Montgomery Ward Powr Kraft 230 AMP arc welder ? ? ?

Chain Bender · Jun 9, 2012

My dad has had one since the mid 70's I think. I've used it off and on since he got it, except for the past 4-5 years. A couple of days ago he asked me to take it home and clean it up and see if it still worked.

It was full of dirt dobber nests and spider webs, but I got it cleaned up and got the amp adjustment handle sliding easily and locking. Plugged it in and could hear it humming. However, the fan didn't come on. Turned it off and pulled the fan out. It was really "stiff" to turn. Cleaned it up best I could and re-installed it. Plugged it back in and turned it on. Fan still didn't come on. So now I'm wondering if the fan is on a thermostat. I burned the biggest rods I had for a few minutes and the fan still wouldn't kick in. I turned it off and unplugged it and touched the coils and they weren't hot. Warm, but not hot.

Can't find any "internal" or electrical specs on the machine. So I'm taking a stab in the dark hoping one of you gentlemen here can help me out.

Should I keep working on the fan or is it in fact on a thermostat?

thanks in avance,
Chain Bender

Chain Bender · Jun 9, 2012

Follow up to the above

Did some wire tracing andthe only wires that lead to the fan come directly from the on/off switch, so that means it is an immediate on/off fan.

I kept cleaning on it and spinning it with my finger and finally got it to run, but only with an assist upon starting. Runs great after a small nudge in the right direction. What can I use to clean it with and not damage it?

thanks again,
CB

Travelover · Jun 9, 2012

Worst case, get a large pancake computer fan or two and stick 'em in there.

Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Fans & Heatsinks, CPU Fans & Heatsinks, Fan only

Travelover · Jun 9, 2012

K7LN said:
..................
NOTE: By what was mentioned in post #2, it's a 240 volt AC fan.

You could still use computer fans, but you may need to wire two in series.

Chain Bender · Jun 9, 2012

Sprayed engine cleaner, then carburetor cleaner and then WD40 in succession after 10 minutes of run time. Last run was about an hour. It came on fine after that. Will let it cool for several hours and try it again.

I'd still like to get my hands on an owner's manual or a link to down load one.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys,
CB

tcreeley · Jun 9, 2012

I oil old fans- light machine oil, sewing machine oil, marvel mystery oil - what ever is around. Spinning by hand I add a few drops to the shaft where it goes into the bearings (2 places)- even dripping oil off a stick or screwdriver works. Taking it all apart is the best way to clean it. WD drys up oil after a while. I find once a year I need to re-oil fans that I use a lot. If a fan does not start at once- clean and oil. Otherwise its wires just heat until it burns up.