What happened to the Vulcan ProTig 200?

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Anybody know why the Vulcan ProTig 200 has disappeared from HF's website?
Reply:They had them in the store last weekend...Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Maybe Lincoln filed suit against them like they did us.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:They did file a lawsuit, against nearly the entire Vulcan line of welders. They cite several patent infringements and one for trade dress. The case was dismissed, with prejudice, on April 26 of this year.I'm still wondering why the ProTIG 200 cannot be found anywhere on the HF website. I've got a few months left to decide wether or not to take advantage of the one year risk free trial period.
Reply:There was a reddit thread about the protig200 being on clearance for $500 iirc, with the one year no questions warranty still in place.  I'm going to try to swing by ye ol' harbour freight this weekend and pick one up if so, hell of a deal IMO and i've been looking for an excuse to snag one.  hopefully someone has more insight as to weather or not this is a permanent product removal.  The other vulcans are still on the website btw
Reply:The HF near me does not have any Pro-Tig 200 anymore.www.tjsperformance.comDynasty 300 DXHTP 240HTP Microcut 380Hyperthem 85JD2 Hyd Bender and HF Hyd Ring Roller all in one =(Frankenbender)Bpt. Mill/DRO4' x 8' CNC Plasma TableInstagram: tjsperformanceYT: TJS Welding and Fabrication
Reply:Originally Posted by W9GFOThey did file a lawsuit, against nearly the entire Vulcan line of welders. They cite several patent infringements and one for trade dress. The case was dismissed, with prejudice, on April 26 of this year.I'm still wondering why the ProTIG 200 cannot be found anywhere on the HF website. I've got a few months left to decide wether or not to take advantage of the one year risk free trial period.
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Interesting case. They were also suing for an ad that HF ran  in 2017 that had Red welding machines in the ad- Not Lincoln but Lincoln Red.
Reply:Dang it- that coupon expired 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:Back in the early 2000's John Deere won some arguments in court that became case law regarding their trade dress and colors, and the colors of the competitors weren't even close, and trim was a whole other color than yellow. I'm surprised that wasn't brought into the argument.But because Lincoln offers special "packages" in other colors like Stainless or even possibly camo, would in turn discount their claim to trade dress I suppose.  What do I know? I'm no lawyer.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:If any manufacturer has a gripe about color it would be Everlast. Harbor Freight's Titanium line bright green looks pretty close to the Everlast color, at least on the computer screen. Also recall Snap-On sold some red MIG welders, don't know if that is still the case.Ernie F.
Reply:I can confirm that Vulcan ProTig 200 isn't on the website or in our local HF storefront as of 5/24/19 but they are pushing the Vulcan Pro-Tig 165 with 1 year return and 1 year extended warranty...sigh...IIRC it has both HF & lift start but I haven't read the manual yet to see how the pulse function works and is adjusted. The 165 was on sale from $679 to $649 in my recent mailer received last week.My hobby tasks would probably do just fine with the dual voltage 165 Vulcan or perhaps even the original 165A HF Tig now selling for about $400 (although the lift & HF options are what I really want for options).I sure hope guys buying , using to learn on and do a job or two, and returning just to get their money back (no problem with the product) didn't destroy the company's confidence in the product to the point where they discontinued it and the 2 year extended warranty product.Last edited by JimboTN; 05-24-2019 at 08:19 PM.Dillon/Henrob/Cobra 2000, Victor 100FC, Meco-N-Midget, Hobart HH187, Miller Thunderbolt 225AC, Razorweld Vipercut 30A Plasma, and lots of grinders
Reply:Originally Posted by mechanic416Maybe Lincoln filed suit against them like they did us.
Reply:The first time was 2 1/2 years ago when the Primeweld was red. Didn't fight it just changed colors, but now Primeweld owns the trade dress and colors. This time because its listed as a Tig 225, Primeweld is taking this one to arbitration as the welder is listed as a Primeweld Tig 225 ACDCP, Lincoln's is listed as a Precision Tig 225  will see how this comes out.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:A HF manager told me yesterday that the ProTIG 200 was discontinued, said that no reason was given for not carrying them anymore. He then went on to give me the company line that HF is always coming out with new and better products.
