Antique welder

[Hawk321]

I have aquired this antique welder and I was wondering if anyone knows anything about it? Kinda nervous to plug it in and try it out.

[Oldiron2]

Patent US1636266A

Inventor
James W Wilkinson

Worldwide applications
1925 US

Application US27762A events
1925-05-04
Application filed by James W Wilkinson
1925-05-04
Priority to US27762A
1927-07-19
Application granted
1927-07-19
Publication of US1636266A
1944-07-19
Anticipated expiration
Status
Expired - Lifetime

...


Description
July 19 1927.
J. WQWILKINSON ELECTRIC WELDING APPLIANCE Filed' May 4' 1925 Jive/7102',
Patented July 19, 1927.
UNITED STATES.
JAM 38W. WILKINSON, OF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS.
ELECTRIC WELDING APPLIANCE.
...

This invention relates to electric welding apparatus and has for one of its objects to produce a pair of coils, comprising an inductive resistance, said coils being so arranged in series in an alternating current circuit as to be variable to produce any desired reactance for welding purposes, and each of the lead lines from the source of alternating current energy being connected to oneof said coils so that upon change inthe direction of the current, it will pass through a coil before attaining the work or electrode respectively. By this means, that is passing the current through a resistance before it reaches the work, the voltage is lowered regardle'ss of the direction of flow of the current and splashing is avoided due to the fact that the voltage is under steady control for the production of an even arc.
Another object is to roduce means operated by the ma netic e ect of the reactor for the agitation o a cooling medium surroundng the coils. A still further object is to produce automatic means for the interruption of the welding circuit upon the breaking or inter-' ruption of an auxiliary or shunt signal circult.
A still further object is to produce a strong, durable and efiicient apparatus of. the character mentioned, and in order that it may be fully understood, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which: I
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a reactor embodying the invention .and equipped with fluid agitators. [sic]
Figure 2 is a section on the line IIII of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a section taken through the reactance coils to show...
-------------------------------
The above from Here

Considering its age, I'd suggest carefully cleaning the outside, opening it up, and looking at the conditions inside. Blow out loose dirt, check condition of insulation, look for loose connections and damage anything in the process; it may have greater value as a historic piece than for its ability to weld.

I wonder what the larger hole on the front lower right was for?

[Lis2323]

Cool. It's yours to do as you please but my vote would be to just clean it up a bit and don't bother plugging it in.

Maybe disconnect the power cord so that no one else is tempted to do so.

As oldiron mentioned it probably has more value as a historic piece than its use as a welding machine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Willie B]

Patent US1636266A

Inventor
James W Wilkinson

Worldwide applications
1925 US

Application US27762A events
1925-05-04
Application filed by James W Wilkinson
1925-05-04
Priority to US27762A
1927-07-19
Application granted
1927-07-19
Publication of US1636266A
1944-07-19
Anticipated expiration
Status
Expired - Lifetime

...


Description
July 19 1927.
J. WQWILKINSON ELECTRIC WELDING APPLIANCE Filed' May 4' 1925 Jive/7102',
Patented July 19, 1927.
UNITED STATES.
JAM 38W. WILKINSON, OF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS.
ELECTRIC WELDING APPLIANCE.
...

This invention relates to electric welding apparatus and has for one of its objects to produce a pair of coils, comprising an inductive resistance, said coils being so arranged in series in an alternating current circuit as to be variable to produce any desired reactance for welding purposes, and each of the lead lines from the source of alternating current energy being connected to oneof said coils so that upon change inthe direction of the current, it will pass through a coil before attaining the work or electrode respectively. By this means, that is passing the current through a resistance before it reaches the work, the voltage is lowered regardle'ss of the direction of flow of the current and splashing is avoided due to the fact that the voltage is under steady control for the production of an even arc.
Another object is to roduce means operated by the ma netic e ect of the reactor for the agitation o a cooling medium surroundng the coils. A still further object is to produce automatic means for the interruption of the welding circuit upon the breaking or inter-' ruption of an auxiliary or shunt signal circult.
A still further object is to produce a strong, durable and efiicient apparatus of. the character mentioned, and in order that it may be fully understood, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which: I
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a reactor embodying the invention .and equipped with fluid agitators. [sic]
Figure 2 is a section on the line IIII of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a section taken through the reactance coils to show...
-------------------------------
The above from Here

Considering its age, I'd suggest carefully cleaning the outside, opening it up, and looking at the conditions inside. Blow out loose dirt, check condition of insulation, look for loose connections and damage anything in the process; it may have greater value as a historic piece than for its ability to weld.

