Lincoln SA-200 Specs

The Lincoln SA-200 is a "Shield-Arc" welder, a machine for joining metals using the shielded metal arc welding process, or SMAW. Although the machine is defined as obsolete by Lincoln Electric, there are still many SA-200s in working order and giving good service. The name is taken from the abbreviation for "Shield-Arc" plus the fact that the model has a Lincoln model L-200 engine.

The Lincoln model L-200 engine is a four-cylinder, four-cycle engine. The stroke, or distance traveled by the pistons, is 4 3/8 inches. The bore, or diameter of the cylinders, is 3 7/16 inches. The displacement, or total volume swept by the pistons, is 162 cubic inches. At 1400 RPM, or revolutions per minute, the engine produces 32 BHP, or brake horsepower. Brake horsepower is the raw power of an engine before it begins to drive auxiliary components. The engine rotation is counterclockwise from the welder end.

The oil capacity for filter and crankcase is 5 quarts, or 1 1/4 gallons. The oil pressure is 20 pounds minimum and 35 pounds maximum, when the engine is running hot. The fuel system is gravity fed and the fuel used must be at least 75 octane. The fuel capacity is 12 1/2 gallons. The cooling system capacity is 13 quarts, or 4 1/4 gallons.

The welder has dual control, which means you can vary the welding current with two mechanical control knobs. One control varies the open circuit voltage and the current. The second is a four position current control. Using these two controls, you can vary the current from 60 to 300 amps at roughly 40 volts arc voltage. You can therefore vary the arc, the hot electrical discharge from the end of the welding rod, as required for different conditions. For example, you can use a "tenuous" arc when welding in windy conditions or a "snappy" arc for vertical or overhead work.

Some models have a 115-volt DC power plug outlet on the control panel, providing 8.7 amps of current. This will give 1 kilowatt of power. You can use this to power lights and various tools. There is an idling device, for short periods when the machine is running but you have temporarily stopped welding. This saves fuel and reduces wear to the engine. Some models have a carburetor de-icer to prevent damage to the carburetor because of icy weather conditions.