Lincoln SP170T welder

super99

Well-known Member
I'm looking at this welder used by an older fellow that appears to be in very good condition. It is set up for argon and has a cart with it for $200. His health isn't the best and he wants to get rid of all his tools so his wife won't have to after he is gone. I already have 2 stick welders, a Lincoln 225 and a Miller ac/dc. I have been welding at work with a big Miller and like the way it works. I'd like something to weld smaller stuff with, I don't seem to have much luck with the stick welders on thin metals. A co worker wants me to buy a bigger unit, but I'm CHEAP.I can weld heavier steel with the stick welders, I'd like a small welder for thinner material and just to play with. Does anyone have one of these welders and what are your thoughts on one? Thanks, Chris
 
I can't speak to the sp 175 but do have the smaller 110 volt sp 100 or something close to that. Its a good little welder for light material. I have used it up to 1/8 inch with no trouble and done either 24 or 26 gage many times. Auto body panels it worked great. The 175 is a larger machine but I would think if you used either the 23 or 30 thousands wire it would be great. Do some checking if that's a 220 machine and I seem to think it may be you may be able to set up a spool gun for aluminum. If that's the case I would really jump on it. It may be an older machine but a Hobart 190 machine would seem to be similar and run over $700.00 $200.00 I think will be a good deal. Check to see if parts are still around. The last time I bought tips they were hard to come by as it had an odd I guess gun on it.
 
I think that is similar to my Lincoln 180. Mine gets used all the time. It is about 5 years old. I am an ornamental iron guy and it works great for my use. Seems it will weld up to 1/2" with flux core but I never have a need for that. My drive system went out after a couple of years and was repaired under warranty. The machine fits my needs, work and budget, quite well.
 
Yes, I've had that model for about twenty years and it works well. I've welded 1/4 inch steel with it, which is at it's upper limit. Welding heavy stuff requires you to stop frequently to allow the machine to cool off, since the thermal limit will trip when it overheats.

The "T" indicates "tapped", meaning the voltage is not continuously variable; you have to switch between several discrete settings.

For 200 bucks with a tank and cart you CAN'T GO WRONG. A similar setup new will cost well over 500 bucks, probably close to a grand.
 
If the tank goes with it, the tank could be $250.00,and it will be 75%25% argon mix for steel.
 
I've got one and I love it. Paid $600 without the cart. I couldn't see spending 1500-2000 for the next model up.
 
That is the best of those small welders of that vintage. I had one and used it a lot in my shop even tho I had begged welders because it worked so well. I thought it was much better than even the miller of that time.
 
I have a SP170T, use it more than my stick welder. its a 220 volt machine, welds up to 3/8 inch steel, got mine new for $800 with a tank and flow meter. can run .023,.030 wire,and I have run .035 wire in it with no problems. The SP175 was an upgrade to the SP170, but I'm not sure what was changed.
 
I have one of the early SP100 and it has been a good machine. They keep trying to sell me a NEW gun for it but my original is fine. The tips are hard to get but last time I had them order some from Lincoln as the local stores just don't carry them.
 
When you said argon I was thinking TIG . A MIG will become your go to welder for most stuff because it is easy to turn on and use. Probably can't go wrong with a Lincoln machine.
 
I have the SP135 or the 120volt version of the SP170. In hindsight I wish I would have bought the 170 for the extra duty cycle and slightly higher output. I use that little machine much more than the stick welder. Thicker stuff can be done with it if you preheat and use multiple passes. You will not regret your purchase especially at such a price.
 
I have a 120 volt Lincoln, don't remember which model.
When I wired my new shop I used #10 romex with 20 amp receptacles and breakers. I was welding one day with the setting rather high and tripped the breaker. I checked the manual, and it said that the welder would likely trip a 20 amp breaker at higher settings. I don't remember what size the cord is but the cord cap is only 15 amp. I would thing that it would be a 20 amp. Anyway I changed the breaker to a 25 amp, which works much better. I'm glad I used that #10 wire when I wired the receipticals.
It may not be quite kosher, but what else could one do?

Dusty
 
You did not make any code violations. You have 30 amp wire protected by 25 amp breaker. The wire size always dictates the breaker size.
 
(quoted from post at 05:52:33 03/16/17) I have one of the early SP100 and it has been a good machine. They keep trying to sell me a NEW gun for it but my original is fine. The tips are hard to get but last time I had them order some from Lincoln as the local stores just don't carry them.
re your tips threaded or eccentric quarter turn friction tips? Mine has the friction tips and were hard to find some time ago, maybe 10 years ago, but I picked up about a dozen then, may need to order more. I had been told they were discontinued and only old stock available then so I have been really nursing these along. I have spent a good bit of time cleaning and fixing these old tips.
 
have you ever tried stick weld thin with the tiny rod/3/32 used do it all time never owned mig. do not even own welder now. i hope you use weld mask when you weld,fumes will get to you over time btdt
 

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