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While most people look for the latest 'bells and whistles', when it comes to welding machines, Clay Layman of Layman's Welding in Peace Valley, Mo., sticks with the tried and true. In fact, Layman currently owns nine Lincoln Electric
Pipeliner™ 200 (formerly Shield-Arc® 200) stick welding machines dating back to the 1940s. Many are used on a daily basis in his one-man fabrication shop and welding busines. According to Layman, the Pipeliner 200 is the best welding machine ever made. And he should know, since he has been welding for nearly 45 years.
The earliest model Pipeliner 200 Layman has in his shop was manufactured by Lincoln in 1946. His other units range from 1953 to 1966 models -- all of which are still running. Layman has not even purchased a welder since the early 1970s -- a testament to the quality and durability of Lincoln machines.
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Just why does he prefer the Lincoln Pipeliner 200? "The windings are made of 100 percent copper, it has a soft arc and it starts easily," said Layman. "For 10 years, I was working in west Texas on high pressure petroleum pipelines. In that industry, which requires x-rays on all welds, Lincoln machines are the only ones you see."
Also a cattle rancher, much of Layman’s fabrication business is repair
and building for farm and heavy equipment in the field. Recent jobs include
welding fences, gates, truck frames, dozer grouser bars, fuel tanks and tool
boxes.
Even though he’s never had any formal training, Layman enjoys the career
path he has chosen. “Welding is my life. I was born to weld.”
In his spare time, Layman’s hobby is rebuilding old welding machines.
He currently has four SA-200s that are waiting their turn for some ‘TLC’.
“As I’m rebuilding these old units, the people at Lincoln are very
helpful in walking me through the parts I need – most of which are still
available – even on these units that are now 50 years old,” noted
Layman.
Because its machines are built to last, Lincoln stocks parts even on discontinued
models such as the SA-200.
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