dead lincoln tombstone

[r porter]

so ---- my old lincoln tombstone's leads are shot. it was an old machine when i bought it back in----- well long time before 1980. the search engine turned up a thread on cleaning up the old gal. but no reference to the leads. they look like no. 4.

did anyone do the clean up of the insides? any tips? i just hate to start this project, but she is down until i fix her

should the lugs be crimped or can they be soldered to the leads?

 

[Arc weld]

Soldered or crimped will work but I'd use a #2 cable not #4. If you make the leads longer, I'd use #1 cable. There are lots of charts on line for determining what size welding cable to use.

 

[muddstopper]

My biggest regret with my old tombstone was the length of the leads. Ground lead was only about 10ft long. I added enough lead to the rod end to reach about 50ft, but I would still endup having to drag the welder to the work just so the ground would reach. I just traded my old tombstone off or I would check the wire size. I think If I was going to replace the leads, I would make them long enough to reach the fartherest point in my shop away from where the welder is plugged in. Go with bigger leads to take care of the current drop and maybe plug in a smaller gauge for the last few feet of the stinger end. I like a light lead at the stinger so I dont have to support the weight of the leads while welding.

 

[cqaigy2]

Im partial to soldering, but you'll need some good heat source to supply enough for a good solder joint. Also, in reference to the thread hi-hacker,
a longer "extension cord" for the tombstone would be lighter, cheaper then extending the welding leads. Strap the welder to hand truck and wheel it over to the work.

 

[muddstopper]

Im partial to soldering, but you'll need some good heat source to supply enough for a good solder joint. Also, in reference to the thread hi-hacker,
a longer "extension cord" for the tombstone would be lighter, cheaper then extending the welding leads. Strap the welder to hand truck and wheel it over to the work.

You really dont need more heat than a small propane torch. They make Solder pellets that you just drop down into the large copper lugs. Just heat the lug until the solder melts and than stick the cable down into it and hold in place until it hardens. I have used wire solder and just melted it until it fills the lug full and then insert the cable.

On the longer extention cord, I did make one up for my tombstone. What you says does work, and is necessary if you need to weld out of reach of your leads, but then the welder seems to always be sitting in the middle of the floor and is something else to walk around. I found that with longer leads I just step over them, and they are as easy to roll up as an extension cord when the work is done. I really feel that if you have to replace the leads anyways, just go with a heavier gauge and longer lengths. If the leads are good and dont need replacing, then the extension cord is certainly a cheaper option.

 

[eastexan]

You really dont need more heat than a small propane torch. They make Solder pellets that you just drop down into the large copper lugs. Just heat the lug until the solder melts and than stick the cable down into it and hold in place until it hardens. I have used wire solder and just melted it until it fills the lug full and then insert the cable.

I've always just crimped fittings, although I know soldering is better. When you solder it, do you also crimp the fitting/lug, or is just the solder bond strong enough to hold the cable in place?

 

[Arc weld]

Just the solder should hold if done right but I like the hammer lugs. Simple to install, just hit the raised tab with a hammer, and they work as good as anything else.

 

[r porter]

it was easy to solder the lugs on. i made sure the wire was taking solder before i stuck it in the lug. once you have filled the lug with solder i dont think you can crimp the lug.

 

[muddstopper]

What size and how long of cable did you decide to go with?

 

[r porter]

no 2 cables 25 ft long

it was a treat to get them hooked up inside. the stinger was saved but i got to get a new ground and i should be up and sparking.

a welder would not be impressed with my work but it usually holds.