Welders: Portable vs. Plug-in

[bobodu]

That's the welder I sold!!! Not THAT one of course...I bet there ain't nothing wrong with the "starter"...It takes TWO 12 volt batteries in SERIES giving 24 volts.
I have the manuals and wiring schematics in pdf if you want them.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

That's the welder I sold!!! Not THAT one of course...I bet there ain't nothing wrong with the "starter"...It takes TWO 12 volt batteries in SERIES giving 24 volts.
I have the manuals and wiring schematics in pdf if you want them.

Thanks for the offer on the manuals and schematics. I sent you a PM with more details.

I was browsing google search results for this welder last night before I went to bed and came accross the 24 volt issue. I was pretty excited to think that it might be something as simple as that. I actually have two of the size 51 batteries sitting on the shelf waiting for an occasion such as this.

 

[RPW]

I don't know about the Lincoln but I ran across a blub in my Miller bobcat book (yes i picked it yesterday) and there is a couple of overload fuses that when blown won't allow the welder to start.

 

[bobodu]

This is my old welder...the guy I sold it to is gonna use it as a generator....

Before and after pics....neighbor GAVE it to me.

 

[NH-Rob]

I don't know about your lincoln but the one I have has a 100% duty cycle and the buzz box one I think is much less. I traded something I had got for free for the one I have but it had a blown engine. I built a adapter for a 16hp briggs engine that I picked up cheap. I have run it around the farm often. It may be heavy and noisy but makes great welds.
Rob

 

[J35]

So, I may have an opportunity to acquire a portable welder. I have some shop stuff I don't want, and a guy on Craigs List has a portable welder that won't start. It's a Lincoln AC/DC. I don't know the amperage. We still have to get together and dicker, but I'll probably end up with it.

I already have a 110 volt MIG and a 220 volt stick welder (230 amp AC only) that I use regularly. I'm looking to trade mostly just to convert my unwanted stuff into something more useful.

So, here's the debate... What are the pros and cons of portable, gas powered welders vs. plug ins?

I'm wondering whether to keep all three or if I should plan to sell one.

If you have made it this far in life with out a portable welder you probably won't be using it much.

I bought a Miller Legend in 1992 and worked it just about everyday till 1999, during this time I welded real close to two miles of six and eight inch pipe most being in twenty foot lengths but close to ten percent in 5 foot lengths. From 1999 til now I have burned exactley 4 sticks of 7018 with it, ran it 11 days straight in 2003 when Isabel came to town and took out all the power poles for miles around, used it to run a air compressor to power a man saver T post driver when I fenced this place, other than that it just sits in my shop and looks smug, all those hrs and only gas oil, filters, spark plugs and she still purrs.

I always figured the father of invention was DESPERATION !

Have fun

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I always figured the father of invention was DESPERATION !

Desperation is too much like necessity. Both motivate you to invent something that will do the trick. Laziness motivates you to invent something that will do the trick better with little or no effort.

Try to tell me the TV remote was invented out of necessity.

 

[bobodu]

Well...having been there and done that with one of these welders....if it comes your way without a big cash outlay...you take it!
I got one free,it laid around a couple of years,I then sold it for cash, then built a smaller one that I do use!!
So..Iplayfarmer gets an offer to trade something he has no use for and gets something he MAY have no use for. No harm there-no cash lost.In return,he gets a new toy!! Don't try to convince me that there is no JOY in that...especially if he gets it running. Now he also has mobile DC capability and a generator for power if the lines come down due to another ice storm like we had last year. I could have sold mine for a grand last December.
I would not convince any of my buddies to lay out $8000 for one but if one comes along cheap....that's another matter entirely.

He did say,"I'm looking to trade mostly just to convert my unwanted stuff into something more useful. "
Even if he only uses it for backup power...it still beats his "UNWANTED STUFF"...right?

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I tinkered a bit last night with it. It's going to need a carb rebuild, but it will run for a few seconds on carb cleaner sprayed down the air intake.

 

[tommu56]

I don't know about your lincoln but the one I have has a 100% duty cycle and the buzz box one I think is much less. I traded something I had got for free for the one I have but it had a blown engine. I built a adapter for a 16hp briggs engine that I picked up cheap. I have run it around the farm often. It may be heavy and noisy but makes great welds.
Rob

Do you know what the arraignment of the motor shaft was?

I know were one with a blown engine and was looking to convert it too to some thing more current than the onan's.

tom