Which would you choose?

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I'm looking into doing some light fab and welding around the garage for personal projects. I'm not a welder by trade, but have welded before. I do have a lot of learning to do though. I'm shopping for welders and have come across two at a good price.. can you help me spend my money?!I have a choice of a brand new Lincoln 180HD.. still in the box for $565. The power of the 180 would be nice. I plan to add a spoolgun.. $200.Then I have a Millermatic 140 Autoset, with heavy duty cart for about $550, no gauges. It's used, but lightly and less than a year old. I will also buy a spoolgun for this one, about $275.Which would serve me better? The internals of the Miller look much more durable.. all metal as opposed to plastic. For as much as I would weld, it would last me many many years.The Lincoln looks a bit cheaper made, but has the extra juice. Would I even need it? I plan to mostly weld stainless tube for boat rails, aluminum boat fixes, and possibly a trailer fix here and there. The 120 would be handy over the 230.So go ahead.. spend my money!  Thanks!
Reply:Go with the extra power of the Lincoln. The Lincoln maxed out will do 1/8" alum and about 1/4" steel.The Miller maxed out will probably do 1/16" alum and 1/8" steel under real world conditions..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:Get the miller 211, skip the spool gun if you don't need it. Sounds like you don't. New in box and its pretty close.Miller diversion 165Miller mig 211Hypertherm pm 30Milwaukee 6230 14 inch chop sawMd 45 mag drill (RIP; fell on its head)New MD 45! Thanks to the esposa!Finally got an O/A setup
Reply:Thermal Arc 181itackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:I have a Lincoln 180c it's a good little unit. If you do go with a Lincoln I would recommend the "C" model, it's a bit more $$ but a little more robust in the feeder system than the hd version.They also just came out with a 110V/220V 180 dual unit.I haven't used the Miller unit myself yet, but I've had good luck with every other miller that I've used.  140A is a bit limiting though.Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:Weldingmachine is right. The 180C model is a different animal than the 180HD model. The C model has a better drive system IIRC.  More importantly, the C model has "continuous" voltage settings, vs the HD's "tapped" voltage.  Either way, I know that the 180C is NOT an option for you at the moment. Neither is the MM211, or Thermal Arc's 181.  So, let's stick with your original question, because that's why you came to his website to begin with. Between the MM140 and Lincoln 180HD, go with the 180HD hands down!!!! Having the 230v power will make all the difference in the world for you!!!! The "tapped" voltage settings is no big deal and you can tweak the wire speed settings (amperage) infinitely.  You'll love the 220/230v power with the 180Hd, vs only the 110/120v with the MM140 model.  Trust me on that. Especially since you desire to weld aluminum, you ant the bigger 180 model. You can always make your own welding cart anyways! Let us know what you decide on. Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:NEVER buy a red machine! I made that mistake once never do it again. Buy the Miller you'll cuss at it less.Hickory
Reply:i own neither of the machines you list but i will agree that you should go with the 180 over the 140 because just about anything you will do will max the 140 out. 2 others already mentioned worth looking into if you can swing the bucks are the MM211 and the TA181i.both are nice machines with greater potential then the 140 or 180. the 181i offers the most room for expansion in a small shop.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:Originally Posted by HickoryNEVER buy a red machine! I made that mistake once never do it again. Buy the Miller you'll cuss at it less.
Reply:''Oh come on..... Look at my equipment list in my signature..... I own both BLUE thunder and big RED machines. I'll have to say, when comparing the two, one can't go wrong with either. Both have pros & cons when comparing the two. To say "NEVER," is not fair to either company. ''We all make mistakes SUPERARC  buying red  . MILLER BLUE  :Not really, it's not the machine making the weld, it's the person. Well Axxell33 we do want to help you spend money. However, I think you need more for us to work with.  Of the two the 220 volt  Lincoln is the choice . Like it is always stated , you can't use amps you don't have.    If it was me i would save for the 211 or a larger Lincoln. Actually, Lincoln has some special offers on new machines now.  More to consider .Choose wisely http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...s/default.aspx
Reply:Thanks for all of the replies and the information! I had no idea I'd get such a good response.. especially for a new guy with only 2 posts. I bet you all can relate to my situation though.. torn on what to buy versus what you can stomach to spend vs the actual amount of cash you have. Even though the Miller 140 is built like a tank, it's out of the equation now.I have looked into the Thermal Arc 181i machines. I can get into one of those with a tig for about $900. It looks to be built solid and even has the aluminum block wire guide. My initial thought was that I couldn't Tig aluminum with it.. but then again I was going to be using a spoolgun with any other machine anyway. It's back on my list..The millermatic 211 would be really nice.. but I just can't spend $1100 on just the machine, plus wiring/receptacle, tank/gas, and spoolgun.. plus consumables. Ouch! The Miller 180 may be doable though if I can find a good deal..Thanks, BD for the rebate link. The Lincoln 180c (much better than HD vers) is going for just over $700 with rebate. That's an option too.. but is it worth $200 more than the HD?I think you guys just made me even more confused!!!  Not that I ever had my mind made up anyway..And btw.. I drive a Chevy
