they have the LINCOLN PRO MIG 180 HD on sale for 525 and the 140hd for 450, im a noob so looking for something to learn on. I have a 220 plug in my garage so thats not a big deal for the 180 hd, but I have seen a couple people mention something about staying away from the hd models. So looking for imput on why they are bad or if one of those would be good to learn on, and the reason im looking at hd is I have a hd card otherwise I will have to wait before i can afford to go somewhere else. thanks for the help

 

i've had the 140 amp model for a few years now, never had a problem, but it's only been for home use. i've done many exhausts, charge pipes with it and many other things. a mig has limitations but also has it's place as well. if your looking to do something besides just mild steel, you might want to look at the diversion from miller.

 

mig is great for quick stuff, it's sooo much faster than TIG. So if you're just looking for doing some quick exhaust work and small brackets and such, then mig is the way to go.

if you want to do any aliminum, you need a spool gun for mig, or a decent tig.

and on the specific machine you listed, i have no experience. but lincoln is a good name, and you shouldn't have a problem with it.

 

IIRC, the Home Depot versions have incremental power settings while the regular branded models have infinite power settings (not in steps). The incremental settings are not a huge deal, but all things equal, I'd rather have the infinitely adjustable versions.

I see used Lincoln and Miller Migs cheap on Craigslist all the time now.

 

thanks for the help, I dont think the settings will be a big deal for a noob like me. I think im gona go with the 140 amp seems like it would be more portable not needing a 220 plug. I would also like to be able to do aluminum for a catch can and bungs on my valve cover and a little stainless on things like a dump tube, so plan on picking up the spool gun. Quick question on gas, from what i have been reading you need a diff mix for aluminum, steel, ss, so do I need to have 3 tanks one for each mix or is there any mix that will work for all.

 

was also looking at the hobart 140 for 475 shipped, would this be better http://cgi.ebay.com/HOBART-HANDLER-1...ht_1647wt_1165 or the lincoln http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

 

If you only do SS and aluminum, you could get away with just argon. If you do mild and SS, you could use tri-mix (I think). To cover everything, you need at least two bottles.

I have used a spool gun for aluminum and it is okay, but is not anywhere near what a Tig can do. Do not expect to be able to do thin materials or precise work with it.

Also, get the 220 unless you really need the convenience of the 110 - it is a lot more versatile and will have a much better duty cycle on the kinds of materials you are likely to encounter in automotive work (like cages).

 

take a look at some tig welders,you're going to end up spending $600-$800 for a mig and a spool gun and still not be able to do what you want to, at least well. maybe stop by a local welding store and talk to them about want you want in a welder.

 

thanks think your right about the 220, think I will regret not getting it when I have the plug already to go for it. Was looking at the 20 cf or 40 cf bottles, does anyone happen to know the average welding time I would get from a bottle that small.

 

I know what your saying and I would love to get a tig, but it took some time just to talk the wife into letting me spend 600, so think a tig is out of my price range for know. I also think it would be good to learn to mig before moving up to tig one day.

 

If you don't have a welder at all and you are wanting to get one then the HD models are not a bad learning unit. However, if your significant other is only going to let you spend a large sum this one time then you might want to talk to a airgas or welding supply store and pick up a diversion or a comparable MIG.