Lincoln 225 ?????

[JFJ]

Question:: Would the all tooo popular lincoln 225 amp 220v welder be suitiable be for welding trailers, hitches, and maybe even frame or tractor frame work... I been welding for about 6 months with harborfrieght 110 welder. I know its not suitiable for heavy welding so im looking to upgrade soon, would this welder be suitiable or should I start looking for one maybe bigger of industrail generator size...

thanks to all for help....

[moneymaker17]

that 225 is great.
i weld all the time with heavy metal at my buddys setup with it. i think it would be good enough.
but dont go by my awnser go by more experienced people

[duaneb55]

Welcome to the forum JFJ and the Lincoln 225 'buzzbox' has melted more metal together than you can imagine. Many of us struck our first arc with one. The AC only machine is a good unit but you may want to consider spending just a little more on the AC/DC version for a little more versatility as you progress in your skills. Lots or good used units out there for a good price.

[Rugar]

Look on http://craigslist.org for a used one. I see a new one listed nearly every day.

[thermalfusioneng.]

Yep ac/dc unit definitely a good buy. Just think keep your eyes peeled for a high freq unit from lincoln and turn that unit into a ac aluminum tig welder.

[DSW]

Originally Posted by JFJ

Question:: Would the all tooo popular lincoln 225 amp 220v welder be suitiable be for welding trailers, hitches, and maybe even frame or tractor frame work... I been welding for about 6 months with harborfrieght 110 welder.....

The machine is certainly capable, the big question would be if you are. None of the stuff you mentioned are beginner level projects. Most would fall under what many would consider "advanced", simply because the safety of others is literally riding on the quality of your welds. Most people self taught on stick, make poor welds for a very long time, especially out of position welds. With projects like trailers and hitches you have to be able to make solid full penetration welds in any position EVERY TIME.

If you haven't already, I'd suggest you look into taking a class at a local tech school or community college. If you apply yourself, you will more than pay for the class in just the rod, materials and electric you use. You will learn faster with someone who knows what to look for assisting you and usually they have solid repeatable ways for you to test you skills so you really know just how good your welds are as you progress. After that it's practice, practice, practice... Expect to go thru over 100 lbs of rod minimum before you even begin to get good. I suggest the class over just practice, because burning hundreds of pounds of rod won't do you much good if you just do it wrong over and over...


As said the AC/DC machines give you more room to grow in the future, but the plain AC machines can often be had for $75-125 used in good condition. These machines are tanks and there's seldom much to go wrong with them. There's also a lot of big older industrial machines used out on the market right now as well. Most "tig" power sources will stick beautifully. You can often find units like Miller 330 A/BP's and such for $500 and up, that really give you options for the future. The down side is they are huge heavy machines that need as much as 100 amps of 220v power to run. Several here have picked up sweet industrial machines cheap.

[Rbeckett]

As DSW so clearly put, training is the key. The welder you suggest is capable fo doing the job, but are you 100% sure of exactly what your weld is doing. If a weld fails will it injure or kill somebody... I have a sign in my shop that asks me to consider what the results of my actions are and I refer to it frequently. I have "burned" metal a day or two and have discovered how lucky I and the rest of the world really are. Invest in some training, and practice good solid fundamental welding practices before you offer your services commercially, it could cost you everything you own if one of" those" lawyers ever gets a chance to question your ability. Dont take what I am offering as a put down, cause I think anybody can be taught to weld properly and produce good stuff, but they should invest in education to insure they are meeting the publics expectations, and protect there families from lawyers if that issue ever arises.

[Hammerwelder]

DSW and Rb have it all right. the machine will do everything you need it to do, but you have to be able to do it as well. any time you build something for someone else, even if you dont get paid, you set yourself up for a lawsuit. you have got to make sure that EVERY weld is quality. even the edges of the steel you use has to be ground down so no one gets cut, even something small like that will get you sued. just make sure everything is right so you dont set yourself up for a lawsuit or the death of someone. a few years ago here in Michigan, a guy who thought he knew what he was doing made a trailer, a weld failed and the trailer which was loaded down with a few 4 wheelers broke free from the truck, croosed the center line and smashed into a van with a mom and 3 kids. one of the kids lived but was burned from head to toe. this is what i think of every time i weld ANYTHING. i dont care if its an art peice that will sit in someones front yard. the only thing i remember about the guy who made the trailer is that he was self taught, welded on the farm for years, and dont have a farm anymore!!!!!

