Lincoln 135 Plus or 175 Plus Welder

admin

Ok I need to get a welder for the home. I've welded before many times. I will be welding up to 1/4 mild steel plate should I go for the 135 Plus welder ot 175 plus? I like the option of 115v on the 135, But will it weld 1/4 mild steel? I am using solid mig wire with co2/argon mix gas also. Thanks for the help.....
Reply:I think you'd be a lot happier with the 175
Reply:Based on your 1/4" requirement, you really should consider the 175. If you are using gas and solid wire, then even the 175 will be at about it's 1 pass limit with 1/4".
Reply:I have the 175 plus and I would recommend that over the 135 plus if you are gong to be welding up to 1/4" plate.  With properly prepared joints, it will do 1/4" in one pass and anything smaller is a breeze. The only issue is whether you want greater ease of portability. You need to have a dedicated line to run a 240 VAC machine whereas the 135 plus is easily portable and usable on a 120 VAC line. Good luck.
Reply:get the 175  and never look back!!!
Reply:ESPECIALLY with solid wire and an argon mix, the 135-class is for up to 1/8" in GMAW.  You can get by with 3/16" non-critical welds with FCAW.1/4" plate is going to require a 175-class machine at the MINIMUM.You get better penetration with CO2 v. an argon mix and the most penetration with the FCAW process.The 175A-class machines aren't that much more expensive than the 135A-class machines and are WAY more machine in output and duty cycle.If you have 240V available, this is a no-brainer, regardless of the extension cords you may need to build.What's your budget?  Look at the Millermatic Passport.  I could never go back again...
Reply:I am going to use a co2/argon mix. That is what I stated in my earlier post. It's funny because Lincoln posts in there ad it will weld up to 5/16 plate on the 135 plus model. I will get the 175 plus but I will need to build an extension cord as my 220 is at the front of my garage no big deal I guess. How big of a bottle co2/argon will fit in there cart? 10lbs or 20lbs?Last edited by Weld35; 06-25-2006 at 03:12 PM.
Reply:I have 10/2 wire to the 220 outlet and 30 amp breaker will that work for the 175 plus welder?  Is there anything else I need for the welder other then the gas bottle to use it? Is there any adapter I need to hook up the regualtor? Thanks again
Reply:Originally Posted by Weld35Lincoln posts in there ad it will weld up to 5/16 plate on the 135 plus model.
Reply:Originally Posted by Weld35How big of a bottle co2/argon will fit in there cart? 10lbs or 20lbs?
Reply:Originally Posted by Weld35I have 10/2 wire to the 220 outlet and 30 amp breaker will that work for the 175 plus welder?  Is there anything else I need for the welder other then the gas bottle to use it? Is there any adapter I need to hook up the regualtor? Thanks again
Reply:If I go to Home depot and get a 10/3 extension cord and put my own ends on will that work ok? I plan on a 50' cord maybe a 75'
Reply:It's overkill, so it'll work very well.  You could save a ton of money and use a 100-ft #12 and be even longer.