Why Lincoln sucks ass....
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From: Knoxville, tn, 37912
Why Lincoln sucks ***....
Ok, I'll start this story months ago when I worked at Heil Trailers, as a welding instructor, inspector, and consultant:
We had a BIG lincoln mig machine there. I forget the model, but it was a big one with digital readout up on the wirefeeder. As you were welding, the wire would slowly burn back up into the cup, sometimes comming back down or continuing up till it burned the tip. The first thing to look for when this happens is to inspect the rollers (and tension on them), and the drag on the wire spool. Both were good. I pulled the trigger and watched the spool for any irregular spinning or jerking. It was fine. I held the wire between the spool and rollers to see if I could even feel any vibration as the wire fed. None was noticable.
So, we called Lincoln and they sent out a guy to look at it. The guy that showed up was wearing nice slacks and had not even so much as a screwdriver with him. He had no welding hood so he could watch the weld or anything. He asked what it was doing and I told him about the wire burning back. He didn't seem much interested in listening to me so he interrupted me as he reached for the tensioner. He noticed it was pretty tight, as that's how I use them. I'd rather have wire ball up and "birdnest" on me than have the rollers slip on the wire and burn up tips. So as he back off the tensioner he says, "oh, your tensioner was too tight. that should fix it." .....and he begins to walk off as if he had solved the problem. I nicely informed him that I didn't start welding last week and if the problem was that simple, he'd never have been called out to look at the machine.
I then proceeded to tell the rest of my findings (posted above). I told him that I suspected that the voltage was fluctuating as I was welding. I asked if he had one of those things that you clamp around the cable and it can tell how much power is running through it. Of course he didn't have one. He fiddled around with the machine for a while longer, said several stupid statements that made it clear that he was completely ******* clueless about welding and the machines. I guess the guy had a college degree so they hired his worthless *** or something. Maybe Miller wouldn't hire him so he went to Lincoln...hey, they do more service work anyway, while the Miller guys are more like the Maytag guys with nothing much to do.
I quickly got tired of dealing with this totally ignorant **** and was ready for him to just leave. maybe he just wanted to be such a fool that I'd get tired of him and just say it wa working to get rid of him...I dunno. Well, he wound up saying that he'd send another guy to look at it or have it picked up and sent to their shop to be worked on. A month later, the machine was still sitting in the same spot...not usable. Keep in mind that this machine wasn't even a year old.
Now we go to the recent happenings where I work now. We are doing a lot of tig welding. They bought about 4 NEW Lincolne Invertig machines. I forget the model number, but they said they cost about $4k each. of the 4, only 3 of them work right. two days ago, I was using an old Powcon machine that had no digital readout and no touch start feature. I was doing carbon steel, so the hot starts were really wearing on my tungsten. I swapped leads to one of the new Lincolns. I set it at 100amps because I am more used to a remote adjuster than I am setting a number. I'd rather start cold and raise it than to start high and blow holes in the pipe. So at 100 amps, I could barely even melt a puddle to get a tack. I then turned it up to 150 amps and couldn't even get an arc. I turned off the machine ans went back to the 20yo Powcon...which is working great, other than it hot having any bells and whistles. Another NEW lincoln machine we have welds at 125amps about as hot as the powcon did at 85 amps. I have been told that the third one is the same.
They called Lincoln and the same idiot was sent out to look at these as they sent to the other job. He did have one of thos calipers to measure the power and verified that it was off by the amount above. Although it said 125 amps on the readout, it only put out 85. This time, I didn't deal with this guy. I knew better and left it to somebody else...who quickly got frustrated listening to the idiot try to convince him that the machine was working fine (before verifying the wrong voltage). Of course in the end, he said he would take the machine to the shop and have it looked at. The machine is still there at the end of the day.
This is typical of my experiences with Lincoln products and service. The bottom line is that people buy Lincoln when they can't afford (or to cheap) to buy a Miller. People work for Lincoln when they can't get a job with Miller. .....
and welders use Lincolns only when there's no Miller available (and they can find a Lincoln that works).
My opinion: **** Lincoln Electric and their products!!!
We had a BIG lincoln mig machine there. I forget the model, but it was a big one with digital readout up on the wirefeeder. As you were welding, the wire would slowly burn back up into the cup, sometimes comming back down or continuing up till it burned the tip. The first thing to look for when this happens is to inspect the rollers (and tension on them), and the drag on the wire spool. Both were good. I pulled the trigger and watched the spool for any irregular spinning or jerking. It was fine. I held the wire between the spool and rollers to see if I could even feel any vibration as the wire fed. None was noticable.