[JFJ]

Originally Posted by moneymaker17

that 225 is great.
i weld all the time with heavy metal at my buddys setup with it. i think it would be good enough.
but dont go by my awnser go by more experienced people

Thanks for the reply, and for your not as experienced answer, all input is a help.thanks..

[JFJ]

Originally Posted by duaneb55

Welcome to the forum JFJ and the Lincoln 225 'buzzbox' has melted more metal together than you can imagine. Many of us struck our first arc with one. The AC only machine is a good unit but you may want to consider spending just a little more on the AC/DC version for a little more versatility as you progress in your skills. Lots or good used units out there for a good price.

Thanks Man, I've been looking at some on Craigslist, and also been thinking of buying one new, I thought they would be alot more expensive than like 270 brand new....

[JFJ]

Originally Posted by Rugar

Look on http://craigslist.org for a used one. I see a new one listed nearly every day.

I have been keeping my eye on them thanks...

[JFJ]

Originally Posted by thermalfusioneng.

Yep ac/dc unit definitely a good buy. Just think keep your eyes peeled for a high freq unit from lincoln and turn that unit into a ac aluminum tig welder.

I haven't yet got much into the aluminum or tig part of welding but that would be something to upgrade to. Plus I love the look of tig welds.

[JFJ]

Originally Posted by DSW

The machine is certainly capable, the big question would be if you are. None of the stuff you mentioned are beginner level projects. Most would fall under what many would consider "advanced", simply because the safety of others is literally riding on the quality of your welds. Most people self taught on stick, make poor welds for a very long time, especially out of position welds. With projects like trailers and hitches you have to be able to make solid full penetration welds in any position EVERY TIME.

If you haven't already, I'd suggest you look into taking a class at a local tech school or community college. If you apply yourself, you will more than pay for the class in just the rod, materials and electric you use. You will learn faster with someone who knows what to look for assisting you and usually they have solid repeatable ways for you to test you skills so you really know just how good your welds are as you progress. After that it's practice, practice, practice... Expect to go thru over 100 lbs of rod minimum before you even begin to get good. I suggest the class over just practice, because burning hundreds of pounds of rod won't do you much good if you just do it wrong over and over...


As said the AC/DC machines give you more room to grow in the future, but the plain AC machines can often be had for $75-125 used in good condition. These machines are tanks and there's seldom much to go wrong with them. There's also a lot of big older industrial machines used out on the market right now as well. Most "tig" power sources will stick beautifully. You can often find units like Miller 330 A/BP's and such for $500 and up, that really give you options for the future. The down side is they are huge heavy machines that need as much as 100 amps of 220v power to run. Several here have picked up sweet industrial machines cheap.

Thanks for your reply, Im glad to see people in the industry that care a welfare and longevity, and beleive me it at the top of my list also. And your right those aren't beginner level projects for two reasons. One I want the next welder to last and be able to handle my future projects, I don't to keep upgrading the bigger my projects get. Second I want to start setting my sights on a welder that has the ability to to do the projects, I dont want to guess if my welder can actually welds throuh the metal just because the label say it.

And also I do plan on taking claases to help me become more skillful at a community college. I starting my welding when I got my HF welder and started to weld practice peices and then used a sledge hammer and alot of leverage to try and break, bend,or crack my welds. After a winter of that I have learned to recongize a strong weld vs on that I got no penentration or when wire feed was to quick to heat the metal good enough, I check for discoloration and if there any trace of the weld on the opposite side also.

I haven't done any serious welding yet except for a gate to my horse trailer, the weld didnt invlove and any structual support and didnt nvolve the weight of holding the gate to the trailer. It replaced a support that keeps the wood from falling between the center of the square gate, I will post pics and send you a message to the post, I could use the advice but as said i know the limitaions of me and my welder so im loking for the next step...

I must say I am not even close to expert and I respect my boundaries.And BIG thanks for the reply....

