I AM getting a 220v mig welder. Been looking around and found the Lincoln SP175T for $610. Also found the SP175Plus for $873(not that great a deal.) Is the Plus worth it? I am told it has to do with the knob for voltage adjust. The plus has an "infinite adjust" I am told while the T has the four position. Can I just go with the T? Also what amp break (dedicated welder circuit) would be adequate for the welder? I am planning on a 30A circuit with 10 GA wire from the breaker to the outlet.

Does this sound good? Can I get away with the T(cheaper!)

Thanks for the help!!!

I'm not at all familliar with what you're talking about, but I'll tell you this, take your $800 and buy a good used machine. A new (little) buzz box won't cut it, and for the money you can get a deacent used machine.
eric@fatcity

I have the plus and for me, the infinate voltage adjustment is worth the extra $$. I say, go for it :)

IIRC, the SP175 Plus requires 220v 50 amp service with a 50 amp outlet and I'd go with 8 ga wire. Just my .02

I would say the infinate adjustment on the voltage is worth the price. It helps you fine tune the voltage which is handy if you dont have alot of experience yet. The cheaper one would work but you have to know how to manipulate the electrode stick out to use it effectively. As far as the breaker I would see what the manufacture says runningt the right size breaker is to protect the machine so you dont want to go too big on that, and i would running an 8 guage wire. by the way were did you find one at that price?

oh by the way you can buy a Millermatic 175 with infinate voltage adjustment for $645 free shipping from cyberweld.com

manipulate the electrode stick out to use it effectively.

thats a new one to me for a mig machine, and i consider myself a seasoned welder.

A SP 175 will run fine on 220V/30A - it only draws 20A at rated voltage. hell my 300A ESAB runs off of a 60A circuit just fine at full nut.

Got that price at San Diego Welders supply, and that is for a regular guy off the street, probably better if you were holding an account there...

Control it with electrode stick out??? Were talking a MIG welder here, I was under the impression wire speed and voltage were the adjustments...but I have been known to be retarded.

The electrode "stick out" is the distance from the contact tip to the metal being welded. Some call it electrode extention some people call it stick out maybe its a so cal term I dunno, but i think its even called that in some text books. Manipulating this distance can make the weld hotter or colder through the resistance in the wire causing the amperge to increase or decrease.

I just bought my plus yesterday for $690 and I've got to send in a $40 rebate still. I hadn't heard about the stickout until yesterday either, but it really does make a difference. I was playing with my new toy all night last night. Guess it's time to start welding on the jeep again. If only they would throw in a bender with your new welder purchase, I'd be set.

Easy