Thoughts on This Century/Lincoln MIG Welder?

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What are your thoughts on this as a beginner MIG welder, please? It's a Century/Lincoln 110v unit, with lots of extras (cart, gas accessories...) for $300. I'm not sure if it's a new unit, as I can't find any reviews? http://www.centurytool.net/K2787_2_C..._p/k2787-2.htmI'm initially looking to use it to weld mild steel tubing of approx. 1/8" thickness. I'd like to try flux-cored welding to begin, but with the option to try gas-shielded welding later...
Reply:It's a 110v FC/Mig so 1/8" is about the max you will do with it under perfect conditions. If you run it on a 15amp circuit or on a line with other things pluged in, expect to lower that to less than 1/8".One big problem with these small migs is that they will lay a good looking bead that has no penetration especially on thicker metal.Read the Sticky on 110v migs. and click on the links in there.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=20883It will give you a good idea why you'd probably be better off looking at a 220v mig instead. If I was to recomend a mig, it would be the dual voltage (110v/220v) Miller MM211 if you need to use 110v right now, or any of the 220v only migs from Miller, Hobart or Lincoln..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:i second the recommendation for a 211, it would be hard for most hobbiests to outgrow. i went the opposite direction as you are starting out, i started off with the big machines, and just now got a 211 for portable use.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately I do not have access to a 220v power source (rental accommodation) and cannot afford the 211.Any thoughts on the Century welder?
Reply:"Century" the brand, has been around  a long time. Just the same, a 140amp mig machine will only weld adequately in a very narrow range of metal thickness. The hard reality is that you suffer when it comes to real world welding situations. A real world solution to lack of power is ................ to go cordless. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFX_RvWrzaQ[/ame]No affilliation, not my video.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:That welder is designed to be used in a auto body shop where all you are welding is sheet metal.It's ok for welding quarter panels and rocker panels - but is no good for welding structural steel.The only thing you could do with it is pre heat the metal before you welded it.You want a welder with some balls if you want to weld anything heavy and 240 is a must.
Reply:I have a machine very similar to that one and can tell you that a 1/4 weld is a struggle.  It will weld thin stuff like 1/4 panels and sheet but will not weld any thicker than 1/4 inch metal no matter what you do.  If you are saving up, consider waiting a little longer and look closely at the miller because you will probably not live where 240 is unavailable forever and will want a bigger machine.  i knew the capability of the machine when I bought it, but outgrew it in a week.  Keep looking unless what it will do is within your desire. My unit has inifinite volts and speed and was sold under the craftsman badge but is essentially the same.  Duty cycle is also very low, so you will be waiting a lot for the unit to cool between welds.  My vote on that unit is to keep looking for a miller 211.BobI'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?
Reply:i have a century power mate 70 and it it rated for 3/16 mild and i have no complaints but i think it is pre lincoln era.[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]Lincoln Power Arc 4000 Thermal Arc Fabricator 252 iThermal arc 186Thermal Arc 26 tigTweeko 200 amp spool gunHobart AirForce 400WP-17V-12R