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Originally Posted by Glowplug
This thread has been an entertaining and somewhat informative read for me. I have recently been looking at MIG welders. I had planned to do some very minimal things such as weld tow hooks on FEL bucket and the like. I am currently reading Richard Finch's Welder's Handbook. Even without a welder I have already thought of bigger and better projects. I can only imagine when I get it; I'll be totally addicted. I am looking at the Lincoln SP-175 or the new Lincoln Power MIG 180T.
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Well...luckily ..in a way...the handbook for the HH140 is the same booklet for the HH180...so I can direct compare specs. The HH180 of course runs on 220V.
From what I can see..using the same wires and speeds..etc...the HH180 will weld SLIGHTY thicker material in a single pass ( not a big deal for me personally) but the DUTY CYCLE at "usable" amperages...say 90 amps..etc...is MUCHO MUCH greater.
Whereas with the 140 ( and Im not looking at the book presently..so dont directly quote me here) the duty cycle with mine at about 80-90 amps..is 20%. With the HH180...its close to 85% duty cycle! Means MUCHO more welding without a cool down / time out.
If..IF I already would have had a 220 outlet in my garage ( which I estimated would have set me back another $120 bucks to do) Id have sprung for the HH180...but I was looking at cost..and also the jobs I intend on doing.
And then to boot...I had to lay out some hard earned $$ for a good AD helmut ( which I absolutely adore now that I have it)
I would never "talk down" a 180 or so amp model..not by any means...but it just didnt fit into my games plans at this point!