Thinking about welders

Rowdius · Nov 15, 2008

Well, it pays to talk to family sometimes. Got to talking to my dad about welding machines, and he mentioned that he still had my grandfather's machine put up in his shop. My grandfather used in his drilling buisness decades ago. Went out to the place, plugged it in, and works beautifully.

It is only an AC machine, but for free... yeah. Miller M-295 250 amp welding machine that goes 25A-250A.

I'm still going to be in the market for another machine, but right now I'm going to play with this.

Here is a picture of my "new" welding machine, and my newer welding cart.

Thanks for all the help!

bobodu · Nov 15, 2008

You got a good one at a great price!!
Look into building a rectifier and you won't need another machine. I still toying with the rectifier idea,but my Lincarc fires right up if I ever want DC.

easygo · Nov 16, 2008

That is one nice old machine you got there. I recently bought a Hobart Stickmate AC/DC machine after reading many of the posts here. Before the purchase I was able to barrow an old AC/DC buzzbox from a friend and the DC option did make a big difference even for a weekend warrior like me. I practiced a lot with both AC and DC to see the difference. So I payed the extra $$$. Non the less. You can run some good beads with AC after some practice. For thinner stuff get a box of E6013 electrodes (super easy to use). They are not as deep penetrating as the E6011 and make a hack of a pretty weld.

cleatus · Nov 22, 2008

I picked this idealark last weekend for $200 with 50ft of lead and ground. It's a 1958 with the switch in upper right to change from DC+, DC- or AC. After running a few beads with DC+ and 6011, I dought I'll be using AC much at all. The only negitive is it's 3 times bigger than my tombstone AC.

AJ Clark · Nov 22, 2008

Cleatus, with the price of copper as high as it is, you would pay 200 bucks or more for just the cables...... I think you got a great deal... those old welders last for ever.

patrick_g · Nov 23, 2008

I just bought 120 feet of #2 welding cable for my AC/DC tombstone. A local welding supply chain (James Supply) had the wire for $0.25 cents a foot less than Atwoods. I extended the 9 ft original ground cable and the 15 ft HOT lead. I am using Tweeco (SP?) connectors so I can use half +/- of the hot lead and insert the other half if I need it to reach a job. I have mounted the tombstone on a small 4x8 deck size trailer and although it is maneuverable it still requires longer leads as it is not as maneuverable as the tombstone on wheels was.

Terrific price performance ratio on Grand dads old welder. I second the opinion regarding adding a rectifier to it to get DC. A full wave bridge is the style of rectifier you need. You should be able to DIY for a decent price. Do not skimp on aluminum for mounting the diodes and do use a fan for forced air cooling. You don't have to buy special finned heatsinks as extruded aluminum angle will work fine but it has to be pretty heavy wall to work right. If you use thin material the fan can cool the aluminum at a distance from the diodes while the diodes are way too hot and failing from overheat. Alternator diodes are mass produced so are a good choice. They press in.

There are lots of guys on TBN with electronics backgrounds who could advise you. I have worked on a portable battery operated welder project in the past and built the prototype electronics including the rectifiers.

Pat