Howdy everyone. First and foremost I am not a welder. I am the living embodiment of "A grinder and paint make me the welder I aint." So I am just looking for some second opinions, and hopefully a few voices of experience that exceed my own.

I recently picked up a used Hobart Ironman 250 for $500. It's an older unit, probably about 15 - 20 years old, and I'm not really sure on the history of it. But based on the amount of dust and debris I blew out of it, as well as the cosmetic condition, I would assume it made someone a living.

I've been going through it replacing the consumables cleaning it up, etc. etc.

When I initially welded with it the voltage seems to be irregular, sometimes it seems to weld too hot for the set voltage, and sometimes it will just stop arcing. When it stops I'll change the voltage setting (going up one setting) and it will then start welding again. My initial welds were done on Voltage Setting 4 for some 3/16 A36 steel. Voltage settings and wire feed settings were set based on Hobart's recommendations for 3/16 mild steel.

When it would stop arcing I would switch over to setting 5. Some internet research led me to believe that the voltage switch may be bad. I have not yet done a voltage test, but that is in the plans.

When I pulled it out today to clean/inspect it, it looks like the contacts for settings 2 - 5 are pretty rough. Based on the behavior of the welder and the condition of these contacts, does this switch need to be replaced?

Edit: Imgur link: https://imgur.com/a/HyIwnnG