Need advice. Looking at a Lincoln Power Mig 255

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First off I'm a hobby welder and I own an Esab Migmaster 250.I mostly do off road type fabrication work (roll bars, tube bumpers, chassis, etc)I've been welding for a few years and the Esab is what I learned on so it's all I know. I've been curious to try another welder and came across a Lincoln Power Mig 255. The welder includes a large bottle and a spool gun. It was used in a fabrication shop that is now out of business. I bought some other equipment from the owner and he gave me first dibs on it. The price is $1200 firm and I have need to let them know by Monday. Not really sure if I should jump on it or just stick with my Esab. The spool gun is obviously a big plus. Any suggestions? If I do buy the Lincoln, what is the value on the Esab MM250 if I decide to sell.Thanks Attached Images
Reply:Buy it. Killer deal. Sell the Esab. Should be able to get $1000 if it's clean with a good gun, ground, and regulator.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopBuy it. Killer deal. Sell the Esab. Should be able to get $1000 if it's clean with a good gun, ground, and regulator.
Reply:Yes, the MM250 is what I'm using now.Would be nice to do a side by side comparison. So I'm really just wonder if the $1200 is a good enough deal to buy the Lincoln 255. Again, comes with bottle, regulator and spool gun.
Reply:Price sounds good and the Lincoln will have a really nice arc but other than the spool gun, the Esab is a good machine in it's own right. They were originally a Linde machine, then L-Tec and were made for many, many years. Parts for the Lincoln will likely be easier to source. If your Esab works good, I'd save my money. If you want a spool gun, consider the Lincoln. You should be able to get decent money if you sell your Esab. Single phase 250 amp MIG's generally hold their value better than most other machines and if a potential buyer can try it out before purchasing makes a big difference.
Reply:Some people like the Lincoln arc, and others the Esab. I welded with both, and prefer the Esab's, generally for the nicer wet-out of the weld bead. The Lincoln had a pretty crisp arc, and had a bit of simalarites with the Esab 260.. I would fine tune the Esab 250 to get the most out of it.. .030 guide tubes if using .030 wire etc.. Makes a nice setup on tube type work.. Watch close,and you will see the difference in  flow out of the weld bead..Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand X I would fine tune the Esab 250 to get the most out of it.. .030 guide tubes if using .030 wire etc.. Makes a nice setup on tube type work.. Watch close,and you will see the difference in  flow out of the weld bead..
Reply:Get the correct guide tubes, and Rollers. The Esab does lack the excellent design on the Lincoln machine. Means you need to match up parts correctly, to get good performance out of it.. I kind of wish I would of kept my Esab 250 Plus model.(Four roller) It was the finest built version. Although the 275 was second. There is nothing wrong with a standard model, if you match the feeder/liner/drive rolls, and liner to the size wire you are using.. Not too much to go wrong with the Esab 250, I would keep it for the reliability alone.. Tough/ good machine.. I do understand wanting to try something else.. Happens to a lot of 250 owners. Just have them so long, and think there is a better way.. Probably not just for sticking Mild steel together..Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i