Lincoln 225 AC/DC Welder Comments?

[Scotty370]

I'm about to 'pull the trigger' on a stick welder purchase. I want to stay with one of the big players in the welding game ie, Lincoln, Miller, Hobart, etc. Guess with all the history that the old "Tombstone Lincoln" has, I'm sort of leaning that way. The DC is a plus (I guess) over the old boxes. I'm fairly proficient with Oxy/Ace cutting and welding on thinner materials, so I've got the basics down about what it takes to 'glue' two pieces of metal together, but other than toying with my son's wire Mig machine, I've never 'struck-an-arc'. I'm not wild about buying over the net, as I'd rather support local business, but surfing has shown the K-1297 between $490.'s to over $600 bucks! I stumbled across the same unit on the web advertised by Home Depot for $389.-!! OK, add to cart, viola! Add $200. Shipping!! Bummer! Speaking with a friend that works PT at HD, he called his boss who said "No problem" They'd just special order it in, and sell it to me for $389.- (plus my local sales tax). This was NOT because my friend works there, just something they'd do!! I'm ready go with it.

Now a couple questions! Are DC worth the extra money? Can a person get relitively proficient stick welding, in a reasonable amount of time? I envision 1/4-3/8" steel will be the bulk of my challanges. Does this sound like a unit that a 'newby' to the art of electric arc would be well served with? Any comment on price/value are appreciated. Thanks in advance. ~Scotty

 

[bobodu]

I'm quit fond of my old Tombstone and think you would be hard pressed to find a better machine. Mine is old and copper wound as opposed to the newer aluminum ones. I also have a DC Lincweld engine welder. I use AC most because it is handier than starting the big one. Although it's easier to make "pretty welds" with MIG....I can't stand the things. I'll take a good strong Lincoln ARC any day. Like anything,it just takes practice.

 

[woodrr]

MAN I AM GOING TO HD TOMORROW IF I CAN FIND THAT PRICE MATCH!
SEND IT TO US

Dc is much better to run stick.......I enjoy running dc much more than ac and the rods are cheaper!~

 

[Kfbeal]

I saw the same thing a few months ago. I have just the AC welder and considered purchasing this one, but decided to save the $389 and just use the one I have:

Lincoln Electric AC/DC 225/125 Welder - K1297 at The Home Depot

 

[Jeepnford]

Personally I think the DC is worth the extra money,better arc characteristics. If you know a welder who can help you learn or could take a class I think it helps.

 

[Rowdius]

Personally I think the DC is worth the extra money,better arc characteristics. If you know a welder who can help you learn or could take a class I think it helps.

I agree on the class. I can lay a fair bead with a mig machine, but am not very good with OAW or SMAW. I've got quite a bit of leave time I have to take at work or lose, so I've started taking an Intro Welding class (covers a short shot of welding/cutting with oxy fuel, then mostly SMAW) at the local junior college. As that I am not taking it for credit, it is only $150. Even though it is not for credit I have to take and pass all the tests, including the 1G bend test, as that if for some reason I want to get the certifcation, I only have to pay the difference between the for credit/ not for credit price in the next two years. Pretty good course so far, but I've barely started. It meets once a week for six hours. I don't think $150 is a bad investment for being able to build and repair my stuff at home.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I know nothing about welding, but have a Lincoln 225 AC/DC. My inlaws are serious welders and have taught me a bunch (for me anyway, I still know nothing).

But, you should look at Craigslist or your local pennysaver. I bought mine for $100. Lots of people unload them and from what I hear they really don't wear out.

Carl

 

[George2615]

Scotty,
I've been doing welding projects for over 30 years. I did take a couple courses years ago and had some pro's give me tips over the years. I would suggest you take a basic course. I am not a professional certified welder but can run decent beads that have never failed. I can weld steel, cast, and aluminum fairly well. Welding comes in real handy for many tractor projects. I have used AC/DC welders and each has their uses. For basic steel welding I would recommend using DC, its worth the extra money. I believe you can get fairly proficient in a short period of time. I have instructed a few friends of mine over the years and they picked it quick enough that they bought their own welder. You can't go wrong with the brands you mentioned. Watch your local swap sheets for deals. Let us know what you buy.

 

[ninefinger]

Speaking with a friend that works PT at HD, he called his boss who said "No problem" They'd just special order it in, and sell it to me for $389.- (plus my local sales tax). This was NOT because my friend works there, just something they'd do!! I'm ready go with it.

This is good to know, I was about to settle for the 1170 after seeing the shipping, $250.00 here. I have a HD and Lowes almost across the street from each other and both carry the 1170, if one will not do it I can drop the other's name and maybe get it for the $389. Corporate phone call fell on deaf ears a couple of weeks ago.

 

[2manyrocks]

For a brand new AC/DC machine, I think that is a reasonable deal.

Sometimes I see a few old used AC machines around here for $200, but they get gobbled up quickly.

Unless it gets hit by lightening or run over by a truck in your garage, I don't know how you'd ever wear it out.

I have one, and I'm keeping it.

 

[gerard]

I have a lincoln 225 AC only. Took a boces course which helped. Does a fine job for my type of welding which is farm welding. DC runs a nicer bead but there are different type rods even for ac that are easy to use. 6013 runs a pretty good bead on clean metal, 6011 burns thru anything but a lot of splatter. Buy your rod at a welding supply store and pick the guys brains. My store steered me to some 80000 lb tesnile strength stuff that runs a really nice bead. I never would have found that in a TSC or home depot. I also bought a small mig which is very nice for small projects and tacking things together. Not a hard skill but there are a LOT of variables that are hard to learn unless you do it every day. Anyone who tells you they know everything about welding either doesn't know much or I'd like to meet!

 

[2manyrocks]

"Lot of variables in welding" ---that is the truth.

