Shield Arc
Super Member
Does that AC version have tapped settings? If so I can't imagine using a machine like that! :thumbdown:
LINCOLN 225
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Soundguy
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that's one thing I like about my hobart stickmate 235ac. I can run 100% duty cycle on t he 90-ish amp range that I normally use.
pjbci
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Im pretty sure the lincoln has 100% duty cycle on AC also. Mine has never shut me off on AC. But i used to do a lot of stick welding on aluminun dump trailers on DC and it would drive me nuts waiting for the machine to cool of and reset.
Soundguy
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the lincoln uses a knob selector vs a continous control. but that's not a huge issue.
i had heard they were using aluminum windings. but again.. for the $$ on an economy machine.. still not a bad value for the amps.
if I had to buy another stick welder right now.. a lincoln or hobart would still be on my list of runners..
Arc weld
Veteran Member
Yes, they are aluminum wires in the Lincoln and it is a tapped current control and 20% duty cycle. Actually, according to Lincoln, they have a 20% duty cycle on ALL settings except the 75 amp setting. This setting used to have a circle around it and was used with a carbon arc torch or a pipe thawing unit, both of which are no longer available. Having a 50 year old Lincoln SA200 Red Face is a good thing to have. Having a Lincoln AC 225 or AC 225/DC 125 that is 50 year old technology... not so much. Nothing wrong if you already have one but to buy a brand new one when there are so much better and less expensive machines on the market doesn't make sense to me. I'm 99.9% certain Shield Arc only mentioned the AC/DC version because DC is much easier to weld with than AC. If you are dead set on having a Lincoln welder, look for a used Idealarc 250 AC/DC. Then you will have an excellent machine. Lincoln has a lot of components made in Mexico, Italy and I'm sure other countries as well. If you're a beginner welder, having the best machine you can afford will drastically reduce the learning curve and frustration level. This is only my opinion but if you limit your choices when looking at a welding machine, you're limiting your chances of getting good at it. Sorry if I seem harsh. That's not my intent. I don't want to see someone spend their hard earned money on something they'll want to replace after they try a better machine.
Shield Arc
Super Member
Until joining these tractor forums I never thought about welding on AC except with Tig aluminum. In my line of work we ran into arc blow all the time, but we only used engine drives, so AC machines were all most unheard of. I took my Montgomery Wards buzz box and did some comparison welding with 7018. You can see in the AC plate where I lost the arc a couple times, and see all the splatter.
When you have some time here are a couple article about welding on AC. In the last paragraph of the Lincoln article pretty much sums it up about welding with AC.
"The first, most common situation is when you have no choice. This is because you are using a power source with AC output only. This is typical with low cost, entry-level type welding machines, often referred to as a buzz box welder".
DC vs. AC Polarity for SMAW
Miller - Basic Tips to Improve Stick Welding
As the resident welding expert already said, "your money.. your call".
When you have some time here are a couple article about welding on AC. In the last paragraph of the Lincoln article pretty much sums it up about welding with AC.
"The first, most common situation is when you have no choice. This is because you are using a power source with AC output only. This is typical with low cost, entry-level type welding machines, often referred to as a buzz box welder".
DC vs. AC Polarity for SMAW
Miller - Basic Tips to Improve Stick Welding
As the resident welding expert already said, "your money.. your call".
Attachments
Yes.. I know it is 50 year old welder, but my pocket is sort. What other stick welder can be good for me as my first welder?
or maybe should I wait a little a get something better like
FREE SHIPPING — Hobart Stickmate Stickmate LX 300 AC/200 DC 230V Arc Welder/Stick Welder — 205 Amp Output, Model# 500560 | Arc Welders| Northern Tool + Equipment
what do you guys think?
or maybe should I wait a little a get something better like
FREE SHIPPING — Hobart Stickmate Stickmate LX 300 AC/200 DC 230V Arc Welder/Stick Welder — 205 Amp Output, Model# 500560 | Arc Welders| Northern Tool + Equipment
what do you guys think?
weldermike
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If money is short either wait or buy used. The guys keep talking to you nicely but you are not listening. That machine is a piece of ****, but it will get you through jobs. So in short if money is tight, dont spend it twice. Jmho!
joshuabardwell
Elite Member
I'm not sure why somebody is holding up "heavy" as a plus. My PA160 weighs 35 lbs. I don't miss lugging my old transformer welder around one bit.
