Lincoln Electric Speedtec 200C Synergic Tips & Tricks

[Mike K]

Hi Lionel

Ask these guys the moderator is a welding teacher
https://metalworkforums.com/f160

I have been a hobby welder for years, I did a TAFE welding course and it opened up some doors , seeing the industrial 3 phase welders they had at TAFE , it was like night and day the difference in what you can do.

At home with a single phase welder you will be limited to a large degree to relatively light gauge materials. But I did manage to build the body for my C8 Chev with a basic MIG and Arc welder , the max gauge I welded was around 5/16" or 3/8" mild steel.

One thing I learnt where I live is: the mains supply voltage is critical, it can go up/down depending on the time of day ... after 4pm welding is not possible.

Use 15 Amp rated leads and keep your power leads as short as possible, longer leads means more voltage drop ... with single phase you want to limit the voltage drop from the mains supply, voltage drop really is bad for electric welding.

The Lincoln you have is a great machine so you have a good starting point.

I have a WW2 era US HOBART welder: supplied as Lend-Lease, it is 300 Amp DC and is driven by a Dodge 6 engine.... it is sitting on a Aust. single axle traiiler with the 18" Aust. wheels, it has a Allied Works Council number on the chassis. It needs fixing, the commutator looks worn but it is a complete unit, nothing missing. A jeep would tow it short distances. A club member here was using it on the farm , but he retired and downsized, it was too good a deal to refuse.

[Lionelgee]

Hello Mike,

Thank you for the reply. Unfortunately the days of Queensland Technical and Further Education (TAFE) offering Adult Community Education (ACE) 'Hobby' courses are gone from my district. The closest TAFE college that offers a MIG course is located 3 hours drive from me. The course looks like a certification one; as it is held every Wednesday evening over a 10 week period. That would mean a round trip of 6 hours and an overnight stay in a motel, plus the cost of fuel and meals all multiplied by 10.

The ACE courses should never have been axed. Oh, I am a former TAFE Trade Teacher. The ACE course were frequently an introduction to training that led people just wanting to do a hobby to them deciding to get qualifications in that area of interest. Just my humble opinion. I knew one person who followed their hobby through to a PhD and they started off doing an ACE course. Plus, people could do things like an Introduction to Gardening course, where they could learn to grow their own food. Or MIG weld. I missed out on doing a lead-lighting, stain glass ACE course that was once offered locally. I would still like to pursue that course somewhere too.

Kind regards
Lionel