I'm gonna vote NO. A stick welder has the electrical circuitry built
into it to tolerate a dead short. That's what happens when the stick
electrode gets stuck to the work piece with the ground clamp attached
as well. Same thing when one is used to thaw a frozen pipe. The
voltage droops and the metal involved gets warmer to very hot in the
case of the small electrode. The resistance is fairly low.

In the case of shorting out 3 batteries in series, my expectation is
that at least one would explode and perhaps all three. Let's say 700
amps at 36 volts. These are liquid-filled electrolyte batteries. I
predict steam generation between the battery plates. Better put a VERY
sturdy acid-resistant shield over those batteries and have plenty of
water and soda to neutralize the acid spill that I believe is
imminent.

Is there a ring gear anywhere on that motor?

On 23 Mar 2006 17:12:45 -0800, "BFR" wrote:

I have a 1937 model Lincoln SA200 welder that never had a starter. I
have heard old welders say that they used start those on the pipeline
by getting one started and then using it to start the others by
connecting the welding leads from the running machine to the leads on
the machine they wanted to start whereupon the generator would be
motorized and the engine would start. Is this possible and could I
connect several (say 3) 12 volt batteries in series to the welding
leads and start my welder that way?