Lincoln Arc 225

[ovrszd]

Please follow up with a review after you've used it a bit. Pictures included of course!!!

I've got a Lincoln AC/DC 225 that I leave in the machine shed at the farm. Serves me well. But always interested in improvements.

 

[Shield Arc]

What rods should I start with? Just for practice on angle iron.

If you could get some ESAB 10P-Plus 6010, and ESAB Atom Arc Acclaim 7018.
Your local Air Gas should have them in stock.

 

[k0ua]

You might try some 1/8 7014 also. It is extremely easy to start and run. Some consider it a "drag rod". It just about runs itself. On your 7018 (my favorite rod) they strike easy the first time but when you break the arc a "corn" of glassified slag forms on the end of the rod making it difficult to re-strike the rod. I break it off with my gloved thumb before attempting to re-strike the rod. Others file it off etc. But you will have to remove it one way or the other before the rod can be restruck. Some just use a "peck peck" motion to get it off.

 

[Gary Fowler]

If you could get some ESAB 10P-Plus 6010, and ESAB Atom Arc Acclaim 7018.
Your local Air Gas should have them in stock.

This is about all I use and I can weld any type of steel with it even cast iron can sometimes be welded with 7018 if it is a thick section. I only stock 3/32" and 1/8". Most of my work I do with 3/32 if the work piece is 1/4" thick or less. Thicker than 1/4" I may break out the 1/8" if I am going to put a large amount of weld metal down. I like the 3/32 because it doesn't excessively heat up the weldment.
My 6010 is 1/8". I do have some (1# bags) 3/32" 6010 for the really light weight stuff.

 

[Shield Arc]

7014 is childs play to run. Last picture is vertical up hill.

 

[k0ua]

If you want to look at this you-tube by Jody at welding tips and tricks. If you want to see 7014 welding by itself start at 7:30 minutes

You should subscribe and watch every video Jody has made. You could have a lot worse instructor than Jody.

 

[12Bravo]

He made a comment about the 7018, needs to be in a rod oven or used once opened. That could be an issue, since I don't have a rod oven nor will I weld enough to use a lot of them.

 

[k0ua]

He made a comment about the 7018, needs to be in a rod oven or used once opened. That could be an issue, since I don't have a rod oven nor will I weld enough to use a lot of them.

It needs to be in a rod oven ONLY if you are making x-ray welds. Don't let the rod oven scare you. I don't have one either. And the welds I have made I use all the time with 7018. Aint any of them broken yet. Just normal storage in a rod container will suffice for guys like you and me. Heck Shield arc can tell tales about using 7018 from a bucket full of rain water. Here is a hook welded on the Kioti with 7018 at 125 amps with my little Everlast Pa160

 

[Shield Arc]

He made a comment about the 7018, needs to be in a rod oven or used once opened. That could be an issue, since I don't have a rod oven nor will I weld enough to use a lot of them.

Unless you are doing code welding, don't worry about a rod oven. Just keep them dry. Maybe inside the house.

 

[ovrszd]

He made a comment about the 7018, needs to be in a rod oven or used once opened. That could be an issue, since I don't have a rod oven nor will I weld enough to use a lot of them.

I get along pretty good in my shop because the humidity is relatively low, especially in the Winter with a wood stove going. At the farm it's stored in an uninsulated/unheated metal machine shed. It doesn't like that nearly as well. So I just keep a limited supply there.