I need help Lincoln AC225 or TIG?

[c57u]

Hello Everyone!

I am new to welding. 18 years ago I bought a Lincoln AC225. I used it once and never touch it again because I thought it was too hard to learn.

I learned to use a 110v MIG. But it got stolen. I still have my Lincoln AC225.

I plan on welding for personal use on my hobby (sandrail, cars, trailers, anything on wheels, etc....)

1) Is it worth it to learn to stick weld with the machine I already have? or should I spend the money and buy TIG or 220v MIG?

Either way I chose, I still have to learn from scratch. If I can weld proficiently, I can find all kinds of project to do, including aluminum and stainless steel.

Thank you!

[MAC702]

Welp, this thread will be a lot easier if you tell us how much money you're willing to spend to do what you want.

You won't be doing aluminum with that machine, that's for sure, unless you hook it up to a high-frequency box for TIG.

A very popular choice will be the 240V MIG, like a Hobart Handler 187 or 210. Aluminum is made much easier with the spoolgun option, too. Both of these machines are top-notch, and the 210 model is one of the many machines in my stable.

Oh, and get some E6013 electrodes and learn how to use your AC Stick machine, no matter what.

[c57u]

Thanks.

I've search around and I have a good idea. I need to learn all of the method.

[RWC]

The Lincoln "tombstone" is a great little welder that is capable of quality steel welding, but for working on cars most people gravitate away from the stick machine. Migs are fast and Tigs are great for precision welding of many materials. If you can afford it look into those types of machines. I would hang onto the Lincoln since they don't bring much money, and they work well for many outdoor projects. Try to get a welding friend to get you started with it. If you have fresh dry electrodes you should be doing pretty well in a few days with a little guidance and a few hundred pounds of scrap metal.:D
Russ

[Goodhand]

As has been suggested... get a welder friend to give you pointers on that Lincoln. I found it extremely helpful when a welding instructor stood behind me and guided my electrode hand while showing me how to start and maintain the arc with the correct feed of the stick into the puddle. This method worked so well, it was almost like a direct programing of my brain. It definitely wired me for welding with stick. There are times when fabricating thick stuff that the tombstone pays off. My learning mig actually made my stick work easier (that doesn't sound quite right... unintended double entendre). :-)

[c57u]

I finally started to use my buzz box. I am making a welding table from Miller's Project. I am surprise my weld is turning ok. I think my table will hold together. I will post some pic when I am finish.

I read some where that I can convert AC stick to DC. Is it worth while to do so (money and time)?

[Sberry]

It isn't really worth the effort to convert. If you were in equipment repair then it would be worth it to trade welders or buy a new one. But,, there is 6011 and 7018 for AC that work very well so I would keep it around. They developed this class of wire feed that is so good and priced right that it is affordable to most anyone that really wants one, does what most need to do, buy a new 187, forget about the alloy work, its a steel world, deal with one thing at a time.

[kcstott]

I also have the AC225 I bought it for my father nearly twenty years ago. He never got around to using it and now it's mine once again.
I looked into buying all the part direct from lincoln to convert it to DC.
Here's the deal, Yes it can be done. No it's not worth it. It's like another $250 in parts and this buzzbox is only $250 new. so don't waste your time with it.
Like most other have already posted get a 240 volt mig 180 or 210 model and that will handle all your thin sheet metal tasks up to 1/4 or 5/16 inch depending on the model you choose. Then save the AC225 for the bigger stuff that requires less precision.
If and when you get around to it. Down the road you could get a tig machine like a Syncrowave 200 or a dynasty 200. both will run stick in dc which is much easier to control but they also have tig capability and with practice will produce great welds.
Welding is a progression in processes and skill and money.
The better you get at one process the more you will want to play around with the other stuff which means new machines.
Kerry

[c57u]

Thank you so much for the great advice. I will keep my AC225 and use it for heavy stuff.

The reason I asked for help is because I thought welding was not for me. Now that I commit myself to learning, I see an improvement.

I owe it all to people on this forum. Thanks to all of you for the motivation and information.

[Craig in Denver]

Focus on the puddle. Welding is all about puddle control, no matter what processes you chose. Sit close enough that you can see and focus on the puddle. When you're welding, your whole universe is a 2" diameter circle. Good luck. :)