Lincoln Weld Pak 180HD questions.

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Im wanting to buy a Mig Welder capable of welding 1/4" mild steel for automotive use. Ill be welding on a tube chassis and Box framed, rock crawler, things such as..control arms, brackets, truss, skid plates, Tube frames, coil buckets, Roll cages, Coilover shock loops, etc. Can a Lincoln Weld Pak 180HD Mig Properly weld 1/4" mild steel and lower properly to hold up to the abuse Ill be putting this thing through? Im asking yall since Im sure yall have used it in real world applications. It says weld up to 1/2" with flux core... but I know better then to go off of what they Specify can be welded. Thanks for all and any info yall can provide. If this machine is not up to the task, whats my best bet for a mig capable of such welds up to $1000?To clarify, I am NOT welding on customers vehicles/crawlers. Or any that ever touch pavement,or blacktop roads. They are my rigs and are trailer queens. And topically drive about 15mph max speed. They are single seat rigs that only I drive.Last edited by Ezalycasaid; 04-14-2012 at 02:57 AM.
Reply:The 180 model will weld 1/4" steel just fine.  If you want to step up even slightly larger, go with a Millermatic 211 or Hobart 210.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:I'm no expert or veteran. I have a weld pak 140 HD, i learned on this forum is that the Home Depot and Lowes welders are RETAIL versions of the Lincoln. They are much cheaper than the commercial versions. The heat range on the 140 is ABCD, and the 180 is ABCDE fixed settings vs. the Commercial version which is a full range dial. Also some of the internal parts are made better i think.I regret getting the weld pak HD, i shoulda gotten the C model.  But this is my first machine so its ok.If you are more looking for price rather than quality then the HD is good enough.
Reply:I have one in my shop, it's size is perfect for sheet metal or 1/8", but definetly not hot enough for continous use on 1/4".Brian
Reply:Ok thanks for the info/advice guys. What price range am I looking at for a mig welder that can properly burn 1/4"?
Reply:for a few bucks more i would go with the mm211 as SuperArc said.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:Originally Posted by toycoma98I'm no expert or veteran. I have a weld pak 140 HD, i learned on this forum is that the Home Depot and Lowes welders are RETAIL versions of the Lincoln. They are much cheaper than the commercial versions. The heat range on the 140 is ABCD, and the 180 is ABCDE fixed settings vs. the Commercial version which is a full range dial. Also some of the internal parts are made better i think.I regret getting the weld pak HD, i shoulda gotten the C model.  But this is my first machine so its ok.If you are more looking for price rather than quality then the HD is good enough.