elvergon,
Don't let anyone tell you that the Pro Mig 175 is lower quality! It is the SP175T with a different name plate. Lincoln makes a retail version for several chains. There is no difference in the internals.

 

I hope you got good resale value for your torch kit, because you're going to want another one sooner or later!

As mentioned, Lowe's and HD sell the same Lincolns you can buy at a welding supply. The just carry the tapped versions. The welding supplier sells the tapped versions and the variable-voltage versions.

I like CO2 for general-purpose GMAW. Argon mixes shine when you get below 16-gauge, but CO2 can weld as thin as 22-ga.

 

I got 400 bucks for a Deluxe Victor equipment plus the 2 tanks, I paid almost 600 for them but I had them filled by that time and acetilene is expensive.


Everybody tells me that I´m going to regret for doing that! lol! but that was the only way I could afford a MIG welder and here I am!

SOOOOOOO......thanks RC for the support, and MAC 2....Do you guys know any place in which I could get a better deal for the MIG welder?? maybe online store (I got a friend in Texas so they could ship it to them).

(I would like a 250 amp machine but thats out of my budget, all I would be welding will be 1/8 tubes so 175 will work, maybe duty cycle won´t be eternal but that´s the only way to go)

thanks all

 

Do you guys know any place in which I could get a better deal for the MIG welder?? maybe online store (I got a friend in Texas so they could ship it to them).

Look at the Hobarts here: http://www.toolking.com/category.aspx?categoryID=323. $8 shipping, too, and no sales tax.

 

took a look at it. They don´t have any hobarts right now =( and I didn´t like the only 4 taps for voltage, I like more the 5 setting of the Lincoln. A guy on other thread told he got one with a millet helmet and stand for 649 soemthing like that, I WANT ONE OF THOSE KILLER DEALS!

(gotta look better)

 

took a look at it. They don´t have any hobarts right now =( and I didn´t like the only 4 taps for voltage, I like more the 5 setting of the Lincoln. A guy on other thread told he got one with a millet helmet and stand for 649 soemthing like that, I WANT ONE OF THOSE KILLER DEALS!

(gotta look better)

Yeah, I wish he would let us know where he got that deal...sounds almost too good to be true unless it was out of some nice fellow's trunk in the parking lot

 

I knO =(

Last time I went to Mcallen LOWES was giving away a bosch 4.5" angle grinder with the purchase of a Pro MIG 175. There are people selling in ebay for about 520 delivered (599.99 at lowes). I´ll see if I can get that deal again cause I don´t trust UPS for shipping a welder and not looking at it while buying it.

 

i learned something new today.the welders from lowes and home depot are made over seas.

 

i learned something new today.the welders from lowes and home depot are made over seas.

And where did you learn that?
Where are they made?

Please state facts not hearsay. They are the exact same welder as the SP175T. The only difference is the name plate and the accessories that they are packaged with.

 

And where did you learn that?
Where are they made?

Please state facts not hearsay. They are the exact same welder as the SP175T. The only difference is the name plate and the accessories that they are packaged with.

Good to see someone else say this. It drives me crazy what is said about this great little welder. :realmad:

I wrote to Lincoln and this was their reply:

Roger:


The SP-175T (sold by our Welding Distributors), Weld-Pak 175 (Home Depot), and Pro-Mig 175 (Lowes) are a tapped transformer design providing for step type voltage control settings. Wire Feed Speed range is 50-400 inches per minute (30-175amps). The Weld-Pak 5000HD does not include the gas soloniod or gas regulator/flowmeter and gas hose. Weight 57 lbs.

The SP-175 Plus is a solid state controlled transformer design providing continuous voltage control. Wire Feed Speed range is 50 - 400 inches per minute (25 - 175 amps). Weight 60 lbs.

Both welders come with the Magnum 100L Mig Gun, 10ft ground lead and work clamp, 10 ft. input cord with plug, sample wire, Argon mix gas regulator and hose, and reversible drive rolls.

The transformer's primary is copper wound with a extra large ribbon wound aluminum secondary. Copper is also used on the leads & selector switch. Leaving this welder with unequaled attention to detail and quality of workmanship in the industry.

