lincoln SP250 mig machine

[Roy Hodges]

I have a sp250 . It is computerized . A touch screen ,instead of the usual 2 knobs ,for settings. I love it , it is SO easy to set volts &amps (wire speed )-you don't have to! just set the thickness on touch panel, it makes all settings instantly ! . My question WHY was it and the later sp255 DISCONTINUED ?( I do not believe any answers i ever got ( like -guys are afraid the computer is TOO hard to use ! they are so easy to set & use , it is ridiculous ! ) it came with space on back to hold one large cylinder , & I welded on another platform with extra set of wheels to support an extra cylinder . both are the largest -about 280 cu. ft of contents . one is co2 - other is straight argon . one cyl has a typical flowmeter (with floating ball, other is a Koike , with preset amounts of flow , just dial the exact amount of flow &that's what you get (presise). About the ONLY other feature i wish it had is a pulser . never used a pulser, but I heard it is "the cats meow". any comments ?

[wizard]

This is jsut a geuss on my part but it could be a long term support thing for Lincoln. It is one thing to build a custom CPU board to support a specfic set of I/O it is another thing to be able to keep the supply lines filled with LCD displays and the associated driver chips. In the embeded electronics world the displays are often the first thing that needs an update as older hardware becomes non-existant.

That is one possibility which I may or may not believe fully (really don't know what Lincolns thinking was). Another may have been human factors in the design. You could also have had issue with reliability. In the end only a few people at lincoln know.

Dave

[Roy Hodges]

Reliability - It did conk out once- they changed the "capacitor bank" on it . FREE- & it was about 2 or 3 years out of warranty ,at that time . I've had it about 14 years. Who knows ? maybe factories were overworking them , instead of using a 500 amp power supply &gun . I guess I'll never know ,unless someone at Lincoln "spills the beans"- Roy

[Sandy]

Can you set voltage and/or wire speed independantly of just a thickness setting??

Even so I can see where bumping a knob up or down a tad would be easier with a gloved hand than scrolling a menu and touching a pad. I doubt it is a matter of being intimidated by the so-called computer technology. All of the welders I know of are plenty computer savvy. Must be a practicality thing.

[Roy Hodges]

You don't have to scroll anything,it has an "UP" & a "down " "button On screen. each tap on button says a certain thickness material. I have been using .030" hard wire . For THAT wire /co2 gas , it has presets for 22gauge to 3/16" . it can use .023-.025 or also .035 ". w/.035 it has a setting for even 3/8" steel. it also has programs in it for cres (stainless steel,) & aluminum . Each time you tap it, & change thickness of material, it auto matically adjusts wire feed speed & voltage.Plus, you can enter into its memory 6 settings of your own, if you don't like the factory settings. And, you can add or subtract wire speed on factory programmed settings ! I have NO trouble with accidentally changing a setting , like you can have with "knobs" . I have 2 other mig machines , both good , an sp100 lincoln , And a Migatronic 180 ; both good machines , know what ? I haven't used them in years- I much prefer the sp250 !

[Roy Hodges]

It is NOT easier to "bump up " or down a knob to change settings . I can tap up or down the setting w/1 quick poke of a finger , even with a glove on. with a glove on & using a machine w/knobs (all other machines) it is hard to change setting accurately . I usually have to take off a glove to change it accurately. (knobs SUCK)

[elderthewelder]

I am eye balling this one on ebay. these are single phase correct?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7603729811&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

[orange4boy]

Hey! Just joined and thought I'd resurrect this thread. I have an SP250 as well. Love it . Never had any problems except myself bumping into the buttons with a burred rod and damaging the button. I'll bet that's why they stopped making them. Other than that I love the auto settings and being able to adjust voltage by 1/10V. Very easy to use. Paid $2200 CAD. For it new. Wonder how many they made?

[ccawgc]

So you found the weak point. The plastic key pad does not like things hot.
The SP 250 and 255 were replaced by the power mig 300 and then 350.
The original SP 250 code 9402 with the original cap bank can still get a new cap bank for free. Some of the hardware used to assemble the cap bank was sub standard and the screws will break at any time and do. Some did right away and some are just now getting around to it. Starts welding real bad. The SP 250 & 255 are SCR driven welders.
The powermig 300 and 350 are high speed switching multi process welders in a roll around platform. My under standing is there is just a bunch of welder's who don't like high tech. Old timers who just want two knobs. No matter how easy or good a computer driven welder works. Thats why Lincoln can out with the wire matic series. Just a 250 with knobs.
The powermig 300 & 350 is ran by 2 toggle switches. They allow you to adjust preset programs for best welding and have a couple of plain no frills programs. The big difference is you can plug a computer into these units and update the software and weld tables from time to time. calibrate the meters and do some diagnostic, all with the computer and a free program. All are good machines.

[orange4boy]

So you found the weak point. The plastic key pad does not like things hot.


In my case it was the sharp edge that did the key in. I managed to get it working again tho.

The original SP 250 code 9402 with the original cap bank can still get a new cap bank for free. Some of the hardware used to assemble the cap bank was sub standard and the screws will break at any time and do. Some did right away and some are just now getting around to it. Starts welding real bad.

Thanks for the heads up. Mine is a code 10001 so I'm good.

[crwelding]

I have an SP-250 with the K607-1 Spool gun adapter and I am running a Magnum SG spool gun. I am having a problem where my welds do not seem to be as good as they should. It seems to be getting a lot of splatter and does not look very smooth. I have the adapter set for spool gun but I can't seem to change the setting to aluminum. I am running argon with .035 5356 wire on .090 5052 aluminum sheet.

[ccawgc]

Does it weld 035 steel good? It should weld 5356 AL. Whats your code number?
AL is welded in spray arc. Which is hot and fast. If you are trying to use short arc, it doesn't work very well. These are the programs in the auto mode.
Wire Type Wire Diameter Welding Gas
Solid Steel .025 (0.6mm) CO2
Solid Steel .025 (0.6mm) ArCO2
Solid Steel .030 (0.8mm) CO2
Solid Steel .030 (0.8mm) ArCO2
Solid Steel .035 (0.9mm) CO2
Solid Steel 035 (0.9mm) ArCO2
Solid Steel .035 (0.9mm) ArOxy
Solid Steel .045 (1.2mm) CO2
Solid Steel .045 (1.2mm) ArCO2
Stainless .035 (0.9mm) ArOxy
Stainless 035 (0.9mm) HeArCo2
Aluminum (5356) 3/64 (1.2mm) Argon <---------
Outershield .045 (1.2mm) CO2
Outershield .045 (1.2mm) ArCO2
Innershield .035 (0.9mm) None
Innershield .045 (1.2mm) None
As you can see the built in program is for 3/64 or 045 wire.
You will need to use the manual mode and set it up from the chart.
Make sure polarity is correct, and your voltage and wire speed.

[panhead201]

Hi,make sure your gas solenoid is working and double check your polarity.electrode positive.You've gotta push with the gun,not pull..On some critical stuff once,I finally tried 50/50 argon-helium and it killed the spray transfer.panhead201