Buying two new machines...

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Hi Everyone,I am about to buy two new Lincoln machines.  The first is the MIG 255C package that comes with the cart and the 200 amp spool gun with the remote controler.  The second is the TIG 225 with cart and regulator.  These are both single phase machines and are new.  Before I make the final plunge here I thought it might be a good idea to ask the guys that own these machines or use them at work what they think about them.  Tell me the good and the bad.Later Folks...Dave B.E-MAIL:  [email protected] PAGES:  www.wfmservice.comwww.rides4rides.comwww.pvpmedia.com/53f100.htmDad always said, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."I say, We can make it better.
Reply:Never used the Mig before but I tried the PT225 tig. I thought it was a great machine and wouldn't mind having one myself. I plan on getting a new tig very soon. I tried out the Lincoln PT225 and the Miller Syncrowave 200. The Miller had a couple more options and a little higher duty cycle. The Miller $300.00 cheaper where I live so thats the one I will be getting. If the lincoln was the cheaper I would be getting it. Good luckMiller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:I have two PM 255C's and i love them.  It has a very nice arc, and plenty of power for most anything you will do.  Mine has done everything I have thrown at it and never let me down.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I bought a PT225 last year.  Shots of me unpackaging it (my favorite part  ) : http://www.zeroreality.com/welding/pictures/index.htmlWorks great.  I used it for both stick (6011/7014's mostly) and TIG (steel & aluminum).The one thing I like about this model over the comparable Miller model is that the Lincoln has it's power cord/plug already hooked up to the machine and ready to go - the Miller (at least at the time - last year) required you to wire a plug onto the end of the cord.  What can I say, I'm lazy.  But I liked the features on the Lincoln over the Miller anyway.The ONLY knock (a small one at that) I'd say about the machine is the amp adjustment knob.  If you turn it fast say a half turn, it'll move 20 amps on the readout, if you turn it slow the same amount, it'll move like 50 or 60 or whatever.  It's not 'exact' so to speak as far as the amount you turn it to the amount it changes.  OH yah, mine had a big dent in the back of the sheet metal on the back of the machine when it arrived too.  Still performed fine on day 1 so I didn't complain...   this is all trivial stuff though.Last edited by z0diac; 07-04-2008 at 06:17 PM."A winner isn't someone who doesn't lose, a winner is someone who doesn't quit."
Reply:Originally Posted by z0diacI bought a PT225 last year.  Shots of me unpackaging it (my favorite part  ) : http://www.zeroreality.com/welding/pictures/index.htmlWorks great.  I used it for both stick (6011/7014's mostly) and TIG (steel & aluminum).The one thing I like about this model over the comparable Miller model is that the Lincoln has it's power cord/plug already hooked up to the machine and ready to go - the Miller (at least at the time - last year) required you to wire a plug onto the end of the cord.  What can I say, I'm lazy.  But I liked the features on the Lincoln over the Miller anyway.The ONLY knock (a small one at that) I'd say about the machine is the amp adjustment knob.  If you turn it fast say a half turn, it'll move 20 amps on the readout, if you turn it slow the same amount, it'll move like 50 or 60 or whatever.  It's not 'exact' so to speak as far as the amount you turn it to the amount it changes.  OH yah, mine had a big dent in the back of the sheet metal on the back of the machine when it arrived too.  Still performed fine on day 1 so I didn't complain...   this is all trivial stuff though.
Reply:Originally Posted by DGBHi Zodiac,Thanks for the reply.  I'm glad to hear the great report.  Of the two machines I ordered, the TIG 225 arrived by truck freight, drop shipped directly from Lincoln on Wednesday.  For some unknown reaso, the MIG 255 is not being shipped until Monday.  No problem as I have enough to do dealing with the TIG.  I looked at the pictures you have posted.  I noticed that you bought the bare welder without the cart and that the packing is quite different.  That threw me for a moment until I realized the difference.
Reply:On my V350, the faster you turn the arc force or hot start knob, the quicker it gets to where I am going.  Turn it slow and it can be tweaked to .1 unit.  These knobs have no stops, they just keep turning.Arcmaster 185 is the same with the amp control except it has detents.You bought a couple of  Cadillacs.  DavidLast edited by David R; 07-05-2008 at 04:20 PM.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by DGBHi Zodiac, The cheap ground clamp is also a poor choice for such an expensive machine.  I threw that thing away too.  I replaced it ith a quality cast bronze clamp.  I bought what was listed as a stick welding kit.  that turned out to be a stinger with #4 cable and one of those Lincoln specific plugs on it. Later Man...
Reply:Originally Posted by kmaysobi will be interested to see how you like it, i will have mine in less than 3 weeks. really?, you didnt like the clamp? i love the clamp lincoln provides. its great for round and square tubing. if you look at it, all of the actul connection points are copper including a copper strap to join the two sides of the clamp.  i belive you bought the 150a stick welding kit. was it a lincoln kit ?
Reply:Originally Posted by kmaysobzodiac, i have gotta ask. i looked at all of your pics and im trying to figure out why your wire welder is positioned with the knobs facing the tank? does the gas hose get pinched?