13 replies to this topic

[Mark 149 J.]

I've been looking for a 220 volt welder for the past year to because my Millermatic 135 110 volt mig doesn't penetrate enough on thicker steel.  I found it on CL the PO just wanted it gone because it was taking up space.  He wanted $75 (they usually go for over a $100 around here) so I offered him $60 and he took it.  It also came with several containers of welding rod.  Now I can do some modification to my 5th wheel trailer like adding a 2" hitch so I can slide in a bike rack for our 4 bikes when we go camping.  This will make my wife very happy and make life a little easier!

[Sawdust]

I bought one of those used about 20 years ago on cl & still use it. I love it. Nice find.

[Cvans]

Lincoln Tombstone

 

They've been around about as long as tombstones. Even left out in the weather they seem to last for years. Probably make your kids or grand-kids a good gift when your done with it. 

[secondtry]

I picked my Tumbstone out of a dumpster in 89 225 AC DC. In 98 the fan had to be oiled. Still runs and sounds fine, I probably should pull the cover and clean and lube again.  I still have the Craftsman buzz box it replaced. This spring I got at auction a 300 amp Lincoln inverter welder that makes the other two seem like junk. Don

[chieffan]

Great find.  About the only thing that goes bad on them is cords will deteriorate over a long time.  The sure isn't any fault of the welder though.  Will do about anything you may want around a home shop.  Of course all the big boys use the gas wire welders now days.

[boyscout862]

Always great to add a tool to the workshop. I bought mine 37 years ago, brand new. It was $135 on sale in a local hardware store. It has paid for itself a dozen times over. Later, I bought the Wisconsin powered equivalent for use in the woods on my shoveldozer. It has a crank start Wisconsin THD. It is another tool that paid for itself many times over. I found that the best accessory for the welder is a heavy steel welding table. Good Luck, Rick

[Little Irish Men]

I got one about  ten years or so from a guy he ask $100.00 for it . Again just wanted it gong , at the time they were at about $300.00 at homedepot

 , I got the miller mig, and my gas power welder / generator  

 

Patrick.

[Oldford]

I found it on CL the PO just wanted it gone because it was taking up space.   It also came with several containers of welding rod. 

Look for some rods starting with 70 like 7018 etc.  Also called Jet rods, they weld a lot cleaner than the 60 series

[Mark 149 J.]

Look for some rods starting with 70 like 7018 etc.  Also called Jet rods, they weld a lot cleaner than the 60 series

I believe that is what it came with.  Thanks for the information!

[Mark 149 J.]

Great find.  About the only thing that goes bad on them is cords will deteriorate over a long time.  The sure isn't any fault of the welder though.  Will do about anything you may want around a home shop.  Of course all the big boys use the gas wire welders now days.

The first thing I looked for were cracks in the cords.  There was none and they are very nice and pliable.  We inherited a tombstone welder from my grandpa back in the 80's.  It was so old that after a couple of years the cords started to crack really bad.   I never got to use it again.  I do remember it being very heavy for it's size.  

[secondtry]

I have leads that came with my old Craftsman that are so old all the insulation has fallen off. Still work fine for ground. Just have to make sure the other lead is in good shape. Don

[Cvans]

The 70 series rods are also know as low hydrogen rods normally are not compatible with a welder like yours. You might be able to make it work but it will not be enjoyable. If it was the AC-DC version than yes. It has to do with the open circuit voltage of your welder. They do  make AC versions of that rod for your welder and they should work just fine. Here is the info from the Lincoln site.

http://www.lincolnel...incolnElectric)

LINCOLN® 7018 AC

 

AWS: E7018 H8

Top Features

• AC polarity welding
• Low open circuit voltage operation
• Minimal spatter
• Capable of cold re-strikes

 

 

 

Typical Applications

• General fabrication
• Tack and skip welds
• Thin sections

Welding Positions

All, except vertical down

 

•  

[Mark 149 J.]

Awesome! 

Thanks for the information!

[boyscout862]

I have used hundreds of pounds of 7018AC rods over the years. My professional welder friends call it "idiot rod" because even I can make nice penetrating beads with it. As long as I clean properly and adjustt the amperage correctly, it works beautifully. Even the 234 grouser bars that I welded onto my dozer tracks worked perfectly(they are fully worn off again). Good Luck, Rick