What to do with an older Miller Thunderbolt?

[DaveO]

I agree, stick is a valuable skill. That would surely be a badge the Scouts would have to *earn*, given a newbie's likelihood to stick the rod. Might work out if there is a badge or belt loop for "Justifiable Swearing".

I was thinking to hand off a complete welder, maybe now is the time to gin up the adjusting handle I always promised I would. Altho I scavenged the plug, thinking the new owner would likely have a different electrical setup.

Neighbor across the street has a son in Scouts- I'll get contact info. I like the idea of a young guy with more ambition thab cash, but short of requiring an essay I'm not sure how I'd find that guy.

[DaveO]

Finally handed this welder off! I contacted my son's Scoutmaster, who spread the word the welder was available but couldn't find a troop who could "do justice to the donation", as he put it. So I contacted a guy who had posted on our local Freecycle, asking for a welder. Turns out he's an EMT who just returned from a trip to the Antarctic, where he provided medical support. He's got an on-going motorcycle project and has specific use for the welder, but has also been interested in welding and has been reading everything he can lay hands on. So I fired up the welder last night (to make sure it would fire up for him), and made the hand-off. Happy ending.

[geezer]

Congrats on finding a good home for it,,,there is a certain amount of satisfaction in helping noobies,,,nice to see young fellows learn and develop skills.

[Mr120]

Always good to see a usable item go to a new home where it will be appreciated. I'm sure he'll put it to good use and make some nice stuff with it.

[everlastsupport]

I probably would have put it on craigslist under free stuff if I could not sell it. Glad it went to a project for someone else. My Dad still has one and swears by it, that and a small A/O setup (MC type). Can not get him into the year 2000

[DaveO]

It felt like better karma to give it away, since it was a gift. I'm a little disappointed or maybe surprised that the Scouts didn't take it, but just as glad it turned out this way.

[everlastsupport]

Yea, that is a surprise. But with all the PC crap today and the new world we have. Maybe liability was the issue. Get sued if someone gets burnt. Hard to say, but boy have things changed in the world today.

[EchoSixMike]

I had a T-bolt where the shunt broke and Miller no longer made parts. Still functional, you just have to manually prop up the shunt within the coil to adjust amperage. That is the nice thing about old tech, it's fairly indestructable.

I gave it to a friend to hobby use. S/F.....Ken M