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First, I'm not looking for brand loyalty arguments and I'm not trying to start a brand loyalty war. Seriously.
I've been looking to upgrade my old Hobart Ironman 210. Partially I'm tired of the harsh arc and partially I just like buying tools.
I've been looking aggressively for MM252's and right the now the cheapest I can find is $2400. With some (now past) Zoro sales I could get it to maybe $2300.
So turns out right now retail on the Lincoln 256 is $2105. "Holy shit" said I. And they're running a 10% rebate thru Jan 7 putting it at $1900. Holy double shit. That's $500 less than a Miller 252
From what I can see the specs are identical for both machines, including adjustments, options and duty cycle.
Lincoln Power MIG 256:
http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/equipment/Pages/product.aspx?product=K3068-1(LincolnElectric)
Miller 252:
https://www.millerwelds.com/equipment/welders/mig-gmaw/millermatic-252-mig-welder-m00218
So unless someone can give me a solid reason based in fact on why the Lincoln is inferior it seems like an obvious choice.
I know Miller is great on warranty service. Honestly I've never needed warranty service for any wire feed and it's unlikely I'd need it with Lincoln unless I got a lemon out the box. I'm not working the machine hard enough and I generally take good care of my tools.
Also I might suggest others shopping consider this. I've searched online and over the years it appears sometimes the Lincoln is more expensive, sometimes the Miller. I really don't know what causes prices to change so much beyond obvious stuff like inflation. And while it seemed common at one time for these machines to retail $1700-$1800 (or less) I'd argue this might be the last time in a long time we see this class of machine sub-$2k.
Furthermore, can anyone who's truly used a Lincoln 256 comment on arc quality? Would you describe it as harsh or soft(er)?
-Please don't suggest a 350P
-Please don't suggest CL, that's obvious
If anyone has truly constructive input I'd love to hear it. Ford vs Chevy doesn't help.
edit: also net weight specs claim the Lincoln to be 40 lbs heavier. I know sometimes this is misleading as it may include packaging, pallets etc
edit edit: right now Miller is not offering any rebates that include the 252
I've been looking to upgrade my old Hobart Ironman 210. Partially I'm tired of the harsh arc and partially I just like buying tools.
I've been looking aggressively for MM252's and right the now the cheapest I can find is $2400. With some (now past) Zoro sales I could get it to maybe $2300.
So turns out right now retail on the Lincoln 256 is $2105. "Holy shit" said I. And they're running a 10% rebate thru Jan 7 putting it at $1900. Holy double shit. That's $500 less than a Miller 252
From what I can see the specs are identical for both machines, including adjustments, options and duty cycle.
Lincoln Power MIG 256:
http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/equipment/Pages/product.aspx?product=K3068-1(LincolnElectric)
Miller 252:
https://www.millerwelds.com/equipment/welders/mig-gmaw/millermatic-252-mig-welder-m00218
So unless someone can give me a solid reason based in fact on why the Lincoln is inferior it seems like an obvious choice.
I know Miller is great on warranty service. Honestly I've never needed warranty service for any wire feed and it's unlikely I'd need it with Lincoln unless I got a lemon out the box. I'm not working the machine hard enough and I generally take good care of my tools.
Also I might suggest others shopping consider this. I've searched online and over the years it appears sometimes the Lincoln is more expensive, sometimes the Miller. I really don't know what causes prices to change so much beyond obvious stuff like inflation. And while it seemed common at one time for these machines to retail $1700-$1800 (or less) I'd argue this might be the last time in a long time we see this class of machine sub-$2k.
Furthermore, can anyone who's truly used a Lincoln 256 comment on arc quality? Would you describe it as harsh or soft(er)?
-Please don't suggest a 350P
-Please don't suggest CL, that's obvious
If anyone has truly constructive input I'd love to hear it. Ford vs Chevy doesn't help.
edit: also net weight specs claim the Lincoln to be 40 lbs heavier. I know sometimes this is misleading as it may include packaging, pallets etc
edit edit: right now Miller is not offering any rebates that include the 252