So, we called Lincoln and they sent out a guy to look at it. The guy that showed up was wearing nice slacks and had not even so much as a screwdriver with him. He had no welding hood so he could watch the weld or anything. He asked what it was doing and I told him about the wire burning back. He didn't seem much interested in listening to me so he interrupted me as he reached for the tensioner. He noticed it was pretty tight, as that's how I use them. I'd rather have wire ball up and "birdnest" on me than have the rollers slip on the wire and burn up tips. So as he back off the tensioner he says, "oh, your tensioner was too tight. that should fix it." .....and he begins to walk off as if he had solved the problem. I nicely informed him that I didn't start welding last week and if the problem was that simple, he'd never have been called out to look at the machine.
I then proceeded to tell the rest of my findings (posted above). I told him that I suspected that the voltage was fluctuating as I was welding. I asked if he had one of those things that you clamp around the cable and it can tell how much power is running through it. Of course he didn't have one. He fiddled around with the machine for a while longer, said several stupid statements that made it clear that he was completely ******* clueless about welding and the machines. I guess the guy had a college degree so they hired his worthless *** or something. Maybe Miller wouldn't hire him so he went to Lincoln...hey, they do more service work anyway, while the Miller guys are more like the Maytag guys with nothing much to do.
I quickly got tired of dealing with this totally ignorant **** and was ready for him to just leave. maybe he just wanted to be such a fool that I'd get tired of him and just say it wa working to get rid of him...I dunno. Well, he wound up saying that he'd send another guy to look at it or have it picked up and sent to their shop to be worked on. A month later, the machine was still sitting in the same spot...not usable. Keep in mind that this machine wasn't even a year old.
Now we go to the recent happenings where I work now. We are doing a lot of tig welding. They bought about 4 NEW Lincolne Invertig machines. I forget the model number, but they said they cost about $4k each. of the 4, only 3 of them work right. two days ago, I was using an old Powcon machine that had no digital readout and no touch start feature. I was doing carbon steel, so the hot starts were really wearing on my tungsten. I swapped leads to one of the new Lincolns. I set it at 100amps because I am more used to a remote adjuster than I am setting a number. I'd rather start cold and raise it than to start high and blow holes in the pipe. So at 100 amps, I could barely even melt a puddle to get a tack. I then turned it up to 150 amps and couldn't even get an arc. I turned off the machine ans went back to the 20yo Powcon...which is working great, other than it hot having any bells and whistles. Another NEW lincoln machine we have welds at 125amps about as hot as the powcon did at 85 amps. I have been told that the third one is the same.
They called Lincoln and the same idiot was sent out to look at these as they sent to the other job. He did have one of thos calipers to measure the power and verified that it was off by the amount above. Although it said 125 amps on the readout, it only put out 85. This time, I didn't deal with this guy. I knew better and left it to somebody else...who quickly got frustrated listening to the idiot try to convince him that the machine was working fine (before verifying the wrong voltage). Of course in the end, he said he would take the machine to the shop and have it looked at. The machine is still there at the end of the day.
This is typical of my experiences with Lincoln products and service. The bottom line is that people buy Lincoln when they can't afford (or to cheap) to buy a Miller. People work for Lincoln when they can't get a job with Miller. .....
and welders use Lincolns only when there's no Miller available (and they can find a Lincoln that works).
My opinion: **** Lincoln Electric and their products!!!
i HAS questions ?
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From: OH
Re: Why Lincoln sucks ***.... (Engloid)
Looks like I'm going to be buying a Miller at the end of the summer. 
All we have at work (just for general maintainence) are Miller welders. They look like they are about 30 years old too.
All we have at work (just for general maintainence) are Miller welders. They look like they are about 30 years old too.
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From: Knoxville, tn, 37912
Re: Why Lincoln sucks ***.... (1 cam)
The only drawbacks to some of the older Millers is that if they do go bad, parts are not available, which will be the case with any machine. Also, some of them will not go down very low on amperage and will cut off at about 20amps as you raise the foot pedal...which makes welding thin things difficult.
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From: Rubicon, WI, USA
I had a lincoln MIG welder, just a smaller one but even that sucked dick, the wire was always getting stuck, it never welded consistant, just all sorts of bullshit. I sold it and bought a Miller that works 100000 times better. Next thing i need to sell in my lincoln TIG welder, however it doesnt really give me any trouble so i see no need to sell it yet.
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From: carlisle, pa, usa
i have a presision tig 275 i weld with it on ac and kill it on a daily basis and ive had no problems with it as for the output amps did you check how the machine was hooked up cause if you have it wired for 220 and only getting 208 that will make a significant drop in output
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From: Knoxville, tn, 37912
Re: (openloop)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by openloop »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i have a presision tig 275 i weld with it on ac and kill it on a daily basis and ive had no problems with it as for the output amps did you check how the machine was hooked up cause if you have it wired for 220 and only getting 208 that will make a significant drop in output</TD></TR></TABLE>
They're on 3 phase....440v or something like that....I forgot what it is exactly. It's the same power as all the others so it doesn't make sense that some work and others don't.
