Topic: Welders

[Jeffy]

http://www.4wdandsportutility.com/tech/1005_4wd_trail_tools_product_guide/index.html

[Jeffy]

OK, I found the difference between the store brand Lincoln's and the regular ones.

The Weldpak's use tap controls rather then continuous controls.  I didn't realize Lincoln's had continuous controls.

This is interesting as well.

http://content.lincolnelectric.com/pdfs/products/literature/e7242.pdf

Although, there is no auto-set but Lincoln's are usually cheaper.

[Jeffy]

No takers?  I think I've narrowed down my choices to the Millermatic 180 and the Lincoln 180C.

Been thinking that I may forgo the corners and bumpers for a while longer to buy a welder and gear.

[dwtaylorpdx]

I have a SP175 Lincoln, it was the entry level commercial unit when I bought it. It has a tap for voltage and linear for wire speed. 
Its been an awsome unit. Owned it for 15 years...

Dave

[st.chevrolet]

They are both good welders, I don't think you can go wrong no matter which one you pick.
If you go to Miller Welds you can check out their comparison to the Lincoln 180C & T, Thermal Arc 180, and Hobart 187.

[Jeffy]

They are both good welders, I don't think you can go wrong no matter which one you pick.
If you go to Miller Welds you can check out their comparison to the Lincoln 180C & T, Thermal Arc 180, and Hobart 187.

Ok, went to the site: http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/comparisons/millermatic_180.html

Looks like Miller upped their specs to burn 5/16".  The feature I really like though is the Auto-Set. Also nice that Miller decided to join us in the 2000's by including a DVD and not a VHS tape as well.

Although, I do like how I can pick up Lincoln parts just about anywhere.  Sears, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc.

Is there anything to look out for?  Features/internals/designs that are better then the other?

[FourbangerYJ]

Ok, went to the site: http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/comparisons/millermatic_180.html

Looks like Miller upped their specs to burn 5/16".  The feature I really like though is the Auto-Set. Also nice that Miller decided to join us in the 2000's by including a DVD and not a VHS tape as well.

Although, I do like how I can pick up Lincoln parts just about anywhere.  Sears, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc.

Is there anything to look out for?  Features/internals/designs that are better then the other?

u

I must admit the hardest thing to learn was the set up IMO. Having the machine do it for you is a cool thing. In class we did not get a chart on the inside panel to tell you what to set the heat and wire speed to. It was trail and error. But it was a great way to learn.
It's hard to say which would have better internals. It would depend on who's sales pitch you believed more. A while back I asked the local shop which he would choose between the 2 brands and he said Lincoln. Mostly for the ease of finding consumables cheaply.
I was trying to choose between those 2 welders yesterday. Both are nice. The Miller does have a bit of a edge I think with the extra capacity and the autoset. But it comes at a cost. For you it would make the most since to get the Miller. It would be a faster learning curve and you said you know others with the same brand.
There are lots of good deals on the net. But I think buying one local would be the way to go in case there is ever any repairs needed. Buy the consumables on line to save money. That's my 2 cents.

[Jeffy]

I was trying to choose between those 2 welders yesterday. Both are nice. The Miller does have a bit of a edge I think with the extra capacity and the autoset. But it comes at a cost. For you it would make the most since to get the Miller. It would be a faster learning curve and you said you know others with the same brand.
There are lots of good deals on the net. But I think buying one local would be the way to go in case there is ever any repairs needed. Buy the consumables on line to save money. That's my 2 cents.

I think I'll probably go with the Miller as most of my friends all prefer the Millers to the Lincoln's.  I'll just have to buy some flux core and some extra tips separately to play around with.  I'll have to save up a bit more though.

The price difference is only $30.

[FourbangerYJ]

Sounds like a good plan.

[st.chevrolet]

Ok, went to the site: http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/comparisons/millermatic_180.html

Looks like Miller upped their specs to burn 5/16".  The feature I really like though is the Auto-Set. Also nice that Miller decided to join us in the 2000's by including a DVD and not a VHS tape as well.

