Final choice of welder

[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