might pick up a lincoln 180 hd used

[morethrottle88]

I'm gonna try and get it for 250 I see them going for about 550 online. Any one have experience with these or bad news. Just wondering if it worth the deal.

[robert-r]

I had a 175 HD for several years.
It worked well.
$250 seems a little low. I'd check it very carefully.

[Wyoming9]

just know that model is built for places like Home Depot and who ever else sells to the hobby market.

They can`t even be bought by a welding distributor.

Make sure it works and you have full range and control.

It is cheaper for a reason

[morethrottle88]

It's cheap cause I'm a Jew lol. I'm getting it from a buddy who got it for Christmas and used it a few times. 250 will be my offer. No guarantees ill get it that cheap though

[angryblack]

Originally Posted by Wyoming9

just know that model is built for places like Home Depot and who ever else sells to the hobby market.

They can`t even be bought by a welding distributor.

Make sure it works and you have full range and control.

It is cheaper for a reason

They are cheaper because they use way more plastic in the mig gun..Plus the liner is cheaper plastic.. Other than that its primarily the same unit

[TorqueRanger]

Originally Posted by angryblack

They are cheaper because they use way more plastic in the mig gun..Plus the liner is cheaper plastic.. Other than that its primarily the same unit

I have a Lincoln 3200HD unit and it comes with magnum 100l mig gun but the drive assembly is all plastic which I am not fan of ...

[SkooledMedic]

I've said this a million times, don't waste the money on a low end machine. They're barely good enough to do anything over 10 gauge and even then you'll hit the duty cycle like its your job.

[TorqueRanger]

Originally Posted by SkooledMedic

I've said this a million times, don't waste the money on a low end machine. They're barely good enough to do anything over 10 gauge and even then you'll hit the duty cycle like its your job.

I fully agree with you....


I am a 6th generation welder and the only reasons I bought such a cheap welder because I had no one to teach me and this was my first welder and wanted to make sure that I would really use this thing ... But I have learned that it pays to quality equipment and my next purchase will be a miller 211 or bigger from miller ...

[vegasloki]

Originally Posted by Wyoming9

just know that model is built for places like Home Depot and who ever else sells to the hobby market.

They can`t even be bought by a welding distributor.

Make sure it works and you have full range and control.

It is cheaper for a reason

I've got the Lowes version. It's identical to the Lincoln SP180T. The Lowes model is packed for Lowes with a different control bezel as is the Home Depot model. Same welder, though. There is more plastic in that model (and the 180T) particualrly the drive rolls. This is from calling Cleveland before I bought it and also directly comparing the two. I've had it for five years and have done several cars and cages at this point. It easily does better than 10 ga. I've only had duty cycle issues on 1/4" plus on the trailer (.035 flux core), then I went to the stick on my Sq Wave 175. It's a great little machine.

The next step up is the Power Mig 180C. Metal drive system and continuously variable heat control. According to Lincoln, same electronics as the other 180 amp machines. You'll find one of these on nearly every NASCAR or Indycar hauler. They mount them on a hand truck with a 40cu ft bottle. Pretty neat. I've got a pic somewhere of it.

[morethrottle88]

Well I'm getting it today. I know its cheap and gay and blah blah blah. But for 250 dollars fawk it. I can sell it later for more money. Thanks for the info gents

[morethrottle88]

Got it

[J&L Fasteners]

A buddy of mine bought one of those used for $100, I've welded with it plenty of times. Its a fine machine for the price, as long as you aren't trying to use it for production. However there is a drastic difference between that machine and my Miller 180 and I haven't welded with a smoother machine than my 350P but neither of those are $250 either.

Just be sure to run good clean wire through it. He had a harbor freight roll of wire in it that didn't want to run through it. The Lincoln stuff from Home Depot seems to run fine though.

Is it possible to swap in metal drive rolls?

[robert-r]

Originally Posted by SkooledMedic

I've said this a million times, don't waste the money on a low end machine. They're barely good enough to do anything over 10 gauge and even then you'll hit the duty cycle like its your job.

Just curious.... have you owned or operated this machine?

[BESRK]

I rocked a Promig 175 for a few years.. built sevaral cages, dozens of bumpers...etc. Only thing I had to do to it, was change the liner.

I email Lincoln a few years ago. Asked them about the differences between the Models in the same Amperage category (ie.. pro, sp, hd... et). The reply email stated that mechanically, there was no difference. It was simply a difference in naming them for the various distributors.. other than that, same machines.

[SkooledMedic]

Originally Posted by robert-r

Just curious.... have you owned or operated this machine?

I borrowed one for six months while saving/deciding what kind of welder I was going to get.

originally I was going to get a 180amp machine but I hit the duty cycle so often and was so limited in what I felt it was capable of doing I opted for a Powermig 255.

that being said for $250 I would definitely pick up a 180amp machine purely because they are far easier to transport than a 300lb machine.

[FuzzyZ]

I have the Pro Mig 180C also and its a great welder. I agree with not getting the lowes/home depot version 180T. Its a lot less quality machine. The 180C will do what ever any normal garage mechanic will do.