buying first machine.

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Hey all, just joined this forum.  I am new to welding and looking for my first machine.  Found a SA-200 1970 red face that's been upgraded.  Only issue is oil leak.  The welder switched to synthetic and says now it just wet on cover.  Whats a usable machine worth, and how expensive are parts to replace seals and rings.
Reply:Do you know how to weld? It might  be a good idea to take some welding classes before you invest in some very expensive equipment. I see all kinds of welding equipment on Craigslist that people bought with the intentions of learning to weld.
Reply:one here in my town for 1750. with 200 ft 1-0 cable, 2 100 foot leads.Blue stock- shopmaster, a/bp330, maxstar 150stl, maxstar 210, hf251, Tbolt ac/dc, mm 135Red stock-ranger 8, weldanpower 150, idealarc 250 ac/dcEsab plasma, Victor OA set, Air products ac/dc 400 ampIt's me flipped in snow..doughnut fail
Reply:I thought 1970 was a black face or green light but could be wrong. The red face has weld terminals on the face and black face are on left side of face but again I could be wrong.
Reply:With respect to the oil issue, I've been in the car business for a couple decades, and something I learned early on is that if you want to make an old car leak oil, switch to synthetic. If you put regular old dinosaur oil in it, the wetness will likely cease. You can also try to reseal anything using Ford's diesel engine sealant. It comes in a small tube, is grey, and that stuff will seal an active leak. It's amazing.-Chris
Reply:I was gonna comment on synthetic oil earlier but from past experiences I've learned not to.  Customers always think we are crazy when we tell them the oil caused the leak...we had a customer find an old f100 in storage. I brought it back to life with all its original fluids except the gas. drove for 2 months almost every day then he decided to do a complete service... amsoil everything...soon after everything except the radiator and gas tank were leaking.about 2500 to reseal motor, trans and diff.  filled with cheap conventional fluids....conventional oil is fine. conventional with zinc is better...just change it every once in awhileBlue stock- shopmaster, a/bp330, maxstar 150stl, maxstar 210, hf251, Tbolt ac/dc, mm 135Red stock-ranger 8, weldanpower 150, idealarc 250 ac/dcEsab plasma, Victor OA set, Air products ac/dc 400 ampIt's me flipped in snow..doughnut fail
Reply:Hey pwog, An SA-200 wouldn't be my pick for a machine to learn on, or actually my pick for a machine, period.  But we each value different features differently.  Do you have access to 220V where you're planning to weld?  An electric welder is a whole lot cheaper to run, it never runs out of fuel, never needs maintenance aside from being blown out with air once in a blue moon, and won't be cantankerous if you set it aside to pursue other hobbies, then all of the sudden want to power it up again 6 months or a year later.I just put $20 and change in my Trailblazer's fuel tank yesterday.  A full day's running will have it costing that much again.  SA-200's will use considerably more fuel than that.  Welding the same amount in the shop with my XMT 304 would cost me what - ?  Five bucks if that? Originally Posted by pwogOnly issue is oil leak.  The welder switched to synthetic and says now it just wet on cover.  Whats a usable machine worth, and how expensive are parts to replace seals and rings.
Reply:Yes sir, sort of.  So the honest answer obviously is nope.  I'm a pipeliner and this is just another tool in the chest.  The company I'm with takes real good care of me.  Always learning and growing.  Bout the only thing on row I'm not proficient with.  Not in any rush.  Weld boss is willing to teach me.  I don't drink or do drugs, girlfriend lives a good ways away.  If nothing else I will have a new hobby.
Reply:Well the machine would be on a truck.  In preparation if I ever go welding on pipeline.  Not likely but one of them deals.  Career building if you will.  The oil deal bothers me.  Thanks for the input
Reply:I'm not real sure about the face thing, get a hinky feeling.  Like they may be trying to get over on me.  Thanks for the terminal information.  Irregardless I should be able to tell by their facial expressions how they answer that question.
Reply:Living on the road don't have a shop.  Dang sure wouldn't leave a machine in company shop.  Figure if it ain't for me I can always sell the thing for whatever I have in it.  For sure if I ever end up welding on pipe full time I would buy a newer machine.
Reply:A 1970 is technically the same as a red face. Very desirable for pipeline welding. I believe 1970 is when the put a black face plate on the SA200 but it still had the round barrel of a red face. It's not uncommon for the Continental engines to seep some oil. It depends on how bad it leaks. You could try regular oil and maybe some Lucas stop leak and see if it helps. If you want to get into pipeline or just learn how to stick weld, an SA200 has one of the finest arcs you'll ever run for 6010 or 7018 and anything else for that matter. A good round running round barrel SA200 can bring $2000 and more. Some are completely restored and sell for more than double that. The later hexagon barrel aluminum shunt SA200's are a good machine but don't bring the money of the round barrel with all copper windings. What's been upgraded on this machine, the idler or something else and what's the asking price?