Comparing stick welding on old school DC machines vs modern inverters on a Richmond refinery job

Back in the early 2000s I ran a big old Lincoln DC-600 on a boiler retube in Richmond. That machine was a tank but the arc was finicky with 5P+ rods in tight spots. Last year I did the same type of work on a new Miller inverter and the arc control was way smoother, less spatter and quicker cleanup. Anyone else notice a big jump in weld quality switching to inverter machines, or is it just the rod and prep?

3 comments

3 Comments

william_garcia3d ago

Yeah the inverter really cleaned up my puddle control on those tight spots.

daniel1403d ago

Admit I used to think inverters were overhyped, but after trying one on some grimy vertical work I totally get it now. That arc control is no joke for puddle cleanup.

miles_hall1d ago

@william_garcia nailed it - the arc control on grimy verticals is a game changer for sure.