Opinion on a Lincoln easy-mig welder 140 wire

[fried1765]

Story of my life! :drink:

I am sure you guys must already know that the guy who dies with the most tools WINS.
I am 78 now, and still gathering.
Problem for me is that I have two homes 1500 miles apart, so I have two (or more) of MANY things.
For the smaller doubles, I sometimes cannot find them....so.... then I wind up with three.
It sucks to get old, but I am happy to be still working on it.

 

[crashz]

I have a Hobart Handler 210. Its a good machine, no problems other that newbie issues of my own creation. I have done all of my welding on 120V with flux core wire and so far, its been serviceable, but not pretty. Really need to get a properly connected 220V socket in my garage. That and switching to MIG and adding gas will really help.

With that said, I have welded the 1/4 SSQA plate for my plow last year and the plow A frame angles and haven't had any strength of weld issues. So you can do the heavier stuff with 120V and flux core. But I'd never bet anyone's safety on it. Then again, I wouldn't weld anything that important anyway...

 

[TimStrong]

I have a hobart handler 140 ez, basically the same machine in what it can do. I've done some pretty serious jobs with it, although they took about 3 times longer than if I had just bought a proper machine because of the duty cycle. These little machines have there place because of their portability but if your going to be welding in your garage then this isnt a factor.

I would buy a better machine, one that you can grow into! For a beginner you need all the help you can get and a 220 machine with infinite adjustments on amperage and wire speed will not only be able to do more jobs but will leave you with much much better results.

Like I said, the only reason to get a 110 machine is if your going to be taking it with you on the go or repairing broken stuff in the field.

 

[TimStrong]

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.

Just run an extension cord from the laundry room like I did, Your wife will love it!

 

[metalbender]

Be aware that the box store Lincoln is not the same as a unit sold by the welding outlet. There's a reason for the higher price. They build to a price point for the consumer market same as other manufacturers.

 

[yomax4]

I am sure you guys must already know that the guy who dies with the most tools WINS.
I am 78 now, and still gathering.
Problem for me is that I have two homes 1500 miles apart, so I have two (or more) of MANY things.
For the smaller doubles, I sometimes cannot find them....so.... then I wind up with three.
It sucks to get old, but I am happy to be still working on it.

Ha, I'm with you. I have 3 properties. One is 300 miles away and the other is 1600. I know what it's like to have to have multiples of everything from crescent wrenches to air compressors to chainsaws, power tools to Welders. Crap I have 6 lawn mowers.. Gearing up for liquidation !!

 

[kenmac]

LOL I don't want two houses. I had two before I retired. I sold the one in the city and moved to the farm.
I don't want to go back to two. It's 2x the work.
Of course. the farm is 5x the work, but it's all in one place ! LOL

on another note.. I've been playing around with this everlast tig machine. It's kind of neat. It's far ahead of the old big bulky dedicated tig machine I used back in the 70's

 

[fried1765]

Ha, I'm with you. I have 3 properties. One is 300 miles away and the other is 1600. I know what it's like to have to have multiples of everything from crescent wrenches to air compressors to chainsaws, power tools to Welders. Crap I have 6 lawn mowers.. Gearing up for liquidation !!

Da--,...you got me there. I only have 4 lawn mowers.
But.....I do have 6 air compressors.
"Liquidation" ???
Never for me!
That will be an issue for my kids to deal with.

Until last month I too had 3 properties, all separated by many miles.
I finally sold the most distant (Canada) one.

 

[WranglerX]

Be aware that the box store Lincoln is not the same as a unit sold by the welding outlet. There's a reason for the higher price. They build to a price point for the consumer market same as other manufacturers.

I keep hearing that... Not disputing that but do we have any proof as to difference in actual model numbers instead of just "name" plastered on unit...

Love my HH 140 seems to be everything it is represented to be...

Dale

 

[yomax4]

I keep hearing that... Not disputing that but do we have any proof as to difference in actual model numbers instead of just "name" plastered on unit...

Love my HH 140 seems to be everything it is represented to be...

Dale

It used to be with Lincoln that the infinite controls were the welding supply model and the Tap settings like the old Lincoln Weld-Pak were the box store units. Not for sure if that is still the deal or not. They even threw in some Century by Lincoln in some of the box stores. Others like the older Hobart Handlers only had Taps so not sure there either but they were solid units too. At the end of the day all of the 115V welders put out about the same. Roughly 90 amps. I remember having a Lincoln SP100 115V. It had higher output with 030 hard wire than 023 or 035 cored wire. You just can't get enough volts to go through the 023 to run even the 115v units wide open. As always DC tongs on the ground tells all.

