Restoring Lincoln Tombstone

[woodlandfarms]

So, with the Oxy Accet search in play, I was looking to improve my welding skills via video and stumbled across this link.

Refreshing your Lincoln AC-225 220V tombstone welder

Now, I think my welder is old but it has never given me any problems, but by the looks of this article a tuneup might be in order.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? I have no clue if my welder is doing good or bad as I have nothing to compare it to.

Carl

 

[sandman2234]

Never done it, and as another person mentioned, I would use grease that was made for electrical connections, not just everyday grease I use on my tractor. As the author mentioned, just a mild amount of polishing is all it takes to make it better, and too much polishing will make for problems, as with any contact points.
Go ahead and do it, and let us know how it does, unless you are happy with your welder as it is.
David from jax

 

[monckywrench]

My multiple-buzzbox-owning buddy lubes his switch contacts with NO-OX or equivalent.

My switch stuck a few years ago, we lubed it, no problems since.

 

[Stihlrunner]

I just bought a Lincoln tombstone. The dial was stuck in the 70A position. I sprayed some contact cleaner/lube until it freed up then I cleaned all contacts lightly with a scotchbrite pad, works great now!

 

[grsthegreat]

i tried cleaning mine about 1 year ago when the manual amperage handle wouldnt hold at any setting and it would slam down to the lowest setting when i turned it on. Never got it fixed, and finally just junked it and bought a new ac/dc machine.

oh, and i LOVE my new welder

 

[rcowan]

If it is doing what it's supposed to do (weld) then it must be ok.

Did you get it cleaned up?

RC

 

[Ed of all trades]

I hope to soon be fixing the AC unit that I learned to weld on when I was 11. An electrician tore it apart because of what turned out to be a short in the shop. Will need to make a back for it, New plug and new leads. I know it is of little value but it was dads and I hope I can get it going.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I am the OP on this and no, I have not torn mine apart. It works well (but I am such a novice welder, I don't know what bad looks like). The only complaint I have is that it is a bear to turn the settings dial. Very very stiff.... Probably due to disuse. I weld in the upper range as I am usually putting together 1/4 to 1/2 steel.... One of these days I am going to practice my thin stuff..

 

[sparc]

I am the OP on this and no, I have not torn mine apart. It works well (but I am such a novice welder, I don't know what bad looks like). The only complaint I have is that it is a bear to turn the settings dial. Very very stiff.... Probably due to disuse. I weld in the upper range as I am usually putting together 1/4 to 1/2 steel.... One of these days I am going to practice my thin stuff..

I don't know...just asking but after reviewing that tutorial on refurbing a tombstone welder I am wondering about the choice of grease used. Sounds like they used a grease usually used for bearings and such (Mobile-1 full synthetic general purpose grease). Is this a good grease to use on the contacts of a switch of this type where it will be exposed to heat (all these contacts will heat up as the welder is used right?). I don't know the correct grease or lubricant is for this application (if any), what is used on these contacts initially form the factory? That's what should go back on there I think. Other than that I think the tutorial was helpful, the grease used has me concerned though.

 

[k0ua]

I don't know...just asking but after reviewing that tutorial on refurbing a tombstone welder I am wondering about the choice of grease used. Sounds like they used a grease usually used for bearings and such (Mobile-1 full synthetic general purpose grease). Is this a good grease to use on the contacts of a switch of this type where it will be exposed to heat (all these contacts will heat up as the welder is used right?). I don't know the correct grease or lubricant is for this application (if any), what is used on these contacts initially form the factory? That's what should go back on there I think. Other than that I think the tutorial was helpful, the grease used has me concerned though.

I would think the synthetic grease would be a good choice as it is liable to be a hi temp grease. I would think that would be just what you would want. It sounds like the OP's machine sure could use some grease on the contacts as they are so hard to switch.

James K0UA