Old Arc v New Arc

These old Oxford/Cytringam type welders........any good? I mean in comparison to modern machines. Do we reckon a good Inverter type Arc would be the best? I have a Sip 210 buzzbox with a fan. It`s all I`ve used for about ten years so I don`t know if it`s any good or what. Iwould say the Arc wavers a bit compared to my little Inverter. Gonna get back into my stick welding........I think it`s my favourite.

Alex

Modern Inverters run MMA superbly, mainly due to the fact they put out DC current, but also because of electronic features such as 'Anti-Stick' & 'Hot-Start', BUT, and there's always a but! they won't last anything like as long as an old, oil-cooled Oxford machine.
Keep the Oxford top upped with (suitable) oil & they will last a lifetime (maybe why they went bust, cause once you bought one that was it for 30+ years!)
weldequip

yep ditto, oxfords will stil be here with the cockroaches, I have a couple of oil cooled that i think were used to build the tools that built the arc, Still i think inverters are the nuts and couldnt be without one my last was used lots and did 10 years, so for diy use id say that would be a lifetime of use.

In order of preference, in reverse order

Aircooled - difficult to start arc sometimes as the OCV tends to be a bit low - particularly on the hobby type ones - like mine, can be overcome by running at a slightly higher setting. Having said that I did weld up quite a lot of bits for the narrow boat I fitted out some years back.

Oil-cooled - Excellent, especially the old faithful Oxfords, only AC, but a nice stable arc, built like a tank. Can handle mucho plenty big rods - 4.0 mm easy. On the ship we could couple two of the sets together (somehow, don't ask 'cos I'm no electrician) and then run 6.0 mm rods - they kept your hands warm and the plate used to vibrate.

Inverter - Have been using a Kemppi Inverter for nearly a year now, lovely bit of kit, as it says on the outside of the case "The Joy of Welding" Portable, DC and has the TIG option as well - not that I have the extra bits - - - yet The one I use is limited to 3.25mm max. electrodes, but enough for most stuff.

My favourite has to be the Kemppi, the DC arc is so stable and being able to reverse the polarity is a real boon.

Only my opinion though

Ah - re: the two sets together thingy, it may have been that we could divide the one set we had and split it between for'd and aft, or just use it full on at one end of the ship only - sounds more likely.

Time for chai and bed, g'night

That`s all good info for me. Thanks guys. Cappy.I find that with my cheap Sip I sometimes have to turn power up to Arc and then adjust down and weld evenly.
Alex

We had an inverter where I used to work, it's main use was for repairing things where we couldn't get the 3ph kit due to weight.

A handy thing to have in the kit for those awkward spaces, but didn't really get much use.