Old Lincoln SA 200 question

[Patriot Performance]

Got a question for the old timers here, or anyone who has worked on a SA 200 gas driven welder.

I was leaving my fathers work yesterday (old lumber yard), much to my surprise I sported the front end of an old Lincoln SA 200, i believe. It was sitting on a trailer with a bunch of other junk. I don't know if it belongs to his boss or another guy. there is alot of junk on the lot that isn't even his.

My question is, what is the availability of parts for these old gas welders? Will it be worth my time to fix it up if I can find the owner? Restoration is my business so I am up for the challenge. I would just like to know if I can go to the welding supply shop and get parts or will I be spending long nights on ebay?

Thanks in advance.

[MicroZone]

If Lincoln support is anything like Miller, why not give them a call and get a quick answer.

The Lincoln Electric Company
22801 St. Clair Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44117
General Telephone: 216.481.8100

[Patriot Performance]

Yeah I had done some searching and was getting the impression they did not support them very well. Just wanted some suggestions from people who have restored them. Gota remember these welders are over 50 years old in some cases.

I did find this though

www.weldmart.com

Might be all I need. Judging by the prices though it won't be a cheap resto.

[MicroZone]

Right, I just like finding the quick answers. Searching is okay but it can be long and drawn out. I hope you find what you're looking to achieve. The older welders are some of the best.

I'll check that link for future reference. Thanks!

[weldersales]

Pretty well all parts for the old Lincoln are readily available but you will have little luck with the factory. Send a picture and we will help you with age. The older machines are still in demand with the pipeline welders. If the generator is a round unit, it is more popular. weldersales

[Patriot Performance]

Thanks weldersales!

I'll have to wait till dad gets back in town to ask about it. There at bike shows for the next three weeks!

It was a round generator, I seen that part first through all the junk. I'll get some more info here soon and get a price if he will sell it.

[tompit9]

PA Ross in Dallas, Tx. for the engine parts
and Weldmartonline.com Spring, Tx.

[Patriot Performance]

Originally Posted by tompit9

PA Ross in Dallas, Tx. for the engine parts
and Weldmartonline.com Spring, Tx.

Thanks you very much. I'll post up some pictures if I get the unit.

[pipeliner2006]

I just rebuilt my engine on my old sa-200 lincoln and yes it has an all round amature not the octagon looking one the leads hook-up on the face.I had the crank turned 10 on the rods and 10 on the mains.I had the block bored 20 over and bought a set of new rebuilt rods with new brass bushings on the small end and resized on the big end.I had the block deck surfaced as the head deck.I also had an 3 angle valve job done with new exhaust seats and valve springs and retainers.I replaced all the head bolts and washers to new.

I set the valve lash on 14 thousandths.I went with the chrome moly rings and a fel-pro gasket set.The machine runs as great as it welds and believe me it welds.I plan on adding a pc board idle kit from www.weldmart.com but until it breaks I wont fix it.I gave $500.00 for the machine with a locked up motor but used a short hood F-162 Engine that finally went to blowing oil out the dip-stick so I was forced to redo my F-163.

I have about $1500.00 in the engine and about $2000.00 in the machine which payed for itself in one week so all now is profit.I saved on labor by building the engine myself.The machines that are complete but junk are well worth a couple of grand to build that will be welding when we are not.My machine will string an open root pass down in a flash that looks as good as a tig root.I mostly pipeline weld with it and am very glad I rebuilt it instead of going into big debt for a new lincoln.Yes a diesel gets smaller fuel consumption per day but the smell and sound does not hold my old beauty a lite.Better yet I put a fresh paint job on it as a decal on the face and tail that says Miller/Killer and yes it gets many frowns by the rig welders with the Miller`s.

I bought a 1954 short-hood complete that is my next project.

Have a good day.
Steve.(:

[Patriot Performance]

LOL I like the Miller Killer. I'm gonna have to have my graphics guy print something like that out.

I won't be using this welder for profit. Just sorta like to rebuild an old welder like this that is so well liked. Seems to be the 57 Chevy of welders. Would look cool in my shop. I'll use it i'm sure, but not much.

Thanks for the story there pipeliner. Sounds like you made a great investment with yours.

[Planewelder]

There is a junk guy around the corner from me. He has 2 SA-200's one running and another parts machine. I have a Miller Big 40 in my yard, storing it for a friend but he's not picking it up as he promised so I might end up with that. The pipeliners really are loyal to the Lincolns. Wonder what they will do that the Big 40 won't ? I think it has the same Red Seal Contential engine even ? I don't know much about these machines though.

[BobC]

Munn Supply had those Miller Killer decals last year, they may still be selling them. http://www.munnsupply.com/

For other decals and nameplates for restorations, check out http://www.decalshoppe.com

[Patriot Performance]

Yeah I found a Miller Killer decal on ebay. I saved the graphic for my guy to copy from. Has blood under the letters and all. I like either brand but have just always had Lincoln.

