Welders!

[my90k5]

Originally Posted by POPO1984

I think im about to score a lincoln 180 for 475 shipped to my door

Great score POPO1984! I just ordered a Lincoln 180C from a local welding supply company. Great little machines!

[Reinovator]

Lincoln 180 This welder would make me happy,
my Matco is getting old and of course Matco can't remember how to get a parts list for it.
Lincoln I prefer for it's over all performance but as soon as I finish wrighting this some one will say Miller.

[POPO1984]

Well good news i scored the lincoln 180 for 475.00 to my door. i cant wait to get it. The electricion is on the way to install a 220amp socket

[Reinovator]

Sweet SCORE You will defiantly enjoy it!!!

[Reinovator]

This looks like reasonable unit for a part timer, but check with a welders supply shop and see if they have had any in for repair. Looks can be deceiving but the way electronics are evolving this could be a fair unit.
Don't take my word for it research it. I have a Cebora pocket plasma cutter I can't find parts for, or a wiring diagram, this is one of the draw backs of NOT buying brand Names like Miller, Lincoln, ETC.
Research The manufacture this could be a second line unit.

[i90wrench]

Originally Posted by Reinovator

This looks like reasonable unit for a part timer, but check with a welders supply shop and see if they have had any in for repair. Looks can be deceiving but the way electronics are evolving this could be a fair unit.
Don't take my word for it research it. I have a Cebora pocket plasma cutter I can't find parts for, or a wiring diagram, this is one of the draw backs of NOT buying brand Names like Miller, Lincoln, ETC.
Research The manufacture this could be a second line unit.

Yea, looked through ebay feedback and didn't see anyone who bought one b****ing. I've been looking for a nice reasonable plasma, I run a auto repair shop minor welding etc. Mainly wanted for playing at home (lotsa rust repair to do on my 60 and an ugly Dodge shop truck). The way things keep going our good "name brand" stuff getting as bad for service repair/parts as the chinese garbage. (Didn't it used to be Japanese???) Will do some more research and post if/when I buy. The tig has me interested.

[Reinovator]

I agree About the Tig Idea I've always wanted to try my hand but never taken the time to learn, and The " Brand name Items" My M@@co Mig Is also one of those ' I'm sorry we don't service that any more brand name welders, 4 years Old. Ok no more M@@co Equipment, I still like the sales guy and most of their hand tools.

Hay keep me posted I'm interested also!!

[DURRTY]

Yes, MADE IN THE USA tools and equipment will always serve us the best.

Check out the pawn shops too. On a Miller, Lincoln, and Hobart Machine the wear parts (consumables also like tips and nozzles) are all easily replaced. The welding supply shop will be able to get the parts for you. The internals that make the amps and volts are real tough to break unless it gets dropped or soaking wet.


You can check the serial numbers in person and most likely a build date on the machine so you know how old it is. That wont tell you the hours its been used but at least the age.

[Reinovator]

Made In USA is Always the best route.
There are some exceptions, but I Prefer American made when ever possible.

[Reinovator]

buy the way Durrty hows the Mo Mo 500 in the snow going this year!

[Str8Ugly]

i bought a hobart handler 210 for 799 otd at tractor supply(im tax exempt) didn't think it was too bad of a deal.. and it welds AWSOME.. i love that its a miller with white paint

[DURRTY]

Good price on that one.. I paid just over 1100 for my millermatic 210 a couple years ago. I think yours is the same model. Its a good investment..

[62 mark]

I read somewhere that changing your ground clamp on your mig to a heavy duty one makes a big difference in the welds...well i'm here to say that's definitely true! got a copper clamp with a strong ass spring and the quality of my welds is much better

[DURRTY]

If your going that far get a thicker ground cable too. I aquired a 4 00 cable not to long ago, thicker means you can run a longer cable also.

[FeNiX]

A friend is selling me a millermatic 130 for $300 with regulator and new wire .
is this a good price?

[bad6772]

IMO its hard to beat a Hobart when welding sheet metal....The little Handler 140 is about the best I have ever used.......Miller in general makes awesome products.....Our shop is endorsed by a well known Welder company......When they came in I had to do a little paint work to our shops 140 to match their product....It even has their logo on it......lol.....But its a lil Hobart....Shhhhhhhhhhhh

[Sinister]

Here's a pretty cool video I came across. Guy has a scratch start TIG setup based on an 80 amp Harbor Freight inverter arc welder. Nice cheap way to learn TIG.

YouTube- Scratch Start Tig Weld

[jpert]

Just to alert all to my experiences with Northern Tools Mig welder. I borrowed from my son and managed to burn a hole in the 4mm plastic tube that delivers CO/Argon to the gun. After three weeks of phone calls and delays I finally got an answer. Northern Tools has no parts and no way to get parts for their Chinese made Mig Welders. As far as Northern is concerned I need to purchase a new welder. If you are thinking of purchasing a welder, think long and hard before puchasing. This welder is scrap for gas mig unless I can find someplace to purchase less then 1000" of tube.

[72gmcshorty]

just bought a new in box lincoln mig pak 180. $480 off craigslist. Do i need to get gas to weld sheetmetal?

[Wildstreak]

you can do it with flux core but I will try and steer you towards gas. I started with flux and went to gas and was amazed by the difference. way cleaner weld and it didnt burn through like the flux did sometimes. its only like 80 bucks for a bottle and its worth it IMO.

[72gmcshorty]

i haven't opened box yet but what size breaker (amps) is required for this thing?

[Deaol]

Originally Posted by 72gmcshorty

i haven't opened box yet but what size breaker (amps) is required for this thing?

I used a 40 amp Super Lag breaker

[smbrouss70]

Originally Posted by Deaol

I used a 40 amp Super Lag breaker

Wow, that's kind of overkill. What guage wire are you using on this circuit?

[72gmcshorty]

i haven't run the circuit yet...thank goodness i have space in my panel...

[Deaol]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Wow, that's kind of overkill. What guage wire are you using on this circuit?

8awg, kind of but not really overkill, it was prewired by the PO of the shop and he ran 220 receptacles in every corner of the shop floor for misc woodworking tools.. the runs are short so 8awg is sufficient..