Testing stick welders

[cheb]

I've three stick welders that I'd like to test to a reasonable level before I give them away*. At least two will arc from the rod holder to a workpiece using a length of metal coat hanger**.

Is it the case that if they will arc then they are fully working or do I need further tests? If yes then what more should I do? I will do some test welds with proper rods.

*A Ferm (made by Telwin), a small red one the maker's name I can't bring to mind, it ends in 'e', and a Clarke 260TE. Nothing exciting.

** I didn't want to spend two hours fetching some proper rods when triaging*** them, working or nor working was all I needed to know for storage reasons.

***Being as there's only two options, should that be biaging?****

****Will these footnotes ever stop?

 

[gaz1]

when i tested mine i set it too the lowest setting and arced the rod

then i went through each switch to test each of the switch settings to make sure each setting arced thats on amps side of it not via the power switch settings as that was fixed for me at 240v

 

[voipio]

If they're simple stick welders, then being able to burn a rod to lay down a bead at the expected settings is about all you need to do, and maybe check that the current increases in some sensible fashion as the current control setting is increased.