Mig gun options for Lincoln 180C

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I've been using the same magnum 100L mig gun on my 180c for the past 4 years.  It's been a champ for the time I've had it but it's getting worn out.  I've had to repair the connects in the trigger a couple times and when I hold the lead at harsh angles it won't run. What options do I have to upgrade over the 100L? I need something a little more heavy duty but I've had no luck finding anything.  Obviously I don't know where to look so any advise is appreciated
Reply:Hi, I had come across a new Lincoln pro curve 300a last year and it fits my 180c perfect, and the Tweco 250a gun off the Thermal Arc also fits. So I would say any tweco backend and 2 pin connector gun will fit.Thermal Arc 210 - Tweco 211I - Cutmaster 52
Reply:Are there any disadvantages to running a larger mig gun built for more amps on a small welder like my 180c? I normally run .030 wire. occasionally I run .025 or .035 depending on the project. I only use .025 for sheet metal so changing the gun when I change a spool is not too much trouble if the larger guns won't run .025
Reply:A larger gun can limit you on how tight of quarters you can fit the gun into. The small compact gun gives you finer control.ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Radnor-13010...item4ae6e6da22These are pretty good guns for a little Lincoln. Takes the standard #11 Tweco tips/nozzles...http://www.ebay.com/itm/Radnor-13010...item4ae6e6da22Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Those RADNOR units looks pretty good and much more affordable than the other's.
Reply:They are nice.. Made by Binzel if my info is correct.. Basically the same flexibility on the cable as a Real Binzel gun.. Just a good solid gun that will fit right onto your machine.. Had one for many years on lots of different feeders.. Takes the same liner as your Lincoln gun too.. Very good replacement. Bit thicker handle but nice angle on the neck, with a good trigger too..Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:The HTP guns always got my attention, they are rated at 165 amps, they come in 10, 12, and 15 foot lengths for a $100. or lessLast edited by mxpapa; 04-03-2015 at 11:09 PM.Reason: link didn't showThermal Arc 210 - Tweco 211I - Cutmaster 52
Reply:The Radnor and HTP guns both have a real nice flexible lead. Both have the contact tip recessed in the nozzle, so you have to shorten the nozzle length to get the contact tip flush or slightly extended past the end of the nozzle like it should be for short arc. The HTP gun has the more robust machine end connection/strain relief. I see no reason why the wire drive on the PM 180C couldn't handle a 12' lead, so I'd go with a 12' HTP over the 10' Radnor. Actually I am probably going to order a 12' HTP for my PM 180C Monday morning. I have been thinking about doing this for a while now. I was holding off though, because I was considering selling the PM 180C and 210 MVP. Then getting either a MM 190 or PM 210PM. Unexpected medical bills have shot that idea down now.http://www.usaweld.com/Lincoln-MIG-W...lamp-parts.htmESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:Originally Posted by DanThe Radnor and HTP guns both have a real nice flexible lead. Both have the contact tip recessed in the nozzle, so you have to shorten the nozzle length to get the contact tip flush or slightly extended past the end of the nozzle like it should be for short arc. The HTP gun has the more robust machine end connection/strain relief. I see no reason why the wire drive on the PM 180C couldn't handle a 12' lead, so I'd go with a 12' HTP over the 10' Radnor. Actually I am probably going to order a 12' HTP for my PM 180C Monday morning. I have been thinking about doing this for a while now. I was holding off though, because I was considering selling the PM 180C and 210 MVP. Then getting either a MM 190 or PM 210PM. Unexpected medical bills have shot that idea down now.http://www.usaweld.com/Lincoln-MIG-W...lamp-parts.htm
Reply:Originally Posted by Brand XGet the real Binzel AK-15 MB, if you want the real one. and not a knock off...
Reply:How do you like the htp guns?  I've been using HTP consumables for my L100 mig gun for 2 years without any complaints
Reply:Originally Posted by jamesstanley1331How do you like the htp guns?  I've been using HTP consumables for my L100 mig gun for 2 years without any complaints
Reply:I finally had an opportunity to run a few beads with my PM 180C using the new 12' HTP gun. I am very pleased with the gun. The lead is nice and flexible. The gun itself, is roughly as compact as the 100L . The handle grip area of the gun is a little larger in diameter then the 100L. The neck angle on the gun is 45º. The trigger action is very smooth, and requires very little effort to operate.  My only complaint so far, is the fact that the supplied nozzle recesses the contact tip at least an 1/8".  I'll shorten the nozzle length in the near future, for today I just robbed the nozzle off the 100L.ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:Dan,I was looking for a 12 ft Tweco back-end gun for my Thermal.. Looked at HTP, and did not find it.. Looks like your link went there.. Found this option too..http://www.ebay.com/itm/Masterweld-M...item46136366ccOn using a the Binzel gun on the Lincoln, don't know? Doubt it's any tighter then a Thermal 141i.. I went ahead, and put a brass shim between power pin, and the power block. Gave me enough clearance to make it work.. I would of used that gun with my 211i but I let it go with the machine.. along with the 140 Tweco fusion gun. Never worked right IMO.. Weird gas coverage or something? Bought  real 200 magnum gun with #14 consumables to try on the Tweco 211i.. The machine shows up today, and it comes with a 12ft 220 fusion gun.. The Lincoln is 15 ft, and that is all the pro curve 200 come in now.. This is the same gun,but uses Tweco consumables instead of the Lincoln style pro tips.. Hopefully it will feed ok on the machine.. Might end up on something else anyway.. Just might go with the HTP, or Masterweld model.. Going to give the Magnum/Tweco fusion combo a go first.. looks like the Gun is beating the machine here.. 3 days from New York. Tweco was drop shipped from Texas.. (God I hope not) UPS 91 pounds always is bad news..They did leave it a extra day in Portland.. Would of been 6 days from the time ordering from Bakergas..http://www.ebay.com/itm/LINCOLN-MAGN...vip=true&rt=ncLast edited by Brand X; 04-17-2015 at 11:11 AM.