Reply:just some food for thought axxell....when you look at the mm211 and the 181i, compare the spool guns. i own both machines and i like the 2' longer gun leads for the mig and spool guns on the 181i. plus the tweco's seem better built and feel better in my hand. if cash is the determining factor go with the spool gun now and add the tig pedal and torch later. you can step into the TA with spool gun cheaper than the 211 alone. you can't go wrong on either choice. it's your money so have fun.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:Anything thicker than 'sheetmetal' or -maybe- 1/8 inch thick mild steel and you pretty much need a 240V unit.The 120V units are nice within their limits.Aluminum boats, stainless tubing, and trailers?  Almost certainly need 240V units for those things.Is a tapped unit better/worse than a continuously-varible voltage control unit?  Either can make 'nice' welds (with a skilled user), but the continuously-variable voltage lets you adjust the weld parameters just that little bit 'closer'.  Do you absolutely 'need' it?  Nope, but it sure is nice and also the slightly 'better' drive mech is 'nicer' as well.Your call and your money.The TA181i gives you the option to use GMAW, SMAW, or GTAW all out of one 'small and light' unit.  Not any more powerful than the other 180-class machines, just gives you the option for DC-only MIG or stick or TIG all out of one unit.  I see it at $910 with the TIG 'stuff' and TA is running a free auto-dark helmet until 12/31/12.http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...or-181i/Detailhttp://www.thermadyne.com/Thermal%20...181i/index.php  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Lincoln for all the reasons stated about power.  I have a little Hobart 140 tapped and it works just fine so far (not a lot of time on it).  If I had it to do over, I'd get the next larger machine but frankly for what I weld it's fine even maxed out at 1/8" or maybe a skooch more.  I thought tapped would be limiting but it's not - someone said it's the weldor not the welder and there's some truth to that.  Taps kind of simplify the settings.  Use the guide on the inside for the tap, then find your amps and just adjust that setting to dial it in.One thing about the multimachines, I wanted one, but I realize now that if it goes down, then it's kaput for all processes.  If you want to stick weld, and you might, you can get a buzzbox for not much money.  Tig, I'm not sure what it takes to get set up.  Too much going on for my little brain and nothing I make needs to look very good, at least not that a grinder or hand file can't make look good enough.On durability, there's little a person can do to mess up a mig machine if you keep basically maintenance on it.  Blow it out, don't cram your leads or kink them, etc.  You can always replace little parts, it's not a big deal.Take it for what it's worth from a certified Bed Frame Weldor (TM).
Reply:Thanks again.. a lot of great info!I just found a Millermatic 180 Autoset brand new in the box for just over six hundred.. free shipping.That's a steal and I may have to buy it..
Reply:Originally Posted by axxell33Thanks again.. a lot of great info!I just found a Millermatic 180 Autoset brand new in the box for just over six hundred.. free shipping.That's a steal and I may have to buy it..
Reply:Originally Posted by RodJWhere on earth did you find that price and free shipping?  You could use it for a couple years and sell it for what you paid.  Bon apetit!
Reply:yowzer... wish I had seen that before I spent $450 plus tax on my HH 140... doh!
Reply:That's the one!However.. I'm hesitant. This guy seems kinda shady. It says he accepts payment through a system called "Skrill" which is a European company. I looked it up. He also doesn't have any selling history.. only one transaction as a seller.I dunno.. that's a good price, but not worth it if I never  hear from the guy again or he mails me an empty box. I wonder what protections fleabay has to protect buyers?And to Morg.. ROLL TIDE!(I'm from Tuscaloosa )
Reply:I would have to question a seller that doesn't accept Paypal.  I would not sign up for a Paypal alternative, but that is just me.  I promise that the headache of getting your money back should the seller be sleazy, will not be worth the $175 you might save.  War Eagle!!!!!Lincoln Powermig 255Hypertherm Powermax 45Thermal Arc 161SOxweld 24R OA TorchStill Looking for an Old Round Top Idealarc 250
Reply:Oh, and here is a good deal on a 180 amp class machine with a spoolgun:http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...2227_200482227This welder is based on the Hobart 187, which is widely regarded as one of the best 180 amp machines.  I had a 187 for a long time and was extremely impressed.Lincoln Powermig 255Hypertherm Powermax 45Thermal Arc 161SOxweld 24R OA TorchStill Looking for an Old Round Top Idealarc 250
Reply:I'd be VERY cautious of that E-Bay seller.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIII'd be VERY cautious of that E-Bay seller.
Reply:sounds like you have the same problem where you are. here it's either red or blue with the exception of tractor supply selling hobart. esab has zip for support and i bought the first TA 181i in the area from either of our lws's. even the guys at the lws want to try it out. good luck with your decision.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:Thanks everyone, this helped me out as wellBuy as much amperage and duty cycle as you can afford and power up form your source. You can always turn them down, can't always turn them up."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400