LINCOLN 180HD vs 180C

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I am probably considered a hobbyist, putzing around on home projects.  Used to weld in a fab shop years ago.  I owned an old Fourney AC machine for years and just sold it to pick up a LINCOLN 180 HD at Home Depot.  I see that Liquide Aire has a LINCOLN 180C at at other $250.  How do I determine what the difference between the 2 is?  I asked the salesman at LA & he told me the duty cycle on the Home Depot unti was lesser.  Not correct, both have a 30%.  Oh yea, I should have kept the stick machine and just explained to the wife I needed 2 machines
Reply:The feed mechanism of the HD is made out of plastic (I actually looked the last time I was in the store), the machine has maybe 5 or 6 taps for voltage, the 180c has a metal feed mechanism and has continuously variable voltage  (the C designation vs T for tap). the 180c is a much better machine imhoaccording to my lws they cant get parts for the HD machine, that you have to get repaired via HD,  you might want to check that out tooLast edited by fredf; 11-25-2009 at 10:15 PM.-- fredLincoln 180C MIG
Reply:Fred- that is utter Bullsh*t yer LWS is telling you about getting parts.They are a Lincoln Service center-- they can fix any Lincoln machine or send it to Lincoln for you. If they say they can't then they are just a-holes.Ed 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:dug up an old thread with an e-mail I received from Lincolnhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=21348Ed 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:I kinda suspect that's the case, I am sure he'd rather sell a welder than let sale to to HD.  otoh I have heard of arrangements where parts weren't available for sale  to everybody   think of Sears: they at least used to use special parts that weren't available except through them . . . .-- fredLincoln 180C MIG
Reply:Thanks for the technical information.  I knew that there was a reason why the price was different but the jerk at Liquide Aire couldn't explain and didn''t have the time for me when I asked what the difference was. I got what I had the budget for and will work with it.  Is it possible to upgrade the parts??
Reply:Originally Posted by akpolaris Is it possible to upgrade the parts??
Reply:What is the "5 or 6 taps for voltage" vs "continuously variable voltage" mean?"  I have really had to fine tune the wire feed speed.  This runs really hot but I can not lower the voltage.  I am running .o35 fllus core wire.  I have not run any wire in over 20 yrs and never fun the flux core previously.  Thanks again for the info
Reply:If you'd like to do a stare and compare go here (if the search link works) and type in the model number then download the manuals for each. They're small enough to not be a real problem. So type in "180HD" and then "180C" and you be cookin with gas. http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...ualsearch.aspx
Reply:Originally Posted by akpolarisWhat is the "5 or 6 taps for voltage" vs "continuously variable voltage" mean?"  I have really had to fine tune the wire feed speed.  This runs really hot but I can not lower the voltage.  I am running .o35 fllus core wire.  I have not run any wire in over 20 yrs and never fun the flux core previously.  Thanks again for the info
Reply:Originally Posted by akpolarisWhat is the "5 or 6 taps for voltage" vs "continuously variable voltage" mean?"  I have really had to fine tune the wire feed speed.  This runs really hot but I can not lower the voltage.  I am running .o35 fllus core wire.  I have not run any wire in over 20 yrs and never fun the flux core previously.  Thanks again for the info
Reply:I was told by someone who knows someone that is a marketing rep for Lincoln (so I don't have first hand knowledge of truth or authenticity) that the machines sold at Lowes, Home Depot and other retailers are the same machine with different model numbers. It was supposedly a marketing ploy to stop the retailers from having a price war on the units. With the units having a different model number for different retailers they didn't have to worry about price matching what the others were selling for. Each of the retailers are able to get what ever price they want without having to compete with the other stores. At least that is what I was told, I do not know this as a fact, may just be heresay.I am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:It is da Truth DabarI talked to Lincoln directlyEd 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:HD must = Home Depot
Reply:There is a guy around the corner from me that has the HD model.  it has taken a beaten and still burns the wire.  I was very skeptical of them at first, but after seeing what he does with his, I am impressed.
Reply:Let me ad some more confusion to the seemingly endless Lincoln models..... I am looking at buying a new Century that is now made by Lincoln:http://www.centuryequipment.net/If you doubt that it is actually a Lincoln, look here! http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat....aspx?p=104061
Reply:OK, I'll bite.  How much??
Reply:Originally Posted by akpolarisOK, I'll bite.  How much??
Reply:Lincoln has been manufacturing the Century line for some time now.  I bought my Lincoln 180HD off of fleabay back in August.  New in the box, complete with reg and everything included that you find in the Lowes package.  Cost- $519 with free shipping.A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:Free shipping looks good from evrywhere but here where I am, Alaska
Reply:Originally Posted by akpolarisFree shipping looks good from evrywhere but here where I am, Alaska
Reply:Just my luck.  I bought it at Home Depot 3 weeks ago for $760.  That was the best price avail after price watching for a couple of months
Reply:Man..... I'm sure you already fired it up then.... well I wish you had known about the Lowes deal.... that money could have paid for some consumables!RichLincoln 180 MIGLincoln Pro-Cut 20Henrob/Cobra Torch