Which MIG welder should I buy?

[330Scott]

I know the question has probably been asked a thousand times before. Sorry about that, Chief.

Anyway, I have been considering a MIG welder for some time now & ran into a little extra cash, so maybe it is time to buy. My primary use will be for an automotive resto that needs rusty panels replaced & possibly some custom fabrication, but once I have the welder who knows what I will end up using it for.

I am considering the Lincon SP-175 Plus, or the Millermatic 175. (These links are pdf's.)

The prices are similar and I think that I would probably be happy with either one, however from the info within the links, it looks like the Lincoln may give me a few more options than the Miller.

What do you think?

Thanks,

Scott

 

[Cebby]

It boils down to what color you like. They are both great machines. Whichever dealer is closer might tip you in one direction of the other...

 

[kartracer55]

I think the lincolns are heavier but smaller because of thier copper windings... but I dont know how to weld so I cant really help.

Jim

 

[TOMWELDS]

Ive heard good about both, but a little more towards the Lincoln. You cant beat Miller for the service though...no comparison.

 

[river1]

while both are good machines i'd go with the miller. mainly because they are built in the USA.

later jim

 

[69lkmno]

I would go with the one where you can buy and get serviced at a local dealer. I have the Millermatic and very happy with it. Good luck!

 

[AdamMopar]

Have you checked out Praxair or AirGas? They are two people I have dealt with for all my supplies. I'm pretty sure they both carry Lincoln and Miller. They both seem to have some pretty nice guys who know what they are talking about working for them.

Adam

 

[poci1957]

I have had a Miller for 10 years and am very happy with it.

 

[evildky]

which can be bought at your local welding supply shop? your gonna have to go to your local welding supply house to get your shielding gas tank and fill, you might as well get to know them and what brand they sell, if you even need tips or parts or service it helps taht it came from them

 

[REFLEXX]

I have a Linc. but if the miller is truly USA made, then that would be my choice! Going with a 220v machine is a wise decision. make sure you can put big spools of wire on it, not just the 2lbs ones!

I use mine all the time for fab work and it has not dissapointed me! It's like a hot glue gun, once you're good.

REFLEXX

 

[kartracer55]

which can be bought at your local welding supply shop? your gonna have to go to your local welding supply house to get your shielding gas tank and fill, you might as well get to know them and what brand they sell, if you even need tips or parts or service it helps taht it came from them

I agree... the service after the sale is what counts. Also, Home depot sells lincoln welders, and they are in fact identical to the ones a welding shop sells, but they have a different product number. This is one of the few things that homedepot doesnt have "customized" for alow price. If you dont have a local dealer around, check out HD.

Jim

 

[330Scott]

Thanks guys. The Miller it will be. I can buy it from Cyberweld.com for $714 which may be hard for the local dealers to beat. But I will call them up anyway - you never know.

Thanks again. Think my first project will be some sort of yard art.

 

[MXtras]

Good choice. Miller is my preference as well.

But - they might not be quite as American made as you think.... Take a look inside.

Scott

 

[river1]

Good choice. Miller is my preference as well.

But - they might not be quite as American made as you think.... Take a look inside.

Scott

yes i know

"built in the usa"

that is why i phrased it that way. built with parts sourced from all around the world but at least built here, the others can't say that.

later jim

 

[OH-MAN]

Miller would be my pick .
But then they are built in Appleton Wi.
Same as me

 

[kartracer55]

cyberweld is my local dealer... they are in linden NJ, In in cranford... thats like the next town over. Youll have to elt me know how thier service is. I have been toyign aorund with buying myself a mig welder for osme time now.

Jim

 

[kartracer55]

Whats everybodys thoughts on Hobart? i know they arnt as nice as miller, but they are made by the same company... how do they compare to the lincolns?

Jim

 

[bdaz442]

i purchased a NEW Lincoln ProMig 175 from a seller on E-bay. Total with shipping . was $506.00. I have used it a lot this fall working on my Hay equipment. Works Great. i dont think that for the money a person could do much better.

 

[river1]

Whats everybodys thoughts on Hobart? i know they arnt as nice as miller, but they are made by the same company... how do they compare to the lincolns?

Jim

most hobarts are made on the same assembly line as their similar miller brothers. there are differences but they are similar.

later i

 

[kartracer55]

What sort of differecne specifically?

 

[330Scott]

i purchased a NEW Lincoln ProMig 175 from a seller on E-bay. Total with shipping . was $506.00. I have used it a lot this fall working on my Hay equipment. Works Great. i dont think that for the money a person could do much better.

I couldn't find the ProMig 175 in Lincoln's current lineup, so I did a search of their website and could only find manuals for your welder. I am guessing the reason why you got such a bitchin' deal was because it was an old model carry over. Sounds like you were in the right place at the right time.

Jim, I'll be sure to post where I end buying my Miller from. I am not in a big hurry because I am working a ton of OT through the end of the year, which may play out into a great year end deal for me.

Once again, thanks again everyone.

 

[johnnywhale]

Check out www.brwelder.com best prices I found on Miller, bought two machines from them, instant drop ship from Miller. Be sure to look at specials and standard listings.
Johnny

 

[330Scott]

Thanks a lot for the link, Johnny. I can save ~$40 by purchasing from B & R Welding. That's a decent chunk of change. I appreciate it.

