Inverter stik welder problems

[4570Man]

This is where the saying "buy once cry once" came from.

 

[Big Barn]

This is where the saying "buy once cry once" came from.

Buy as many times as necessary. Men don't cry.

Terry

 

[s219]

Was this one of the budget brands? Are they really that fragile? Because I have a relative with a Hobart inverter (wire feed though, not stick) that has been stored in a barn for many years, through summer and winter, with no issues. I have a hard time believing a welder isn't able to tolerate unconditioned shop/barn/etc storage. I'd wager the majority of people don't have conditioned workshop spaces.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Some welders are more susceptible to it than others and because it is "cheaper" doesn't necessarily reflect the level of resistance. Even your "modern" transformer welder will have some electronic circuitry. And even if not, connections can and do corrode and rust. I think he would have been better off if he had left it out completely rather than sealed in a suitcase where moisture is slow to leave.

 

[4570Man]

Who has a air conditioned shop? I have a heated shop ( sorta ), but nobody around here has a air conditioned shop.

 

[Scooby074]

Well it seems that indeed because I did not use the welder much at all and the fact it was kept in an unheated garage, moisture that ordinarily would have been evaporated by use just got to sit in all the little connections and mosfets and eventually flaked up the welder. The kicker of it is that to "fix" the welder costs more than I payed for the thing and not by a little bit. Makes me wonder why I didn't buy a transformer welder as the total cost to replace the welder with a new one more than equals the cost of an original transformer. If you live in a climate of humidity or variations of heat and cold or you do not have a heated shop or garage be careful where you keep your little inverter if you do not use it much.

I feel for your predicament. This is sort of the reason I go against the "cool kids" and recommend that the typical TBN'er who keeps his welder in his shop gets an old school transformer welder like a Lincoln Toumbstone or Miller Thunderbolt. They will outlast your grandkids Ive seen them in old barns, rusted, and still working, like a Timex. You shouldnt have to keep your welder in bubblewrap! The problem here isnt your treatment of your machine, but the quality of components in the machine itself.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I feel for your predicament. This is sort of the reason I go against the "cool kids" and recommend that the typical TBN'er who keeps his welder in his shop gets an old school transformer welder like a Lincoln Toumbstone or Miller Thunderbolt. They will outlast your grandkids Ive seen them in old barns, rusted, and still working, like a Timex. You shouldnt have to keep your welder in bubblewrap! The problem here isnt your treatment of your machine, but the quality of components in the machine itself.

Amen Scooby. I have a Montgomery Ward AC/DC 225A Rectifier type that is at least 60 years old and it works just fine. I run 1/8 and 5/32 all day w/o a stutter. It sets in my unheated garage for the last 5 years. Have no idea how it was treated in its former li(fe)(ves). Guy I bought it from had it stored under a tarp in the rain. Bought it cheap. Best buy I have made in a long time. 150# of rod in the last 5 years. I never run on AC so have no idea there. 6010 is my primary rod, 7014 if I want a pretty cap, 6011 if it is dirty/rusty/painted stuff.

Ron

Ron

 

[Shield Arc]

I cut my teeth on transformer, and generator welders. I still have a couple old transformer welders, and three generator welders.
But the control over the puddle these inverters have just amazes me! Hot start means nothing to me, but the adjustable arc force is the best thing since chocolate ice cream!:laughing:
How long will they last? God only knows, but they are sure fun to play with!:thumbsup:
Here is one of my transformer welders. 1937 Lincoln.

 

[muddstopper]

My first welder was a tombstone. bought it new back in early 1980's. Had a plugin on the power pole beside the drive way. Kept it covered with a plastic trash bag. Didnt have a shop or basement to store it in. I "Upgraded" a couple years ago and I still believe that old tombstone will out weld my much newer/bigger 250/250 stick tig machine with 1/8 7018.

 

[cqaigy2]

Ditto on the tombstone/xformer. I inherited my Dad's, bought in early 70's, i did have to shave some of the nylons parts to get the selector to operate, but it welds just fine.