Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I received this unit a few days ago.
It only took about 30 minutes to assemble the electrodes and strike an arc.
This is a proven, quality designed welder that will do everything most home or farm shop users will need for welding. The design is a proven design from the 1930's and 1940's. It is sturdy, reliable, and, isn't hampered by "digital hocus-pocus." You turn it on, adjust the control to the correct voltage and weld . . . . You don't have to spend days of your valuable life memorizing arcane sequences of digital button inputs to get it work . . . . A BIG PLUS!
You won't be able to weld pipelines, 8 inch I beams, or, heavy duty frame joints. However, it is more than adequate for 99% of sheet metal fabrications and repairs, or, simple angle iron constructions in a home, farm or small business shop.
The helmet is enough to get started, but, I wouldn't rely on it for more than practice. It took almost a half an hour to assemble, and, it is so flimsy it is likely to break (especially the ratchet) after a few good swipes moving it up or down on your head with your gloved paw.
I purchased another welding helmet with a solar activated auto-darkening feature. I purchased the Auto-Helm pro-series helmet on Amazon and it has every feature one could want in an auto-darkening helmet. Auto-Helm Pro-Series Auto-Darkening Welding Helmets New
These take a little getting used to, but, they have become an indispensible tool for anyone who is welding even on an occasional basis. If nothing else, they allow you to focus more of your attention on safety and proper welding that if you constantly have to raise and lower your visor and adjust your helmet.
This package does not come with gloves, I purchased an excellent pair of Hobart's at a VERY reasonable price here on Amazon. Hobart 770439 Rust/Black Welding Gloves
I also purchased the wheel package for the welder. It isn't available on Amazon, but, you can get it for about $11.00 plus shipping at most online welding supply places. You will need the wheel kit for, if nothing else, safety purposes so that you can reposition this unit away from flammables (inlcuding wooden walls and woodwork in your garage). This unit ships by freight at about 120 lbs. and you need the wheels to move it around.
To use this welder, you will need a 220/250 line. I had three outlets installed in my garage at a cost of about $125.00. It uses a standard NEMA 6-50 plug and any qualified electrician can wire your shop for it.
Some DO'S and DON'TS:
DO shop around for the best price. Most retailers simply drop ship from one of Lincoln's facilities. You are paying the retailer mostly just for marketing and order taking. I was able to find it for $60.00 cheaper than the lowest price available here.
DON'T overlook the safety brochure. Give yourself time to experiment with this unit and get used to welding in your own personal evironment. It may be a light duty welder, but, at a max output of 225 volts in can pack one heck of a wallop if not properly grounded, etc.
DO purchase a good welding manual: The best I could find for refreshing my Vo-Tech course I took five years ago is "Welding Essentials - Questions and Answers." This book has ALL of the important fundamentals of welding and will help you troubleshoot your efforts at home or in your shop. Welding Essentials
DON'T be in a hurry to strike your first arc with this unit. I took at least a couple of hours to review the safety brochure and my welding manual(s) before striking an arc. I practiced moving around the electrodes in the shop without the unit being plugged in. Then, I practiced again with the unit plugged in and the switch off.
DO make your welding area safe from flammables. My first use of this was to weld an electrical socket onto the back of my tractor. I used a pneumatic wire brush to clean the surface on the tractor to which I was welding the socket. I then cleaned it with mineral spirits to fully degrease the metal. I left the towels which had only a little mineral spirits on them from the cleaning, and, forgot they were tucked into the tracks of the crawler; the first arc ignited them from a distance of about a foot. DO have a fire extinguisher very close by . . . I was lucky to have such a gentle reminder of the need for safety when arc-welding.
I successfully welded my socket to the tractor - backwards - I was so focused on being safe that I didn't notice I had clamped it backwards before welding it.DON'T screw the pooch! Have fun.
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Lincoln Electric K1170 AC225S Stick WelderThe Lincoln electric AC-225 compact stick welder produces an extremely smooth AC arc for welding a wide variety of materials including carbon, low alloy and stainless steels as well as cast iron. Ideal for home, farm, shop, repair and maintenance, build-up welding and light fabrication. Easy to install with attached input power cable and NEMA 6-50P plug, plus it's easy to operate: a full range 40-225 Amp selector switch quickly sets the welding current and ensures a uniform arc each and every time you weld. Smooth arc makes it easy to weld with different electrodes, including mild steel, low hydrogen, stainless steel and hardfacing electrodes. U.S.A. Volts: 230, Amps: 40 - 225, Duty Cycle: 225A / 25V / 20%, Amperage Adjustments: 40 - 225, Range Selection: 40 - 225, Weldable Metals: Carbon, low alloy, stainless steel, cast iron, Weld Thickness (in.): Up to 1/4, Electrode Size (in.): 3/32 to 5/32, Electrode Cable Length (ft.): 10, Clamp Cable Length (ft.): 10, Power Cord (ft.): 6, Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 12 x 17 1/4 x 24
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