 

[330Scott]

Well I ordered my Millermatic 175 welder today from B & R Welding for $675. I shopped the internet and called a couple of local dealers, but I couldn't beat B & R's price, especially with free shipping and no sales tax.

My local Linweld dealer & I had a very nice conversation & he totally understands my position about saving $ by purchasing the unit online. He stressed their desire to be my consumables supplier and gave me a couple of tips to save a few more startup dollars. So Linweld will be getting my business as often as possible.

Also, the Linweld rep stated that Miller's prices are going up Jan 1 by around 4% across the board.

Once again, thanks for your help & suggestions everyone.

 

[MyMopar]

For the question on Hobart versus Miller, the Millermatic 175 has a better "heat" control than the Hobart. I looked into tehm both and find the Hobart 180 a bit "clunky" so to say. Their website (Hobart) sure does a great job of talking the machine up and I was this || close to buying, but changed my decision to the Millermatic 175.
I guess I'll be welding my cabinets instead of making them out of wood, sometime.

Good choice, post some of your work when you do any.

 

[YJTypeR]

I agree... the service after the sale is what counts. Also, Home depot sells lincoln welders, and they are in fact identical to the ones a welding shop sells, but they have a different product number. This is one of the few things that homedepot doesnt have "customized" for alow price. If you dont have a local dealer around, check out HD.

Jim

I have heard very much the opposite from very reputable sources. That they use cheap liners, and some different internals. One difference between the hobart and the linc and miller discussed here is the infinitely variable voltage control. Miller has much more support in my area therefore I went with them. I actually found my 175 for very close to online prices at my local shop, and seeing as they've helped me out tremendously, I gave them my business. Both good machines though.

 

[krooser]

I paid $650.00 for my Miller 175 this past July...I bought from my local dealer who honored a 'special" price offered by Miller at the Iola (WI) Old Car Show...

 

[mikeyr]

Lincoln is not made in the USA ??? since when ???

both are good machines, go with the best local support, its a ***** to need a tip or other consumable and have to wait a few days for it when you can get the same thing for the other brand around the corner and be welding today.

 

[stinky]

Scott

I picked a lincon 125 about two years ago and the thing I like about is
it will run off a 110 plug. and it will do most work around the garage. It also makes easy when your buddys want you to weld somthing at there house you dont have to have a 220 line to run it .

 

[MXtras]

You said you ended up buying a Miller machine - I think this was a good choice.

When I was shopping for welders, I recognized that my previous employer used Miller, my current employer uses Miller, many of the machine shops I frequent use Miller, the welding wizard across the street from me uses and prefers Miller and my father always prefered Miller. For me, it was a lot easier to make the decision. Everyone else did my research for me!

I had to update the pic of my Millers - I can't edit my first post in this thread and the pic in that post was while the area was in progress. New pic.

If you don't have a lid yet, look into the Speedglass helmet - light and durable. The headgear kinda *****, so you might want to look into an aftermarket arrangement for that. I think the Speedglass is worth the money. Don't use it for TIG, though.

Scott

 

[79rallysport]

Why dont you want to use the Speedglass for TIG? Is it not sensitive enough?

 

[Fast Orange]

I've got a Lincoln that's been a great machine for over 15 years,but if I were shopping today,I'd go Miller.Miller has the upper hand in quality and customer service.
Of the pro welders I know,one guy has a engine drive Miller thats about 3 years out of warranty.He's had minimal problems with it,and even a problem that occurred when the warranty was over was repaired -NO CHARGE!
I know another guy with a simular model Lincoln who has continuous repeating problems with it and Lincoln wouldn't cover them-and the first time the problem occurred,the warranty was still in effect! Lincoln can sell comparable machines cheaper,but I don't think the warranty or the customer service is what it should be.
Get yourself a 220V unit,175-250 amps,and you'll be able to set it up for nearly any type of MIG you will need to do,make it a Miller and you'll be better off.

George

 

[tubeman]

Niether are made in the USA. They may be assembled in the USA, but the parts are Chinese and Mexican, etc. Mine broke (wire feed motor) and I took it apart to find all the foriegn parts!

 

[MXtras]

"Why dont you want to use the Speedglass for TIG? Is it not sensitive enough?"

I used the Speedglas for TIG for many months, but every once in a great while, it will flash off leaving me nearly blind for a few seconds. I can MIG with it without incident. I have asked others if they have had issues with AD helmets and TIG and they think I have fallen off my rocker.

My neighbor (a certified welding God) brought me a standard, wide window shield as soon as he knew I had gotten the TIG and told me that I probably didn't want to use the AD helmet for the TIG. The second or third time I got flashed, I switched to the regular shield. Apparently he had the same thing happen to him. I use his recommendations for equipment and accessories since all he does is TIG for one of the local shipyard contractors.

The newer AD helmets may be more suited for TIG frequencies (AC for Aluminum) - I don't know. I am happy with my current set-up so I haven't looked into the newer AD shields.

As far as the welder selection - I think MIller's support is second to none. If you are not happy with your machine, they will buy it back or trade it.

Scott