A neighbor of mine is trying to sell me a used Lincoln SP100 MIG welder. I know it's just a "toy" welder but does anybody know what it would be suitable for and what it might be worth. I'm thinking if I can get it cheap, it would be good to play around with learn something about MIG welding. Thaks.

They work, ok for small jobs. 110v input only, make sure it's a 20 amp circuit.
There's one on ebay for $299 for reference (not sure of new price)

My father has some larger ones for sale. Miller 250 300 and 330's they range in price from 1200-2000. He is closing his shop down so its time to get rid of them. They are all used but functional.

I am really not sure on the pricing of a used Lincoln BUT I bought a Hobart Handler 140 (110v) welder about 2 years ago from TSC for I think around $400 on sale. It is my only welder and I use it for everything, haven't had to weld anything over 1/4" though.

Biggest thing is just what gregs04.5 said, make sure it is on a 20A circuit, I have blown many a breaker with mine.

I've got one of the little Lincoln's and have used it for 5yrs or so , works fine for what it was made for. Get it cheap as you can, you will get a lot of use from it.

Good for up to 1/8" - 3/16" only. Need at least 20 amp circuit, preferably 25 amp to run it. Nice little machines. I've used them a lot.

moved to shop

A "small welder" is like a "small di**". It may work for some jobs, but you will always wish you had a bigger one. :D
Wags

Good for up to 1/8" - 3/16" only. Need at least 20 amp circuit, preferably 25 amp to run it. Nice little machines. I've used them a lot.Well, I bought this little sucker but it don't have any manuals or instructions with it. How do I know what size/type of wire to buy for it and how does the Argon? hook up to it? Any help would be appriciated.

if you use flux core wire .30 -.35 for steel , you do not need the gas, gas is for other applications. stainless and such. be careful when installing the wire reel, hold onto the end of the wire, it will unwind very fast and you will loose most of your wire. ever take a spring out from a re-trackable pull core on a lawn mower. charlie
do a google search and you will find a lot of info.

Well, I bought this little sucker but it don't have any manuals or instructions with it. How do I know what size/type of wire to buy for it and how does the Argon? hook up to it? Any help would be appriciated.


Owner's manual is located here:

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/assets/ServiceNavigator/LINCOLN3/IM564.pdf


If you're using self-shielded, flux-cored wire, stick with .030 or .035". Buy 2# or 10# spools. If you're going to use solid (normal MIG) wire, you can use anything from .023" to .035", and you WILL need gas. 75% argon / 25% CO2 is preferred. Your local welding shop can help you with that. There is only one input in the back of the machine. When you pull the trigger, you'll hear a click, that's the gas solenoid opening.

Make sure you set the polarity correctly for the two different wires - DC+ for MIG (ground negative), and DC- for flux-cored (ground positive).

Drive roll tension is critical. You really should use a knurled drive roll for flux-cored wire. Too tight and it will crush the wire and cause pig-tailing. Too loose and it slips. If the machine has a lot of use, replace the liner inside the torch - crap will get built up inside it and cause hard feeding.

Let me know if you need any other help. I'm sure the owner's manual will get you up and going.