Old Hobart Welder

[terexts]

I have a chance at a free Hobart welder. The model is GCC-310 and the serial is 16DW-15745. It has a Willys engine that would need a little work. The welder doesn't weld but no one has ever tried to find what the problem is with it. I'm just curious if the welder would be worth messing with? It's in good shape for its age. Any info on this machine would be awesome!

[gizzardgutz]

Those old Hobart welders were great machines. The people who owned them swore by them and the few I used were great. With that said, parts aren't easily had, unless you know someone that has one for parts or the machine requires a simple fix. This forum can tell you more:

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/

Good luck!

[duaneb55]

If it's free then there's really no need to ask. But then I just can never say no.:D

If you pick it up make sure to post some photos.:drinkup:

[terexts]

The welder use to weld fine I was told. Its just 3 miles away and I've known the guy for years. The welder has been sitting for awhile. If I could get the motor running, could the generator just need to be "flashed" if there are no wiring problems with it? I'll go pick it up since I'm very interested in this thing.

[terexts]

Well here's some pictures! I hope to get it home maybe tomorrow. It really needs to be cleaned up alot. The side panels are gone. Looks like maybe the fine adjustment knob is missing? The date on the spec plate said 1954!

[gizzardgutz]

I'd clean it up and get it running. If it won't weld after it's cleaned, I'd try flashing it for sure. You might be surprised and actually find a problem cleaning it too. Check that all connections a tight, brushes are in working shape and can work freely, etc. That looks like a worthwhile project, I've seen a lot worse brought back to life!

[terexts]

Great news! I found a manual for it! I got the welder home and will start working on it once I have the manual. While loading it up, I was talking to the guy I got it from, and he told me he just used it for the generator on the farm. After it had been sitting for awhile he went to use it and the generator wouldn't generate any power. Every wiring is factory and no one has messed with it. Wires say Hobart on them, lol. I'm going to clean everything up and work on getting the motor ready to start. Hopefully cleaning up everything isn't too hard, since I don't have much experience with welders. The motor doesn't worry me since I have experience with gas engines and rebuilding them.

[jkh23046]

Looks close to the one I own I believe mine is 1952 model .
I have owned it since 1978 and great machine.
Can set for months and always starts right up.
Only time it failed to weld was after setting outside about two years and brushes were stuck.
A little WD-40 and tapping they freed up easy and back to welding.
Now I start and weld something every few months and have had no problems.
The willis motor is great when parts are needed usally on shelf at auto parts store.
If it gets hard to start it usally needs a resetting of point gap and starts great.
Only draw back is my generator end is DC only but I usally have AC close by.
Not the newest or best machine out there but works for me.

[duaneb55]

Yup. Wouldn't have had to ask me twice if I wanted it for free!

Should make a nice project. Keep us posted.:drinkup:

[specter]

:drinkup:Oh Yeah Free.

Those old Hobart's were pretty straight forward for being easy to operate and repair.

By the looks of it a good clean up would be 1st on list. Especially making sure the mice haven't made a home some where on that welder. Also cleanup the fuel system, carb, plug, etc.

Hope to hear you got it up and running.

[terexts]

Update on the progress. Motor looks to be in good shape. I took the cylinder head off to see what the cylinder walls and valves looked like. I'm taking the oil pan off tomorrow and making sure the bottom end is ok. I've cleaned up the ignition parts and hope to get it running soon. I still have to flush the radiator a little more. I've never seen a radiator built like this! They sure built things to last many lifetimes years ago. This is by far the oldest machine I've worked on. The motor is a 1948 model L-head Willys.

I'll keep updating as I go.

[Dr.D]

I have a similar welder. I got it from a guy who's father passed away. If I didn't buy it , it was going to the scrap yard. Hadn't been run in two years. I Got it home change the oil ,cleaned the carb,put fresh gas and a battery in, she started right up. Purred like a kitty cat, but wouldn't weld. I let it run for about 10-15 min. and tried strike an arc again, still nothing.Tried a couple more times them I started to get some arc,now she welds fine. Great machine.
Dr.D

[terexts]

I received the manual for the welder today. I got the motor put back together and radiator flushed. I just need to clean the carb. I need to take the cover off around the generator and make sure no debris is in there.

The generator rating for the welder: C.V. 30 volts, 300 amps, 9KW, 100 percent duty cycle; C.C. 40 volts, 200 amps, 8KW, 60 percent duty cycle.

How might that compare to say a Lincoln SA-200?

[gbrett]

My dad had one just like that at his rock pit we burned a lot of rod with that old Hobart. Great welder nice smooth arc. Then one day it just quit welding took it to a repair guy he said it wasn't worth fixing.

[ccawgc]

When a shop says it is not worth fixing. Make sure he doesn't just want to sell you a new machine, because you brought in a real old one. We only recommend not repairing when the price of repair hits about 60% of a new machine. Or we know the part is not available to us. It can cost a lot for a service shop to internet search for used part. My company won't let us use second hand parts. Ask why they do not want to fix it and what is wrong with it. See if you agree.