Montgomery Wards 295 amp AC Welder : Help please

[waffenampt]

Just picked up this welder tonight for 140 dollars. Its a older Montgomery Wards 295 amp AC stick Welder. Just tried to plug the leads into the machine and they go maybe halfway in and wont go anymore. Im guessing these are not the right leads for this machine? I am a newbie to stick welding

[WillieB]

Twentieth Century & Forney, maybe others use a tapered plug you push in and give a twist. they don't go all the way.

[waffenampt]

Twentieth Century & Forney, maybe others use a tapered plug you push in and give a twist. they don't go all the way.

I took a drill bit and wrapped sandpaper around it and cleaned out the corrosion on the male and female connector pins. Didnt seem to make to much of a difference though. They still dont slide all the way in. Im guessing this is normal or the way its suppose to be?

[Aeronca41]

Not a problem

I took a drill bit and wrapped sandpaper around it and cleaned out the corrosion on the male and female connector pins. Didnt seem to make to much of a difference though. They still dont slide all the way in. Im guessing this is normal or the way its suppose to be?[ATTACH]35113[/ATTACH]

The first welder I bought (new, about 1978 or 79) was the AC-DC version of the one you have-looks identical except for the DC option. I think it was $129 new back then. I've added other welders with bells and whistles since then, but I still have it, and it still works like new. Plugs never went all the way in. Just twist them in as far as they go and weld.

[waffenampt]

[QUOTE=Aeronca41;329219]The first welder I bought (new, about 1978 or 79) was the AC-DC version of the one you have-looks identical except for the DC option. I think it was $129 new back then. I've added other welders with bells and whistles since then, but I still have it, and it still works like new. Plugs never went all the way in. Just twist them in as far as they go and weld.[/QUOT


Thanks for the reply! much help! Thank you!

[dandeman]

I have that exact welder.. been in use for over 35 years without a hic-cup. As posted above, there is a taper in the design of the socket such that as you push the tip in and turn it slightly, it makes for a tight secure connection.

[WillieB]

As time goes on they wear a bit, you clean them with scotch brite, or a fitting brush on the female, they go in farther.