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

 

[Corm]

Hi Pete!

I have a Lincoln SP125-Plus, the predecessor to the 135. It has been flawless for me. I've used both MIG and fluxcore processes, both work well.

The 3200 must be a new offering, I haven't seen it before. Looking at the specs, the two of them appear to be the same except the 3200 has the running gear under it with casters, a rack for a gas tank, and has the ability to run .035 solid MIG wire (the 135 Plus only has capacity for .030 solid MIG wire), all for $200 less than the 135 Plus package! Unless I missed something, I'm pretty sure I know which one I'd buy.../w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif!

I have no experience with the 135 Miller, although I've used a Millermatic 250 quite a bit and never had a problem with it. I don't think you could go wrong with either the Lincoln or the Miller. It may come down to the same thing as when buying a tractor, check out the dealer real well... We happen to have a real good one up here in Williston who sells both Lincoln and Miller - Haun Welding Supply. Excellent folks to deal with. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Let us know!

Corm

 

[hazmat]

Pete,

How far is the garage from the woodshop? You can make an extension cord with the correct fittings (hubble makes them) & some heavy gauge wire (maybe 4 to 8? depending on how long).

At my last job building ambulances. They used Miller MIG machines for the production welding. 480 Volt, 100% duty cycle.

If it were me, I'd go thru the effort to get the higher voltage (240) machine. Especially if you are going to weld the tractor implements.

 

[MikePA]

Hi Pete,
Which welder did you end up getting?

 

[Bird]

Pete, try looking at for more information on the 3200HD and <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentdatasheet.asp?p=7082&isolocale=EN>this link for the 135. The 3200 is lighter weight, slower max wire feed speed, narrower wire feed speed range, slightly less wire size range, looks like it may not have quite as many available options, and a few little things like that which may not make a bit of difference to some of us amateurs.

 

[Boondox]

Very interesting, Bird. The data on the 3200 link you sent doesn't match the hard copy printout of the 3200 specs I got off the Lincoln Website a couple of weeks ago! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif My printout shows the two units weighing exactly the same. In fact, aside from the continuous vs stepped output the specs are all the same. Looks like the Webmaster at Lincoln goofed, and caught his mistake after I bought the 3200!!!

Darn!

Pete

 

[MikePA]

What about taking it back with the documentation you have and getting a refund or the other model?

 

[Bird]

It does get confusin' when different documentation doesn't match, doesn't it?/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Boondox]

Mike -- I'm toying with that idea... /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif Haven't done anything with the unit but unpack it so far. Getting home too late to do much but exercise the dogs!

Pete

 

[pajoube]

Did you keep the machine or make a change?
PJ

 

[Boondox]

Still debating. I feel like Lincoln pulled the old bait and switch...but the 3200 still seems like a decent home wire feed for the price.

Pete