Lincoln SP200 ?

[Mr onetwo]

Hey guys, I have a chance to pick up an old Lincoln SP200 MIG in good operating shape.They are asking $350.It needs a new torch and probably a liner.What do you guys think about this old machine.I know it's big and heavy, but I have the room.Any opinions are welcome....I don't have the money for something new in this range and I am not a professional welder.Thanks!

 

[tribbles]

I'm no pro either, but an industrial Lincoln for damn near HF prices? I'd be posting about my $350 purchase if I were you.

 

[Wastedwagesracing]

We have one in the shop it's known as the "the stinkin lincoln". We have had lots of wire feed trouble. But honestly the unit was never given a fair shake. We have a shop attitude about welders that are not blue. Power sources for Robot welding is a different story/color.

The SP-200's feeder is integral with the cabinet's side, making the cabinet wide, so the machine's larger size is tougher to move around a crowded shop. Gives it a somewhat limited use for us.

Also since the SP-200 feeder is not a separate unit, there is no way to extend the feeder away from the power source, or to even aim the feeder in the general direction of the work, as is often required on larger "floor work" jobs. Also the gun's cablehose exits the power source at floor level. So the machine's limited reach often requires installing a longer reach cablehose, which compounds feeding problems.

But for 350 beans I'd still pick it up.

 

[W-Cummins]

Also since the SP-200 feeder is not a separate unit, there is no way to extend the feeder away from the power source, or to even aim the feeder in the general direction of the work, as is often required on larger "floor work" jobs.
But for 350 beans I'd still pick it up.

This is simply not true. The SP200 has for all intents, a ln7 feeder inside it, and it can be removed from the machine and/or extended from the machine. Mine hangs from the boom on my welder cart. I also put wheels ( small swivel casters ) on mine so I can remove it from the boom and roll it around on the floor, under the lift etc... I have owned 2 of them so far, and the second one had 2 feeders hooked up to it, the internal mounted one and a "full" ( drive motor cover and remote control board, high speed motor) ln7 as a remote feeder.

Lincoln made the sp-200 in 2 versions, the standard and an a/b version. The ab version or "AutoBody" version has a spot/stitch/fill timer box on it. They are good machines and are the equivalent of the current 250 amp machines as they were rated at a 60% duty cycle unlike the current machines.

I would pick up another for $350 if I didn't have one! You can get a tweco gun for it from ebay for cheap and have your self a nice machine.

William....

 

[Mr onetwo]

This is simply not true. The SP200 has for all intents, a ln7 feeder inside it, and it can be removed from the machine and/or extended from the machine. Mine hangs from the boom on my welder cart. I also put wheels ( small swivel casters ) on mine so I can remove it from the boom and roll it around on the floor, under the lift etc... I have owned 2 of them so far, and the second one had 2 feeders hooked up to it, the internal mounted one and a "full" ( drive motor cover and remote control board, high speed motor) ln7 as a remote feeder.

I would pick up another for $350 if I didn't have one! You can get a tweco gun for it from ebay for cheap and have your self a nice machine.

William....

Thanks guys....I think I am going to go for it.William...Do you have a couple of pictures you could post of your setup?Was it much of a job to do this mod?

 

[Wastedwagesracing]

This is simply not true. The SP200 has for all intents, a ln7 feeder inside it, and it can be removed from the machine and/or extended from the machine. Mine hangs from the boom on my welder cart. I also put wheels ( small swivel casters ) on mine so I can remove it from the boom and roll it around on the floor, under the lift etc... I have owned 2 of them so far, and the second one had 2 feeders hooked up to it, the internal mounted one and a "full" ( drive motor cover and remote control board, high speed motor) ln7 as a remote feeder.

Lincoln made the sp-200 in 2 versions, the standard and an a/b version. The ab version or "AutoBody" version has a spot/stitch/fill timer box on it. They are good machines and are the equivalent of the current 250 amp machines as they were rated at a 60% duty cycle unlike the current machines.

I would pick up another for $350 if I didn't have one! You can get a tweco gun for it from ebay for cheap and have your self a nice machine.

William....

Hmm interesting I'll have to go investigate that little tid bit of info.

 

[W-Cummins]

Thanks guys....I think I am going to go for it.William...Do you have a couple of pictures you could post of your setup?Was it much of a job to do this mod?

Lincoln made a kit to remove the feeder and extend it 25' from the machine. I'm almost sure that it's no longer available. However there is no reason you can't make your own extension. You need a power feed for the drive motor and a return feed wire for the contactor control (gun trigger) I "Think" that this is a 4 conductor 18 gauge wire, you will also need the welding lead and gas hose. Should be able to put together some thing for about $75 or so depending on your collection abilities I will try to get you some more information if you get the machine and want to do the mods. I can take some pictures of it close up for now all I have is this one pic of the feeder and it's from a far....

William....

 

[J B]

I got my SP200 at my local welding supply, it was traded in by the local power co. when it was fully depreciated. I didn't know used trade-ins existed, a friend tipped me off. Mine has the optional AB timer set, so it does spot and stitch welds. My only complaint was the huge two-handed 400 amp gun that comes stock on these units. Clunky and in the way for a lot of repair welds, uses huge tips and nozzles. Makes up for that by being short (12') too.
Solved that by replacing the gun with a 15' Tweco #TWE 215-4045. What an improvement! You wouldn't think 3' longer would make that much difference, but it does, and the overall size makes some of the repairs and fabrications I do a lot easier. New gun is rated 60% @200 amps. I've seen forums arguing about keeping the old gun vs. new; do yourself a favor and upgrade today.