Old Linde 295

[jrichsmith]

Anybody have any information on this machine? I have a chance to grab one for really cheap. Any info helps.

[MarkV]

It is an AC 'Buzzbox,' similar to Lincoln AC-225, not as good as Miller Thunderbolt.

It's 230 volts, needs 60+ amp input. But can be run on 40 amp breaker (stove) at reduced output.

[jrichsmith]

It is an AC 'Buzzbox,' similar to Lincoln AC-225, not as good as Miller Thunderbolt.

It's 230 volts, needs 60+ amp input. But can be run on 40 amp breaker (stove) at reduced output.

Thanks. I couldn't pass it up just didn't know anything about it(it's twice my age). And for 20 bucks I'm not out anything.

[kctgb]

I would bet yout welder was made by Century.

[Northweldor]

I would bet yout welder was made by Century.

No, it was made by Linde, and is much better quality than a Miller ThunderBolt. Linde used to be one of the top companies for welding equipment, along with Miller, Lincoln, etc., before it was absorbed by Esab, eventually.

The OP scored an excellent welder, for less than scrap value!

[coxhaus]

I have a copy of the Linde 295. It was a Wards model in the late 1970s. The duty cycle is much better than the Lincoln 225 or Miller Thunderbolt. The Linde 295 duty cycle is 100% for 130 amps or less and 20% for greater than 130 amps. I have owned my Linde 295 since new and it is a great welder not as good as a Lincoln 250 idealarc but better than most buzz boxes.

[usmcpop]

Linde did sell some lower-end welders that were made by Century. Look for any patent numbers in the small print on the welder and look up who has the patent.

[coxhaus]

Here is a picture of my Linde 295. It is maybe a copy of a Linde295. But there is a Linde version that looks just like my welder.

[usmcpop]

Here is a picture of my Linde 295

Sure looks like a Century made welder to me.

[Northweldor]

Sure looks like a Century made welder to me.

And, looks nothing like the welder pics the OP posted.

[coxhaus]

There were several styles of the Linde 295. There is a Linde 295 that looks just like my welder just painted different with the Linde name. If you look close the Linde above has all the same features as my welder does. It also has the same rating. The scan and lock are kind of the same only turned sideways. I am not sure who built my welder but it matches exactly a Linde 295 I have seen. There was a picture on Welding Web before WW went down.

I have seen a picture of a Linde 295 that had an arrow that moved with a lock and a high low just as above. I just found a picture of the arrow version on the web.

[usmcpop]

A lot of companies sold a branded version of the 295 or 230 Century welder with the "arrow". I've seen pics with such names as Montgomery Ward, John Deere, Hobart, Air Products, AIRCO, Dayton, Linde and ESAB. Century had one with their name on it. They patented many variations of a sliding adjustment/locking mechanism.

Linde made some good $$$ MIG and TIG machines. They wouldn't bother building their own inexpensive stick welder. Sears sold welders made by Century and Emerson Electric.

[coxhaus]

I think the Linde 295 or copy was the best of the buzz boxes. If you needed DC then the Lincoln idealarc 250 was about the best maybe also the Miller.

[Northweldor]

A lot of companies sold a branded version of the 295 or 230 Century welder with the "arrow". I've seen pics with such names as Montgomery Ward, John Deere, Hobart, Air Products, AIRCO, Dayton, Linde and ESAB. Century had one with their name on it. They patented many variations of a sliding adjustment/locking mechanism.

Linde made some good $$$ MIG and TIG machines. They wouldn't bother building their own inexpensive stick welder. Sears sold welders made by Century and Emerson Electric.

I think if Linde put their name on it, it was made by Linde. In the mid-80s, I bought a 400 amp Linde Cobra-matic with 50' push-pull gun for the shop I was working in, and at that time, Linde offered a full range of machines. They were higher priced, but generally regarded as higher quality than the American brands.

BTW, Linde was manufacturing steel radiators with automatic welders in 1926!

[usmcpop]

I think if Linde put their name on it, it was made by Linde. In the mid-80s, I bought a 400 amp Linde Cobra-matic with 50' push-pull gun for the shop I was working in, and at that time, Linde offered a full range of machines. They were higher priced, but generally regarded as higher quality than the American brands.

BTW, Linde was manufacturing steel radiators with automatic welders in 1926!

I am not sure about this particular 295 model, but Linde certainly rebadged welders made by Century. I would bet that the fine print on the front of the welder has some patent numbers relating to the adjustment mechanism for the transformer. Patent numbers belonging to Century. Some other welder models made by Century used the 3-lobed fastening knob. In addition, the sheet metal style of the cabinet is quite like Century.

Linde made some fine welders, I just don't think they would bother producing an inexpensive buzz box.