lincoln sa 250 advice

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I have a lincoln sa 250 f 163  code 8917 seriel#A-1030597   from what I have learned on bills web site it is about a 1985 machine. I have used it for a few years doing general repair and structural welding. Burning mostly 1/8 and 5/32 e-7018.  Im currently changing careers a little and getting into pipe,asme and api type work. so im faced with the choice of freshening up my sa 250 or doing a 200. im told that I want a pre 1973 machine,is this because of copper windings? any thoughts would be appreciated
Reply:Your 250 will be fine, I have the same machine, and it is unstoppable. Clean it up and go make some money.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:tozzi are there any updates that you have done to your machine? any you would suggest?
Reply:what the hell???
Reply:My machine was in the scrap heap when I bought it with a stuck motor, I freed the pistons, put a new head gasket in, and have been running her for 4 years. All I really need is a remote, but I can deal with out one. Not much needed, already has a distributor, and an electronic idler. I have an SA-200 as well but she just sits in my buddy's barn If your not on a pipeline job, don't worry about it.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:I have a sa250 perkins I only used for welding pipe.  I only weld pipe with my commander 300 if I have too.  Lots of guys run sa-250 and 300d (sa250 replacement) pipelining.  Yes Sa-200 is the standard pipeline welder. But I doubt any one will say anything otherwise.Lincoln 300 Vantage 2008300 Commander 1999SA250 1999SA200 1968Miller Syncrowave 200XMT350MPA/S-52E/xr-15Xtreme 12vs Millermatic 251 w/30A  Millermatic 251 Dialarc 250 Hypertherm 1250 GEKA & Bantom Ironwokers
Reply:well i hear alot about copper windings, i guess that is my ? i havent had any reason to take my machine apart so i dont know what it has.  aluminum or copper
Reply:if your machine was welding good before there's no reason to worry about aluminum just because you're getting into the pipe world.  I have a '72 sa 200 octagon barrel.  Does it have aluminum ? I don't know. probably does.  All the guys that try out the machine, love it and recommend i keep it.  I decided to drop a fresh engine in it and a few other upgrades.  I 'm not sure why Lincoln began putting aluminum in them.  I m also not sure why people worry so much about the aluminum.  Get your 250 freshed up, you'll be $ ahead.
Reply:yea i agree with lincweld.. whats the big deal with copper. everyone says it holds the heat more evenly but ive had 2 aluminum machines and one copper. i really cant tell that much diff. all my aluminum sa's pure the heat down!! the only upgrade i dig is the electronic auto idle, wich is thats a 85 im sure it has it. and also, whats the big diff in mag and distributor? i no the mag is a ton of money to replace but some guys wont buy one unless it has a mag??