I bought a used licoln sp 175 plus today for $200, is it a good welder????????

[brickmason]

I was at northern tool today to purchase a Hobart handler 190 for $829.00 and an old timer came up to me and asked if I was a welder, and I said to him no, but I want to get in to it. He mentioned he had a working mig welder for sale, So I left the store with him to go look at it and it looked clean, no manual with it, it came with regulator and hose, a few tips, and a aluminum liner. and he wanted $200 for it, I jumped on it, I havent tested it out yet, I do not have 220 in my garage yet. Does any body know anything about this welder? If it works like he said did I pay a good price or should have I bought that hobart handler 190? to late now!, just curious.

Thanks for your replies I appreciate it!

I can post pics if need be??????????

[DSW]

Both machines are rated the same 130 amps @ 30% duty cycle. The Hobart has a bit more at the top end 190 amps vs 175 for that Lincoln. The Hobart is set up to run a spool gun and I don't believe the Lincoln is.

All that aside, the price is hard to beat. Over all you really didn't loose much at the top end, maybe 1/16" max on steel. Both will do 1/4" if used within reason and watching the duty cycle. Alum probably isn't a viable option with the Lincoln, but even with a spoolgun the Hobart will only do 1/16" - 1/8" on alum under real world conditions, so it's probably not a big deal breaker.

You should be able to go to Lincoln's web site and pull up the manual to download with the model and serial number.

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...r-manuals.aspx

Overall if it works, I'd say you did quite well.

[Brand X]

It's a solid/tough little welder. Put the steel liner back in it, and see how it works. I have owned two over the years, and would own another for $200.00 You can always put it on Craig list for about $500.00, if you don't like it..

[MarkBall2]

I had one that ran side by side with a Hobart Handler 175. The arc on it was a bit softer, but it would weld 3/16" mild steel easily. I used it to weld up some stainless sheet using Tri-Mix & it worked about as well as the Hobart. I sold it, as I just couldn't get used to the arc quality because I was used to the crisp arc on the Hobart.

Guy I sold it to is very happy with it running flux core. He said it's one of the best buy's he's made in a while. I think you done good at $200.

[soutthpaw]

Its a great little welder. I had one for years and sold it on craigslist for $400 or 500 when I got a bigger machine

[SuperArc]

That welder is nice. You got it at a great price. Personally, I prefer a "soft" arc vs "crisp." in the end however, it doesn't matter. As long as steel gets melted together, it's all good.

[kolot]

you bought a Lincoln, of course it's a good welder, just use it for it's designed/intended purpose.

[wazazzle]

Sounds like a good deal but i'd of tested it first. I did the same thing on my sp175t... Found it on cl, couldn't test it without a plug, but bought it regardless... Only later to find out it had a bad transformer, which cost me an extra $100 to get it replaced by lincoln tech at my LWS. I recall a few wks ago an online supplier had refurbished lincoln 180t's on sale for $450 shipped.