Lincoln Model AC-225-s

RichZ · Oct 4, 2014

I was at a yard sale today with a friend who used to be a welder until she was badly inured on the job. She has been thinking about getting back into it, as it would sure be helpful in repairing our farm equipment. At the yard sale we found a Lincoln Model AC-225-S welder. It looked pretty old but it looked complete. The man selling it says he hasn't been able to weld for about a year due to poor health, but that the welder works fine. He wanted $50 for it, and we bought it. I have to think this is a pretty good deal. Does anyone know anything about this welder? How old is it? Where can we get a manual for it? and anything we should know about it, good or bad? I know absolutely nothing about welding or welders.

Thanks!!!!

MinnesotaDaveChalmers · Oct 4, 2014

Those are good little basic welders.
Not much to go wrong with them.
http://www.lincolnelectric.com/assets/servicenavigator-public/lincoln3/imt237.pdf

Should be pretty close for a manual - but if you put your code number in on the lincoln site you may get a better one.

rankrank1 · Oct 4, 2014

Good Buy for $50. That is an AC ouput Welder and is so simple that there is very little to go wrong with it. Regardless of age; it is likely to still be working in another 50 years. The very first repair you make with this welder will most likely pay the purchase price on the welder since you have so little invested.

Getting started
1/8" diameter 7014 will run like a dream on that machine. (idiot rod that almost welds by itself).
1/8" 6011 is a must have rod too for dirty rusty farm equipment. (takes some skill to run 6011 though).
5/64" and 3/32" diameter 6013 is quite useful as well for thin sheet when no wire feeder is available.

These few rods will be enough to get you started and usually be enough to cover most situations. Remember though you are not going to be welding auto body sheet metal with any stick welder. 1/16" thick (16 gauge) is about the thinnest you can weld with the stick process and you will have to be darn good to do it. The good news though is that stick is pretty much unlimited on how thick of metal you can weld with multiple passes.

expanding the rod choices
3/32" 7014
3/32" 6011
1/8" 6013
will expand your choices slightly and also good to have on hand

Final stage
If you just feel you wanna try 7018 then make sure you go with 7018AC. Regardless these rods can be a hassle and tempermental to run on low cost entry level type machines. Technically 7018 and 7018AC require rod oven storage but many people do not. They run worse as they pick up moisture over time though and can enhance the frustration. Your call if you feel the need for the hassles. Personally I only use 7018 or 7018AC when I feel that I might be welding an exotic alloy steel instead of the usual mild steel. Real Rare occurence on old junky farm equipment.