I know the Miller machines will not automatically detect voltage input and require no manual changes to go from one voltage to another.
They're on 3 phase....440v or something like that....I forgot what it is exactly. It's the same power as all the others so it doesn't make sense that some work and others don't.
I know the Miller machines will not automatically detect voltage input and require no manual changes to go from one voltage to another.
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From: Chicago, IL
Re: (Engloid)
i dont like my lincoln mig either.. it was made back in the late 80's and its the sp150.. i think its just old and thats why i the welds wont come out good on it..
it seems like the voltage or the wire speed changes while im welding. ill get it set perfect then it will get to cold and ill have t chenge the settings to get it right again then it will get to hot and ill have to change it again.. i dont like using it but its all i got at my place..
sometimes ill go use my brothers miller mig and it works awesome.. even my friends new lincoln mig works good.. its a small 115v mig but the welds come out good with it..
it seems like the voltage or the wire speed changes while im welding. ill get it set perfect then it will get to cold and ill have t chenge the settings to get it right again then it will get to hot and ill have to change it again.. i dont like using it but its all i got at my place..
sometimes ill go use my brothers miller mig and it works awesome.. even my friends new lincoln mig works good.. its a small 115v mig but the welds come out good with it..
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Re: (Engloid)
made me smile to read this, knowing we only use Miller products in our shop 
zero problems to date..
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Engloid »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I know the Miller machines will not automatically detect voltage input and require no manual changes to go from one voltage to another. </TD></TR></TABLE>
but, i know for a fact that the miller machines do require that you open them and set the jumpers for your input voltage.
you said it was running on 3phase, is the building wired for 3 phase direct, or is a 3phase converter being used?
zero problems to date..
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Engloid »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I know the Miller machines will not automatically detect voltage input and require no manual changes to go from one voltage to another. </TD></TR></TABLE>
but, i know for a fact that the miller machines do require that you open them and set the jumpers for your input voltage.
you said it was running on 3phase, is the building wired for 3 phase direct, or is a 3phase converter being used?
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From: carlisle, pa, usa
either way i have mine running on 220 with a 1oo amp breaker and ive burnt 3/8 together at 300 amps ac and no prob with welder and thats 40 amps below max output never even came on thermal shutdown just asked for more
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From: Knoxville, tn, 37912
Re: (PhoenixTurboJesse)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PhoenixTurboJesse »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">but, i know for a fact that the miller machines do require that you open them and set the jumpers for your input voltage.
you said it was running on 3phase, is the building wired for 3 phase direct, or is a 3phase converter being used?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I have never used a welding machine on a 3 phase converter...but would have to think it would take one hell of a big converter to do it.
You must be using an older Miller machine. I know the jumpers you're talking about but the newer inverter machines don't have them. I thinkt the Syncrowave machines may still have jumpers but I'm not sure.
you said it was running on 3phase, is the building wired for 3 phase direct, or is a 3phase converter being used?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
I have never used a welding machine on a 3 phase converter...but would have to think it would take one hell of a big converter to do it.
You must be using an older Miller machine. I know the jumpers you're talking about but the newer inverter machines don't have them. I thinkt the Syncrowave machines may still have jumpers but I'm not sure.
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From: ME
Re: (own6volvos)
I have had no problems with my lincoln MIG and i use it every day. Its at its maximum settings more than half the time too with minimal cool down time...guess I got a rare one. Even if all the lincolns worked perfectly they would still suck if the customer service is as bad as engloid says.
Im starting on a big Miller TIG this week so the MIG will get a rest
Im starting on a big Miller TIG this week so the MIG will get a rest
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From: Knoxville, tn, 37912
Re: (openloop)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by openloop »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the way i see it comparing miller and lincoln is like comparing ford and chevy what i think it comes down to is what color you like</TD></TR></TABLE>
Then go buy a Lincoln...but when it ***** up, I hope you're man enough to come back here and admit you were wrong.
I used to feel the same way you do...till Lincoln proved to me that they suck ***. When I bought one, it really made me change my mind. They were in no way interested in working with the machine when it started giving me problems.
Then go buy a Lincoln...but when it ***** up, I hope you're man enough to come back here and admit you were wrong.
I used to feel the same way you do...till Lincoln proved to me that they suck ***. When I bought one, it really made me change my mind. They were in no way interested in working with the machine when it started giving me problems.
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From: Roanoke A.K.A. Redneckville,VA
Re: Why Lincoln sucks ***.... (1 cam)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1 cam »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
All we have at work (just for general maintainence) are Miller welders. They look like they are about 30 years old too. </TD></TR></TABLE>
same here.we have two Miller welders that get used every day,and are probably older than i am.
not one problem-just replace theusual wear items like tips and that's it.
