SA200, what it worth?

[muddstopper]

A while back i was told about this machine. It used to belong to my SL dad whom passed away several years ago. I finally got around to taking a look at it. Welder did run, but has sat around inside a leaky shed for several years. It is a older machine, flat head engine. Currently the motor is locked, but I dont see any signs of being cracked, no water in oil or anything like that. All metal panels, dials, covers, etc are still in place. I can get it pretty cheap, but restoration could be costly, especially if engine is toast. It is mounted on a trailer, but I would probably scrap that since its pretty rusty. It does have some leads, but insulation is rotten and cracked, I wouldnt use it. I dont have any real need of a engine driven welder, but I guess it could come in handy time to time. More thinking along the lines of just restoring and having it around just in case I need or want to use it. I have seen running machines on ebay for $2500 and restored ones for $5000. I am just wondering what this machine would be worth in its current condition. Is it worth restoring, or should I just let them sell it for scrap.

 

[DXN1EL]

The current price at the local scrap is 11 cents.

 

[Shield Arc]

I paid $200.00 for this 1966 Red Face, and turned down $6,000.00. Guy was mad as a wet hen when I wouldn't sell it to him.:laughing: Paint will cost you around $150.00. Remember those Continental engine went is a lot of equipment, especially forklifts, and tractors. I'd offer him $250.00 remove the spark plugs and fill the cylinders with Kroil penetrating oil, and let it set for a month.

Buy Kano Laboratories Kroil Penetrating Oil - Gallon at SkyGeek.com

 

[muddstopper]

Actually, I filled it with dexton/alcohol mix, best stuff I have found for unsticking things. I figure if I can get it to spin over, theres a good chance of getting it to run, how well is another matter. The engine stuff I can work on, it the welder parts I dont know what to do with. I dont even know where to start trouble shooting the welder, what goes bad, how to tell if its bad, or how bad is bad.

Dont know how much it will weigh, but I am looking to buy at scrap pricing. For a couple hundred bucks, if it cant be fixed, at least i wont lose much if I end up taking it to the scrap yard.

I am betting this machine is a late 50' model, hence the flathead engine. Not even sure what kind of engine it is. It has had a alternator added instead of a generator. Dont know if its 12v or supposed to be a 6volt start. I guess I will be in for a lot of surprises if I buy the thing. All in all, it looks to be all there. I will probably meet with them over the holidays and see what kind deal we can work out.

 

[Shield Arc]

Just about anything you want to know about an SA-200 will be on these sites.
SA 200
We Need An SA-200 Info/FAQ Sticky
Bill's Welder Repair Home, welder repair,welder parts, warranty, torch repair, regulator repair, gauge repair, Lincoln Electric, Miller Electric, Hobart, Victor, Smith, Purox, Rego, Harris, Thermal Dynamics, Thermal Arc, Airco, torch, regulator repai
Home page
STUMPF WELDING SUPPLIES INC. SINCE 1952
Welding Supplies, Parts, Machines and Welding Repair | Weldmart Online

 

[Arc weld]

The Continental flathead engines were used into the 90's I believe but there's some other clues you provided that indicate it could be a VERY desirable machine. If it's a late 50's model could be a short hood(most desirable for pipeline welding) and if not would be a really early Redface except before the actual red faceplate. Lincoln went to the longer hood in 58 but didn't add the red faceplate till 1960 I think. Same machine though and they are legendary. Maybe you really lucked out and it's a rare blue tint red face plate? The conversion to alternator is another clue it could be a redface model with a round(welding) generator housing. The hexagon generator housing came around 1973 and uses some aluminum windings. They aren't as desirable as a redface but still worth fixing. Can you post some pictures and/or a serial number? You've peaked our interest and can't just leave us hanging.

 

[Shield Arc]

muddstopper the SA-200 you're thinking about buying must look like these?

 

[muddstopper]

The welder looks more like the one on the left than it does the one on the right. Its a few miles to where the machine is at. I plan on sometime today driving over and I will get a few pic's. Where do I look for serial numbers and such other information to identify with.

I am sure the faceplate around the dials is not red, No color at all really. Dont know if its just faded or what. It is good to know the flat head engine was used for many years, but it could also mean the machine isnt as old as I first thought. I guess a little more research is in order.

 

[Shield Arc]

The serial number, and code number should be on the face plate. If not the code number should be on the generator, on the left side looking at the face plate.

 

[muddstopper]

finally got back to take another look at the welder. Here are what numbers I could find.
Model sa200-f-163
Code 7074
Serial#678276

Magneto
Fairbanks Morse
CW 15
fmX4B16A-1
Serial# 7164291

I found these numbers on the engine, but dont know if its a complete number or partial. 400space6space2.
I have some pics to post after I get them uploaded

 

[Shield Arc]

It's a late 1971. It has the octagon barrel generator! I have a 1974 with an octagon barrel generator, personally I don't think they weld as nice as the round barrels.

 

[muddstopper]

Right now My BL wants my old ac/dc tombstone for a trade. The way I see it, I dont need the tombstone any more, and I dont really need the SA200. If we do the trade, I suspect the old tombstone will just take up space in his shop instead of mine, and if the time comes that I did need it, I can just go borrow it back. I dont think he has ever struck a arc with a welder.

 

[Shield Arc]

In my opinion the octagon barrel generators are just another welder, nothing special at all! If I ever get off my a $ $, I have my 1974 in the shop now, I'm going to mate a 5-gear round barrel to the engine, and put it all in a Short Hood body. :thumbsup:

 

[muddstopper]

Are the octagon barrel welders that are supposed to have the aluminum winding? What are the drawback or faults of this particular welder

 

[Shield Arc]

Yes they have aluminum in the shunts. I think it was 1977 had the highest failure rate in the history of the SA-200s.
It's hard to explain the difference. But if you could weld with both side by side you could see the difference in the quality of arcs. It is just hard to beat a 100% copper DC generator!

 

[muddstopper]

Interesting information. I still think it would be worth having around, as long as it dont cost me a fortune to fix it. I think I will just offer to fiddle with it and see if I can get it to run. If BL wants a welder, I'll let him borrow the tombstone for as long as he wants it. That way, if I cant fix it, or it becomes cost prohibitive, I can just let them have it back. Plus the old tombstone wont be cluttering up my shop taking up space.

 

[Arc weld]

It must be one of the first octagon barrel machines. I thought they didn't come out till 73? It looks in pretty good shape appearance wise. While not as desirable as the round barrel it's still an SA200 :thumbsup: I don't think there's a welder on the planet that would complain if all that was available to use was an octagon SA200. Now if you were talking about about buzz box's and 110 volt machines, most welders would rather stick something sharp in their eye. When they work properly, there's not really such a thing as a bad SA200, some are just more desirable. It's worth getting checked out for sure!

 

[Shield Arc]

It must be one of the first octagon barrel machines. I thought they didn't come out till 73?

I had to look at the chart 3-times, I couldn't believe a 1971 was an octagon myself:shocked:. I would have swore the octagons came out mid 1973! I have a 1971 my self, and it's a round barrel.:confused3:
The orange one behind the Short Hood.

 

[muddstopper]

Well, I am pretty sure for what welding I do, I couldnt tell the difference between round or octagon. As long as it would run a bead, I would be happy. While a more modern machine with ac power would better fill my needs considering I would probably use a generator in the field more than a welder.

 

[Shield Arc]

I understand a lot of pipe liners use the octagon barrel SA-200s! Don't go by me, if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a little particular with welding machines.