Bill_C
Gold Member
I've occassionally needed a welder with a little more oomph than my trusty old Lincoln Weldpak 100 wire feed...(but at the moment I can't quite swing the $400 for a new Hobart Stickmate AC/DC at Tractor Supply)...Anyhow, there's an old Airco that I'm going to look at tomorrow, listed at $100. (Supposedly this is 220V input, and AC/DC, just needs a little paint).
Worth $100??? Perhaps, if it worked perfectly (despite needing paint) and if it had welding leads...But Airco hasn't sold welders in years, so parts are probably unobtainable. Even if it doesn't need repair, if it doesn't have any leads, that's another $100 (gee, the new Hobart at least comes with clamps, rod holder, and leads)...
Anybody have any thoughts on old Airco welders? If it were an older Lincoln or Miller AC/DC, I'd be less hesitant, but to me, ancient welders aren't "vintage" or "collectible", they're inefficient (and very heavy).
Worth $100??? Perhaps, if it worked perfectly (despite needing paint) and if it had welding leads...But Airco hasn't sold welders in years, so parts are probably unobtainable. Even if it doesn't need repair, if it doesn't have any leads, that's another $100 (gee, the new Hobart at least comes with clamps, rod holder, and leads)...
Anybody have any thoughts on old Airco welders? If it were an older Lincoln or Miller AC/DC, I'd be less hesitant, but to me, ancient welders aren't "vintage" or "collectible", they're inefficient (and very heavy).