I wonder what the larger hole on the front lower right was for?

You mention a cooling medium. Is it full of Askarel? Carcinogenic oil once used as a coolant in transformers.

[Oldiron2]

You mention a cooling medium. Is it full of Askarel? Carcinogenic oil once used as a coolant in transformers.

I didn't say it, the patent application did. Keep in mind that online information like this is often from scanning old documents with word recognition software, so errors often get introduced due to poor quality of the microfilm, the paper, or whatever. Also, the patent applications often contain lots of detail about ideas that are never implemented. Even sales documentation isn't always accurate, as production details can change. That said, your specific warning (as well as general warnings when examining anything unknown) should be heeded. I would like to see what the inside of the main box shows, but would generally recommend against trying to disassemble transformers, tightly-sealed internal boxes, components like selenium or silicon rectifiers (if working), even some tight connections or to stiff wiring, etc.
I wonder when PCB's were first used as a cooling medium?

[Denis G]

I wouldn't touch that with a ten-foot pole:
https://www.hazardouswasteexperts.co...r-end-of-life/

[NotaVegetarian]

That cool. You going to put it on display

[smithdoor]

Looks great 👍

Dave

I have aquired this antique welder and I was wondering if anyone knows anything about it? Kinda nervous to plug it in and try it out.

[Hawk321]

That cool. You going to put it on display

I'm not going to use this, I was more curious if anyone knew if it had any value? I'm sure the right collector would like it

[Hawk321]

I'm not going to plug it in, too old for me too trust. I was wondering if it had any value? Maybe the right collector would like it

[Lis2323]

I'm not going to plug it in, too old for me too trust. I was wondering if it had any value? Maybe the right collector would like it

Maybe a hazmat depot…


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Denis G]

Free legal advice:
https://www.freeadvice.com/legal/cle...cla-liability/

[smithdoor]

Your worrying about transformer oil.
The welder was made before transformer oil .
Welding has more problems than transformer oil 🛢

Dave

Free legal advice:
https://www.freeadvice.com/legal/cle...cla-liability/

[52 Ford]

I wonder what the larger hole on the front lower right was for?

My guess is that is where the on/off switch went.

Sent from my Lincoln Buzzbox using Tapatalk

[Sberry]

If a guy was to hook it make sure its grounded.

[52 Ford]

If a guy was to hook it make sure its grounded.

Absolutely.

I wouldn't send power to it unless I took it apart and checked the transformer for shorts and inspecting all of the insulation on the wiring.

Wouldn't be a bad idea to wear heavy rubber gloves if you touch it when it's energized.

Sent from my Lincoln Buzzbox using Tapatalk

[Willie B]

I didn't say it, the patent application did. Keep in mind that online information like this is often from scanning old documents with word recognition software, so errors often get introduced due to poor quality of the microfilm, the paper, or whatever. Also, the patent applications often contain lots of detail about ideas that are never implemented. Even sales documentation isn't always accurate, as production details can change. That said, your specific warning (as well as general warnings when examining anything unknown) should be heeded. I would like to see what the inside of the main box shows, but would generally recommend against trying to disassemble transformers, tightly-sealed internal boxes, components like selenium or silicon rectifiers (if working), even some tight connections or to stiff wiring, etc.
I wonder when PCB's were first used as a cooling medium?

I don't know when they were first used. By 1974 Askarel was a thing of the past & young electricians were being cautioned about its hazard.

[CAVEMANN]

Your worrying about transformer oil.
The welder was made before transformer oil .
Welding has more problems than transformer oil ��

Dave

The info I found said transformer oils were first used in 1929. I would be EXTREMELY CAREFUL about using compressed air also, it may be full of asbestos insulation like my old MID STATES machine, I had to open it up because of a switch problem & thought why not blow it out good while I have it ope, it got about 30 seconds of air before I saw what I had, shut it down & left the dirt.

[smithdoor]

It is a fire retarded add to oil .
It would have been great in the M4 tank.

