Welding Tips and Tricks

Model: Lincoln SA-200 1990 edition
Serial number: A-1129854
Engine type: F-163

This is the welding machine I have and it is not making an arc. It will spark a little at first but nothing after that. Any ideas of what might be wrong?

Have you tried to adjust the amperage settings to see if it will make an arc at a diferent range?

What you are describing sounds like a loose connection in either your stinger or your ground clamp.
Disconnect the leades and check with an ohm meter. You are getting some current but it appears to be marginal.
Sometimes the lead in the stinger will work its way loose. hope this helps.
Tommy

You could just not have a good ground connection . try cleaning your ground clamp.

Tommy

Jttyrch wrote:Model: Lincoln SA-200 1990 edition
Serial number: A-1129854
Engine type: F-163

This is the welding machine I have and it is not making an arc. It will spark a little at first but nothing after that. Any ideas of what might be wrong?

That's a fine machine, and it's a shame it's not working for you.
Tell us a little about you. Our advice will be crafted depending on how much you already know...
If this is your first attempt ever at welding, you'll get simple suggestions like you've already seen.
If you've been doing this fifteen years with different machines, the suggestions will change.
Help us not waste your time or ours; Tell us about you.

Steve S

I think from his other post, he has never welded before.

bruce991 wrote:I think from his other post, he has never welded before.

I see a record of only the one post...

His post total also only records the one.

I'm guessing you're right, regardless. That was not the question of an experienced weldor.

Steve S

Always tough to help guys like that.
Who knows what the settings on the dials are. Who knows what rod and size he's using, or what he's welding.

We like to be helpful, but explaining the basics can't be our job all the time.

make sure that the remote/local switch is set to local unless you are using a remote control tether.
if you are trying to weld local (welder within easy reach) and the switch is set to remote it will just spark and nothing more.
our industrial hobart is the same way