Is this old arc anygood.

[steve238]

I got given this old arc welder the other day and was wondering if any of you could tell me how old it is and if it is any good??,and any other info that might be useful.
Hope these pictures work as i have not posted a picture on here before.

 

[steve238]

Another picture.

 

[steve238]

another.

 

[matt1978]

Its an oil cooled transformer, probably AC output. They work very well, nice smooth arc etc. Downside, they are not very good if you only have a 13amp supply and they obviously very heavy and not too portable.

If it doesn't work, it will be worth a few quid in scrap copper.

 

[Woody.v8]

I would of said that its like new, They don't make em like that anymore

 

[steve238]

I have put a 32 amp tripper in my consumer unit in the house and run some armoured cable down to my workshop were i have another consumer unit with a 32 amp tripper(just for my welders) and put a blue 16 amp plug on the welder.
My mate came round who is a good stick man and gave it a test and he welded some 8mm plate with some 4mm rods and he said it works very well,and sounds good too.
The welder has been sitting in my mates forge unused for years as he has loads of plant mostly 3 phase and he said he couldn't remember where he got it from but i was welcome to it.
When we tried it out it seemed to work fine straight away,which i was well pleased with as it hadn't been used for so many years.
I would be intrested in any other info people might have on this unit as it's good to get to know your tools.

 

[shenion]

Those old oil-type units basically never wear out

Maybe some one here cant mention about replacing the oil (or making sure it is full.) AFAIK, that will need changing from time to time.

Also curious what the 4th lug on the right is marked/used for.

 

[steve238]

I think that this unit can also be used as a battery charger?.
I don't know what for,maybe milkfloats my mate said?.
It has another plate with writing on that can only be seen in the first picture,i will have to go down the garage when i get time and see what it says on the plate.

 

[zzr1200]

Also curious what the 4th lug on the right is marked/used for.

Didn't some of the older sets have a terminal for "Carbon Arc", or is my old brain playing tricks on me....

 

[shenion]

Didn't some of the older sets have a terminal for "Carbon Arc", or is my old brain playing tricks on me....

That would be my guess

I also notice the work lead seems to be connected to the case.

 

[steve238]

You know your stuff zzr1200

 

[shenion]

No, your other right

 

[Wozzaaah]

Those machines are rubbish, they're only worth about a fiver, tell you what, I'll do you a favour and make it a tenner .
Only joking of course, that set looks a cracker and all the better since it was a freebie!
Curious thing is if you google 'Eutalloy' nearly all the results point to a thermal coating process developed by Castolin Eutectic

 

[mishka]

Same model as the Oxford or Pickhill Bantam - 180 Amps max, 50/80V OCV, AC only. Simple, reliable machines. Very heavy though

I think the variant you have has the optional battery charger terminal. If the model name ends in 'B' then its a single carbon brazing terminal.

A good place to research these welders is on eBay - they often come up for auction, and most sellers post good pictures of the controls and terminals.

 

[scarecrow]

Didn't some of the older sets have a terminal for "Carbon Arc", or is my old brain playing tricks on me....

I use to have an old Bantam Pickhill practically the same welder I burnt mine out using the battery charger so stay away from that change the oil if you have just bought it and check it every couple of years it should last you a lifetime