[pipeliner2006]

My Miller Killer decals are outlined just as the original Lincoln Arc Welder Decals.The Miller is in blue outlined in white and the Killer is white outlined in red.The two Lincoln Arc Welder Decals and Miller Killer Decals tax and all were only $24.00.I got them from a leading sign shop in my area called AD Signs.Brenda the printer can make any decal in any fashion you want.She use to make my race car numbers and decals when I use to race.

When my Lincoln was finally down for three weeks my boss loaned me his Miller Trailblazer.In my opinion it is only a structural steel welder not a pipe welding machine period.The heat is not steady when welding one minute its either to hot or to cold but my SA-200 Which I believe is a 1962 model the heat stays where the machine is set.Also I have welded with some SA-200 Lincoln later gas burning models that have the aluminum windings and in the 190 range on about 40 on the fine current setting it changes while welding also.If I buy another Lincoln to restore and the amature is not completely round I would only have it for a parts machine.

Have a good day and happy welding.

Steve (:

[Patriot Performance]

Originally Posted by BobC

Munn Supply had those Miller Killer decals last year, they may still be selling them. http://www.munnsupply.com/

For other decals and nameplates for restorations, check out http://www.decalshoppe.com

Thanks for those links. Was great to see they had so many resto decals sets for Lincoln welders. Great info.

[MicroZone]

Bah, I love my Millers, you guys will have to pry them from my dead cold hands to get me to switch! The brainwashing won't work!!

[KRS]

Originally Posted by MicroZone

Bah, I love my Millers, you guys will have to pry them from my dead cold hands to get me to switch! The brainwashing won't work!!

Sooooo... what you are saying is using a Miller will kill you?! Wow, it's worse than I thought

[pipeliner2006]

Microzone down here in the south if you show up to test for a pipeline with a miller on your truck some companies would run you off while laughing.I have welded with both and miller just does not mow the grass right.

Have a nice day.

Steve

[MicroZone]

Yep, I've lived down South. I can honestly tell you, sometimes the southern way isn't the best way.

[pipeliner2006]

Microzone the south is the best plenty of work and few lincolns to do it.

(:

Steve.

[Planewelder]

Soooo therefore the best welder to SELL must be a Lincoln SA200 as well ?

[Patriot Performance]

LOL I think my thread has been hijacked!

[Root Pass]

The South is the only place left that makes any sense and even those places are getting hard to find lol.

Pipeliner- AMEN to every thing you said.

I only pull the Trailblazer diesel if I have to or the power is out at the house lol. It was great after the hurricanes in '04. We had A/C, hot showers and lasgnia for dinner with that thing hooked up to the power meter.


I love my SA 200 (1978) and that is what rides on the back of the truck under the hoosier pole!
Pulled if off last week for a fresh coat of paint, carb rebuild and an idle switch, won't have to be done again untill my 10yr old goes to work. lol


I like to run a water separator canister type fuel filter (like on our airboats) becacse the carb is cast iron and any water in the fuel will cause the inside to grow all sorts of evil things.

[DGB]

Originally Posted by Patriot Performance

Got a question for the old timers here, or anyone who has worked on a SA 200 gas driven welder.

I was leaving my fathers work yesterday (old lumber yard), much to my surprise I sported the front end of an old Lincoln SA 200, i believe. It was sitting on a trailer with a bunch of other junk. I don't know if it belongs to his boss or another guy. there is alot of junk on the lot that isn't even his.

My question is, what is the availability of parts for these old gas welders? Will it be worth my time to fix it up if I can find the owner? Restoration is my business so I am up for the challenge. I would just like to know if I can go to the welding supply shop and get parts or will I be spending long nights on ebay?

Thanks in advance.

I like to fix up the old SA-200s also. It takes a bit of research and time to get your sources lined up but the stuff is out there. Don't knock Ebay. I just bought two new manifolds for the Continental engines there yesterday for cheaper than some guys are selling the old rusty ones for and they come with a new gasket. I checked your profile but it doesn't say where you live. If you are anywhere near me or the paths I travel, I'll be glad to take that beast off your hands if you decide you don't want it. Given what you said, I think $200.00 would be a good price to shoot for. You may have to take the whole trailer and the junk too but the scrap is selling good now. If you need someone to talk to about this you can e-mail me by using my e-mail address in my profile or you can use the private message feature. I have unlimited LD calling so I will be glad to call you if you need to discuss something. Even if you decide you don't want the machine after you are done restoring it you will be able to get your money back by selling it. They go for good money on Ebay all the time.

[DGB]

Originally Posted by MicroZone

If Lincoln support is anything like Miller, why not give them a call and get a quick answer.

I'm glad to know this. How about giving me the number for Miller support. as well as who to ask for in regars to my BIG 40. Thanks.