[JFJ]

Originally Posted by Rbeckett

As DSW so clearly put, training is the key. The welder you suggest is capable fo doing the job, but are you 100% sure of exactly what your weld is doing. If a weld fails will it injure or kill somebody... I have a sign in my shop that asks me to consider what the results of my actions are and I refer to it frequently. I have "burned" metal a day or two and have discovered how lucky I and the rest of the world really are. Invest in some training, and practice good solid fundamental welding practices before you offer your services commercially, it could cost you everything you own if one of" those" lawyers ever gets a chance to question your ability. Dont take what I am offering as a put down, cause I think anybody can be taught to weld properly and produce good stuff, but they should invest in education to insure they are meeting the publics expectations, and protect there families from lawyers if that issue ever arises.

Thanks Man, I'm not any ofthis from anybody as a put down, honestly I'm 18 and the first person in my family to really become intrested in welding or horses or others stuff that im involved in, so im learning this all on my own, I don't just call dad when I need help in the garage with something. And yes I do plan on taking classes for welding in the fall, none were offered over the summer. Also I'm not working on anyone else project either, just personal stuff. But I thank you for the heads up I do plan on being cautious when come to any thing that could hurt another ever with my own belongings.

[JFJ]

Originally Posted by Hammerwelder

DSW and Rb have it all right. the machine will do everything you need it to do, but you have to be able to do it as well. any time you build something for someone else, even if you dont get paid, you set yourself up for a lawsuit. you have got to make sure that EVERY weld is quality. even the edges of the steel you use has to be ground down so no one gets cut, even something small like that will get you sued. just make sure everything is right so you dont set yourself up for a lawsuit or the death of someone. a few years ago here in Michigan, a guy who thought he knew what he was doing made a trailer, a weld failed and the trailer which was loaded down with a few 4 wheelers broke free from the truck, croosed the center line and smashed into a van with a mom and 3 kids. one of the kids lived but was burned from head to toe. this is what i think of every time i weld ANYTHING. i dont care if its an art peice that will sit in someones front yard. the only thing i remember about the guy who made the trailer is that he was self taught, welded on the farm for years, and dont have a farm anymore!!!!!

Thanks for the reply, I read some of the worst/scariest stories on here that involved irresponsible people I do take your advise very seriously, I personally am in it for the long haul not jus fora quick buck or to save moneyon a couple of projects. Done a whole alot of practing also just welding and then breaking those welds just to educate myself, and as mention Ive on done one real weld project that list in the reply of DSW I believe, I plan on psoing the link to the pictures ong this post once i upload them. But I thank you for the advice and look forrward to learning....Thanks man..

[snoeproe]

Originally Posted by thermalfusioneng.

Yep ac/dc unit definitely a good buy. Just think keep your eyes peeled for a high freq unit from lincoln and turn that unit into a ac aluminum tig welder.

The AC 225 is not the machine to use with the high frequency tig add on unit. The Tig modual or high frequency box needs more power and requires a powersource like an Idealarc. Not the 225/125 buzzbox.

[Hammerwelder]

i see what your saying for future projects and capabilitys. everyone knows that you havnt been properly trained yet because if you were you would know what kind of amps and machine it would take to do a job and weld on certain material, thats why we all keyed in on the safty aspect of it all. i still have my 225 that was my grandfathers. after he passed my dad got it and just had it in the garage. when i started welding school i asked if i could have it. i practiced every day with that thing while i was in school. lucky for me the guys that lived next door was a retired boilermaker and showed me alot of stuff while working with it at home. so i am all for you getting a machine like this and practicing your *** off, before, and during your attenance to a welding school. a welding school or an OTJ training like pipe fitters or iron workers is the only way to go if you want to be a real welder. one who knows that welding is alot more complicated then just laying rod and melting metal. i never thought there was so much to welding. its all about science, physics, and metalurgy. and without taking classes you wont know this stuff and you'll have to get on here or another forum and ask what to use to weld different materials and hope to hell your getting the right anwser. so weld your a$$ off and go to school before you take on something that might bite you in the ***. hope i didnt come off sounding like a jackhole, but i'm just looking out for you. i'm sure you'll do the same for someone in the future. Hammer