Review of Eastwood MIG 175

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Hi all,I've had a few people ask me about the Eastwood 175 in my avatar pic.  Thought I'd do up a review.First impression of the machine: Good, the face has a little more plastic than higher end machines, but it has a good finish, nobs all feel good, gun has a good feel. It was well packaged, and arrived 3 days after ordering via Fed Ex (not bad for a free delivery)Impression after a little over a month and 13 lbs of wire: Very goodMachine runs well, wirefeed is smooth, arc is predictable, all goodLikes:-Price ($499 with a spool gun, 4lbs of wire, extra tips, hoses regulator & free delivery)-Finish... let's face it, black is cool.-Tweco standard accessories.  I really like the gun, but if I didn't, I could just pull it out and pop in a gun from another welder.  -Warranty, 3 yrs on everything but consumables-Infinitely variable power (this is a big plus for me, coming from a welder with just 4 taps)-Works perfectly so far-Power, this machine easily has the power Eastwood claims... probably more.  -Smooth wirefeed. Dislikes:-They do not make a serrated drive roller for welding with flux-core wire.  The welder comes with a roller grooved for both .023 and .030 wire.  You can run .035 flux-core through the .030 groove, and I haven't tried it, but on other machines I have used, a smooth groove works fine for solid wire, but will wither slip on, or squish flux-core.   The only reason this would be an issue is if I was welding outside in the wind, or ran out of shielding gas, and needed to finish something.  Here is a video I made yesterday, if you are interested. Check out my channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkz...bZg8AYNXGqBjZQ"Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of arms." - Aristotle
Reply:Thanks for the review. I have been considering this machine for a while now and this was very helpful. Thanks again.
Reply:Enjoyed the review . Have used the heck out of mine for over 2 years works like a champ --- would not hesitate to purchase another one .
Reply:Thanks for the review.  I have the TIG200 and I'm very pleased with everything except the torch, lol.  I'll probably pull the trigger on a MIG175 soon--I don't even need it, I just like having toys.
Reply:Originally Posted by OscarThanks for the review.  I have the TIG200 and I'm very pleased with everything except the torch, lol.  I'll probably pull the trigger on a MIG175 soon--I don't even need it, I just like having toys.
Reply:Yea, each one has their advantages.  For example, I would like to one day build a trailer'd bbq smoker, but I can't weld outdoors in the wind with my TIG200, lol.If I end up getting a HTP 221, I'll sell ya my TIG200 for a good price, lol.
Reply:After doing plenty of searching the WEB I found out that Lotos is the Chinese company that manufactures the Eastwood MIG welders. They sell one with their own badge on it but theirs does not have the slanted face like the Eastwood ones. The Lotos one is Blue and is in  a rectangular box but it is the very same welder as the Eastwood. They have a video of it just like Eastwood does and it is the same and assembled to work the same. I did the search with the 175 MIG in mind because I was thinking of buying one to try out. Look on eBay today and find the Lotos 175A and the Eastwood 175 and check them out. Almost same in price too. Lotos has the very same package up for sale on eBay too with Spool Gun and the whole deal like Eastwood. So Eastwood guys you can come out from the closet now as we all now know who builds your MIG Welding machines for your company.
Reply:Bingo, that looks just like it in pretty much every respect.  I just got mine a couple weeks ago and works great for a hobbyist.
Reply:I ended up ordering the one made by the Lotos company that builds them for Eastwood because I got the same exact machine for a lower price. I haggled with the guy on eBay as his auction had Best Offer Option in it. I ended up getting one for $465.00 and free shipping. Same unit as the Eastwood in a different style case is all. It should do what I need it for. Nothing heavy just some light auto body panel work and maybe light 1/8" steel work. I will try the spool gun on some light aluminum stuff to see how it does.
Reply:Great price for a 'best offer ' Listing on EBay. I have been researching buying from Lotos. Problem is their warranty is worthless. That may be a reason to buy from Eastwood?http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=262161Hypertherm Powermax 380Riland MIG spoolOA
Reply:They have distributors in almost every state so the warranty is good. Look around before you make a statement about something. I researched them for a couple months before I purchased one from them. I have a distributor for them only 5 miles from me to get service, parts or replacements. If worse came to worse you could buy parts from Eastwood because theirs is built by Lotos for them. I find that unlikely you could not get parts close by right from Lotos though. It also uses a Lincoln type torch on it so if you needed a new torch you could use any built for the small Lincoln MIG outfits. Mine welds great and I have gone through a lot of MIG welders first then decided to try one of there. The beads it puts down with good penetration are something to behold for a Chinese unit.
Reply:How does having distributors in every state make a warranty good? Have you used your warranty?
Reply:If you have near by distributors they handle that warranty for you and it makes it easier. No I have not used any warranty and do not think I will either. It welds perfect and has good penetration. I think it is a good welder. As good as any Lincoln, Hobart, Miller etc... I have had them all here at one time or another and can tell you the Lotos ones are good welders.