The oil was used everywhere like cutting oil you used for drilling and threading.

It is very safe in side a transformer.
It was used mush until 1950's

Dave

The info I found said transformer oils were first used in 1929. I would be EXTREMELY CAREFUL about using compressed air also, it may be full of asbestos insulation like my old MID STATES machine, I had to open it up because of a switch problem & thought why not blow it out good while I have it ope, it got about 30 seconds of air before I saw what I had, shut it down & left the dirt.

[Denis G]

The info I found said transformer oils were first used in 1929. I would be EXTREMELY CAREFUL about using compressed air also, it may be full of asbestos insulation like my old MID STATES machine, I had to open it up because of a switch problem & thought why not blow it out good while I have it ope, it got about 30 seconds of air before I saw what I had, shut it down & left the dirt.

I wouldn't want that thing on my property. Although garage fires are rare, if that thing burned in one, you would kiss everything you own goodbye. I don't see any air vents on it, so the likelihood it uses PCBs for cooling is very high. (Edit: The transformer could also just be filled with tar insulation, but for me the risk outweighs any benefit of ownership.)

[smithdoor]

Odds are the transformer hanging on pole has that oil too.
Maybe your AC or drill press and list goes on.

Dave

I wouldn't want that thing on my property. Although garage fires are rare, if that thing burned in one, you would kiss everything you own goodbye. I don't see any air vents on it, so the likelihood it uses PCBs for cooling is very high. (Edit: The transformer could also just be filled with tar insulation, but for me the risk outweighs any benefit of ownership.)

[Oldiron2]

I wouldn't want that thing on my property. Although garage fires are rare, if that thing burned in one, you would kiss everything you own goodbye. I don't see any air vents on it, so the likelihood it uses PCBs for cooling is very high. (Edit: The transformer could also just be filled with tar insulation, but for me the risk outweighs any benefit of ownership.)

Having something like that in storage or on display would cause no problem so long as it wasn't plugged in. It can't self-combust on its own, as oily rags can. The risk from "hazardous materials" and ""dangerous equipment", although sometimes real, can be grossly exaggerated. One needs to know what he has and understand the situation, whether it be concerning something like this, or a machine like a lathe, or something more common such as an automobile, the foods he eats and drinks, or the other compounds (e.g. drugs) he ingests. Those common ones, particularly the cars, alcohol and drugs, have killed and maimed far more people then old welding equipment.

[smithdoor]

The PCB activities was everything from 1950's to the 1990's.
Most do not think of thread cutting oil having PCB in the oil. But one first places they put PCB in.

It is probably like Roundup a lot of smoke for law suits.
What is far worse in Lead gasoline

Dave

Having something like that in storage or on display would cause no problem so long as it wasn't plugged in. It can't self-combust on its own, as oily rags can. The risk from "hazardous materials" and ""dangerous equipment", although sometimes real, can be grossly exaggerated. One needs to know what he has and understand the situation, whether it be concerning something like this, or a machine like a lathe, or something more common such as an automobile, the foods he eats and drinks, or the other compounds (e.g. drugs) he ingests. Those common ones, particularly the cars, alcohol and drugs, have killed and maimed far more people then old welding equipment.

[tapwelder]

Pretty sure disposal is the biggest issue if PCB insulating oils is inside. As long as it stays inside it is alright. If it get on the ground, shovel it up and pay to have it disposed of properly. Surely fire is a nonfactor. Those insulating oils are tested at several thousand volts.

I still would have no use for it.

[Denis G]

Having something like that in storage or on display would cause no problem so long as it wasn't plugged in. It can't self-combust on its own, as oily rags can. The risk from "hazardous materials" and ""dangerous equipment", although sometimes real, can be grossly exaggerated. One needs to know what he has and understand the situation, whether it be concerning something like this, or a machine like a lathe, or something more common such as an automobile, the foods he eats and drinks, or the other compounds (e.g. drugs) he ingests. Those common ones, particularly the cars, alcohol and drugs, have killed and maimed far more people then old welding equipment.

I wasn't saying it might cause a fire, but if you had it in your garage and your garage went up in flames (for whatever reason), then the cost of cleanup from PCB-contamination could financially wipe you out if that was discovered. Maybe I'm superstitious, but that thing looks like bad mojo.