Trindle super industrial welder

[Shootymacshootface]

I just got this welder. It was almost free! I haven't stick welded in years. Its nice to have a backup to my mig welder. It is very basic, not even an on off switch.
Do these old welders put out ac or dc voltage? I really want to try my hand at welding aluminum with it.

 

[MrWhoopee]

Pretty sure they're AC, just like the basic Lincoln tombstone. Unadorned transformer.

 

[Shootymacshootface]

Pretty sure they're AC, just like the basic Lincoln tombstone. Unadorned transformer.

Aww, so that would mean no aluminum with this welder?

 

[NortonDommi]

AC. Here is a link about it https://app.aws.org/forum/topic_show.pl?tid=8501. You need special rods for Aluminium and forget about light stuff. Heavy section only.
Nice looking welder though, very handy.

 

[markba633csi]

Looks like ac only even though it says plus/minus- 125 amps max so a pretty light duty machine. Useful to about 1/4" steel
Run it on 240 volts for best results
-Mark

 

[Shootymacshootface]

240v for sure. It had a dryer plug on it. I already changed it to a welder plug. Just have to test it now.

 

[Shootymacshootface]

I wonder, since this machine has no on/off switch, or any controls whatsoever, if this machine could be left plugged in and be completely inactive until an arc is struck.

 

[Lo-Fi]

You're always going to get some losses in the primary winding even if there's no circuit on the secondary. It'll just burn power for no good reason. Also a bit of a liability should it manage to short itself somehow.

Pop a voltmeter on the output, it'll soon tell you for sure what the deal is.

 

[FOMOGO]

Just put a disconnect right before the wall plug. Nice little piece of history, Super actually. Mike

 

[Shootymacshootface]

So, I have poking around on the internet, and have discovered that a dc conversion can easily be done by using a bridge rectifier. I just have to make sure that it is rated for my welders output amperage.
Has anyone done one of these conversions? And, how does it work? I know that it would improve welding in general, but what of aluminum?