So would you upgrade your AC/DC Tombstone

[woodlandfarms]

I have an old lincoln ac/dc 225. It is my first welder, bought it used. Runs like a champ, but I wouldn't know if it was running bad.

I was just looking at the Everlast 300 and the price, while money, isn't completely out of reach, assuming the upgrade is worth it, I also have a lincoln 180c mig. I guess I weld on each machine about half the time. THick and dirty get the stick, mig gets thin or clean.

So would you do it? Is it worth it?

 

[bdog]

I was in the exact same position except with a miller thunderbolt AC/DC which is basically the equivalent to your machine except blue instead of red. I got the 300 and couldn't be happier. I burned about ten pounds of rods this week and really like it. Is it necessary? No unless you weld at really high amps. Does it weld noticably better? Yes. Would I do it again ? Yes.

I sold my thunderbolt for $300 which went a long way to offset the cost of the 300. I have some heavy equipment and some things that are made out of 2" plate. I have thought in the back of my mind that I might need 300 amps someday with this thick material. More than likely the 200 would do what I need and it is cheaper. Don't get me wrong the 300 is sweet especially with the adjustable arc force and hot start but the 200 would probably weld just as good and do everything you want at a lower price point. If you wanted you could likely sell your machine and get into a 200 for less than a hundred bucks out of pocket.

Another plus is how small and light these inverters are compared to the transformer welders. I remember dreading moving my tombstone I had years ago. I used to think I was going to blow a gasket every time I had to load it in the back of the truck.

 

[Shield Arc]

I would normally comment on this type of thread, but I get tired of being sucker punched for doing so! So I'll keep quiet, and not respond to anymore threads like this, so as not to cause another fire storm.

 

[bandaidmd]

i would upgrade my AC tombstone to a AC/DC one first, but i still wouldn't part with it for sentimental reasons. Mine is the first welder my dad bought back in the early 60's i taught myself to weld with it and it still works great. I might end up putting some new leads on it at some point.lol

 

[Reyer Farms]

If I had the money, I would upgrade for something I wanted. For now I'm sparking coat hangers with a couple car batteries.

 

[notme]

I have an old lincoln ac/dc 225. It is my first welder, bought it used. Runs like a champ, but I wouldn't know if it was running bad.

I was just looking at the Everlast 300 and the price, while money, isn't completely out of reach, assuming the upgrade is worth it, I also have a lincoln 180c mig. I guess I weld on each machine about half the time. THick and dirty get the stick, mig gets thin or clean.

So would you do it? Is it worth it?

your little tombstone will weld dc up to around 150 -155 amps which is more current then you will ever need. you can run 1/8th 7018 on this with out even being close to wide open. why a hobbyist/homeowner/farmer would ever need anything more then this is beyond me. sure I work in construction and we to pull out the 5/32 or 3/16 rod sometimes but that's because we have to put a lot of metal into something and have a timeframe when we need to get it done. but as I said 1/8th rod sometimes u might need a few passes but your machine is more then capable. don't let anyone fool you that u need the newest/fanciest rig to weld with. transformer machines are tried and true

 

[Shield Arc]

sure I work in construction and we to pull out the 5/32 or 3/16 rod sometimes but that's because we have to put a lot of metal into something and have a timeframe when we need to get it done.

If you have to go to that big of rod, why doesn't your company supply you with LN-25s?

 

[gwdixon]

HA, HA, Shield Arc ! I knew you couldn't stay out of it. :laughing:

To the point, I have both the Lincoln AC and the AC/DC tombstones. They work fine. Old and the selector levers are cranky and hard to turn but they function.

I bought an Everlast PA200 and the tombstones haven't been used since. They are in the barn as back-ups.

The main reason for the purchase was that the DC on the Lincoln AC/DC only went to 155 amps and I needed more for hardfacing with 5/32 Stoody rod. The Lincoln would barely run it maxed out. The Everlast runs it like a dream.

Then the PA200 was tried with 1/8" 6011 and 7018 and at that point the Lincolns were sent to the barn.

Will the Lincoln AC/DC do 99% of the work on the farm? Sure it will. You'll have to decide on your own when it is time to break out the wallet and invest in the newer technology. The best time is when starting a big new welding project.

 

[Scooby074]

Would I upgrade? NO!

Transformer machines are tried and true. They last forever too. Does it have all the bells and whistles,no, but for most "farm" and backyard fab, its not needed.

 

[bdog]

Transformer machines are tried and true. They last forever too. Does it have all the bells and whistles,no, but for most "farm" and backyard fab, its not needed.

Can't argue with that. I learned to weld on a AC only tombstone in the early nineties. I was using that machine as my primary welder up until 2008 or so. Probably burned over a thousand pounds of rod with it. The machine still works today I think my uncle uses it. That being said the new inverters weld so much smoother than that old tombstone did. If all you care about is getting something welded and having it work then no need to upgrade but if you get into welding and enjoy the process then the upgrade would be worth it. A 1975 pickup will get you across town just fine but the ride will be much better in a new one.