1952 General Electric Model 6WD4200 200A Wisconson VE4 powered welder info please

[Rod Stuck]

I have had this welder for about 25 years and the only other one that I knew of was lost in a shop fire decades ago. If someone has used one I would like to hear about your experiences, or if someone has info on the welding generator aspect I would be interested. I have good information on the Wisconson VE4 if anyone needs.

GE Model 6WD4200AG1 - Serial 48 TJ

[Rod Stuck]

There is a short video of the unit here if you are interested in what it looks/sounds like:

[WeldorWes]

Thats things pretty neat

[mla2ofus]

Those Wisconsin's are awesome engines for their power and durability. My old Hobart has the Wisconsin TJD 2 cyl. Don't know how many hours are on it, but I had the head off and the crosshatch is still visible. Mine is also a 200 amp machine but w/ direct drive. I see yours appears to have an overdrive thru the v-belts which I guess explains why it needs the v-4. My TJD only runs at 2300 RPM at welding speed. What RPM does your's run at?
Mike

[Rod Stuck]

Those Wisconsin's are awesome engines for their power and durability. My old Hobart has the Wisconsin TJD 2 cyl. Don't know how many hours are on it, but I had the head off and the crosshatch is still visible. Mine is also a 200 amp machine but w/ direct drive. I see yours appears to have an overdrive thru the v-belts which I guess explains why it needs the v-4. My TJD only runs at 2300 RPM at welding speed. What RPM does your's run at?
Mike

You are exactly right... The VE4 turns @ 1,800 rpm I believe and the welding generator part turns @ 3,500 rpm... Almost double. I wonder how much difference that makes on the DC cycle/weld quality?

[mla2ofus]

It probably is the torque peak of the engine and it uses less gas and lasts a lot longer than the new ones turning at 3600 RPM. I don't know about the weld quality but I'm sure the designers figured that in. My old Hobart at 2300 RPM welds sweet.
Mike

[Rod Stuck]

Yea, decades ago on the service rigs they changed from the old 1,800 rpm 10kw diesel Onan generators to plug in the block heaters in the winter overnight to some screaming Japanese 3,600 rpm things. I can well imagine what a modern 3,600 rpm welder would sound like after a days work. The 1953 Lincoln SAE 300 with a flathead six Hercules engine that I am working on will turn @ 1,500. Can't wait to hear it bark.

[Sparkie]

Nothing sounds better than a smooth 6 cyl under load with a straight exhaust. My SA200 with the flat head four is close


Steve

Lincoln SA200 (1966 Redface)
Lincoln IdealArc 250

[123weld]

i used to have a ge welder that look just like the one in the video. i don't remeber it being a 200 thouigh, i thought it was like 180 or so. it was set up w/ a wisc. 4 cyl. i alweays thought the welder was intended for a elect motor in a shop, not a wisc. i bought it not running and never got it running. i torched off the pulley off the wisc crank, before i sent it to scrap, i think i still got it laying around

[Rod Stuck]

i used to have a ge welder that look just like the one in the video. i don't remeber it being a 200 thouigh, i thought it was like 180 or so. it was set up w/ a wisc. 4 cyl. i alweays thought the welder was intended for a elect motor in a shop, not a wisc. i bought it not running and never got it running. i torched off the pulley off the wisc crank, before i sent it to scrap, i think i still got it laying around

Yea, I am starting to think that this G. E. Model 6WD4200 is very rare... By now, most would have been recycled into foreign cars... I don't suppose that G. E. would have had much of a market share to start with when competing with the Lincolns and other good welders of the day. Thanks for your reply.
If you have a picture of the one you had, and are able to post it, I thank you in advance.

[123weld]

i wouldnt have the welder anymore, i pretty sure i have the pulley off the wisc, and don't recall torching the pulley off the ge welder, but i might of. i remeber my pulley off the wisc, having 3or 4 steps, not two like the one in the video

[DLHCC]

Hey Rod , that old wisconcon sounds pretty good , I can't wait to hear the 300 fire up .

[Rod Stuck]

Hey Rod , that old wisconson sounds pretty good , I can't wait to hear the 300 fire up .

1953 Lincoln SAE 300: It's closer than you think! Starter and carb gone through and remounted. Side of engine painted while everything off. Valves set. Plugs cleaned. Timing marks found. Operator and service manual located. Parts manual purchased.
Tank still needs cleaning, mag checked and mounted. Oil yet to be changed (with a cookie sheet) I guess.
I will need your advice on straightening a couple of large items.

[123weld]

i found both pulleys from that today. so if you need demensions or something from them, i can do

[Rod Stuck]

i found both pulleys from that today. so if you need dimensions or something from them, i can do

I am good for now, but, hey, thanks for getting back to me.

[Rod Stuck]

Yea, I got the 1953 Lincoln SAE 300 running and welding well by late July 2016. I have more parts to make for it and will finish some cosmetic/paint stuff, but hey, I think it is going to be ok. The old Hercules QXLD-3 sounds sweet rolling along @ 1,500 rpm. It has the full two rheostat controls instead of 'gears' so I will have to spend some play time to figure it out. So, yea, this post is off topic...

[mcostello]

Have one of those engines sitting in a barn.

[Janzig15]

Thats cool, I have the same one in the Barn, do you have any info on the starter on it?? Or numbers?? I always hand crank to start it.