Oilcooled

[MM6CMC]

So, over the past few weeks I've got quite into stick welding - to the extent that I think I'd get more use from one than from buying a MIG (still no garage...)

I like the look of these old oilcooled welders - looks like quality kit compared to inverters with plastic knobs and all. Whats the script? Are oil cooled machines hard to find/maintain/use/service? Any advice appreciated....

 

[MrFluffy]

Big downside!, theyre hefty old lumps to drag about...
I have to unload a hobart 275 thats been living in the back of the van for a few weeks because I couldnt be bothered dragging it out, but now I need to use the van. And its got its own wheels with handles etc!

Even the little oxfords are weighty...

Never owned a inverter set of any description to compare how they weld, just know they do what I need them to do well.

 

[Pete.]

Strange this thread should come up as I've just been given an oil-cooled welder. It's about 1/3 the size of an Oxford and a lot lighter, has four terminals for voltage selection.

 

[madkayaker]

oil cooled (providing they work) do what they say on the tin but not portable! current draw i higher than an inverter but a lot cheaper and they can be used as a security feature in the garage just chain any small and portable stuff to the big lump. I have a big old air cooled and its duty cycle is longer than my brew cycle

 

[brightspark]

i have the pickhill bantam 180a oilcooled welder. its over 30 years old now. pickhill made the oxford welder as well. if u can get a good one for less than 120 quid u will be doing well

 

[madkayaker]

if you get one check the oil level and check for water in the oil as both can be a problem

 

[Omniata]

oil cooled (providing they work) do what they say on the tin but not portable! current draw i higher than an inverter but a lot cheaper and they can be used as a security feature in the garage just chain any small and portable stuff to the big lump. I have a big old air cooled and its duty cycle is longer than my brew cycle

I'll definitely agree with both those points...

I've got an Olympic HD250...
Cracking welder but damned heavy, nearly 175Kgs!!!
Mines got solid metal wheels and it needs them

My genny and chainsaw are both chained to it at the minute, anyone tries nicking stuff out of my garage and they'll probably break into tears seeing the two lumps right in the door way

 

[madkayaker]

I'll definitely agree with both those points...

I've got an Olympic HD250...
Cracking welder but damned heavy, nearly 175Kgs!!!
Mines got solid metal wheels and it needs them

My genny and chainsaw are both chained to it at the minute, anyone tries nicking stuff out of my garage and they'll probably break into tears seeing the two lumps right in the door way

have the marks worn off the patio yet from last time we dragged it across

 

[oilcooled :)]

i have 2, one i bought reconditioned over 2 years ago, it must be 30 years old prior to be reconditoned, never lets me down, battery charger and booster on mine. the other one is identical only bought new in 1973 by the grandfather, two identical pickhill bantams. keep them dry from water and they will go for ever

 

[Charred fingers]

I agree with everyone they dogs doodahs in terms reliability and duty cycle, the only downside for you with no garage would be lugging it in and out of your house/shed to use it. You also need a hefty power supply, Brightspark should keep you right in that respect

 

[JayRS4]

Oi, Om, quit your whining, that oxford is perfectly possible, we lifted it out of the car easy enough didnt we. You must have been feeding it too, it was only 166kgs before.

 

[Omniata]

hehe

It's not that easy if your in a hurry and it's chained to everything else haha...

Not whining really, I prefer solidly built stuff. No fear of it falling apart

 

[shenion]

What a bunch of whiners, my air cooled is 340kg

 

[oilcooled :)]

i dont think its fair to put the welder down cause of its weight at the end of the day its primary function is to weld which it does a mint job at, not over hear like them crappy air cooleds, infact that electroweld machine id say its first and primary function is to fall over second to overheat third to weld and last to burn out, portability isnt every thing, get long leads and leave it in car, van or shed

 

[NigelAylesbury]

I bought one off ebay for £60, a very old Cytringan. and it must weigh 150kg minmium. Just like this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/180amp-oil-fi...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item2a05157074
Apart from one of the teminals breaking first time of use, it works fine.
don't use cheap stick rods, totally false economy.
if you have to change the oil in them it isn't cheap - We just happen to have a full drum at work with the highest spec transformer oil known in it. Oh dear!

 

[MM6CMC]

So, an Oxford or similar won't run off an extension cable from the kitchen then???

 

[madkayaker]

nope not at any current

 

[Debs.]

......don't use cheap stick rods, totally false economy.......

Absolutely agreed; I started off with 5Kg. of rods from a well-known trade catalogue and they were utter rubbish.....the second lot; bought from a welding-supply for (only) a few £`s more, were so much easier to use and gave consistently better welds.

I love my 60 year-old Quasi-Arc 200Amp. static set; built to last and smooth and easy to use....and there are bargains out there: one version (and in good working order) sold recently on Ebay for an incredible .99p!

 

[magnet]

oil cooled

I have an olympic oil cooled set and would not be without it.With its long duty cycle and its build quality it puts the cheap imported stuff well and truly in the shade.If you see one my advice would be buy it!

 

[brightspark]

i have the 180 amp pickhill oilcooled stick welder. if i get time il do a load test on it . inrush current on start up. then input current at each amperage