2 Sticks - one has to go

admin

Hi all,I've been learning to weld over the past year or so on a 115v lincoln weldpak 100 using flux-core wire, which has done me nicely up until recently. I decided I'd like to learn to stick weld, and wanted a machine with a little more "oomph". As luck would have it, I now find myself in possession of two stick welders, which is one more than I need. As such, I'm thinking of selling one of them, but wanted to ask the advice of the experts before I do. My machines are:1) A 1960s Miller M-180P AC/DC stick machine. 180amps AC, 140amp (I think) DC. Works great, is built like a tank and heavy as hell, but has that "coolness" factor too.2) A Lincoln invertec v-130s. Tiny little lunchbox size, DC only, leads are bolted on (no lugs), but has more or less the same DC capabilities as the Miller. Way less cool. I'm thinking the Miller does more than the Lincoln, has a little more juice (particularly AC), and is a lot cooler, so I'm leaning toward selling the invertec. Can anyone think of any reasons not to? Anything I'm missing? Also, can anyone suggest a reasonable asking price for the invertec? I looked around, but prices were all over the shop. (if I'm not allowed to ask this here, sorry and please disregard). Thanks in advance,Lee
Reply:I think I would keep the miller since it has more amps. You may mot plan to go that high but you never know when something will come up. As far as the price I cant help you there but you may want to post your location because prices vary by what area your in.1982 miller blue star 2E ac/dcHarbor freight flux core posVictor oa
Reply:I'd keep the Miller. When the lunchbox gets lunched and the Magic Smoke leaks out, you'll be kicking yourself if you didn't keep the Miller.
Reply:People sell welders??  Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Agree with above; need location AND, I think it is against the rules to sell a welder being a member. For what you would get for it I would keep it AND I would upgrade too another !
Reply:Get rid of the perverted one. If you can pick it up with one hand it aint really a welder.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Miller for home-- Lincoln for light portable if your budget allows. Value of the Lincoln--what did you pay for it?---Meltedmetal
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDavePeople sell welders??
Reply:Keep them both!  You ain't gotta buy food for them.Whether you would ever NEED to weld at 180 amps is not the whole point of having 180 amps capacity/potential.Having 180 amps cap but welding at less than 120-130 amps means pretty much the ability to weld 100% duty cycle, and it's just loafing at that rate.Kinda like having 180 horsepower engine but only using about 120 or so horsepower in a daily drive.  It's a good feeling to know that it still has more in there if/when you need it.
Reply:Maybe the admins can create a section for counseling those who think about selling any of their welding machines...GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Hi everyone,  thanks for the replies.  I'd love to keep both,  but I have my eye on some other goodies that the sale could help fund - maybe even put it towards a decent mig machine.  I'm located in the Chicago area. What did I pay?  That's kinda not the point Lee
Reply:Lee     You missed my point. I don't need to know what you paid but except for it being a gift whatever you paid was somebody's idea of the market value right where you are.---Meltedmetal
Reply:Hi melted - I was just having some fun The invertec came as part of a lot of other machines I bought,  so I don't really know how to put a value on it based on that. Lee
Reply:When I buy used equipment, I start at half of the current new model since there is no warranty.Some people will pay more however.I rarely sell anything though - generally try to run stuff till it's used up Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:I agree that keeping both machines would be the thing to do. If I had to choose I would keep the ac/dc machine because it has more functionality.
Reply:I understand wanting to repurpose the money, but keep in mind the little Lincoln is highly mobile. More so than the Miller. Sort of a grab and go machine to haul out to a job or favor.I know you probably aren't in business making money, but that little Lincoln is perfect for starting out.  People find out you can weld, and have a welder, they tell you they need little things done, and they will pay you $10, $20 to fix a little something.  You get practical, applicable practice and experience, and next thing you know, they have bigger problems they need fixed. That and word spreads.Hang on to the Lincoln, and figure out how to get it to earn its keep.  Start with friends.Last edited by Daeyel; 04-21-2014 at 10:55 PM.MillerMatic 252Miller Xtreme 625Miller Digital Elite
Reply:Isnt the little Lincoln a dual voltage machine?If so, it provides a lot of benefit over the Miller for portability.  You're gonna kick yourself one day if you sell it. The invertec will run great off a 5000 watt Genny.  I'm betting the miller will not.  I have a TA300, an XMT304 and a little TA161S lunchbox.  The 161 gets used for repairs and projects 99% of the time.  In fact, I'd venture to say that a small light inverter stick welder is the most versatile welder you can buy.  And before my TA95S drown in hurricane Sandy, it was used over the 161.The small portable units are just so easy to pull out and setup.  Even though the horsepower is good to have, sometimes a BB gun is enough to get the job done.  Keep them both.
Reply:I see Chicago's Craigslist prices are higher than Milwaukee's.