So I'm about to purchase a tig machine and I'm 90% set on the Lincoln 185. I can get either setup for about $1700 out the door with the runner kits. It just appears to me that the Lincoln offers more options. Wider amerage range, pulser (probably wont use it anyway), and the cart is just a nicer setup with the drawers and holes for rod in the back. Duty cycles are the same...

I've used both Miller and Lincoln machines at school...both are nice. Is there any reason that I should buy the Miller over the Lincoln? Just want to be sure before I make my purchase

 

Millermatic

 

well i would go blue there warrenty service rocks i had a issue with a torch end , and it got messed up in the machine , well they sent me all new stuff , every thing , things i didnt even need , but the guy on the phone said i want you to have every part , i was like wow now that is service , no ?'s asked eather , and they next dayed the stuff to me , no charge for any thing , go with miller

 

TEAM BLUE . btw if you search there was a huge long thread all about this.

 

I have the 185 and am very pleased with it.

 

The 185 has the cheapest piece of **** torch I have seen in 19 years of welding.

Lincoln doesn't have the reliability of a Miller and they don't have the service to back up their more unreliable machines. I know there will be people that will not agree, but look around and see how many people have Miller machines that are old. Yeah, you may find a guy that has a 20yo Lincoln, but compared to finding 40 people with a 15yo miller??? I'd call that one Lincoln just lucky.

Consider a used machine...and you can get twice the machine, cart, cooler and more for what you're looking to spend now. Also keep in mind that if you get one of these smaller machines, you will lose a lot when you decide to upgrade. I speak from experience on all this. I went from a brand new PT to a 10yo Syncrowave 350 with cart, cooler, and torch.

So, I got a machine that will max at 409 amps, AC/DC, tig,stick, high freq, and more...and I paid $300 more than you are planning to pay... but on the downside, I LOST $600 on the sale of my PT. I'd have been better to skip the PT.

 

I believe I have been swayed over to the blue side after talking with a few people locally and the fact that a friend of mine has a friend that works at a Miller dealer/service center

I would love to pickup a used 350 or even a 250dx, I have used both at school and they are great. We also have a Lincoln 375 that is amazing. I just can't find any used machines locally...and don't really know where to look. Most supply stores around here stay away from used machines like the plague claiming you never quite know what you're going to end up with.

I appreciate the comments and I had used the search, was just curious if any opinions had swayed in the last 6 months

 

I would listen to engloid. His work is amazing and he knows his shiznit

 

If you buy a used machine that's a quality machine that's 10 yrs old and typically lasts 20+....I'd say you know pretty well what you're getting.

I got mine off ebay. About $2000 including shipping from Michigan to Tennessee.

 

There is one used 350 on ebay now...its 2000 and the guy wants 300+ for shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=WDVW

Unfortunately that's out of my price range. I still have to buy a tank, build a table, and get all the other goodies to go with it I'm confident the 180SD will be enough machine for me for a good while, and if ends up not being, I guess I'll bite the bullet and take a hit on it.

 

That's pretty much the same setup I got for $2000 shipped. If you're going to pay $1700 for the SD180, it's just $300 more...and if you buy the SD and then upgrade to a 350, you will lose twice that or more.

Don't give up on the auction so easily. It may be that THIS WEEK, in HIS AREA, nobody is really even looking for a welding machine...and people far away may be scared of shipping and not even bid. Hell, offer him $2000 shipped for it.

He'll have to pay more than $300 for shipping, so you will come out good by paying that to him for it.