Reply:damn that bites if accurate.  Harbor freight should really try to play up their metal working/welding offerings.  Home fabrication is huge right now and getting bigger with all the youtube info out there.  No other store here sells reasonably priced fabrication items like metal brakes, tube rollers, hydraulic presses, gantry cranes, welders, welding accessories and consumables, ring rollers, etc etc etc.Last edited by SlowBlues; 05-25-2019 at 10:19 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by W9GFOA HF manager told me yesterday that the ProTIG 200 was discontinued, said that no reason was given for not carrying them anymore. He then went on to give me the company line that HF is always coming out with new and better products.
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonThe Vulcan ProTig200 is being replaced with the Vulcan ProTig20-----. My guess is they sold out of the ProTig200.
Reply:Originally Posted by filetobeefyou were part of the original testing of the protig200.no connections for better insider info about a possible replacement?
Reply:i have seen several around here on the internet c/l and marketplaceLincoln AC 225 - SLincoln Idealarc 250 ( 1980 ) Oxy/Acet Victor Gauges/Purox TorchHypertherm Powermax 800Miller Digital Elite US Flag
Reply:Yes I was part of the original Vulcan testing. Little birdies say "mums the word".
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonYes I was part of the original Vulcan testing. Little birdies say "mums the word".
Reply:Originally Posted by Louie1961I am betting you talked the little birdies add adjustable post flow to the ProTIG 20XXX
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonThe Vulcan ProTig200 is being replaced with the Vulcan ProTig20-----. My guess is they sold out of the ProTig200.
Reply:"My guess is that they reached an agreement with Lincoln to pull the ProTig 200s, and they are replacing it with a different version that will appease Lincoln Electric."I think you are right.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch'sJust saw one today at the local HF $999Syncrowave 250 w/ coolrunnerMM210 W/spoolgunSP 135Victor O/ARamsond cut 50Titanium Stick 225.
Reply:Everlast told me the HF Titanium line was a ripoff of their older products when I tried to obtain Everlast case stickers so I could sell the green POS on Craigslist.  Originally Posted by metalman21If any manufacturer has a gripe about color it would be Everlast. Harbor Freight's Titanium line bright green looks pretty close to the Everlast color, at least on the computer screen. Also recall Snap-On sold some red MIG welders, don't know if that is still the case.
Reply:ProTIG™ 200 Welder with 120/240 Volt Input https://www.harborfreight.com/protig...put-63619.html We couldn't find that page.
Reply:I also think Lincoln was hammering on Lotos as they changed there color to brownwww.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Originally Posted by filetobeefyou've either said too much or too little any timeline on that mum birdie?asking because i still have a few months on the 1 year satisfaction trial.
Reply:Originally Posted by Louie1961I am betting you talked the little birdies add adjustable post flow to the ProTIG 20XXX
Reply:Originally Posted by mbmaloneEverlast told me the HF Titanium line was a ripoff of their older products when I tried to obtain Everlast case stickers so I could sell the green POS on Craigslist.
Reply:i have an old green clothes dryer maybe i can get some everlast stickers for it!!!i hope esab doesnt come after the harvest gold shag carpet or lincoln for my red fire extinguisherLincoln AC 225 - SLincoln Idealarc 250 ( 1980 ) Oxy/Acet Victor Gauges/Purox TorchHypertherm Powermax 800Miller Digital Elite US Flag
Reply:Originally Posted by searcyfarmsi have an old green clothes dryer maybe i can get some everlast stickers for it!!!i hope esab doesnt come after the harvest gold shag carpet or lincoln for my red fire extinguisher
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelon
Reply:Originally Posted by filetobeefshame hf didn't look you up for the updated version,or did they.......
Reply:Harbor Freight also got rid of The Welding Spoon
Reply:I spoke with customer service rep about parts for my ProTig200 and they said its discontinued, parts still available.  She confirmed a new model is "in the system" and I think she said it was a "205", but she didn't have any information on it other then its a replacement for the protig200 and it has 205 in the model name.   Soooooooo.....I guess we'll see??I'm also waiting on a Vulcan or Titanium plasma torch!  I saw that the old plasma cutter is gone from the website too.
