Lincoln 350MP

admin

All,I could use everyones input.  I own a manufacturing business and we are in the process of bringing all our fabrication needs in house.  This obviously means that we need to do some tooling up to make this work.  Currently i have a Millermatic 185 that was purchased in 2001, we will keep this machine as a backup.  I am interested in purchasing a 350MP; pulse mig was pushed hard by the sales rep and multi use capability are of interest.  Id like to here everyones opinion in the 350MP...what you like, dislike, thoughts on pulse mig and whether or not its worth it.  The price difference between the Lincoln, and Miller versions are close to a couple grand with Lincoln being cheaper.The machine will be used primarily for welding stainless with the thinnest material being 11ga and going up to 1/2" and CRS of varying thicknesses as well.Thanks for your input!!!
Reply:Had my 350MP for almost ten years now. Not one breakdown or problem. I use it for mig aluminum, mig  silicone bronze, mild steel and spray mode . I strongly suggest that to get the most out of the machine you spend a couple of hours reading the manual.
Reply:For MIG, the 350MP and the Millermatic 350P are roughly comparable. Last time I checked the prices were similar, certainly nothing like a $2000 difference. The Lincoln also has stick and TIG (DC only, no HF start) modes, the Miller is MIG only.Pulse MIG is not a magical cure-all but it is nice to have. If you are welding stainless out-of-position, pulse will make your work a lot faster and easier. You should also look at the Lincoln Power Wave machines. They are more expensive but have more, and usually improved, pulse modes compared to the other two. They are also lighter and more energy efficient.You can download the manuals for all these machines from their manufacturers' web sites. If you read them over you will get an idea of their capabilities, user interfaces, etc.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:The impression I have got from some other threads here is that the Lincoln is quite a bit more complex to setup and dial in than the Miller.   Get both companies to send out their reps with demo machines you can.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:PML304,  I think the 350MP Power Mig is a good multi mode welding power supply but..... the capability is not delivered without an equal or greater investment in time to understand those expanded capabilities.If your organization retains learning by retaining employees then paying for the Lincoln school on this power supply may return? If the turn over means you're training all the time- you'd have to make a series of settings lists so the power supply's many (MANY!)variables can be set correctly by your shop people or the rework will kill you.If you are foolish enough to allow an employee to 'hunt and peck' with this power supply- shoot yourself now. All test/exploration exercises have to be setup to record all changes including example plates and welds (and photographs if you're not there) otherwise the dozens of WELD modes, combined with the 8 major arc control's many variables mean there are millions of combinations that can be explored.  If this is not done with some planning it will cost and not return. IF done with a guide, records and a steady set of changes, all recorded, then you can dial this power supply in to deliver very high quality welds.The interactive controls are not intuitively obvious to those who used older transformer and earlier inverter power supplies and the time to get this learning in full grasp must not be ignored. If the salesman makes claims (factory settings will do 80% of all work) then you're getting smoke blown under your skirt.I welded for three decades in my own business before I got the Power MIG 350MP and it took me more than casual time to set up the different modes, in different metals and thicknesses and achieve a reliable table of settings for the many circumstances that one might encounter.  I think the 350MP power supply is a fine product, but like a PC and CAD, it won't draw any pictures at all; unless you have someone that knows how to do that kind of work with those kinds of tools.  Cheers,Kevin MorinKenai, AK
Reply:The 350p is fine machine. The pulse works good on stainless. Helps keep the warpage down a little. Good fabricators will be necessary, allot of welders will never figure out how to use the pulse feature, and write it off as a "sales pitch," making your extra investment worthless. Being a stainless shop, the Miller XMT350 may also be a consideration. It gives you TIG capabilities, and as well as Mig (or pulsed MIG), although it requires an additional wire feeder. It is easier to transport, and runs off of any input voltage.Constant Current Weldor.
Reply:All,Thank you for your thoughts.  You have given me a lot to think about before making the purchase.  All my weld time is on the Millermatic 185, does just fine by me and does what i need it to for my needs.  We do retain our employees...they take care of us, and in turn we take care of them.Im going to download the manuals online and do some heavy reading...chances are, ill be back with more questions  Thanks again!!!
Reply:Post your location,  maybe a member that has either one of the machines is close and would be willing to let you try their machine out.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Soutthpaw,Good idea.  Im in Fairfield CT.
Reply:The Lincoln 350 MP is manual adjustable for line voltage. Lincoln also has the Powerwave C300. Uses same programing but is an auto line machine. Also is computer network ready for high production shops. If you have good guys that take care of their equipment and follow instructions well, the high tech welders will work very well. If you just have arc pushers, get a power mig 255 or a MM 251. Plain CV machines. the C300 has limits. You can set it up and limit the range you can adjust the wire speed and weld voltage. On both machines start with Mode 5 or 6. Plain CV for mig or flux core wires. Then move to pulse after reading up on how to pulse weld and getting the right gas mix.
Reply:Originally Posted by ccawgcThe Lincoln 350 MP is manual adjustable for line voltage. Lincoln also has the Powerwave C300. Uses same programing but is an auto line machine. Also is computer network ready for high production shops. If you have good guys that take care of their equipment and follow instructions well, the high tech welders will work very well. If you just have arc pushers, get a power mig 255 or a MM 251. Plain CV machines. the C300 has limits. You can set it up and limit the range you can adjust the wire speed and weld voltage. On both machines start with Mode 5 or 6. Plain CV for mig or flux core wires. Then move to pulse after reading up on how to pulse weld and getting the right gas mix.