How good are the lincoln electric Arc Welders?

[Scotty370]

I bought this one for $380- at Home Depot a couple years ago: Lincoln Electric AC/DC 225/125 Welder - K1297 at The Home Depot
Man did those prices go up!!! ~S

 

[Code54]

Had one for over 18 years - great welder!

 

[elginfarm]

If you can, go with the AC/DC machine. It is much more versatile. Being fairly new to welding I was ready to pull the trigger on a new Lincoln AC/DC machine. I was able to find a used one at a very reasonable price and I can't be any happier. Good Luck with whatever machine you decide to go with.

 

[k0ua]

I have one of the older ones, with the copper windings, It still looks like new
I have used it quite a bit, but they last forever, but all that said, I have an Everlast PA160 DC machine and love it. My AC225 is for sale, it is a good machine, but once you start with a DC machine, you wont want to weld with an AC machine again, just my 2 cents.
James K0UA

 

[jdonovan]

. The little thing's transformer and wires are about burnt up. I've had it for around 6 years.

It's in his price range so I was wondering if you have or had one or even used one what are your thoughts on it?

Ah the Lincon tombstone. Its a classic.

As others here have said an AC/DC machine will give you much more versatility than AC only. Second thing to consider is what you will be welding. The stick machines don't work well on thinner material unless you are fairly skilled as a welder... and even then most would reach for a MIG for the thin stuff.

If your goal is general farm utility welding, the Lincon above should cover ya. But as your welding needs expand you will windup getting a 2nd, or 3rd machine to cover the range.

I've got a miller AC/DC stick machine, a 250 MIG and the next thing to add to the shop is a TIG for very thin, and Alum. work.

have fun with your new welder.

 

[TravisTractor]

DC is great, but i did not think you could farm without an ac buzz at least in my part of the world. every farm shop, shed or barn has one

 

[SpringHollow]

Another vote for the Lincoln AC/DC Tombstone (I also have an AC only that i need to put up on Craig's List). They go so cheap on Craig's List. You can find ones that have hardly been used for $75 - 125. I personally would not buy a new stick welder and save the money to put towards a MIG or TIG in the future.

Ken

 

[gwdixon]

Another vote for the Lincoln AC/DC Tombstone (I also have an AC only that i need to put up on Craig's List). They go so cheap on Craig's List. You can find ones that have hardly been used for $75 - 125. I personally would not buy a new stick welder and save the money to put towards a MIG or TIG in the future.

Ken

You must be my long lost identical twin. I'm in the same situation.

However, I added an Everlast PowerArc 200 inverter to the family. It is light, portable, and runs sooooo smoothly compared to the transformer Lincolns. It is a fraction of the size and weight as well.

If the OP plans portability it would be worthwhile to look at an inverter DC welder.

My pallet with 13K generator, air compressor, and welder is much lighter now so the BX can lift it with rear forks and not do a wheelie.

 

[Tenn_Blue]

What is your experience level welding, what type of projects do you want to do, what level of electrical service do you have access to, and how much do you weld? All questions that affect what is the best machine for you...

AC buzz boxes are cheap, easy to find used, and, if older, may last forever! But, over time, more has been welded with them than any other type of "modern" welding. If your uses are only occasional, that may be enough, and a 220 volt, 250 amp welder will do a lot of welding. Why spend more than you need to?

AC/DC stick welding provides maximum flexibility - lots of specialty rods available and you can weld on "dirty" metal. Don't have to worry about shielding gas, etc. A little harder to learn than say, MIG, but still plenty capable. Again, a 220 welder would do most any project you would practically do.

MIG is the simplest process to use, but your metals have to be CLEAN - MIG lets you make welds that may look good, but may not have much structural depth - easy to use, but still have to work to use properly. If you are doing auto body work, a 110 volt mig is probobly the best bet and portable, but 220volt gives you more flexibility. I wouldn't dop any structural welding with a 110 welder...

I learned a long time ago on a stick welder. I use a 110 mig for auto body and light work, but still do most heavier welding with a BIG, heavy idealarc 300 (stick and tig) work. The idealarc requires a 100 watt breaker, and weighs over 400 pounds, and I got it cheap. Whatever works for you.....

 

[chad22]

Hey everyone thanks for the replies and help.

I'm not a newbie at welding and not a professional but I'm in between. I learned a lot with my campbell hausfeld 110 volt one I bought when I was about 15 or 16. That one was bought with money from cans I picked up as well as some birthday money. That was my first welder. It's served me well though.

I don't do to much welding at the moment but will probably be welding more down the road. My dad has an auto shop that he bought and once we get the roof fixed on it then were gonna open it up and do everything automotive. Including ac work. I got my 609 MVAC certification 3 months ago.

I also anticipate doing exhaust work. I will need to upgrade the electrical service because it's an older building and the panel will just not handle anymore load. So this summer I'm gonna do a total rewire on the building to accommodate the new welder as well as the wheel balance'r that the previous owner left in there and never hooked up.

Besides the wiring is really old and needs changed out. Another thing is when we want to shut the lights off we have to go to the back of the shop and shut the lights off with the breaker and then in the dark find our way back out. (I almost always never have a flash light close by) So I'm gonna put a switch by the front door for those lights.

I tripped over the vehicle lift last night while finding my way back out. :laughing: Luckily there was a mat from an old pack and play play pen I landed on, that I had put there while working under a vehicle that day.

Thank god I didn't move the mat.

Thank god the mat saved me. :laughing: Otherwise I would have fell face first on the concrete floor and that wouldn't have been good.

Chad