Mig Welders - Lincoln Or Miller??

[crosby]

I am planning on getting a MIG welder, either the 135amp 110V or a 175amp 220v. I am thinking if I buy the bigger one, I may not have to upgrade later. Or is the 110V rig going to be enough? I do need to do major body surgery to my 70 Camaro (if it survives), and it needs frame rails. Not sure if I can do those or not. Would like to be able to do brackets, and work on my truck as well, some fabrication. I have a buddy with a Miller who swears by them, I had been planning on getting the Lincoln up until I talked to him. Lincoln does have a comparison page listing the shortcomings of the Miller, but it doesn't seem to be an apples to apples comparison. Thanks very much for your help guys!! I have always wanted a welder, and want to get the right one the first time.

[desertrat]

Get the Lincoln 175 !
Don't let the small size full you, it out performs the millers bulkier welders.
I have had mine for 4 yrs now and have not had one problem with it.
I chopped the top on my 41, welded up roll cages, frames, corral panels, trailers and numerous other projects.
I've used .025, .030 and .035 wire and it works great for all of them.
I think I paid $750 for it, new without the bottle and it's paid for itself over and over again.
We'll there's my $.02, good luck with youre purchase whatever you decide on.

[crosby]

Thanks rat, sounds like the 175 amp welder is pretty flexible. Have you ever run extension cords on it? For instance, my truck is outside right now, about 100 feet from any outlet. I will have to put in a 220V outlet, but it's not a big deal right now. Just the cost of copper. Thanks very much!

[Slonaker]

You will probably be happy with either brand. I bought a Lincoln because the Lowes 5 minutes from my house sells them and the consumables for them.

It is hard to decide whether to go with the 110v or the 220v. The 220 is more versatile. It can do light stuff and the heavier stuff. Unfortunately it costs more up front, especially if you have to add the cost of running 220 to the garage like I did.

The 110, which I bought, is nice because it works anywhere. I was able to use it in my garage before I ran the 220 in for my compressor. I have successfully run it off a standard heavy extension cord to work on a neighbor's fence, and I was able to drag it to a friend's house when we needed to use it on his car (he does not have 220 in the garage). The 110 unit is limited to lighter stuff, so I'll have to use the stick welder for heavy stuff.

I would really like to have both, but that would be overkill. I also can't afford it.

Slonaker

[desertrat]

I have a long heavy duty 220 extension cord that I always have plugged in so I can wheel my "off-road" welding cart wherever I need to weld. I think the cord might only be 50' though plus about 50' of wire from the outlet to the breaker panel. The other reason I like my Lincoln is it's small and the first thing I did when I bought it was build a good size cart so I can keep all my welding gear with the welder and pnumatic tires on it so I dont have to worry about cleaning the shop I can just wheel it over all the tools to where I'm welding .

[EricS76]

I voted Miller, although I'd use a Lincoln too. Both are good. Being a person who bought a 110 then upgraded to a 220 within a year, I'll tell you to skip the 110 models and go directly to the 220. Besides the obvious adantage, they'll take bigger spools, are more heavy duty in construction, and I believe they have a better duty cycle. I too run a 220 extention cord. Mine is only 30 feet though.

[project76]

I voted Miller also, I have a Millermatic 210 and couldnt be happier.

[dragnlow]

well i have a lincoln 255 and i love it i work on class 8 trucks(semi's) and i can weld any thing that comes my way
i have never had a problem

[SCOTI]

Miller has their 'alternative' brand that might be cheaper. I picked up a Hobart for about $300 less than a comparable Miller.... yet both are from the same manufacturer.

As far as the 110~220 decision, the 220 units will do the lighter stuff and the heavy stuff to. If you don't have 220 in the garage, most people these days do have a dryer that uses a 30amp/230 circuit. You can make an extension cord that plugs into a dryer receptacle as long as the wire gauge is appropriate for the cord length. You'll be limited on the welder size (prob 175/210v max) before a 50amp circuit will be required (it won't draw near a 50amp load unless you're trying to weld some 1/2" plate or something).

[craig@ridetech.com]

I think the brand decision is pretty much a toss up. Either way you go you will get a good welder. But like the others have said definitely go for the 220 in the end you will be happy you did. I don't know where you will be purchasing these from but you may just want to figure out which one of each brand you like then see who will give you the best deal.

[crosby]

Hi guys, thanks for all the posts. I will be buying from my local Merriam Graves. They are dealers for both, and the manager Russ is an expert. He is on the board (what board I don't know.. American Welding Society) plus he teaches at a local college, and he is a big help. Not only will I get the best service and help, he has the best prices too. I think I will get a 220, I have everything to run an outlet, except the wire. Most of my work will be in the garage anyhow. Thanks again guys!!

[crosby]

anybody use the new Lincoln 180C? It is supposed to MIG weld up to 3/16...

[crosby]

What do you guys do for extension cords, make your own? thanks!

[desertrat]

Mine is home made.

[dragnlow]

same here and the wire was pricey i don't want to know what a welding shop would get

mine is a 50 ft

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by crosby

What do you guys do for extension cords, make your own? thanks!

Same here.... made my own. I checked for the wire (8/3) @ my local HD & Lowes but struck out. They said I would need to check w/an electrical contractors supply to get some.

I wound up snagging some 'scrap' from the electrical contractors @ the manufacturing plant where I work. As for pricing, the smaller gauge stuff I found & the HD/Lowes was $2~3ft. so I'm glad the +/- 50ft I got was FREE .