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Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Originally Posted by ronsii

And.... 50...60...70 years later they still work with a bit of TLC not like the disposable units of today - where after a year or three you just throw away all those resources(fuel, materials, time, etc..) that it took to make the disposable welder

I agree with you, today most technical products have a life of 3-5 years, and then buy a new one. Now it is the basis of business.

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Originally Posted by MilitiaMetals

Most of these old girls sip fuel, be lucky to use a gallon an hour on average welding

And.... 50...60...70 years later they still work with a bit of TLC not like the disposable units of today - where after a year or three you just throw away all those resources(fuel, materials, time, etc..) that it took to make the disposable welder

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Originally Posted by Steve_12

Studying such old products, it becomes clear that previously manufacturers were not burdened by the issue of economic consumption of fuel. The main thing is durability and quality. Now the priorities in manufacturing have changed. Probably, there are some positive and negative sides to it.

Most of these old girls sip fuel, be lucky to use a gallon an hour on average welding

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Studying such old products, it becomes clear that previously manufacturers were not burdened by the issue of economic consumption of fuel. The main thing is durability and quality. Now the priorities in manufacturing have changed. Probably, there are some positive and negative sides to it.

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

This place can repair it.

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Well the armature is shot in my starter, Can't find one in western Canada, let alone a starter! Have a few people on the hunt for me. In the meantime I guess it's back to the '45 Hobart.

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Originally Posted by John T

Well glad to hear you are outsourcing some work.

With all the old iron I was starting to wonder how you got any work done ...

Plus for $70 and parts, hard to say no to an expert rebuilding it, especially when you know the guy does quality work. Also I've never done a starter before

Re: Hobart GPB-257. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Lol truthfully my projects usually take longer than expected. These projects are my only real hobby other than varmint hunting. Some of the welders may not be worked on for a long time, I collect too. If it’s cheap and interesting I usually can’t resist picking them up!

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Originally Posted by MilitiaMetals

Pulled the starter, have sent it in for a rebuild. Should have it by the end of the week!

Well glad to hear you are outsourcing some work.

With all the old iron I was starting to wonder how you got any work done ...

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Pulled the starter, have sent it in for a rebuild. Should have it by the end of the week. Planning on retrofitting a GM 1 wire alternator as well. Have switched to a negative ground. Had hoped to hear the dang thing run, oh well, soon enough!

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Originally Posted by N2 Welding

Not that it should make much difference but I’m thinking mounted like that gives you longer sides on each side, could potentially offer less wind drag for a 1/2 mpg gain and maybe just maybe will make it more stable with the weight being centered. This is all just me thinking out loud on my random theories. Never mind me.

Before putting it on like this I was worried I wouldn't be able to reach the controls easily, I was pleasantly surprised, plenty comfortable. Yes the longer sides would be very beneficial!. I think it looks better like this too.

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Not that it should make much difference but I’m thinking mounted like that gives you longer sides on each side, could potentially offer less wind drag for a 1/2 mpg gain and maybe just maybe will make it more stable with the weight being centered. This is all just me thinking out loud on my random theories. Never mind me.

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Threw her on the War Rig so it's easier to work on.....and see what she looks like I'm torn on how I'll mount it when she's done, lengthways like this vs sideways directly over the rear diff.

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Originally Posted by N2 Welding

Looks good and complete this time less the side vented doors. Thumbs up.

It's a "pipeliner" didn't come with doors or electric start from the factory.

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Originally Posted by MilitiaMetals

Still alive and no castration either Up to 7 welders now.

Sometimes you have to get on your knees, grab a cheek in each hand and start kissing! End of the day you have your welders. Well played sir![emoji41]


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Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Looks good and complete this time less the side vented doors. Thumbs up.

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Tested it with 12v applied directly to the terminals without success. Pulled it apart and found the supply wiring shot and shorting, ran new wiring to the solenoid. Tested again and success! Just have to redo bushing on the operating rod and lever as it sticks a little.



Starter has given up, needs a rebuild, will send it away next week.

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Originally Posted by Sparkie1957

Check in tomorrow and let us know your wife’s reaction. That is, if your still alive. I love those old Hobart welders. Such style, my favorite is the 6 cyl Chrysler powered ones. I’ve only got one old 1966 SA200 [emoji3525]


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Still alive and no castration either Up to 7 welders now.

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

And definitely getting rid of that disgusting looking exhaust!

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Check in tomorrow and let us know your wife’s reaction. That is, if your still alive. I love those old Hobart welders. Such style, my favorite is the 6 cyl Chrysler powered ones. I’ve only got one old 1966 SA200 [emoji3525]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Went to fire her up, outta gas!

To do list:

Rebuild starter(slow, has a dead spot)
Replace lower rad hose
Pull rheostat and rebuild or replace
Build a gas tank (eventually )
Fix idle control

Idle control is not functioning, previous owners "bypassed" it with a tarp strap LOL

This system is just a "push and hold" solenoid, power is supplied via the welder, is it 12volts DC or 120v DC? I think it's faulty, looking to replace it or investigate further with tips/info from you experts as I'm out of my expertise in this particular area.



It's wired into this block with a coil around some type of core, what is it?



Anyone have schematics or information pertaining to this system.

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

On the way home!

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Well the guy with the grey one wants wayyyyy too much. I made a deal on the one that has the generator pulled off the engine.

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Interesting machines, especially the one with the generator turned 90 deg's. to the gas engine. Play dumb when someone comes looking for the gas tank for their boat.

Re: Antique Hobart GPB-257 with Willy's engine. I think I might be a Hobart-aholic.

Wife might castrate me, found 2 more Hobarts today lol