almost always run 7018 and 6010 stick rod on DC-ground, it makes a great tig/heliarc machine also, all you would need is an argon cylinder, a regulator, and a tig torch,and run it on DC + ground. That machine will make as heavy a weld as you would EVER need on any cruiser. I see you have a mig set up for sheet metal Good to see you have sealed rod holders, if you can't chip the tips of your rod with your thumbnail, it's probably ok. When you find the "sweet" setting for a rod, mark next to the wheel noting the size.

 

[hairy_apple]

That's a good idea about marking the wheel for a rod. I am pretty excited to play with it... just waiting on my electrician friend to come wire a 220v plug into my shed. The more I read about these the more I wanted one, until I finally found one on CL.

My brother in law is wanting to build a trailer soon... might have to make him do it at my house. I'm eager to build something with it. Funny I had never stick welded before and decided I wanted to get welding certs so I starting taking classes at the local college and found that I really enjoy stick welding. I'll I have ever done before was Mig. Stick is kind of fun... but then again I like old school everything. That little mig/wirefeed is what built my cruiser. I didn't' really think I'd ever need to do heavier then it could do, but I'm happy now that I have the ability to do heavy welding if I want to.

I am very interested in getting it set up for TIG too, that's a big reason I bought this old beast is I was reading about how to do some TIG with it, I figured until I can afford a modern TIG this might be a good way to have that ability as well.

Going to home depot right after I finish writing this to go pick up the 220v stuff on my list and hopfully my friend can be here this weekend and we can get to melting metal.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Someone should do a "Using and old beater welder to TiG weld" thread.

 

[ojaij40]

Someone should do a "Using and old beater welder to TiG weld" thread.

That "old beater" is perfectly capable of making 100% xray quality welds, both tig and stick all day long, I know from experience.
only consideration would be not having the ability to get heat low enough for light tig welds, but this is easily accomplished using the old stainless tig wire rheostat trick, and of course can not weld aluminum.
If you have any question Hairy, just ask.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All,

I have an old Lincoln 220V ARC welder that I use for fab projects.mportant to rely on novice welder skills.

Other projects I am happy to give try!

Good luck with your "tombstone."

Regards,

Alan

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

That "old beater" is perfectly capable of making 100% xray quality welds, both tig and stick all day long, I know from experience.
only consideration would be not having the ability to get heat low enough for light tig welds, but this is easily accomplished using the old stainless tig wire rheostat trick, and of course can not weld aluminum. ************
If you have any question Hairy, just ask.

Ran, I haven't seen an old Crank O MATIC in a few years in shops... HA!

J

 

[91Runner]

Nice score on the stick machine... The old ones were certainly built to last. I love my old Forney, I picked it up a few years ago for $50. And I know what you mean about heavy!

 

[Michael Hanson]

They are kind of like our cruisers they last forever! American old quality. Mike

 

[coinoperated40]

What would one expect to pay for a tombstone. One has come up for sale in my area and I have been interested in getting something good but not to expensive to play with.
Thanks for any help.
Shane

 

[Pin_Head]

It depends on condition and your local area, but they range from free to $150 for AC only and $100 - 250 for AC/DC. Hold out for a DC unit.

 

[ojaij40]

It depends on condition and your local area, but they range from free to $150 for AC only and $100 - 250 for AC/DC. Hold out for a DC unit.

Definitely hold out for the AC/DC could be $150 - $400 ??

 

[coinoperated40]

Thanks..
It is an AC/DC unit and asking price is $200.00.
S

 

[ojaij40]

Thanks..
It is an AC/DC unit and asking price is $200.00.
S

Pictures? if it's like the one at the top of the thread, that's a good deal, but as in anything, you need to actually try it out.

 

[coinoperated40]

The paint is not as pretty.
It does come with a cart.

 

[ojaij40]

The paint is not as pretty.
It does come with a cart.

[URL="http://images.craigslist.org/3Ge3M43N95L45H85M5d4511692e43bc6c1613.jpg"][/URL]

Hell Ya !! that's it, get some 6010 and 7018 in sizes 3/32 and 1/8th and start burning rod. usually, those things are incredibly filthy inside, you can take the shell off, and blow everything off with an air hose, you should hear the fan come on when you turn it on.

AS an AFTERTHOUGHT, make sure you have it unplugged if you take the cover off and start cleaning it,..

 

[hairy_apple]

That is a good deal. Most of the ones I was looking at were insane prices for a 40-50 year old welder.

 

[ojaij40]

That is a good deal. Most of the ones I was looking at were insane prices for a 40-50 year old welder.

How could they be that old if they had them when I was a kid?
Wait,...what?

 

[coinoperated40]

Thanks for all the information. I'll call the first of the week and try and make a deal.
Cart looks interesting.

 

[hairy_apple]

That cart is badass. I like it. I wish I had a cart like that.