Lincoln Power Mig 180 vs Lincoln Pro Mig 180c

[SCTaco]

Hi,

I am about to purchase one of these two models and wanted to see if there were any opinions out there. The Lincoln Pro Mig 180 can be done for $500 shipped and the Lincoln Power Mig 180c about $710 shipped.

Besides the Power Mig being made to sell at Lows and the difference between a plastic and aluminum drive housing I don’t see much difference. This will be for a SAS project and general home fab stuff. So is it worth the extra $200 or is that money better spent on a tank, cart, etc...!?

Thanks

[fj40charles]

Have you looked at the HH187? It has gotten great reviews for its stable and quality arc.

Here is a thread that may give you some feedback.. Read post #12.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/...highlight=180c

For lazy folk.. post #12

Yeah, I ran it a little today on some 1/8" with and .030 Radnor and C-25. It's definitely better then the SP 175+ that it replaced. I've now ran the HH 187, MM 180, and PM 180C on 1/8" with this same .030 Radnor wire and C-25, and all three do real well. I definitely have no problem recommending anyone of the three for this application.

I also ran a few quick beads on 1/4", and I can definitely tell, the PM 180C doesn't have the top end to compete with the HH 187 or MM 180 in this area. Lincoln advertises this as a 3/16" unit with solid wire, so I was suspecting this already. Of course it produces a hot enough weld for 1/4" in a Non-critical application.

I am wonder though, if the same genius that designed the spool hub, came up with what I feel are a few other design blunders. Such as the recessed gas hose connection, and the supposed toolless output terminals. No way am I only going to try an make these connection only finger tight. The way they are set up, there is to much potential for the leads to short against one another if the negative terminal becomes loose.

[fj40charles]

Comparision of HH187, MM180, and Lincoln 180C

http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/...highlight=180c

HH187 gives you 7 voltage taps vs. 5 for Lincoln powermig 180C. HH187 also has more top end power.

[SCTaco]

fj40charles,

The HH187 spec sheet says "It is capable of welding 24 gauge to 5/16 steel" and the Lincoln 180 claims "up to 1/2 steel (with MP)". I am a welding nOob so maybe you can clairfy for me if the HH187 can do the same thing with multi-pass process.

[fj40charles]

Originally Posted by SCTaco

fj40charles,

The HH187 spec sheet says "It is capable of welding 24 gauge to 5/16 steel" and the Lincoln 180 claims "up to 1/2 steel (with MP)". I am a welding nOob so maybe you can clairfy for me if the HH187 can do the same thing with multi-pass process.

SCTaco,

See this thread.. Good description of "multi pass."

http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/...ght=multi+pass

[SCTaco]

Thanks. I also found this link