Chris
All we have at work (just for general maintainence) are Miller welders. They look like they are about 30 years old too. </TD></TR></TABLE>
same here.we have two Miller welders that get used every day,and are probably older than i am.
not one problem-just replace theusual wear items like tips and that's it.
Chris
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From: sheridan, wyoming, usa
My first welder was the ole Home Depot wire feed(converted to mig) special. I never really thought it was that bad until I hopped on a Miller mig about 2 weeks ago and it blew my mind. I now realize how freakin retarded my lincoln is. Oh yeah I had to use the Miller mig cuz the Lincoln broke on me hehehhe. Freakin cheasy *** rollers are screwed up.
I own a Miller tig and I love it.
I own a Miller tig and I love it.
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From: Knoxville, tn, 37912
Re: (openloop)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by openloop »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i bought a lincoln tig almost 2 years ago hasnt given me any trouble and i use the hell out of it</TD></TR></TABLE>
I hope the same continues for you. From my experiences, it hasn't.
Did you buy it new? Have you used a Miller machine also so you have a good comparison?
I really figured I'd have a bunch of Lincoln lovers pissed off with this post. It wasn't really my intention, but after writing it I thought... "That's probably not going to settle well with some of the guys." It seems that way more people agree with me than disagree.
I hope the same continues for you. From my experiences, it hasn't.
Did you buy it new? Have you used a Miller machine also so you have a good comparison?
I really figured I'd have a bunch of Lincoln lovers pissed off with this post. It wasn't really my intention, but after writing it I thought... "That's probably not going to settle well with some of the guys." It seems that way more people agree with me than disagree.
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From: WNC
Re: (Engloid)
I use this bigass bitch on a daily basis without fail:
I guess it does help that my roomate is the son of my welding supplier, and his brother works for a local repair center/welding supplier that also repairs Lincoln... but i've never had to bring him in for a repair yet on my baby.. lol.
And then i just picked this up recently in case i need to TIG weld any bridges or cruise ships or what-not
But i really like these old brutes... sure, the newer inverters are really nice and handly, and mobile and stuff, but these old beasts will always start up without questions and lay a very nice bead. The only reason i'm even looking into an inverter machine lately, is for a bit nicer welds in thinner stuff... but i'll cross my fingers every time i hit the power button on one of the new machines though if/when i decide to get one. hehe.
I guess it does help that my roomate is the son of my welding supplier, and his brother works for a local repair center/welding supplier that also repairs Lincoln... but i've never had to bring him in for a repair yet on my baby.. lol.
And then i just picked this up recently in case i need to TIG weld any bridges or cruise ships or what-not
But i really like these old brutes... sure, the newer inverters are really nice and handly, and mobile and stuff, but these old beasts will always start up without questions and lay a very nice bead. The only reason i'm even looking into an inverter machine lately, is for a bit nicer welds in thinner stuff... but i'll cross my fingers every time i hit the power button on one of the new machines though if/when i decide to get one. hehe.
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From: Maryland, USA
Re: (ComposiMo)
when i had a lincoln tig it seemed to be Ok. when i got my miller i realized that my lincoln just didnt comepare in any way shape or form. the lincoln was only about 2 years old. 75amps on my miller is about the same as 135 or so on my lincoln.
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From: Knoxville, tn, 37912
Re:
When I went to welding school, they had some old Hobart machines that looked like a compressor and Lincoln that are sometimes now called the "tombstone." they both ran like a new machine (one with no modern bells and whistles, of course). I used a Lincoln every day. I never knew how many amps I was running because the indicator was bad. I just knew hotter and colder.
It was a tough machine....but I don't think they make them like they used to. miller has made some machines long ago that are still operational too, but I think they still make good quality stuff and Lincoln has gone down hill.
It was a tough machine....but I don't think they make them like they used to. miller has made some machines long ago that are still operational too, but I think they still make good quality stuff and Lincoln has gone down hill.
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From: Lemont, IL, USA
Re: Why Lincoln sucks ***.... (Engloid)
I have at Lincoln Precistion Tig 375 at the shop. The dial for the amperage lost a set screw so it would back off on the amperage at full pedal once the water cooler fans kicked on. P tsh. Throwing this 8 month old heap into the trash.
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From: Knoxville, tn, 37912
Re: Why Lincoln sucks ***.... (backpurge)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by backpurge »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have at Lincoln Precistion Tig 375 at the shop. The dial for the amperage lost a set screw so it would back off on the amperage at full pedal once the water cooler fans kicked on. P tsh. Throwing this 8 month old heap into the trash. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Easy now, bro...
8 months old, it is still under warranty. Just give Lincoln a call and I'm sure they'll send some competent and professional technician out and get it straight in no time.
</TD></TR></TABLE>Easy now, bro...
8 months old, it is still under warranty. Just give Lincoln a call and I'm sure they'll send some competent and professional technician out and get it straight in no time.
