Hobart arc welder

Equipment that may (or may not) have been supported by CCKW's and other large trucks. Stuff such as Dozers, Graders, Rollers, Pavers, Cranes, Oil Field Equipment, etc. Also Tugs, Generators, Compressors, Welders, and just about all other machinery and equipment type of items.
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Nick Bombini
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Hobart arc welder

Post by Nick Bombini »

Here's one for Joel. I don't know much about engineer equipment during WWII. I know there are manuals covering the equipment they used. I'm sure there is one for welders and associated equipment. I know where a engine driven arc welder is. This thing is old and big. From the exterior, it loosely resembles a searchlight generator, being about the same size and is on a 4 wheel dolly that has a towbar w/ a lunette. It has a Chrysler flathead inline six, although I'm not sure if it's the same one that is used in the Dodge WC series trucks. Right now, it is a very faded blue, and I'm not sure that it has any OD on it (It's been awhile since I have seen it and last time I looked, I was in a rush so I didn't take my time to examine it).

I don't have any pics right now, but hopefully I can get some soon. From my description, does this sound like anything that was used by the corps of engineers? I'm thinking that I might be able to get my hands on it and paint it up OD for display. Heck, I might even be able to use (if it still runs and works) if I become a journeyman welder (going to school right now to get my certs).

--Nick
Nick Bombini
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'42 M7A1 Generator
'42 M7 Generator trailer
'43 CCKW 352 A2
'45 USMC mobile repair shop trailer
'45 GPW
joel gopan
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Post by joel gopan »

When equipment is orfered on a Corps of Engineers contract, it will have a brass Engineers Data Plate attached to it stating the Nomenclature, DOD and manufacturers specs.
There were Hobart Generators in WWII, Chrysler industrial Powered would be in the 300Amp range. They are nice as long as they still function, but 99% of the parts are no longer available thru Hobart, once the governor and vacuum controla fail, it may as well be junk. If the engine has under 1000 hours and it runs smooth, the engine is a good candidate for a WC.
They are nice if they still work, and a super welder in it's day.
These WWII hung around in some units in the USAF up thru the 80s by creative paperwork.
The Hobart Welders of the 40s-60s that used Jeep and Chrysler industrial engines are considered dinosaurs by Hobart and no parts are available. Been there, done that with Hobart back in my days as a welding instructor and welding inspector with the DOT
44 MB 356378- 54 M-38A1-41 CCKW 352-51 M-37-42TW6-45MBT-43 M1 BOMB LIFT (WEAVER)- RECORD SETTING HONOR GRADUATE Wheeled Vehicle Mechanics School, U.S. ARMY 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL 1962 - MVPA 1064 - RED BALL CHAPTER - PHONY VETERAN HEADHUNTER - ARMY FIXED & ROTARY WING MECHANIC/CREWCHIEF-STILL FIT WARBIRD COCKPITS
Nick Bombini
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Post by Nick Bombini »

I was given info that TM 9-834 has a Hobart welder in it. I looked it up and the one I found is almost identical except for the fact that it has a carriage and has side panels. I don't think the one I found is military surplus but is close enough for me. Now the challenge is to convince the people who have it to let it go. These are the same "friends" that have the International semi truck that I found who now think it's worth gold because I showed some interest.
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Eventually, it would be nice to do an engineers display, but we will see what happens with this thing. The owners have some crazy idea that it is still good for their ranch, but in my opinion, it is only good as either scrap metal (I won't tell them that, they will take it in) or as a display piece.

--Nick
Nick Bombini
---
'42 M7A1 Generator
'42 M7 Generator trailer
'43 CCKW 352 A2
'45 USMC mobile repair shop trailer
'45 GPW
Bill_Wolf
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Post by Bill_Wolf »

Nick,

Nice old beast. Would look good in OD!

I have stuff that is mechanically not restored but is physically. It draws people who are associated with the item, (either now or in that past) to your display and gets the conversation going...and isn't that what displaying historic military vehicles and equipment is all about.

I believe the specific TM for the welder is TM5-5120. "Welder, Electric Arc, 300 Ampere, Gasoline Engine Driven, Skid Mounted, Hobart, Model GR-300S"

Good Luck!

Bill
1945 GMC DUKW
1942 Chevy 125 Crash Truck from Dow AAFB,
1944 Chevy 325 Fire Truck
1942 WC-54 Ambulance
1944 M29C Weasel (x6)
1945 CCKW 353 A2 Open Cab "Air-portable"
1943 M5 High Speed Tractor
1942 Sperry Searchlight setup with GE Generator
1942 M-1 Fruehauf Searchlight Trailer (G221)
1942 M-17 Fruehauf Quad 50 Trailer (G221)
1942 M-10 Ammo Trailer (x3)
194? Steel Ben Hur (x4) 194? Wood Ben Hur (x2)
1945 Case VAIW-3 Aircraft Tug
1943 Case VAI USAAF with Mower
1944 Clark CA-1 Airborne Dozer
1944 PE-95G, 1944 PE-99B
Fernando Mendes
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Prefix of this L-head engine number.

Post by Fernando Mendes »

Nick,can you see to me if the prefix of this L-head engine number is "IND"?In mine Dodge pick-up 1952 I have a engine like this, that its prefix is "IND"(Industrial).Thanks.
Jeep Willys MB DoD dec,16 1942 s/n:196275
Dodge B3-B 4x2 1952 s/n:90099559
CCKW 353 Banjo 1944 s/n:309623
36th Tom
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Re: Hobart arc welder

Post by 36th Tom »

There is a guy in Dayton, OH that found a Hobart Welder on a two wheel trailer that resembled a Ben-Hur trailer. Close inspection revieled it was a heavy duty specialized chassis unique to it. He said it still worked. He did a beautiful job restoring it.
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1942 Ford 1GT 1-1/2 Military Stakebed
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Barry Churcher
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Re: Hobart arc welder

Post by Barry Churcher »

Tom, thanks for that trailer photo. I have never seen another of those trailers.
Barry
1944 Chev. C15TA
DAF YA314 ----- Chev. G506
Ford F15A (4)
Chev C15A (2)
Ben Hur Fuel Transfer
Polynor Trailer
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1953 M38A1
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36th Tom
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Re: Hobart arc welder

Post by 36th Tom »

I took lots of detail pictures of the trailer frame. It looked to be of heavy duty 3" C-channel, not bent 3/16" or 1/8" Sheet. It was made to haul some weight.
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Tom Schiffer

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1942 Ford 1GT 1-1/2 Military Stakebed
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