Opinion on a Lincoln easy-mig welder 140 wire

[ericm979]

I've had a Lincoln 120v mig for 20+ years. It'll do 1/8 in a single pass, on a 20a circuit. For a long time that was enough but I have projects and will be doing more welding and some thicker material so I am shopping for a 220 machine.

If you get a wire feed machine get a mig setup. I found it much easier to make acceptable welds with mig than with flux core.

1/8 is on the thin end for a tractor implement.

 

[fried1765]

The small Lincoln machines are not any better quality than the higher end harbor freight or Hobart machines. I have the Hobart and its been solid. I would seriously consider buying the mig/tig that harbor freight has come out with recently if i was buying today. its $700. 200 amp, duel voltage and mig/tig. or, if you want mig only, they have the vulcan 170 duel voltage for $499. I saw a tear down of it vs the Lincoln equivalent and the Vulcan was as good or better in nearly ever respect. those are the list prices, always a 20 or 25% coupon to be had.

NOPE!
I have NEVER seen a 20% or 25% HF coupon that was valid for their Vulcan welders.
Anybody else??

 

[kenmac]

HF doesn't allow you to use coupons for some of their products.
Welders may be one of those products it can't be used on

 

[dragoneggs]

NOPE!
I have NEVER seen a 20% or 25% HF coupon that was valid for their Vulcan welders.
Anybody else??

Yep, read the fine print on any of their coupons. Not valid for most all their 'higher name brands' on power tools, compressors, etc.

 

[BubbaJr]

I went to the local tool rental place that sells welders this afternoon. They had the very same Lincoln welder for $849, which is what I expected. Then I went to Rural King and looked at their welders. They also had a Hobart 140 for $449, that seemed to be the equivalent of the Lincoln. The problem with both of the welders, was that both of them were the last ones in stock and were the display models. The open boxes were close by. I learned a long time ago not to buy anything new with an open box, so I came home to do some more homework.

My issue isn't the price of going up to a 220V machine, I just don't think I would use it enough to justify spending that much on one.

The quest continues.

Thanks guys,
Joe

 

[kenmac]

My issue isn't the price of going up to a 220V machine, I just don't think I would use it enough to justify spending that much on one
Thanks guys,
Joe

Well, just look at it this way. It will always be there when you need it.

I haven't used my mig in maybe 6 mo. haven't used my cutting torches in a year, haven't used my Kubota in a couple months. Just bought a tig machine. Probably won't use it very much.Bought a jack hammer that I have used.
Most likely going to buy a grapple in the next couple of months, that I won't use every day either.

I own several tools that I rarely use.

I would rather have it available to use when I need it, than to need it and not have it.

 

[WranglerX]

I went to the local tool rental place that sells welders this afternoon. They had the very same Lincoln welder for $849, which is what I expected. Then I went to Rural King and looked at their welders. They also had a Hobart 140 for $449, that seemed to be the equivalent of the Lincoln. The problem with both of the welders, was that both of them were the last ones in stock and were the display models. The open boxes were close by. I learned a long time ago not to buy anything new with an open box, so I came home to do some more homework.

My issue isn't the price of going up to a 220V machine, I just don't think I would use it enough to justify spending that much on one.

The quest continues.

Thanks guys,
Joe

Just order a new one (of your brand choice)through outlet of your choice.... I'm with you on floor models.... Ones I have seen at TSC are missing knobs and who knows what parts are in the box or even where box is....

Check around town, Rural King is probably not the only vendor and Hobart lists for $499 new I believe...

Dale

 

[dragoneggs]

Well, just look at it this way. It will always be there when you need it.

I haven't used my mig in maybe 6 mo. haven't used my cutting torches in a year, haven't used my Kubota in a couple months. Just bought a tig machine. Probably won't use it very much.Bought a jack hammer that I have used.
Most likely going to buy a grapple in the next couple of months, that I won't use every day either.

I own several tools that I rarely use.

I would rather have it available to use when I need it, than to need it and not have it.

Story of my life! :drink:

 

[kenmac]

https://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500554001-Handler-190-SpoolRunner/dp/B005CGZNMM

the one I bought several yrs ago

 

[farm boy00]

Bought this for commercial use about 2 year ago. Was on a Sunday and needed the welder. Have had no problems with the welder itself, but replaced the main whip once. But it gets lots of moisture and lots of grinding done around it so that's expected. Have welded thicker then 1/8" on regular house outlets.

Edit: I priced the same one at a welding shop and was around $800

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lincoln...MIG-Wire-and-Flux-Wire-115V-K2514-1/100670934