Reply:welding machines are like computers there are usually yearly changes to models with new and improved versions..if nothing else often electronic components are made in batches and electronic parts made 10 or 20 years ago are often no longer made. so redesign for newer component parts is needed
Reply:Harbor freight near me sais it was disontinued due to very low sales. Too bad. Looked like a winner.Thermal Arc 320SP ( Lorch )Cobra PythonsThermal Arc 300 AC/DC  ( Sanrex )ESAB 301i AC/DC  ( Lorch )Thermal Arc 161STL  ( WTL )Thermal Arc 190S  ( Sanrex )Cut Master 82, 42. Cut45 ( WTL )Victor Gas Apps.Boxes and boxes of welding crap.
Reply:Originally Posted by RondoHarbor freight near me sais it was disontinued due to very low sales. Too bad. Looked like a winner.
Reply:I have a brand new one in the box unopened with the extended warranty.  Any reason to not open it and start learning on it, and then upgrade to the new one at no cost?
Reply:Originally Posted by whiskeymikeI have a brand new one in the box unopened with the extended warranty.  Any reason to not open it and start learning on it, and then upgrade to the new one at no cost?
Reply:Originally Posted by RondoHarbor freight near me sais it was disontinued due to very low sales. Too bad. Looked like a winner.
Reply:Originally Posted by W9GFOI am sure we would get a wide range of answers from various stores. I am skeptical that the reason is due to "very low sales". When I asked a manager about it being discontinued he simply told me that HF does not share that information with them. I trust this answer. Anything else is just speculation unless you happen upon someone with inside information that is unavailable to the average manager.
Reply:Have a chance to pick up a ProTig 200 for $501.   Customer return...opened but never used.....or should i just go with the Primeweld 225...?I am returning the Omnipro.   I bought it read the manual but never unboxed the welder or components.ProTig 200 or Primewled 225.....$500 vs $775?
Reply:Originally Posted by whiskeymikeI have a brand new one in the box unopened with the extended warranty.  Any reason to not open it and start learning on it, and then upgrade to the new one at no cost?
Reply:Originally Posted by RondoHarbor freight near me sais it was disontinued due to very low sales. Too bad. Looked like a winner.
Reply:where is the new one? HF needs to speed it up!
Reply:I know this thread is getting old but... The price of these things (when you can still find them) is just stupid cheap.  I just picked mine up today (ProTig 200) for $200 at their parking lot sale this past weekend.  Missing the 120 volt adapter (already have a spare), missing the accesories for the tig torch and came with the wrong ground clamp and stinger... But 100% functional.  This particular unit was a "spare parts" model.  Every time they needed a spare part for a customer who had an accesory fail - they robbed it from this box.  Evidently, they then robbed some other return boxes to re-complete this box so they could sell it at the sale.  I was actually about to drop a good chunk of change on the Primeweld 225 (with the nice CK torch.  But for $200????  I just gotta type that out one more time: $200.  Probably still will end up grabbing the Primeweld this Fall as it certainly offers a good bit more, but for $200 I could not pass up having a solid second/backup machine.  Even if I just use it for SMAW.  It really is a very well built machine.  Very nice stable arc, solid build quality and I have experienced zero issues with the high frequency start some others reported on.  Although.. I only used it a few times this past weekend - time will tell.  Perhaps the others (such as ChuckE) just needed to adjust the arc points inside?To make this past weekend even sweeter.. I found a Titanium Unlimited 200 (Stick/MIG/Tig) at another location for $300.  Normally $700.  Already ran it through the paces and it also is a very solid machine.  All-cast drive roller, glass-reinforced nylon faceplate, decent MIG (could be better).  The inductance control is really nice and works very well.  I have to be honest: these new HF Vulcan and Titanium lines really do seem to be on-par - if not a tad nicer my previous Miller 211 and old Hobart.  Of coarse... those were 15+ year old machines.  But still, not bad at all.  Especially for the money.  As mentioned previously in the thread.. They are getting ready for new models.  In fact - at the moment.. they do not even offer an AC capable Tig machine.  So they will likely be revealing the new line up before end of November (black friday).  One thing they should do is just discontinue the entire "Chicago Electric" line of welders... although functional - your money is certainly better spent on the Titanium/Vulcan or even Everlast.Anyways... if anyone else still happens to find a ProTig in stores (Tested-OK, Display Model, Remaining Stock, etc) ask the manager how bad he/she wants to get it out of the store because they are cutting some deep discounts to make room for the new models.  $200 for a [new] AC/DC tig machine with pulse, HF start... dammit.. Grab it if you can.