Lincoln 180HD - is it a lower end model of the 180?

admin

Hello from Vancouver.  I'm about to retire (2 more months) and have been waiting to buy a mig. I've been using an old 130 Century (Flux only) model until now but with cashing out some holiday hours, I want to buy this Lincoln 180.  I've spent about an hour searching the forums for a definitive answer to whether the HD model of the 180 is an inferior model or is it just fine and dandy as compared to the Pro, the SP etc?  I've the opportunity to buy one this week for about $500 Canadian, yes that's at 81 cents on the dollar today against the American buck!  (You guys are killin' us!!)  But my window to buy is closing quickly.  This isn't for a shop, just home hobby (I'm on a farm) and want something reliable.  Seems there are people on this site that say the HD model is not very good while others say it's just fine!  Not being a pro or even having a friend that welds leaves me in the dark so if any of you have knowledge about the HD model. PLEASE pass it on to me.  The chap I'm buying from has some 175 "weld paks" as well as one 180 available.  I've read the 180 should be spool gun (the cheaper one) ready.  I'd like this option.  The 175 can be had for $450 new.  If you were me, .......  thanks a bunch.
Reply:it dends on the welding I had in mind, welding consideration of the 30% duty cycle. might come in very handy for repairing small thin gauge metal, stictching. or the hobbist artist. sounds good if thats what you had in mindI also looked through the hd, pro, c easy and canadian model with french instructions.whats the difference nothing outstanding i can tell  none came with a spool gun (K2532-1) Magnum 100SG Spool Gun, Air-Cooled as its optional as well the 8inch spool (KH720) and the 0.45 kit for flux core k2528-1 now if your getting any the models with an option for a good price thats a good dealLast edited by ciggs; 01-01-2009 at 08:32 PM.Reason: more information
Reply:i am not aware of all the features that model has or doesn't have, but i was over at a friend's house today and whe was trying to fix a front end loader frame that had cracked on his tractor.  funny thing is i had another friend over at my house earlier that i had just stick welded his frame repair.  i digress though.  he was having some difficulty because it wasn't a flat weld.  his part was in all places a true 6g square tube repair.  he was using a lincoln hd180 and was running .030 L-56 with c25 gas.  the metal thickness was 3/16ths of an inch.  i grooved the crack and welded it up.  it turned out beautifully.  i also cut and welded some fishplates to reinforce the repair.  some may frown on the using mig for this repair and some may frown on a lincoln hd 180.  i thought it welded effortlessly.  the arc was very smooth and had more than enough umph for the job at hand.
Reply:Originally Posted by Scott in Van  The chap I'm buying from has some 175 "weld paks" as well as one 180 available.  I've read the 180 should be spool gun (the cheaper one) ready.  I'd like this option.  The 175 can be had for $450 new.  If you were me, .......  thanks a bunch.
Reply:Thx gents for the replies.  I'll try to make the deal for the 180 today then.  I don't think the 180HD has the "C" infinites voltage and does run taps but I suppose for the price & being "new" I shouldn't be too concerned especially as I'm new to the craft.  I'll determine (if possible) why this chap has access to new HD models and if there is any warranty or not.  Buying it untried is such a gamble. I suppose I could well be buying a pig in a poke.  I wish I could tell by looking but I guess sparking it up is the only test right?I won't even have the ability to test it once home as I have the electrician coming on Sat to do the plug.It's snowing like the dickens right now. Might not even be able to get out of the driveway.  Hmmm, makes you wonder how a person has access to a # of HD welders now doesn't it?  Guess I'll need to ask some tough questions.
Reply:I just spoke with the chap. Says he's selling these for a friend who had a welding supply shop and has gone into tough times. They are new,in the box, and are the "180 weld pak" model so I'm unsure if that is exclusive to HD or not. (I don't believe it is is it?) I think I've seen "Weld-pak" models for sale at other Big Boxes.  He's going to check to see if he has any 140's left and I might buy one of those as well to be more portable (the 115V reg plug is appealing on occasion I presume?)  Hope alot of the Lincoln bashing I read here is unwarranted.  I presume the spool gun is interchangeable between the 140 & the 180?  Thx again for everyones input.
Reply:Originally Posted by Scott in VanI just spoke with the chap. Says he's selling these for a friend who had a welding supply shop and has gone into tough times. They are new,in the box, and are the "180 weld pak" model so I'm unsure if that is exclusive to HD or not. (I don't believe it is is it?) I think I've seen "Weld-pak" models for sale at other Big Boxes.  He's going to check to see if he has any 140's left and I might buy one of those as well to be more portable (the 115V reg plug is appealing on occasion I presume?)  Hope alot of the Lincoln bashing I read here is unwarranted.  I presume the spool gun is interchangeable between the 140 & the 180?  Thx again for everyones input.
Reply:Originally Posted by Scott in VanI just spoke with the chap. Says he's selling these for a friend who had a welding supply shop and has gone into tough times. They are new,in the box, and are the "180 weld pak" model so I'm unsure if that is exclusive to HD or not. (I don't believe it is is it?) I think I've seen "Weld-pak" models for sale at other Big Boxes.  He's going to check to see if he has any 140's left and I might buy one of those as well to be more portable (the 115V reg plug is appealing on occasion I presume?)  Hope alot of the Lincoln bashing I read here is unwarranted.  I presume the spool gun is interchangeable between the 140 & the 180?  Thx again for everyones input.