Lincoln SA200 vs. Miller Big 40

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Has anyone here owned both or ran both and have a good comparison? I'm not refering to the newer diesel models, I'm refering to the gas engine models that run the F162 & F163. There are a lot of both models out there for sale in really good condition for about the same $$ and was just wondering how they compare head to head.StephenMillermatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200Miller 30A SpoolgunHypertherm Powermax 30Etc., etc., etc.............Cancer Sucks!
Reply:I've run both, can't say I've ever ran a Big 40 that wasn't a diesel tho. Refresh my memory, isn't the Big 40 a 400-amp machine? Far as SMAW the SA-200 will run circles around any Big 40 I've run!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I believe the Big 40 is a 400 amp machine. The older generation models of both were gas powered machines and those are the ones I'm curious about.  There does seem to be more Lincolns out there that Millers. I was wondering if that's because more Lincolns were made or is it because the Millers are more desirable and owners of these machines are just hanging on to them. I'm guessing the first but wanted some first hand opinions about arc quality, etc.StephenMillermatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200Miller 30A SpoolgunHypertherm Powermax 30Etc., etc., etc.............Cancer Sucks!
Reply:I think it was the 70's or maybe 80's seems as all you seen on heavy civil construction sites were Miller Big 40's. They must have been cheaper than say an SAE-400 that is the only reason I can see why a purchasing agent would every buy one. Never ever seen a Big 40 that impressed me, either with SMAW or Innershield. If there were 15 Big 40's on site, and only one SAE-400, I'd grab the SAE!  Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by goinssrThere does seem to be more Lincolns out there that Millers
Reply:I've used both, not owned both. The Big 40 is a good welding machine and can be used for applications the SA200 can't. It'll burn larger rod and will run a carbon arc without problems, simply because it puts out more amps. I'm hopelessly prejudice about the way the SA200 runs a bead. IMHO nothing will lay a bead better. W/O an SA200 I don't do well testing. With an SA200 I have no problem. I can stick two pieces of steel together with any machine I've welded with, but I can pass X-ray only with the SA??Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:They compare "head to head" like apples and oranges.Which machine you want is going to depend on what you plan on doing with it.IMO this is not a good duel to compare.  Each had their own abilities which were far apart from the others. IMO.  Again - apples and oranges. lolGood luck