I found a discarded ESAB TBH 140 welding machine in a scrap yard! It might be an older shielded metal arc welder, also known as SMAW or stick welder. But from what my father told me, these old ESAB machines are impossible to destroy. It got a good new home 🙂
I have also done several teardown videos on other kinds of welding machines and plasma cutters. Check out
- Migatronic FocusStick 161E Stick Welder Teardown
- TIG & Stick Welder, Migatronic Pilot 1800 Teardown
- ESAB Power TIG 200 Welder Teardown
- TIG welder teardown. ESAB TIG Caddy 1500i
- 10 kVA Kjellberg Plasma Cutter CUTi 31 Teardown
Pictures before cleaning
The welder was very dirty and had several damages to plastic, cables, clamp and handle.
Pictures after restoration
I gave the ESAB TBH 140: new 16A CEE plug. Cleaned handle and clamp. New and better cable connection on clamp. Cleaned welder from decades worth of dirt and metal dust.
ESAB TBH 140 Specifications
| Mains supply | Type A | 220 V, 50/60Hz, 16A |
| Type B | 380 V – 415 V, 50Hz or 440 V, 60 Hz | |
| Type C | 110 V, 50/60 Hz | |
| Welding current selection | 50 to 140 A | 22 V to 24 V |
| Standby voltage and power use | 50 V | 45 W |
| Continues use rating | 66 A, 22 V | 55% duty cycle |
| 85 A, 22 V | 35% duty cycle | |
| Power Factor | 0.6 PF | |
| 0.75 PF | 150 A setting | |
| Weight | 20 kg | |
| Length | 380 mm | |
| Width | 275 mm | |
| Height | 245 mm | |
I invite you to check out the awesome high voltage and electronics community at https://highvoltageforum.net !
Dear Sir.
I am from Brazil, and have a very old welding machine ESAB Bantam SVSTSTRANSFORMATOR – Nr.377353 – Type C. I disassembled the current selector to clean the contacts which were not working properly and inadvertently I didn’t pay attention to the reassemble the selector, and now I need one drawing showing how is the fisicaly assemble of the selector, also the wire diagram os the coils. If you can help me, I would be eternally grateful to you.
Thanks.
Dear Mads
After seing you video on the ESAB Bantam i found the same ESAB Bantam, old and very used!
I would like to change the 380W main cable, but I am unsure if 3G1,5 MM² is workable or if 3G2,5 MM² is needed
for this welder – can you help?
Thanks for your great video!
Mark / Denmark
Hi Mark
3G2,5 MM² is needed, as its rated to draw up to 16A.
Kind regards
Mads
Hi Mads
Thanks for your reply and great videos.
Have a nice day.
Good morning
I am contacting you because I have seen that you sell the SALZER SG241 switch. I need it for my ESAB TBH 140 welding machine. This switch has 10 positions, from 0 to 140.
I am writing to you from Spain, I would like to know the price, with the handle/plug, and the shipping to Villalon de Campos, Valladolid 47600, Spain
Regards
Hi Alvaro
Try to look for a new switch instead, I think that a 10 position “Kraus & Naimer” would be able to be a replacement. Search for “10 positions rotary switch welder kraus & naimer”
I am not selling my welder 🙂
Kind regards
Mads