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:I use the HTP guns they work great.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Magnum-100L-...item27b9ce22b9www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:I still rather have a Binzel or Lincoln gun super quality, but you pay a bit more too.. http://www.binzel-abicor.com/US/eng/...rip-15-ak.htmlThe Tweco fusion guns feel really nice in the hand, but the integrated nozzle to neck seems to be a issue..Last edited by Brand X; 04-17-2015 at 11:28 AM.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Lincoln gun showed up. Had to mod it to work in the Tweco 211i  The power pin is different on the Tweco gun. Main issue is where it goes into the machine is made really only to fit the newer Tweco guns.. Belt sander on the power block cover, and a bit to the power block.  The factory Lincoln gun slides right in now.. It would not be that hard to chuck it up in a mill or lathe to open the Tweco fitting in the machine up a bit.. Rather not while it's in warranty.. Going to need it too, because the front cover got smashed from UPS.. Dinse got rammed into the face plate somewhere along the line.Waiting to see if they will send me a cover, so I can put it on, take somewhere to fix, or Just send a whole new machine out.. I would prefer the first myself, but we will see how Tweco/ Bakergas wants to handle it ? Fusion gun seems to weld fine, but would prefer more stick out to the nozzle.. Lincoln gun will fix that issue..Dan,the 211i has quite the fan, almost Esab 250 loud. It does push a lot of air for it's size..At least it's not 350MPI loud.. If I need quiet, then the Shopmate will get the nod.. Attached ImagesLast edited by Brand X; 04-18-2015 at 01:10 AM.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:In a compact MIG gun, for short circuit transfer, I am liking the quality and feel of the HTP guns that I've bought so far. I've never been a fan of the gun that Hobart and Miller are currently supplying with their compact MIG units. To me the lead is a little on the stiff side. I had planned on selling my Handler 210 MVP and PowerMIG 180C, and then purchase either a Fab 181i, PM 210 MP, or even possibly a MM 190. However, in the past couple months we've accumulated $2000+ in medical bills, and we're still not done adding to this. In a couple weeks the Wife has to go in for gall bladder removal surgery. Anyway, if I sold the units now, guilt would make me put the money towards paying off the medical bills. The 180C is still technical partially my Son's, so I decided to hold onto it for sure for now. Since I am not real fond of the factory supplied gun on the 210 MVP, if I decide to keep it, in the next month or two, I'll probably go ahead and order an HTP gun for it.  If I purchase the gun, I am thinking I might give a 12' lead a try. I've been wanting to try a swivel head TIG torch for quite some time, so I 'll probably purchase one of them before another MIG gun.ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:The MM-190 was pretty high up on my list too.. If you work the discounts correctly, you can get that machine for $733.01  I just have a feeling it's going to be a good welding unit..(Guess of course) Right now the Larger spools the 211i take works for me.. Might use the 120 volt input one in a while too.. I am getting the roll bar, and that will help hanging a pouch on the side for extras, like ground leads.tig torch, consumables.etc...Sorry about your Wife's troubles. Hopefully she will be fine, and you can get that MM-260/300.Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:For the price the 211 hard to beat all the benefits,,multi process, big spool,,110/220/ the list goes on ,for mobile work the miller is half the weight,more max amps,,Scott hows it feeding thru that 15ft gun?Last edited by jim cafarelli; 04-18-2015 at 07:26 PM.Esab Multimaster 260Esab Caddy160IEsab 161 STLESAB powercut 650Esab 220i tigLincoln Precision Tig 225Lincoln IdealArc 250INE SKYLINE 1500Klutch 140iMEASURE TWICE IS FOR MORONS
Reply:Jim, I could not cut the Fusion gun contactor wire until the damage is figured out... I have the Magnum 200 ready to go anyway.. The drive motor in the 211 looks decent so there will be no issues running a 15 ft gun.. More problems if you run a spray-arc and higher IPM with the non driven top setup.. Still will have to try it to see if it's going to work correctly. I have a better feeder it will fit one anyway..Consumables showed up today, so might give it a go on the LF-72.The Esab tig torch also showed up for the 2200i. Just for the two button control on the machine.. The torch had the hard to find machine gas fitting, so set it up right with a quick release.. This #9 torches are awesome quality..Really ergonomic  too..  tough cable cover/etc.. Attached ImagesEsab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:Oh so you have to wait till Monday to get an answer on that,,geez bummer !! that was a score on the tig torch nice piece!!Esab Multimaster 260Esab Caddy160IEsab 161 STLESAB powercut 650Esab 220i tigLincoln Precision Tig 225Lincoln IdealArc 250INE SKYLINE 1500Klutch 140iMEASURE TWICE IS FOR MORONS