Lincoln AC225

[oldpilgrim]

I bought my ac225 over 40 years ago. Still buzzing away. I use it a little less now that I got a Hobart MIG welder. The 225 is nearly indestructible.

 

[k0ua]

I bought my ac225 over 40 years ago. Still buzzing away. I use it a little less now that I got a Hobart MIG welder. The 225 is nearly indestructible.

The fan and the switch's is about all there is to go bad. Well maybe you could burn up the transformer, but you would have to really work at it to do that.

 

[Big Barn]

The older transformer welders ARE pretty much "bullet proof"

Not a Lincoln, but my Forney (on the left in photo) was purchased new for the farm in 1966.



Terry

 

[k0ua]

The older transformer welders ARE pretty much "bullet proof"

Not a Lincoln, but my Forney (on the left in photo) was purchased new for the farm in 1976.

View attachment 492198

Terry

Did you set it on the shelf in its wrapping paper? The darn thing looks nearly new!:thumbsup:

 

[Shield Arc]

I have looking at the inexpensive DC inverter stick welders. Would there be any real advantage switching to one of those versus this AC unit? I have my Hobart 210 MVP for most of the work I do. So I'm just trying to do what makes the most sense. Sounds like the DC units are easier to use and more versatile.

You should take a look at the Everlast PowerArc 300. It has adjustable hot start, and arc force. If you have been welding long, the hot start will not be of any use to you. The adjustable arc force is very handy to have.
A 300-AMP stick welder will weld just about any thickness steel you would ever want to weld.

 

[Big Barn]

You should take a look at the Everlast PowerArc 300. It has adjustable hot start, and arc force. If you have been welding long, the hot start will not be of any use to you. The adjustable arc force is very handy to have.
A 300-AMP stick welder will weld just about any thickness steel you would ever want to weld.

Here's my old Miller 300 amp buzz-box for comparison


Shipping weight (aprx).

Miller 500#.
Everlast 70#

Input power requirements

Miller. 100 amp.
Everlast. 60 amp

Everlast inverter performance advantages:

Everything Shield Arc and kOua mentioned.


Terry

 

[flyerdan]

One of the biggest drawbacks to the 225 is that the open voltage is so low that it's easy to stick the rod when striking an arc. Don't know if they've improved that, but the '70's model that I had sure did. I got an Airco 300 from a neighbor (pretty much an orange version of Big Barn's Miller) and it was much smoother. Now I pretty much do everything with a MM250, and have a Tigwave 250 that will do stick as well, in DC or AC.

 

[sw99]

You should take a look at the Everlast PowerArc 300. It has adjustable hot start, and arc force. If you have been welding long, the hot start will not be of any use to you. The adjustable arc force is very handy to have.
A 300-AMP stick welder will weld just about any thickness steel you would ever want to weld.

That's what I have been eyeballing thanks. I would like to try TIG also so this may be a good excuse.

 

[Shield Arc]

I've had this Tig rig for a few years now, very nice Tig torch. If you get the PowerArc 300, and a Tig rig use the non 6010 port, turn the hot start, and arc force all the way down. Now this will only be scratch start. X-ray welds are made every day with a scratch start Tig rig.
TIG Welding Torch Set WP-26V-25R 25-ft 2 Amp Air-Cooled w/Free Gloves | eBay
HTP Argon CO2 Mig Tig Flow meter Regulator Welding Weld | eBay

 

[Sonny580]

Got my 225 ac at TSC in 83 for the sum of $ 84.95 on sale and it is still in use today!---fan really started growling the other day, so guess I will have to dig in to it and try to lube it!!--- They are super welders!!--6011 rod is real hard to hold arc with until you get the feel of how to! LOL!! thanks; sonny580

 

[kydick]

i learned how to weld with ac225 welder. got it early 1990s. mostly use 6011 rods 6013 every now and then and some nickle rods. these rods take care of most of my welding jobs on a farm. when the amish lived around here they kept me pretty busy with their repairs and projects. learned a lot from them also. miss them days.

 

[stihlman]

Lincoln has sold literally millions of those AC225 machines. They do what they are supposed to do, no doubt about that. I would suggest if you don't want to upgrade don't ever weld with a DC machine. The arc is much easier to start and smoother to run. With a DC machine it opens the door to rods such as 6010 and real 7018. If you look around you can get good deals on Lincoln Idealarc 250 or Miller Dialarc 250 machines. Both are AC/DC output and bulletproof welders. Or you can go the DC inverter route, more money but my Miller Maxstar 140STR will stick and TIG, runs real 1/8" 7018 great and weighs about 10lbs and is the size of a 4 slice toaster and will run on 110 or 230 volt power. Lots of options out there. Enjoy your AC225, they are great machines

 

[sw99]

Yea I will probably keep this one for a while or until the new shop gets done. My current shop has no power so I run everything of my 6500 watt generator. I have read that the inverter type welders may not like the generator's power supply.

 

[stihlman]

I run my Maxstar off my 7500 watt generator. Works good

 

[sw99]

Thanks that's great to know. I really would love that stick/tig option for down the road.