Although, I do like how I can pick up Lincoln parts just about anywhere.  Sears, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc.

Is there anything to look out for?  Features/internals/designs that are better then the other?

Jeffy having not used the particular model of welders you are looking at, I checked with a friend who manages a Praxair welding supply outlet which sells both makes . Here is what he had to say:
Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages over the other but they are minor. However the Miller Auto-Set will make a world of difference for someone just starting out with little or no experience. I think you will find with the Miller with solid wire and  a 75% Argon/25% carbon dioxide gas you will have no problem welding 5/16 steel in one pass. If you need to do thicker plate in one pass then you will need to go flux core.

[Jeffy]

Jeffy having not used the particular model of welders you are looking at, I checked with a friend who manages a Praxair welding supply outlet which sells both makes . Here is what he had to say:
Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages over the other but they are minor. However the Miller Auto-Set will make a world of difference for someone just starting out with little or no experience. I think you will find with the Miller with solid wire and  a 75% Argon/25% carbon dioxide gas you will have no problem welding 5/16 steel in one pass. If you need to do thicker plate in one pass then you will need to go flux core.

Thanks for the info!  That's very helpful.  So, I'll go with the Miller.

[FourbangerYJ]

Thanks for the info!  That's very helpful.  So, I'll go with the Miller.

Flux is cheaper to start out on VS gas but it might be a bit tougher to learn. It's a bit more labor to get rid of the flux and welding berries. I use a wire wheel on a 3/8 drill. I use various sizes of wheels depending on what needs to be cleaned off. Also a chipping hammer or chisel or old screwdriver come in real handy.
The gas is real nice since there is not much clean  up to see what kind of beads your laying down. Plus I think it's easier to see the puddle.

[firebrick43]

No one has made this suggestion so I will throw it out there. 

I recommend all beginners start with an DC arc welder.  Look for an old 230V Dialarc 250(miller) or IdealArc 250.  These machines are indestructible, and weld very well, and are available used for cheaper prices than many AC only buzz boxes.  There is nothing these brute cant do except maybe thin body panels.  Thats what an oxy/fuel torch is good for, the thin stuff and cutting metal.  A good man running a decent torch and deliver quality cuts near that of a plasma, and an oxy/fuel set up can weld thin steel, aluminum, cast iron, stainless steel, and cast aluminum with the proper consumables

DC 7018 is absolutely beautiful to weld with and in 10 hours of concentrated practice you can have it down pretty well if you have a decent instructor. 

Why I don't recommend Mig.  Its been said that mig is the easiest to learn and the hardest to master.  The reason is that you have a hard time seeing the puddle, and most beginners don't know what they are looking at to begin with.  I have seen to many mig welds that look good in appearance visually fail because they were cold or contaminated.  When I was getting my welders certifications I was welding with a industrial Mig machine and the welds were going in hot and looked gorgeous, but keep failing in the bend test do to porosity.  Tried again with the instructor looking over my shoulder, said I did a perfect job, failed again.  Instructor tried, it failed as well.  Ended up being some slight contamination in the cable liner which when replaced fixed the problem, but the point is that even a professional welding instructor was getting visually appealing welds that were not up to certification.  Now take a beginner and he doesn't even know what he is looking at. 

With arc welding, if the weld looks good 99 percent of the time it is.  Crappy weld appear crappy, there is no getting around it. 

[aw12345]

Since my lincoln welder just took a dump I bought the miller 180 and love it very nice welder got to love the autoset, you can weld 0.035 wire with it and it can run a spool gun for aluminum welding. Darn thing was not cheap but they had a supposed sale on them so all in all I am a happy camper with my new glue gun

[Jeffy]

Since my lincoln welder just took a dump I bought the miller 180 and love it very nice welder got to love the autoset, you can weld 0.035 wire with it and it can run a spool gun for aluminum welding. Darn thing was not cheap but they had a supposed sale on them so all in all I am a happy camper with my new glue gun

How much did you pay?  I've seen them for $788 shipped.