OK i have done some very limited welding. Mostly light stuff and tacking and letting a more experienced welder finish. Now i want to get my own and learn and improve. I have looked at the web sites and read quite a bit here. From what i have gathered I should be going for a larger welder that i can grow into. One that wont limit my skills and my needs once i have improved. So i have eliminated the buzz box and 110 welders.
Well price wise the lincoln sp175 is about $725 and i and seems fairly good.
My question is should this welder begood enough for me or should i save a few mor $$$ and go with the power mig 200.

TIA

I think that should be good enough. I used an SP200, and it was really nice, but more than you would usually need for working on a truck. Definintly get a Lincoln though, I was using a Miller MIG yesterday, and it didn't work very well. (I think it had something wrong with it, but I have used 2 different Lincolns and they were way better)

I have a SP175+ and really like it. It has done everything I have needed, but I did do some passes on 3/8" plate and wound up using the 225AC stick welder for better penetration. I have found .030 wire works best for most things.

That being said, if I had my druthers, I would get a Miller 210 just to know that I would never need another. Is it worth the extra $$ to step up? Probably not for my use, but it would be nice.

When I find my money tree I will be buying an SP175 +

I will aslo keep my Lincoln buzz box for the thicker stuff I will need to do from time to time. such as Hydro assist ram brackets.

I've used friends sp175's several times, I have the Miller 175 and they work fine for most fab work on our rigs. Capable of welding to 1/4" which is fine for 95% of what would need welding on a rig. Only thing i'd never use it for, is welding on axle tubes.

Cost versus functionality of these is great for us wannabe fabricators :flipoff2:

I picked up the millermatic 175 a few months ago from cyberwelds on the internet for 675 with the cart to my doorstep.That tang kicks ass!3/8 with outstanding penitration in one pass.

A 175 should suit your needs just fine. The price jump up to a 200 is still pretty big ($500) for a little more output (30A), A higher duty cycle (SP 175T: 130A@30%, PowerMig 200: 200A@30%), and a more durable machine if you are using it 24/7. As a "hobby welder I doubt the duty cycle is going to be a limitation for you. The 175 requires a min. of 20A @ 230V, while the PowerMig 200 is going to need a Min. of 35A @ 230V. I would go with the 175, spend the $500 later on a decent AC/DC SMAW machine if you hit the duty cycle/do lots of fabbing over 1/4". As well with an AC/DC SMAW machine it would enable scratch start DC GTAW (TIG) giving you an additional process. FWIW I just came back from welder shopping; helping out a bud - He ended up buying a SP 175+: $895, 80Cubic Ft. Cylinder of Argon/CO2, including the cylinder: $235, an 80 Cubic ft. O2 & 40 Cubic Ft. Acetylene, again buying the cylinders: $335. Total price in Canadian $$$ - $ 1465 or $940 American. He knew what he wanted, I just went because I have a wholesale account there and saved him a few $$$.

EDIT: Took out reference to 100% duty cycle points, needless confusion if you are not in the business.

I recently bought a SP175+ and don't think I'll ever need to buy another Welder. The 175 will do all that I ever need, and more.

You can't beat the quality and the price! You should be able to find 'em around $600, thats what I paid for mine.

I have a Lincoln SP-175+ and it's a good welder.

CJ

I've had an SP175+ for about a year and love it. I've welded everything from sheet metal to spring perches and hangers to 1/2" plate (double pass;) )

I'm sure you'd be happy with it:D

Alright guys i think i am completely sold on this machine. Well now i just have to wait to unwrap it from under the tree.

So I think i have seen it for 700 but some of you said i should be able to get it for 600 where have you seen this. The net or at shops and was it a special sale.

SHould i wait aroud a bit and see if i can find a better price?

Thanks again i am gettin as giddy as a school girl thinkin about my first little prodjects. ;) :flipoff2:

Keep in mind that there is 2 Lincoln 175's: The 175T and the 175+, the 175+ will be about $75-80 more than the 175T. What model have you priced out for $700? Last time I checked around for prices in US$$ I believe that $625 for a 175T and $710 for a 175+ seemed to be competitive prices. On of the guys who lives around you would probably have a better handle on prices. I would look around on the net and figure out the best price you can get, INCLUDING shipping to your door. Then go into your local dealer and tell him " I can get this from X for XXX dollars, but would rather support a local business “ Most of them will try to work out a deal for you, maybe they will not be able to beat the price on the machine, but you will still need a bottle, wire, and consumables, a hood maybe? This is where they should be able to sweeten the deal on your consumables to give you a competitive package price. Keep in mind you will probably be buying consumables and gas locally, so establishing a good relationship with your local dealer is a good idea. You should also be able to get a “good guy” discount on later purchases, as well as not having to worry about warranty service etc.

the hobart 175 I'm looking at is only 555.00 at cyberweld.com

Lincoln SP-175 Plus for $669

http://www.weldingsupply.com/cgi-bin/einstein.pl?Next::1:UNDEF:OR:K1642-3

--Dan

Originally posted by houlster
Lincoln SP-175 Plus for $669

http://www.weldingsupply.com/cgi-bin/einstein.pl?Next::1:UNDEF:OR:K1642-3

--Dan

These guys charge for shipping on top - add 27.76 to the price.