One useful feature of DC is you can stick weld aluminum. Have used it only a couple of times, but saved myself some bucks by repairing some parts instead of having to buy new ones.

 

[gerard]

One useful feature of DC is you can stick weld aluminum.

Pretty useful feature and another reason to get DC. Wish I had. There were a few occasions I had the need but not the equipment!! I always thought you had to tig aluminum - probably should have sprung for the ac/dc!!

 

[digger2]

Thats a great deal on a ac/dc 225 lincoln.I paid about $430 for mine 5 years ago and that was the lowest i could find then.
Also,with D/C ,you can hook up a scratch start tig for steel & stainless only,or if you want to go high tech,you can get a high freq. box and do aluminum.The catch is,by the time you buy the machine and the high freq. box,your running into some serious $$$ and you might as well buy a high freq. equipped machine to begin with.If you wanted to do that stuff (tig).And you would have to watch the duty cycle,if you went that route.But,you are interested in stick welding.
But really,for stick welding and for the money,you cant beat them.And they do seem to last forever.My Dad had one for about 40 years and the only thing that went bad was the on/off switch.....go get it........Digger2

 

[woodrr]

GOT 1 ORDERED

THANKS FOR A CHEAP DEAL

I HAVE WORE 1 OF THESE OUT SO THEY DO BREAK THE COILS....

AND I HAVE NOT FOUND A DC ..LOTS OF AC ON THE LIST THANKS!

 

[Scotty370]

WoodRR- I probably shouldn't have gotten all you folks 'wired-up' on this deal until I had mine ordered, and in hand for that price. My friend's suppose to be putting in the order tonight, so I'll know more tomorrow. Curious, Wood Man, did they 'do the deal' as I described? IE They 'eat' the shipment to their store? You did order the AC/DC model correct? Thanks to all of you that offered your great input! Scotty

 

[Gary Fowler]

I just saw your post and hope you enjoy your AC/DC Machine. As one fellow member advised, using Craigslist can get you some good deals if you keep yourself advised of new prices. I picked up a slightly used good as new Miller 350 Amp AC/DC Constant Current (CC- this means it will run a wire feed gun also) with 70% duty cycle with 100 feet of 2/0 welding lead and 50 feet of ground lead for $350. I got it from a fabshop that was downsizing due to the economy and he was getting rid of it because he hardly ever used it. It works great. I had the guy demo it before I bought it just to make sure. I am proud of that purchase and lucky to be there first to pick it up at that price. Craigslist has some good bargains, but not always. I have seen folks list welding machines for prices more than you can find it new so you do have to be a wise shopper. I have been in the heavy industrial construction business for 40 years starting out as a welder using Miller machines like this and they have the smoothest most stable arc of any machine that I have ever used which is why I was so eager to buy this one.
Oh yeah at 70 amps on the dial, it will smoothly run a 1/8" E-7018 rod so I dont think I will every have to worry about overheating this unit. It would easily handle 3/16" diameter rods but I have not intention of ever welding something that would require that size electrode.

 

[Soundguy]

I picked up a hobart stickmate XL 235 AC machine a couple years ago.. got it at TSC.. was 20$ cheaper than the AC 225 lincoln machine at lowes/HD.

Been a great basic machine. it runs up to 100A at 100% duty cycle and has a good dial/crank amps gauge, vs the knob selector.

I've welded up to 1/2" with ease.. and 3/4 stuff with plenty of prep.

If you plan on doing alot of welding get DC.. if yuo want to do occasional farm welding on a budget.. a big honkin AC machine should get you done with some 6011 rod.. if it has to look perty.. hit it with a top coat of 6013.. as keep a 4" angle grinder and a slag hammer nearby with your gloves, face mask and wire brush and you are set.

remember.. miller owns hobart..

soundguy

I'm about to 'pull the trigger' on a stick welder purchase. I want to stay with one of the big players in the welding game ie, Lincoln, Miller, Hobart, etc. Guess with all the history that the old "Tombstone Lincoln" has, I'm sort of leaning that way. The DC is a plus (I guess) over the old boxes. I'm fairly proficient with Oxy/Ace cutting and welding on thinner materials, so I've got the basics down about what it takes to 'glue' two pieces of metal together, but other than toying with my son's wire Mig machine, I've never 'struck-an-arc'. I'm not wild about buying over the net, as I'd rather support local business, but surfing has shown the K-1297 between $490.'s to over $600 bucks! I stumbled across the same unit on the web advertised by Home Depot for $389.-!! OK, add to cart, viola! Add $200. Shipping!! Bummer! Speaking with a friend that works PT at HD, he called his boss who said "No problem" They'd just special order it in, and sell it to me for $389.- (plus my local sales tax). This was NOT because my friend works there, just something they'd do!! I'm ready go with it.

Now a couple questions! Are DC worth the extra money? Can a person get relitively proficient stick welding, in a reasonable amount of time? I envision 1/4-3/8" steel will be the bulk of my challanges. Does this sound like a unit that a 'newby' to the art of electric arc would be well served with? Any comment on price/value are appreciated. Thanks in advance. ~Scotty

 

[towmotor]

I picked up an old Hobart stick machine (AC only) for cheap money about twenty years ago. It works well.
However.
If I was in the market for a new welder I would certainly want to have the DC capability.
There is better availability of electrodes to weld a greater variety of alloys.
You'll find that the weld puddle is more predictable with DC (I have used DC, I just don't own a machine) and as a result, the quality of your results will improve.

 

[Scotty370]

Just a quick update! I did get it at that ($389-) price! Funny thing was, when I went to pick it up, they wheeled out a pallet with two of them on it, both with my name! Tryed to tell the gal that they must be having a two-for-one special, but she wasn't buying it!!