 

[yomax4]

One thing I think that gets overlooked on the smaller machines is the Gun. If I were to buy a 115v unit I would make sure it had the Tweco/Lincoln, Miller or Euro connect back end. ( most have one of these). At least then you can put a more robust gun of several different brands on the thing. Some of the HF, Hobart and ESAB Caddy Mig units have freakazoid rear ends and you have to buy the same gun again if you should wreck yours. Lastly, Lincoln, Miller, Hobart, ESAB. Do not "Make" welders. They are all sourced or assembled with sourced parts.

 

[Al 2]

I don't understand your comment. " 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." Most members including myself suggest a 220 volt machine if price isn't an option. There is nothing 'wrong ' with a 120 volt machine . A 220 volt unit would be better value in most cases.
Al

 

[farm boy00]

It used to be with Lincoln that the infinite controls were the welding supply model and the Tap settings like the old Lincoln Weld-Pak were the box store units. Not for sure if that is still the deal or not. They even threw in some Century by Lincoln in some of the box stores. Others like the older Hobart Handlers only had Taps so not sure there either but they were solid units too. At the end of the day all of the 115V welders put out about the same. Roughly 90 amps. I remember having a Lincoln SP100 115V. It had higher output with 030 hard wire than 023 or 035 cored wire. You just can't get enough volts to go through the 023 to run even the 115v units wide open. As always DC tongs on the ground tells all.

Not sure for all things but the one I linked to ($500) seemed to be the same as the ($800) one. May not be the same for all but was for my case.

 

[metalbender]

The drive roll assembly on the box store versions is of plastic construction. The welding store ones are metal.

 

[TMGT]

Not sure for all things but the one I linked to ($500) seemed to be the same as the ($800) one. May not be the same for all but was for my case.

It appears the 140HD is what you were looking at, the one at the welding store was most likely the 140C. it is hard to get details on them but past models the main differences between the 2 were the HD or T models were tap machines and the C had a fully adjustable voltage control.

I think there were some improvements to the drive system on the C models and maybe a few other little things like heavier reinforced handles etc.
Bothe appear to have aluminum feeder drives according to the literature though.

 

[BubbaJr]

I don't understand your comment. " 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." Most members including myself suggest a 220 volt machine if price isn't an option. There is nothing 'wrong ' with a 120 volt machine . A 220 volt unit would be better value in most cases.
Al

As a 70 year old diabetic with 5 bypasses and arthritis, I don't think I'll live long enough to get my moneys worth out of a 220V welder. So yesterday I went back to Rural King to get the item number to order a new one. Then I noticed they had gotten a new Hobart 140 in. So I brought that home with a new helmet, and leather apron. I already have welding gloves that I've been using to tend our fireplace with. Now it's time to unbox it and start learning.

Thanks, everyone,
Joe

 

[RandyT]

As a 70 year old diabetic with 5 bypasses and arthritis, I don't think I'll live long enough to get my moneys worth out of a 220V welder. So yesterday I went back to Rural King to get the item number to order a new one. Then I noticed they had gotten a new Hobart 140 in. So I brought that home with a new helmet, and leather apron. I already have welding gloves that I've been using to tend our fireplace with. Now it's time to unbox it and start learning.

Thanks, everyone,
Joe

I have run a Hobart Handler 140 for several years, and may not be perfect in some cases, but will run some good welds both with gas or as a flux core.

 

[WranglerX]

I say it again... Love my HH140...





Dale

 

[yomax4]

As a 70 year old diabetic with 5 bypasses and arthritis, I don't think I'll live long enough to get my moneys worth out of a 220V welder. So yesterday I went back to Rural King to get the item number to order a new one. Then I noticed they had gotten a new Hobart 140 in. So I brought that home with a new helmet, and leather apron. I already have welding gloves that I've been using to tend our fireplace with. Now it's time to unbox it and start learning.

Thanks, everyone,
Joe

Now You're cookin !! Anyone with any interest in Welding will be hooked once they get their 1st welder. You're 70 now so you can run the 140 for 10 years and see what you think. Good Luck !!

 

[herm0016]

fyi: HF is running a 15 % off of everything including welders and tool boxes right now.