Arc Quality comparison

[farmboy weldor]

Reading all this talk of the Lincoln SA 200, 250s , the Classics engine driven welders. It makes me wonder how their "superior arc quality" in comparison to other engine driven units compares to say a non engine driven welder like an inverter or any old power supply, like a dialarc, or DC 400?

Ive been running a sweet little Maxstar 200STR and really love the arc, and can really notice the difference between it's arc and say an older dialarc. Now can the Lincoln Engine driven units that Ive mentioned above really have a superior arc? if this is so id really like to try one out and see for myself.

[stick man]

the old 200 pipeliner has probaly one of thye best arcs ever in my opioun. never owned one but welded with several, and in the process of trying to find a good one for sale.

[weld-tek]

Reading all this talk of the Lincoln SA 200, 250s , the Classics engine driven welders. It makes me wonder how their "superior arc quality" in comparison to other engine driven units compares to say a non engine driven welder like an inverter or any old power supply, like a dialarc, or DC 400?

Ive been running a sweet little Maxstar 200STR and really love the arc, and can really notice the difference between it's arc and say an older dialarc. Now can the Lincoln Engine driven units that Ive mentioned above really have a superior arc? if this is so id really like to try one out and see for myself.

THIS OUGHT TO BE GOOD.I WOULD GIVE MY OPINON FARMBOY WELDER,BUT IT WILL BE MORE FUN TO WAIT.

[farmboy weldor]

I'd actually like to find an older very used unit, lets say an SA 200 and maybe restore it. but have never heard of one being around up here. There are couple on ebay but are usually in Pennsylvania for some reason. which might be a good thing since I'm going to college down there.

[joebass]

Never having run a DC generator, the best arcs I have seen with SMAW are from big three phase machines and inverters. My Invision and Dynasty have great SMAW arcs. Right now I am looking for a used Goldstar or SRH for my primary stick machine. I would be interested in what any of the pipeliners have to say if they have stick welded with any of the inverters.

[Wicked one]

inverted

Never having run a DC generator, the best arcs I have seen with SMAW are from big three phase machines and inverters. My Invision and Dynasty have great SMAW arcs. Right now I am looking for a used Goldstar or SRH for my primary stick machine. I would be interested in what any of the pipeliners have to say if they have stick welded with any of the inverters.

Yes I have used all of the above and I own a pipe pro 304 (which is an inverter,and also in the shop because their superior arc is not so superior). I've used an xmt 304 for 3 years in a fab shop and they would work great for about2 monthes before something would go wrong. Now before all you blue bloods jump me they ran 20 hrs. a day 5 days a week so I think thats pretty good. This is my opinion if you are NOT a PRO WELDER all that arc bull dosen't matter . What does matter is ease of use(easy arc starting non critical arc lenght etc.) When a pipeliner posts something about a machine especially an engine drive their opinion is usually spot on due to the fact we are beside our machines 12 or 14 hrs. a day so when something is not right we feel it and see it and hear it.remember this is just my opinion. Jef

[weld-tek]

Reading all this talk of the Lincoln SA 200, 250s , the Classics engine driven welders. It makes me wonder how their "superior arc quality" in comparison to other engine driven units compares to say a non engine driven welder like an inverter or any old power supply, like a dialarc, or DC 400?

Ive been running a sweet little Maxstar 200STR and really love the arc, and can really notice the difference between it's arc and say an older dialarc. Now can the Lincoln Engine driven units that Ive mentioned above really have a superior arc? if this is so id really like to try one out and see for myself.

HERE IS A REPLY DIRECTLY FROMLINCOLN



.....First of all, I'm sorry to hear of your "Oops", and sure wish you a speedy recovery.

Second, I sent a little note to Lincoln, asking about the SA200...(anyone that has read this rag long enough knows that I consider it the "holy grail" of welders).

I'll "cut and paste" the reply..........

Mark:

Pipeliner welders are a breed of their own. I say that in support of what they do. It does take a special type of arc to make the hot pass that will burn out all of the wagon tracks. For this application Lincoln has had a lock on the arc caused by our generator welders for a long time.

Saying all of that ... you would never know the differece in the arc of a Ranger 250 and that of one of the generator driven welders. It is an alternator but it has the new (about 5 years) Chopper Technology controled arc. This will give you a great arc plus excellent power.

For years the SA200 had the Continental F162 or F163 gasoline engine. Continental went belly up a few years back forcing us to switch to the GM engine. We also made the SA250 diesle using the 3.152 three cylinder Perkins engine. That engine will not meet the new enviromental standards which again forced us to change to another engine.

I recommend that you find a distributor with either a Ranger 250 or 305G, weld with it, and see if it doesn't have that great arc you are looking for and it will fit your billford also.

Thank you for considering Lincoln products.
Harry






COPIED FROM SHOP FLOOR TALK,BUT IF YOU READ ON HERE,LINCOLN DONT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT,SO WHO DO YOU BELIEVE

[DDA52]

I have run all different types of the Lincs, Millers and some Hobart generators as well. I agree with Jef and Sberry has said it before as well. If you aren't a pro, it won't matter. I actually liked the arc of an old Hobart DC generator better than the Lincolns....but then that was just me. I am not a pipe head, so I can make do with any machine. My choice of machine now is the TB302.

[Pile Buck]

Ok first off I’m not a professional weldor, but this is America, and by birthright I’m entitled to my opinion!

I haven’t run an SA-200 since the 1970’s but still remember the arc quality. Out of all the engine drive machines I’ve run I’d say the SAE-600, and SAM’s are hands down the closest. I have run Lincoln electric machines that are extremely close too.

Far as SMAW my Gold Star is probably one of the best Miller machines I’ve run, nowhere near the same league as any of the Lincolns mentioned above .
But is still better than what I’ve seen out of the Dynasty so far.

[BigRed]

Used lots of 3 phase machines and some are better than others. However none have been as smooth as my classic 300d. Downhill 6010 hotpass is smooth and easy, some how it keeps the slag back very well. With 7018 the puddle seems so pure and when you crank the custum arc up it pushes the puddle agains the steel like you want. I would like to try one of the pipeliner 200's that are truely pure DC.

[ShieldArc]

COPIED FROM SHOP FLOOR TALK,BUT IF YOU READ ON HERE,LINCOLN DONT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT,SO WHO DO YOU BELIEVE

i welded up the truck plate tonite and used the excalibur 7018 with my new tb302 and im not happy with welds at all,im running dc+,and dig at softest setting.the undercut was terrible and the rods seem to be eratic at times.just not as smooth as i thought as it would be.before i quit for the nite i tried some 5p+ on the taillight brackets and they was sweet as honey.i even opened new can of 7018 and still not what i was wanting.am i doing something wrong,could i be getting some bad rods,do i need to stretch my new cables ll the way out,im kinda dumbfounded. what settings do you guys use,also my amps was around 120 to 130.

Hard to believe these 2 quotes are from the same guy.

[Pile Buck]

ShieldArc, I’m gonna start calling you “Maytag”!

[joebass]

So with some of the pipeliners switching to Pipepros, how is the arc? Is it comparable? There must be a reason for people to switch even when there is a known history of probs with them. I love the arc on my inverters, but I've never used a pure DC generator.

[weld-tek]

here is me welding with ranger 305 shieldarc.im just a beginner trying to learn.

[Pile Buck]

im just a beginner trying to learn.

Now see here I was thinking you were a 40-year veteran

ShieldArc
Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ne.
Posts: 245

One of these days you’ll have to explain to me why you post this. I’ve noticed you do it quite often.