Ac-180-s

[AlabamaJoe]

First, let me post my usual disclaimer - I am an amateur not a professional. I've had a little 120v Lincoln flux core welder for about 13 years and it has served me well for the miscellaneous (NON-STRUCTURAL!) welding tasks I have had.

I've always wanted something a little bigger and after reading through thousands of posts on WW for the past 13 years, I started looking for a Lincoln buzz box.

Well, my son found an AC-180-S for $125 on on FB. Based on what I had read, I knew these to be darn near indestructible. So, he bought it -



It is Code: 6294-906. I posted a message to the Lincoln Electric FB page and they (Lincoln) told me it appears to be from 1969 and is a copper machine.

Here's what the inside looks like -



From my inexperienced perspective, it seemed pretty clean.

We investigated power needs and installed a 220v outlet on a 40 amp breaker and also installed a new plug.

My son bought some 6011 and has been having fun trying to run consistent beads.

Based on more reading I have done on the WW, I think he should try 7014 next. Someone posted that 7014 was "smooth and easy to run" and that it is known as an "idiot rod" and almost runs itself!

The leads have some cracks and I plan to address those......but I do have a question. Where the leads exit the machine, the grommets are missing. Are these just regular grommets or do I need something special?

I plan to update this thread as we learn and have questions.

Thanks,

Joe

[Freebirdwelds]

It never had grommets. If you look close you'll see the metal edge is rolled. But you could use some if you wanted to.

[Sberry]

Skip the 14 and get 7018AC in 3/32 and 1/8.