Soundguy
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i know, given the choice of the 299$ CH welder.. or a 50$ craigslist tombstone.. i'd go with the tombstone for sure. especially if money was tight and i needed to weld NOW.
you could always do a few jobs and then get all your $ back out of it on craigslist AGAIN later on. nice thing about those tombstones. the ac ones hit a low of about 50$ working, and never go lower. the ac/dc ones.. a lil more. buy low.. and get your money back out of it when needed.
Shield Arc
Super Member
I understand you wanting to buy American, but now a days what is truly made in the USA? All these vendors lie to us so much any more we can't believe any of them! About 12 or 13-years ago there was a huge blow out on the Hobart welding forum about their machines being made off shore. Some of the Hobart mods denied it. Then one of them admitted it was true, he got fired for telling us the truth!
Only thing I'm pretty sure was made in America is my two daughters.:laughing:Before I spent $829.99 on that welder, which I understand they are very nice machines! I would buy the Everlast PA-300 or the Longevity Stickweld 250. I haven't run the PA-300, but soon as Mark sends me one I'll be glad to give it a test drive
. But I have run the Stickweld 250, beautiful arc with 7018. Both of these machines have adjustable hot start, and arc force! At your level this may be over your head for now, but trust me they are worth having!
Shield Arc
Super Member
It will take some time before you realize how helpful the adjustable hot start is. 6010, and 6011 rods are easy to restart, 7018 can be a beach at times. The hot start really helps with this! The adjustable arc force will even take longer for you to realize how helpful it is. These inverters are amazing how much control they have over the puddle. If you could spend 30-minutes with me in my shop I promise you I can open your eyes.
Remember Longevity, and Everlast both give discounts to members here. Honestly I could care less what brand machine you buy, I'd just like to see you get the best bang for your buck, AC is not the way to go! Another thing, I don't have a crystal ball, so I have no idea how long these inverters will last. There is a mod over on welding web who repairs welders for a living, he says he has seen inverters that are 25-years old not one problem to date.
Remember Longevity, and Everlast both give discounts to members here
. Honestly I could care less what brand machine you buy, I'd just like to see you get the best bang for your buck, AC is not the way to go! Another thing, I don't have a crystal ball, so I have no idea how long these inverters will last. There is a mod over on welding web who repairs welders for a living, he says he has seen inverters that are 25-years old not one problem to date.Arc weld
Veteran Member
Some of the early inverters had some problems but that has all been fixed. Glad to see you are starting to listen to experience. Mind you if you read the first response to your query, I did suggest an inverter.:shocked:
Shield Arc
Super Member
DXN1El if you scroll down to the bottom of this page Miller explains the advantages of having arc force.
Miller - Selecting a Constant Current (CC) DC Welder for Training Purposes
Miller - Selecting a Constant Current (CC) DC Welder for Training Purposes
yomax4
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If you are in the market for a welder and an AC lincoln is high on the list..Buy anything at all. Any brand and you will get something that blobs stuff together good enough for what you are looking for in your price range. Way too much arguement for entry level equipment. No-one makes welders in USA anymore..No-One! For a couple hundred bucks who gives a crap what brand it is.
Shield Arc
Super Member
You got it! Those are great machines.:thumbsup: Now quick, call up your power company and see if you can buy some stock. :laughing:
Those are great machines.:thumbsup: Now quick, call up your power company and see if you can buy some stock. :laughing:
Mark @ Everlast
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Comparing AC tombstone to a DC welder (of any sort) is sort of like comparing Ice Milk to Ice Cream. If you never had both, you won't know what you are missing.
As far as the AC DC version of the tombstone. I've got a lot of hours on one. My father still has one. I've run them where I worked in the past as well. Being limited to ONLY 125 amps (as the tombstone is) on DC stick is definitely a handicap. (or should I say fusionally challenged?)
Joshua, The weight is important for some, as to some people it makes an impression. But pick up an older tombstone or Ideal arc then pick up a new one. There's a difference yet again...but it's been a few years. They could have changed back. Of course I read (somewhere) where the old welder weight was used for a boat anchor when it no longer served.
As far as the AC DC version of the tombstone. I've got a lot of hours on one. My father still has one. I've run them where I worked in the past as well. Being limited to ONLY 125 amps (as the tombstone is) on DC stick is definitely a handicap. (or should I say fusionally challenged?)
Joshua, The weight is important for some, as to some people it makes an impression. But pick up an older tombstone or Ideal arc then pick up a new one. There's a difference yet again...but it's been a few years. They could have changed back. Of course I read (somewhere) where the old welder weight was used for a boat anchor when it no longer served.
