Question for the welding pros
 

I went to my parents house this weekend for their neighbors funeral. My dad asked if I would use his old stick welder if he gave it to me and of course I said yes.
I already have a new Hobart 190 for mig but thought this would add to my capability.
it's an old miller thunderbolt 225.
My question is this...
1. What maintenance do I need to do to it before I use it? It has set for several years (7-10). I thought I could use it on heavy frame welding.
2. Is it even safe to try and use it? I know it works (or should) he just hasn't needed it.
I'm new to welding but always looking to learn.
3. About what year is this model and can I find the user manual? I'll google for the manual!
I appreciate anyone thoughts or criticism on it's use.

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

they can b used with good results for heavier frame work// the main thing with stick welders is to use freash sticks as they can and do go bad due to humidity and storage

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

I'm grabbing some rods this week and will be testing it out welding the frame on a truck bed trailer. I don't think I can mess that up too easy.
Should I just open it up and do a general cleaning inside the unit?
Thanks for the reply.

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

imo... there is nothing on a any truck that will be over 10 gauge steel,
your hobart 190 mig will handle anything on any vehicle without a problem

i learned to stick weld with dc arc welders, ac arc welders are a lot harder to weld consistent with
your hobart 190 probably has a 30 amp 220v plug, this miller will need a 50 amp plug hooked up with #8 wire
again imo... don't bother. sell it or give it back to dad

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

WOW!!! I had no idea I was plugging in the space shuttle! LOL Ill save it for the garage and use the MIG. I really appreciate the input and assistance.

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

hardly a space shuttle :D

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

Guys use stuff like that to repair steel trailers and farm equipment and such. The only downside is that with how cheap buzzbox's have become, there isn't a reason for a small-time user to buy a machine of that size/capability.

...and anyone needing that large of a machine probably already has something more modern for production. That being said, we backhalfed my old S10 with a stick and it was pretty good (and VERRRRRY strong). Pics from like 2006

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...1/UNI_0057.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...1/UNI_0068.jpg

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

Thanks br3w city and guys!
Well since I live in the middle of nowhere... and all my neighbors are farmers except the 5 houses around mine... I guess I can help them out after I borrow and break their tractors! LOL.
Seriously though, thanks for the input. It's very old but I wasn't turning my dad down cause he loves that I build, play and tear apart the trucks he built for over 32 years.
I'll keep this thing for the building/garage next year.
No one has yet to tell me if I should clean it up before I try to use it. I guess I'll leave it packed away until it's closer to time to use it.
Like you said the 190 should be able to do anything I need!

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

Think of it as garage art from your Dad. I have a number of unused tools from my father-in-law

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

That welder has its place but automotive isn't it. Its awesome for welding heavy thick steel but your 190amp mig will more than handle anything automotive based. Those old welders were built to last and you cant buy something now that will last as long as long as that one. There really isn't a whole to do to clean anything up. The most I would even consider is to just blow the dust out with shop air.

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

Well I guess it's going to be a conversation piece!

Appreciate your thoughts. I think I'll keep it for some heavy frame welding. You know... "just in case" lol

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

though it may be older than you...
that welder is ''relatively'' new and has aluminum windings in it
it also has a 20% duty cycle and really won't work for heavy welding
unless your heavy welding is 6'' :D

unless you have lots of room, scrap or sell it
you'd get more for scrap than you could on craigslist or ebay

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

[QUOTE=
it also has a 20% duty cycle
[/QUOTE]
Yes... At 200 Amps. ... Look, that is a great little stick welder. Sure, its not for sheet metal, but you can use it for alot of things. I would keep it and use it.

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

Thanks guys. I think Ill keep it (even though I don't have the room)! If I leave it in the way the wife may get tired of walking around it and let me get the garage built! :) Ill have plenty of room in there. Thanks again.

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

HAH! Middle of nowhere, try the little township that I grew up in, Matfield Green, Kansas. It is Northeast of Eldorado about 30 miles and is hid in behind a bunch of weeds. They have to pipe music in to that place just to get KFDI. LOL....

That being stated, I grew up on a farm and the stick welder was the big thing during my youth. Every farm boy knew how to weld and was very good at it. I went to work at a County Highway department and spent a lot of time doing welding on the heavy equipment and doing hard surfacing on the rock crusher parts to make them last. Wire welding was invented after my younger years. Wire welding in my time was an acetylene torch and bailing wire. Don't live in Matfield anymore, and I make an effort to blink when I drive by on the Turnpike, but then again it was home.

That being stated, I now have a Miller 220 welder and a plasma cutter, both of which I hardly use, but when needed, I can get them going.

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

you could always turn it into a tig.. 100 bucks for a torch and another bottle and your off to the races.

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

What a great story! I'm from the country in Indiana and understand what your saying. I know where your from and have a friend that lives outside of Eldorado! Thanks for sharing.

Please tell me more and dare I ask for a link? I'm looking for info on the net right now.
I already have a 330cf cylinder or 100% argon. Plus I have a crisp $100 bill! Lol

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

Wow, I had no idea this was possible! I'm reading tons of info now. Yes google is my friend... but if you don't know something's possible, you'll never learn.
Thanks for the info.
Here a link I'm watching.
http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php...to-TIG-welding

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

set it to dc neg, torch lead goes to stinger, need to get a torch with a manual gas knob on it.. well you don't have to but it's a lot better/easier.. hook up the gas feed, ground it.. starting welding..

there's lots of torches ebay, prob a few on craigslist in your area as well lots on videos on youtube about it as well, just look for scratch start tig.

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

Thank you guys!
I'm learning a lot and will look into this after I drag home my AV Gas refueler.

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

his welder is ac only

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

ooppps i thought all tunderbolts were ac/dc..

my bad... nvm on the tig then.. wont work.

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

I will throw my input in as my family owns a steel fab shop. Like others have said it is great for heavy steel, but not the best for automotive. Honestly if you where closer and if we didn't already have at least 15 welders ranging from small machines to 400 amp diesel powered welders i would buy it off of you. The comment about the humidity with welding rods only has to do with one type of rod. I can't remember off the top of my head as i don't do much welding, but will ask my dad who is a master welder when he gets home. We actually have a rod heater for that type of rod that is like a little oven to keep the rods dry.

If you or anybody ever has any questions about welding PM me and i will ask my dad and you will get the correct answer. He has been welding professionaly for 30+ years and started the buisness when he was in his 20's. I am only 21 and haven't had time to get certified and take any classes for welding as i just got out of truck driving school earlier this year.

Re: Question for the welding pros
 

I asked my dad and he said the 7018 rods are the ones with the humidity problems.