Power Mig 180C

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I am thinking of buying a 180C as a second welder to take out in my welding trailer I will mainly run flux core wire through it. I am also Looking at a Magnum 100SG spool-gun for welding aluminum.Can anyone please give me there opinion on either of these items.I have a 8kva Generator / 250amp arc welder in the trailer and just want to have a small mig in there as well.SimonLabel EverythingMetal Fabrication - Welding Repairs - Wrought Iron - Sign Writing - Custom Decals.
Reply:I have the Lincoln Weldpak 180HD which is sold by Home Depot and basically has the same specs as the 180C except that it is tapped voltage control instead of continuous amp adjustment as the 180C.  The 180HD also has the plastic roller drive whereas the 180C has the aluminum gear drive stystem.  Been having it a couple months now and I like it.  Havent used the 100SG spool gun so I cant answer to that.  A co-worker of mine has, and said it works fine.  Only thing he didnt like, was having to remove mig gun and install spoolgun cable in its place to use it.  Only to have to switch them out again to go back the mig gun route.  You should have no problem running it off your welder/generator setup.A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:I have a 180C with the 100SG.  I'm very happy with the unit. For what I use it for, autobody and light fabrication, it works quite well.  I have only used the spool gun a few times and my welds were less than pretty(my fault).  I initially had a feed problem with the spool gun which was caused by a missing wire guide inside the gun.  Another forum member had the same problem with his.  LWS exchanged the gun at Lincoln's request and had no further problems. As previously stated, it is a pain switching between the spool gun and the mig gun.
Reply:I have had one for about 4 yrs.  I also have the spoolgun.  I have run it with no problems off a 4500 watt generator to weld aluminum in the field.  I think it is a little heavy for a portable welder.  It is quite simple to switch from spool gun to wire feeder, Just change cables. and flip a switch.  It runs .045 flux core well, too.  I like .030 best for mig.The spoolgun has paid for itself literally more than 100 times, in about 10 uses.  Hence, one job was 20k.  It is alright for limited use.Nice unit,
Reply:Thanks for the advice, I ordered one yesterday and should have it in a few days.SimonLabel EverythingMetal Fabrication - Welding Repairs - Wrought Iron - Sign Writing - Custom Decals.
Reply:Hello,First PostWould the 180HD be a good first Mig setup to start with?  I am just going to be learning to weld (for a hooby)  I have used a mig a couple times about 20 years ago..Also how long can you expect the bottle of gas to last?I will only be welding light stuff like go cart roll cages, auto stuff etc.Thankskelly
Reply:The 180HD is a great starter MIG.  I'll let others begin the lectures about personal/public safety and beginning welding skills..MillerMatic 252, HTP 221 w/cooler, Hypertherm PM45, Lincoln IdealArc 250 AC/DC"I'd like to believe as many true things and as few false things as possible"
Reply:Welcome to the Zoo,The 180HD will be a good unit to start with.Shielding gas consumption is based on Cubic Feet per Hour - CFH and how long the gas lasts is based on How much gas you have to begin with and what Flow rate you set the regulator.Example:80 Cubic Foot Tank of gasFlow rate set to 20CFH80/20= 4 hrs.Just like Beer- if you have a Six pack and set your beer meter to 1 beer an Hour, well in 6 hours yer outta beer.If you set it to 2 Beers an Hour then yer outta beer in 3 hoursIf you Shot Gun the Six pack the yer just OutEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Great explanation Broccoli....Now one more question, if you could buy a 180HD for $500.00 new out the door or the Promig 180 from lowes for $600.00 out the door would you spend the extra $100 for a welder you may only use a couple times a month on hobby stuff?ThanksKelly
Reply:Originally Posted by kellydsmithGreat explanation Broccoli....Now one more question, if you could buy a 180HD for $500.00 new out the door or the Promig 180 from lowes for $600.00 out the door would you spend the extra $100 for a welder you may only use a couple times a month on hobby stuff?
Reply:Originally Posted by kellydsmithGreat explanation Broccoli....Now one more question, if you could buy a 180HD for $500.00 new out the door or the Promig 180 from lowes for $600.00 out the door would you spend the extra $100 for a welder you may only use a couple times a month on hobby stuff?ThanksKelly
Reply:Cool Thanks
Reply:The 180C and the 180HD are different machines in that the drive system for th 180c is all aluminum as opposed to the plastic drive system of th HD. The 180c also has what Lincoln calls Diamond start where starting is easier and quicker, this feature is not present in the HD. I own and use a 180C a lot and for my purposes I decided that the Metal system was superior and that includes resale value as well. I tried my friend's 180 HD a few times and although they are similar, they are different. There is a noticeable difference in the start of the arc, but other than that, you get what you pay for. If you plan on doing a fair bit of work, then go with the metal drive unit for the sake of durability and reliability.When a welder tells you to "stick it", what do they really mean?"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
Reply:i've owned a 180c for 4or 5 yrs or so, its been a nice smaller 220v welder... the 180c now comes in dual voltage also... another very viable option would be the thermal arc 181i, its mig/dc tig/stick for not much more money..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/