Welders, welding, and stuff

[AssBurns]

I have a Lincoln 180, it’s perfect for me and I found it nib for $400 on cL. Hobart makes a fine welder too

I'd say the Lincoln 180 is probably the minimum anyone should get. It's a great rig and worth the price (especially if used). Anything smaller or cheaper quality might end up being more work than its worth.
Hobart and Miller are both owned by the same company, so they both share a lot of the same technology and consumables which I think is very important since a ton of shops and hardware stores (ie. Tractor Supply) carry Horbart brand consumables which fit Miller welders. That's a huge reason I don't recommend something off brand. Lincoln is pretty easy to find consumables too, but just not as easy as Miller/Hobart.

Buy once cry once as it's been said. We have a millermatic 211 at the shop that's blown the circuit board twice so I have lost faith with Miller. My Lincoln 210 mp has been bulletproof so far and I've even had to bring it into work to cover while the Miller went to the repair shop.

That's crazy that you've blown the circuit board twice! Is it the old transformer style or the new inverter style? Mine is the older transformer style and the only issue I've has is the trigger has been giving a little trouble at certain angles I've held the gun at. I need to pull it apart and see if something is loose or if I just need to replace the trigger itself.

 

[AssBurns]

I think my next welder will be a multi-process. I think the Millermatic 220 would be a perfect setup for garage use. I don't think I'd be able to afford or really need some as high end as the Miller XMT 350 like @Hold My Beer & Watch This has.

 

[Dukestaco]

I picked up a Craftsman professional for $150. The guy had it for $200 but since I drove from Tucson to Phoenix to get it he cut me a deal. I don't even know if it's a 140 or 180 because I can't find any literature on it but it keeps up with my friends Hobart 180 and it has done everything I have asked of it. We will see how it does with a bumper. Out dimming hos is the way to go. You can get the HF ones on eBay for less and with cool design's because we all know that it's not how well you weld but how cool you look in the helmet. You will burn your arms and toes and then you will get the leathers or thick long sleeves that's just how it goes. Play with it practice and then go to town.

 

[RPS1030]

I picked up an ESAB Rebel EM 215ic for 1k. I like it a lot.

Nice, they look like a great machine but I’ve been waiting for a little more long term review, hard to jump off the red or blue bandwagon

@stumbles should expand on that. He had something else prior (I don’t remember what) and struggled to lay down anything decent. New machine with higher quality everything and instant improvement.

 

[4WALKER]

The first one smoked with about 2 hours on the machine on 110v and another with i'd say 5 hours on 220v. Obviously it likes 220 more so we figured 110 was pissing it off. When it happened on 220 is when I started shit talking Miller. My boss was pissed because I've always been a Lincoln guy and I rubbed it in his face when I had to bring my personal rig in to cover and he is die hard Miller.

 

[stumbles]

@stumbles should expand on that. He had something else prior (I don’t remember what) and struggled to lay down anything decent. New machine with higher quality everything and instant improvement.

I had a small Lincoln sp135 that was 110 only. It is an ok welder if you are doing small stuff in small amounts. It just seemed that if I was trying to do 3/16ths it had a difficult time. After buying the ESAB I could tell the arc was so much better and smoother. Made me look like an ok'ish welder. Getting the voltage and wirefeed speeds are easier on the new machines. I have also welded with a new Lincoln 260. That thing is nice.

Any machine that can help me look better is a testament to that equipment.

 

[AssBurns]

The first one smoked with about 2 hours on the machine on 110v and another with i'd say 5 hours on 220v. Obviously it likes 220 more so we figured 110 was pissing it off. When it happened on 220 is when I started shit talking Miller. My boss was pissed because I've always been a Lincoln guy and I rubbed it in his face when I had to bring my personal rig in to cover and he is die hard Miller.

That sucks. Any idea if it was the new or old model? My old model works pretty damn good for the most part. Never had any real issues with it. I wonder if it had something to do with overheating it or something. Not sure what the duty cycles are on these.

 

[4WALKER]

It's only 2 years old I'm pretty sure the duty cycle is 40% on 220.

 

[AssBurns]

It's only 2 years old I'm pretty sure the duty cycle is 40% on 220.

Sounds like the newer inverter model then. What a bummer though! I've always wondered about the newer inverter model welders. Wonder how the new Lincoln inverter welders hold up. I've never used an inverter welder, so I have no idea how well they hold up to long term reliability. I just know the old transformer welders are proven to work and last. The inverters are much lighter and smaller though, which is pretty damn cool.

 

[4WALKER]

Yeah when I got my Lincoln the guy tried to talk me out of it because people were smoking them. I've had it for 3 years now without a single problem. Granted I dont weld everyday with it like we do at the shop... but it's not like it collects dust.

 

[4WALKER]

Just looked and the 210mp is 40% on 110 and 20% on 220. The exact opposite of Miller lol

 

[madtaco461]

Any of you guys TIG?

 

[AssBurns]

Any of you guys TIG?

I've got about 15 minutes of TIG under my belt. I really want to pick up a machine and start practicing.

 

[EL Maggot]

Any of you guys TIG?

TIG would be awesome to learn.

 

[madtaco461]

I've got about 15 minutes of TIG under my belt. I really want to pick up a machine and start practicing.

Yeah I was looking at a lincoln square wave 200 for myself. Seems like a good starter machine. Maybe once I get my truck going, I'll look more into it.

 

[EL Maggot]

Yeah I was looking at a lincoln square wave 200 for myself. Seems like a good starter machine. Maybe once I get my truck going, I'll look more into it.

Have you done any TIG before?

 

[4WALKER]

I want to but dont have the guts to pull the trigger on the tig setup for my Lincoln. I've watched hours and hours of tig videos from welding tips and tricks. That guy is a beast

 

[madtaco461]

Have you done any TIG before?

Negative, but I want to do it. I really want it for custom engine parts that I don't want to pay out my ass for to throw on my truck. Exhaust, manifolds, and custom piping.

I want to but dont have the guts to pull the trigger on the tig setup for my Lincoln. I've watched hours and hours of tig videos from welding tips and tricks. That guy is a beast

great channel.
I also watch The Fabrication Series. Gets more toward auto specific work.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcxlBLmujrjTVSSUkzZ2Jlg

 

[EL Maggot]

Negative, but I want to do it. I really want it for custom engine parts that I don't want to pay out my ass for to throw on my truck. Exhaust, manifolds, and custom piping.



great channel.
I also watch The Fabrication Series. Gets more toward auto specific work.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcxlBLmujrjTVSSUkzZ2Jlg

Makes sense, especially for everything you've got going with your rig....and those turbos! I don't have a lot i could with it for my stuff but thinks it's a good skill to know even at a beginner level. Plus it looks sexy AF too!

 

[4WALKER]

I like tfs but sometimes I get a tweaker vibe from that guy and it bugs me lol