sa 200 reliability

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Alright a couple of years ago i bought 68 sa 200 black face i had some kinks to workout with it but now i have it going good and welds like a dream. I was kinda wanting to freshen up the all the body work on it and make it look nice and was wondering what i could do to mabe freshen up the genarator of it to make sure everything will last like it has so far. i am not really concerened with the engine because it fires up with two to three spins even if has been two to three months with no smoke or anything. Hopefully as soon as i get out of school i can get into some pipework and start making some money. I really would be super happy If this old welder last 6 months for what i gave for it. O yea one more thing and sorry for the lenthy post but the last time i used it the grinder plugged to it wouldn't idle it up but it welded fine kicked up and everything whats up there
Reply:It won't kick up on auxillary because it probably doesn't have an easy grind solinoid. If the generator is working, no point in getting it rewound, so there is not much you can do there other than replacing the brushes (T2687)
Reply:There's no such thing as a 1968 black face.'68's came with a red background on the control panel. Those panels get replaced sometimes but a '68 is still a red face machine.JTMcC.
Reply:it may not be a true blackface but it looks original and the serial on the plate is for a 68 model but it is saftey yellow so i think it may have been like a dot machine or somthing as it dosn't look like any gray paint under the yellow just a red primer. So no crap the brushes are the only things to check
Reply:You might check the range switch connections for signs of bad connections; look for discoloration or feel for heat at the connections after welding. Clean and tighten if necessary.Make sure the crankcase oil doesn't show any signs of gasoline dilution.Do we get to see the pictures?? Good Luck
Reply:For years you could get replacement panels from Lincoln with the original numbers stamped on it. There are quite a few machines with the wrong color faceplate out there. Lincoln only painted them grey.JTMcC.
Reply:You may not need to replace the brushes either. Take the covers off the generator and exciter and check the length and see if the generator brushes are wearing off straight or at an angle. Get a brush seating stone and run it on both commutators untill they are clean and shiny, then blow everything out with compressed air. Does wonders for a machine that has set a long time.
Reply:well to be honest i would put some pics on here but I think i may be the only computer dummy in my age group 19 i just never took a huge interest in em. Ill guess ill check the brushes im gonna brake some doors, roll a new roof then trow some grey paint and hopefully this 300 dollar pawn show welder will work for awile. One more thing wile its on my mind i was wondering i haven't got around to checking the amps with a meter but it will weld with a 3/16 7018 now the rods are old and have moister in em but it takes almost all its got to weld with them is that about right or should it put out enough amps to move up to a even bigger rod just kinda wondering
Reply:3/16" LoHi is going to be the practical limit of those machines (in sound shape), and like you said, that is running in the upper end of it's range.JTMcC.
Reply:well guys i appriciate the response on my post. maybe this thingll will last me a year or two heck as long as it goes ill use it
Reply:They last forever. As long as no hard engine parts are broke and you keep oil in them they'll weld. If it's like you describe, doesn't smoke, no knocks, and doesn't leak a lot at the rear main, you're good to go. My workhorse 200 burns/leaks half a quart per day and smokes like a lot of them do but it starts easy in any temperatures and will work hard all day, month after month. JTMcC.
Reply:If you're going to make your living with it it's best to upgrade to an electronic idler for around $500. JTMcC
Reply:Originally Posted by Accident prone O yea one more thing and sorry for the lenthy post but the last time i used it the grinder plugged to it wouldn't idle it up but it welded fine kicked up and everything whats up there
Reply:Most tools with an on/off switch dont care if the 110 is AC or DC. An SA-200 will run all day every day as long as it has oil, water, fuel, and rods to burn. It asks very little for what it can do $$$ for you in return.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:The SA 200 will run any motor with brushes that has a simple off-on switch. It will fry the variable speed switches right quick. You may also have trouble with some tools with off-on switches are rated for just enough amps to get by with AC. I fryed the switch on a Makita grinder twice before I changed the switch to one rated for twice as many amps which cured the problem. Also got the switch on a Victaulic grooving tool. Same fix cured it.