Picked up my first welder today

[Happy Gilmore]

I picked up a welder on CL today. It's a Lincoln 225AC / 125DC machine. I payed $180 for it with a couple helmets, gloves, old rod and chipping hammer. Tried it before buying, seems to work well. The seller saids it's around 20 years old and he just doesn't weld anymore, never really did. The original owners manual was still tucked in behind it in his garage. I went to pick up some 1/8 6011 at the LWS and one of the guys looked it over and said it appeared nearly new on the inside. Told me if he had it for sale, it would have sold used for $300. Now I just need to get a plug wired in and I can start practicing with it. I just started a stick welding night class at the local voc. I was happy to come across this welder!

 

[George2615]

Good deal on the welder and accessories.

 

[Jim Timber]

Welding is one of the most relaxing and gratifying things I know of. Congrats on your purchase.

 

[Arc weld]

$180 is OK but $300 would be too much. You can a buy a new inverter for about the same money. Try to learn the basics in the class first so you don't pick up bad habits. The class should hopefully give you a good idea what to be practicing.

 

[Jim Timber]

I'd hate to see the arc quality on a $300 220 amp inverter.

 

[Reverser]

Good solid choice. :thumbsup:

The first welder I ever owned was one of those, many years ago. Did a good job with whatever I wanted to weld. When I eventually sold it, I got my money back. You will get more than just your money back, if you ever decide to get something else.

 

[Happy Gilmore]

$180 is OK but $300 would be too much. You can a buy a new inverter for about the same money. Try to learn the basics in the class first so you don't pick up bad habits. The class should hopefully give you a good idea what to be practicing.

Am I wrong in thinking $180 was a good price? The 225AC machines are going for $300 or so new, the Lincoln AC/DC machine in that size around $550. I only really have seen the Lincoln AC units for sale used from $200-250. Haven't really seen any of the machine I purchased come up used in my area. It seemed like a good deal??

 

[arrow]

I'd hate to see the arc quality on a $300 220 amp inverter.

Your hate may turn into love if indeed you did see it.

 

[Jim Timber]

You did good! Don't worry about it.

 

[Jim Timber]

Your hate may turn into love if indeed you did see it.

Oh really?

I have a Miller Invision 354MP and a Syncrowave 250DX. I have no jealousy issues with your container load copy machines. I hope you can find parts if you ever use that thing enough to break it.