Final choice of welder

[Boondox]

Okay, I've read the threads both here and on CBN for welders, determined my usage (auto body repair, some light fabrication, and farm implement repairs on occasion), and have narrowed it down to three: the Lincoln 135 plus, the Lincoln 3200 HD, and the Miller 135. All of these run on 120V. I have 240V in my woodshop, but not in the garage where the old truck carcass is resting, and I like the portability of the 120V concept.

I'm confused by the two Lincolns. They appear to have identical specs, yet the 3200 is about $200 less. Can anybody give me any input into what I'm missing? TIA

Pete

 

[RJohnson]

Not familiar with either machine but look at duty cycle. The HD usually will indicate a higher duty cycle. Could you post the duty cycle of each machine?

Randy

 

[ScottAR]

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.weldingmart.com/>Welding Mart</A>

(duty cycle basicly means welding time at one clip)

Lincoln 135 Plus= 90amps@20% duty cycle
Miller 135= 90amps@20% duty cycle

I couldn't find the 3200... HTH

 

[JATO_RaT]

I have a small Millermatic 90. I use it routinely with .030 wire and gas. It is pretty much the max for this little machine. I find the biggest problem is tripping the breaker. A 20 amp breaker just won't hold for long. At 120V's, I'm pretty sure my current draw is right around 20 amps. If I had it to over, I would get the 120/240V model they sold at the time. I received the welder as a gift. My uncle was in the welding business for a very long time. Based on what he got in feedback from his sales folks, the Miller had the edge on Lincoln in one area. The wire feed for the Miller was all metal versus some plastic on the Lincoln. I'm not so sure today what the difference is, (mine is about 10 years old) or if the Lincoln would have been any less of a machine. My Lincoln ARC welder, (circa 1964) you know the old red ones, is still buzzing away, but then, whats to give out, its a transformer, a switch and a current selector. A maximum of 180 amps (this is the predecessor to the 225 amp that came out later), pure AC was its only big drawback for me. The little MIG machines are great little machines. Their ability to do Innershield (Fluxcore) is pretty limited as the current requirement goes up. Using the machine in the gas setup is the best way to go for these little guys, besides it's more fun too. Becasue of that, the old Lincoln doesn't buzz much. Now I need a autodarkening helmet as the helmets I have had in the past and currently always manage to irritate the crap out of me. When its up it won't go down and it catches on everything I'm working on. When its down it goes down to far. I fixed the down problem getting the helmet with the big viewing area. Needless to say, I've flung a few helmets in my time. Rat...

 

[MikePA]

Here's the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentdatasheet.asp?p=7112&isolocale=EN>3200</A>

90 amps@20% duty cycle

 

[Boondox]

90 amps @ 20% duty cycle on all three. See why I'm confused? At $437 for the 3200, is the only difference the price point for the retail market?

Pete

 

[MikePA]

Hi Pete, give our greetings to Tam.

Do you get more accessories with the 3200? That's the only thing I could think of.

 

[JohnMiller3]

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://images.saleshound.com/smartcircular/listingimageslarge/Retailers/tractorsupply/38_14092_flexo.jpg> ~~Sale priced ~~$239-249 @ TSC…</A>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.chpower.com/catalog/catalog_list.asp>Mfr. Website…</A>

Tractor Supply Co. - Campbell Hausfeld FARMHAND 125 WIRE FEED MIG WELDER - 20% Duty Cycle @ 85 amps…

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Does one come with a cart the other one lacks?

 

[gmason]

As far as duty cycle goes, at least on stick welders, I think it's not as important as the $$$ seem to indicate. After all, once you burn through a rod it takes 2-3 minutes to chip off the slag and "reload" a rod and get going again.

In 99% of my tasks, I'm only burning a few inches of rod anyway. Duty cycle is more important for manufacturing site that are running long beads all day long.

gary