mig Welding question, help please
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 483
Likes: 1
Yes, the Lincoln SP175T is considered one of the best machines in this class. It also costs a couple hundred more, just a guess but it is more. It has a couple features that make its operation slightly different,,, but could frustrate a newer operator. The HH has stepped Voltage selection which makes it slightly more "point and shoot" for lack of a better term. The arc quality of the HH is excelent. If I wanted "the best welder" I would consider the Lincoln. If I wanted one that was going to work as well as any and save a couple hundred it would be the HH. No matter what color the machine is the 240V units will work better than the best 120V ones. When you move up a class to the 210 machines there is no fair comparison to the HH210 and the Lincoln PM215. They would have to knock another 1504 off the HH to make it a fair race. The PM was the answer to Millers MM210. Those 2 are a toss up. In fact I would consider the MM175 and the SP175 pretty much a toss too. As of now though Miller/Hobart have the best tech support in the industry if thats a factor.
Last edited by Sberry27; Mar 20, 2004 at 09:29 AM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,734
Likes: 38
From: Sunny Florida
Well I went to Harbor today and did not buy a welder. I am very unsure of what I really need. I will only need the welder for body work or 98% of the time anyway. So I can not make my mind up on the 135 or the 175 Hobart unit. There is only $100 difference in a new unit but Harbor has a reconditioned 135 unit for $379 and this is what I am leaning towards buying.
If I need to use a 220 unit I have a buddy that I can borrow one from. He has a Lincoln unit that will wled 3/8 in one pass. It seems that the people that really do weld and know how suggest the 220 units but would I really need a 220 for body work? thanks bob
If I need to use a 220 unit I have a buddy that I can borrow one from. He has a Lincoln unit that will wled 3/8 in one pass. It seems that the people that really do weld and know how suggest the 220 units but would I really need a 220 for body work? thanks bob
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,734
Likes: 38
From: Sunny Florida
The 135 will weld 3/16 metal in one pass and the 175 model will weld 1/4 in one pass. I can't think of anything I would really need to weld that will be 1/4 and if I ever do weld something heavy I can't see it being alot.
I just want to make sure I am happy with what I buy. I am getting 50/50 from friends and all on which way to go.
I just want to make sure I am happy with what I buy. I am getting 50/50 from friends and all on which way to go.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 483
Likes: 1
The 135 will weld 3/13 in one pass,,, under idea conditions set up by an experienced operator,, screaming its guts out. You can always turn a 175 down but the 135 hits its limits so much quicker. Is it worth a 100 $ to always wonder if you should have bought a better machine? With tools, especially welding equipment bigger is usually better. You are already wondering whether you will be happy with a smaller machine,, you want to wonder after the fact. Mike hit it on the head,,, once you get one you will find more uses.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 483
Likes: 1
RTM,, here is another simple way to look at this. If people that know how to weld and are pros tell you to get the 240V unit why would you rely on an amateur opinion and get a 120V unit? I seen one at a body shop the other day and they had it plugged in to the outlet on a trouble light. Wonder why it doesnt work well??? With the better machine this wont happen.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 483
Likes: 1
I jave a friend that is a body man, he was out the other day, he owns a 135. I let him run a bigger one on a project. He said,, what a difference,, I need one like that. The bigger machine will do what the smaller one will do, but easily. The HH135 is a fine machine, but it limited and if a guy has only one machine make it a better one.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,157
Likes: 1
From: Central Kali
Good points Sberry. I don't even use my migs for body work except for tacking stuff. I will use the tig. I don't like having to grind down those mig beads. 
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,734
Likes: 38
From: Sunny Florida
These types of reasons from others is what helps. I have been second guessing and I have been trying to sell myself on the 135. I can borrow a 110 or a 220 unit just about anytime I need to. It's just time I got one of mine own. I will look inot the 175 a little more and put the cost a sided for now. Money is tight with the wife in school full time.
I will make a decission today and more than likely buy one.
I will make a decission today and more than likely buy one.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
I have two mig welders, both Lincoln. I have the SP175T which runs on 220V which I use for the bigger jobs, but more often than not I use the SP125 110V unit. If you head over to my FTE gallery, you can see my latest project, an engine run stand. 1/8" wall square tubing, and the smaller, SP125 welds it just fine.
While both welders have support for shielding gas, I always use the SP125 with flux-core welding wire because its quick and easy to setup and weld.
My SP170T is currently set up for reverse polarity aluminum MIG welding, with the proper argon/co2 shielding gas. Though I've done fluxcore wire for steel welding in the past.
What I like about both welders, is all the external pieces of one, fit the other. Hand feeder guns, hoses, etc etc etc.
I would agree with others that the Lincoln SP175T is a big more expensive than other welders in the same class, but then again, being able to leave a 96 inch bead on 1/8" 1020 steel without a break is a nice thing to be able to do
While both welders have support for shielding gas, I always use the SP125 with flux-core welding wire because its quick and easy to setup and weld.
My SP170T is currently set up for reverse polarity aluminum MIG welding, with the proper argon/co2 shielding gas. Though I've done fluxcore wire for steel welding in the past.
What I like about both welders, is all the external pieces of one, fit the other. Hand feeder guns, hoses, etc etc etc.
I would agree with others that the Lincoln SP175T is a big more expensive than other welders in the same class, but then again, being able to leave a 96 inch bead on 1/8" 1020 steel without a break is a nice thing to be able to do