Lincoln or Miller??

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Hi, I have never had a mig welder before and I'm going to get one. Read alot of posts and now don't know what to get. Lincoln 140C OR Miller 135 or 140? Which 1 is better or would I even notice a difference? Only be used for around the house. Only can have 120V. Would LOVE to have the 220V but can't. Someday I WILL !!  LOL Going to spend around $600.00. Any HELP would be appreciated. THANKS
Reply:It's a crapshoot. Asking that here is like asking"Which is better,a Ford or Chevy?They each have their proponents and opponents,I own a Miller,but have used lots of either brand on various jobs over the yrs. Can't recall any outstanding problems w/ either.That said,I don't think you'll go wrong w/ either brand.                                  MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:for starting out i would look for the best price. then go with power (more is better) that is in your budget. then choose a color red  or blue.my-self,  I like red. but have used blue,an been happy. WHO has the best price of what you looked at??  good luck and happy welding
Reply:The answer to the question, "Lincoln or Miller?" isYES.
Reply:I can get a Lincon 140C $588.75 (ebay) FREE SHIPPING. Haven't looked at any Millers yet, just read alot about Millers on this site. Going to buy from welding store in case something happens to it.  But will take the Lincoln ebay print with me when I go to the store. The cheaper the price on the mig the more I can spend on other stuff in the store  There is no sales tax where I'm going to buy it. Thanks    Only can have 120V for now.
Reply:First, let me say that I'm a newbie and have no idea what I'm talking about. Okay, now let me say that from my own research and talking with a Lincoln rep. (grain or twelve of salt) on Lincoln day at a local welding supply, the new 140C is a step above the current Miller 135 (next Miller will probably be a step above the current Lincoln). I played with the 140C on their demo truck (I want that truck!) and the rep told me all sorts of things that were WAY over my head since this was my very first time touching a welder, but there was no one else around and he was letting me play.The day before was Miller day at the supply house and the Miller rep. brought in a neat car and trailer welder (none working at the time), but nothing for me to play with and the rep couldn't answer my basic questions whereas the Lincoln rep. did and showed me a few things. So a bias had begun. I've called both companies and Lincoln was more willing to talk to me (pre-newbie and non-owner). Your mileage may vary.Here's an 8 page PDF product comparison (from Lincoln's point of view) of it to the Miller 135: http://content.lincolnelectric.com/p...ture/e7242.pdfI wasn't sure what I wanted to do so I opted to buy a used unit via Craigslist to play with so I can learn to weld and get a feel for what I want to do and what will be needed to do it. I got a Lincoln but a Miller at that price would have been fine. In a few months I can sell it (if I want) and probably break even and get what I decided I wanted then.Just discovered the HTP 140 which looks darn nice, too: http://www.htpweld.com/products/mig_...s/mig_140.htmlMinor suggestion, surf and find several places online with good prices on whatever one you decide on (brick and mortar places, too). Some places may just ignore your ebay one. Also, see what they're asking before showing the other places prices, you may get a better price without them by saying you're looking for a good price and that you'll want to get a tank later and a source for tank refills, wire, tips...Whichever one you get you'll be happy with. I'm liking my "toy" welder. :-)Good luck!Last edited by Visorblue; 12-17-2006 at 04:33 PM.Warning: I have been wrong before!New small workshop, small MIG, oxyacetylene set with a DHC-2000 that I'm learning to use and really like. Life is good!Typos are there for those that look for them. I try to do something for everybody.
Reply:Look at them all to decide. Clarke also makes a good usable MIG welder. The only problem with Clarke is you can't spend as much!Lincoln AC Tombstone   Lincoln AC\DC   Miller TIG   OxyAcet   Many Many Tools
Reply:Thanks Guys. 99.9% sure going to get the 140C Lincoln. Looked at that review between Lincoln 140C and Miller 135. WOW                                   Hopefully the dealer can come close to the ebay price.
Reply:Originally Posted by Guttafixit1Thanks Guys. 99.9% sure going to get the 140C Lincoln. Looked at that review between Lincoln 140C and Miller 135. WOW                                   Hopefully the dealer can come close to the ebay price.
Reply:Originally Posted by VisorblueFirst, let me say that I'm a newbie and have no idea what I'm talking about.
Reply:The place that supplies our shop had a demonstration day.  They had deals on all their stuff.  The Lincoln, Miller, & Esab were all there.  The Lincoln and Miller guys had demonstrations set up.  The miller guys had the hotrod car and trailblazer there, it was pretty cool but that's all they had going for them.  I spent most of my time with the lincoln guy who seemed very knowledgable, I ended up going home with a 250 ranger and a powermig 255 (I swapped the powermig out for a LN-25 a few days later though)  I have heard that miller has better customer service though.  I have never had any trouble with lincoln to need any customer service so I don't know about themDewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:My father said I could hook up to his 240V line. Need to do the wiring myself. Have done wiring before so I'll be all set on that. So I am going to buy a Lincoln 180C mig. ($759.00) I will just have to go out there to weld anything but O well. Spend the extra money now for the 180C and hopefully I won't have to upgrade later. LOL    Thanks alot for the inputs     Can't wait for my 401K to get here!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by gnm109The local dealer probably won't lower their price to that of an eBay seller.
Reply:I'll do the same and see what the dealer can do for me. Since I will buy everything else from the him. Ebay is $717.00 and the dealer is $ 759.00. So not that much of a difference. So if the dealer can't do anything I hope to get something FREE  No tax and no shipping on both places.
Reply:Originally Posted by Guttafixit1I'll do the same and see what the dealer can do for me. Since I will buy everything else from the him. Ebay is $717.00 and the dealer is $ 759.00. So not that much of a difference. So if the dealer can't do anything I hope to get something FREE  No tax and no shipping on both places.
Reply:At work I use both Miller and Lincoln welders, Love both of em.
Reply:I'm more of a Blue fan however, at this most festive time of the year red may be a little more in line with the season.  That goes double if it comes with big green bow.  LOLDennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:Originally Posted by Tailshaft56I'm more of a Blue fan however, at this most festive time of the year red may be a little more in line with the season.  That goes double if it comes with big green bow.  LOL