Pro help needed. How important is the infinate?????

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I'm still looking at a new welder for the garage and am now stuck on the infinate volt control or a "tap" control welder?  i know that the tap welders usually have 5 volt settings and you have an infinate control wire speed dial.  I'm looking specifically at the lincloln promig 175 and the "Plus"175.  for a new welding student which would you recommend purchasing.  price is an issue and i know i can save $150-200 if i go with the promig tap control.  the stuff i'll be welding is just hobby stuff.  the reason i'm asking is because i've been advised to get the infinate volt control because they are supperior to the tap control machines.  i believe that, however, does that mean the inferior models can't weld?  i have a hard time believing Lincoln would sell a welder that doesn't weld very good just because of this control knob.  the folks in the welding supply stores only sell the "good" ones and say that Lincoln is going to pull out of this retail store buisness next year because the pro migs with the tap controlers are junk.  i don't know what to think or which one to get now.  help.  thanks
Reply:My personal opinion is that on consumer models, the infinite controls are not that much of an advantange.  For most of the stuff you will be welding, you will be able to adjust your welding technique slightly to compensate for the lack of amp control.  You know, you move a bit faster or slower, use a more agressive gun angle or less agressive and, like you mention, by changing wire speed.  I use a MM130 as a portable occasionally...it's tapped, and finding the right setting not a problem at all for all the stuff it's capable of welding.  The only thing I can think of that infinite adjustability might make a big difference is if you plan to do a lot of different sheet metal thicknesses and need the adjustability at the lower end.  I would guess that in that case it might be worth it.Oh, and by the way...I haven't heard anything about lincoln pulling out of stores...but, I can think of several reasons a welding supply place might want you to BELIEVE that they are.  Just keep in mind they have an incentive to make you nervous about purchasing from another retailer, and take those statements with a grain of salt.  I have heard similar lines from welding supply places for years...about the differences in identical models shipped to box stores versus welding supply places, about not being able to get warranty service on stuff from box stores at repair centers.  If lincoln is making money from welders at big box stores and it is not hurting their reputation to be there...well, I think you know the rest.Last edited by smithboy; 03-26-2006 at 09:03 AM.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:smith, thanks.  that's exactly the response i was hoping to get.  and excellent explanation about technique changes instead of voltage adjustment.  i knew it could and can be done, i just wondered how difficult comensation might be.  i don't know how to do it, yet, but i know what your talking about.  you just have to f@$k with it a little to get it to do what you want it to.  thanks again.
Reply:Smithboy nailed it again. There's really nothing superior or inferior about one of lincoln 175's vs another. They are all good machines. There are a lot of folks that don't care for the infinite control in fact.Yes there are differences, but not something you would notice if it is your one and only machine.
Reply:I do this welding thing for my day job,  I have no problem with a tapped machine.  They are easier to set.  Dont get me wrong I can do either.  But tapped is easier.  There is slightly more control with the infinite.  But remember your heat is controlled by the wire speed within a given voltage.  Therefore it dont matter a whole too hoots.  A stick welder is a lil more friendly wiht infinite.  But again its not bad.  Still easier to set but you just cant guarantee hitting the sweet spotgood luckIF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:I'm the class of person that states one should never trust a salesman, so don't believe him.    However I would suggest making contact with a good welding shop, there is knowledge there (to some extent anyways).   As to the welding the shop I work I've been buying thru, it has both the tapped and the variable machines sitting right next to each other.    I'm not sure why your shop is making a big deal out of the variable machines.     My preference is with a variable machine, but that is probably due to my background in industrial controls.   As far as I'm concerned these machines are missing one important element, for a variable machine and that is feedback of actual voltage.    I just got my self a SP-175 Plus, so we are looking at exactly the same machine.   As to the added expense I'm in the process of installing a new service panel box so that I can do a proper job of wiring in an outlet for the machine.   Luckly I got the panel box at a place going out of business so the price was right.     I only mention that because I understand the expenses of getting such a machine set up and yourself equiped.So that being cleared, I would suggest that you consider what you expect to do with the machine.   If it is sheet metal or other materials besides mild steel I'd go for the variable machine.    For most other work it probably won't make a difference.    You may also want to check on what the consumables reccomend, but even here I don't think there is a huge difference in the range of voltage outputs on the Plus.ThanksDave
Reply:thanks ya'll for the input.