There is no need for a spool gun to weld aluminum with these welders just simpily add the Aluminum Feed Kit and a bottle of argon and you are ready to weld.

Thank You for your interest in Lincoln Products.

Harry

 

i heard this from lincoln call them ask where each model is made only certain model are made and assembled here.mainly the compacts are from over seas.look in the 2006 catalog it shows the made in usa models ond non usa models.

 

i am not insulting lincoln.i just bought a lincoln pro mig 215

 

The reason I responded to your post is that many have said or implied that the retail version are somehow different than the welding supplier versions ( SP135T and SP175T ), which they are not. However, it is true that some lincoln products are not manufactured in this country. They do make some of their welders in their manufacturing facility in Mexico. This is a fact of life with many manufacturers.
I just wanted to make clear, for those considering purchasing a retail version of Lincoln compact welders, that they are no different than the supply store versions. Their quality is equal and they are great little welders.
Yes, I do own a Pro Mig 175 but I am not partial to Lincoln. I own a Thermal Arc 185TSW TIG welder and will probably own a "blue" machine in the future. I just feel that it is important to be factual when posting information about a product so that people are not misled when making a substantial investment.

 

<snip>

I just wanted to make clear, for those considering purchasing a retail version of Lincoln compact welders, that they are no different than the supply store versions. Their quality is equal and they are great little welders.

<snip>

I'm sure that the tapped versions of the smaller Lincolns would be the same quality from a retail store or from a "supply store" as you say. The only issue for me was, after some research, I decided that I would be happier with the variable power and wire feed speed of the SP175 Plus. My old 250/250 TIG Stick Idealrc, that was built in 1985 in Cleveland Ohio, by the way, has variable power control and I like that feature very much.

I found that the variable machines were not available at Lowe's or Home Depot So I purchased one online. I don't know where it was assembled. It certainly works beautifully.

My 2000 Ford Escort was assembled in Mexico, though.

 

We just purchased a severe duty sae 400 and its made in Canada.

 

... My old 250/250 TIG Stick Idealrc, that was built in 1985 in Cleveland Ohio, ...

Small world. I used to work on Lincoln's assembly lines. In 1985 I was switching between the TIG line, the TM line and the AC-225 line. You may have one I had a hand in building. :laugh:

 

Small world. I used to work on Lincoln's assembly lines. In 1985 I was switching between the TIG line, the TM line and the AC-225 line. You may have one I had a hand in building. :laugh:

Well you did a great job if you built mine. It sure works great. I got it about 12 years ago from a fellow who bought it new. It had been used very little in a machine shop and it was, and still is, in practcally mint condition. It has a home-brewed cart with a stainless steel water tank and a water-cooled torch.

It's both a good TIG and stick machine. It doesn't have square wave but it's built like a tank and should last me. I'd keep it even if I were to buy a more modern TIG. Besides being a good welding machine, I just like the looks of it. Ha.

Regards.

 

Small world. I used to work on Lincoln's assembly lines. In 1985 I was switching between the TIG line, the TM line and the AC-225 line. You may have one I had a hand in building. :laugh:

Were you working piece meal. I remember a program on 60 minutes about lincoln paying by the piece. For the most part the employees loved it, the unions hated it. They had to lock people out to keep them from working all night.

 

Were you working piece meal. I remember a program on 60 minutes about lincoln paying by the piece. For the most part the employees loved it, the unions hated it. They had to lock people out to keep them from working all night.

Unions hate it when employers actually give a damn.

 

Well you did a great job if you built mine...

I am glad the old machine has held up so well. Some of the assemblers would have to stamp a letter code somewhere inside of the machine, but for the life of me, I can’t remember what my code was, or where I used to stamp it. I guess there is no way to tell if it's one of mine.

Were you working piece meal. I remember a program on 60 minutes about Lincoln paying by the piece. For the most part the employees loved it, the unions hated it. They had to lock people out to keep them from working all night.

Oh yes!! We did indeed get paid by the piece. I never heard of anyone working all night, but it was quite common for a group to gather at the gate to the production floor so they could get to their workstation as early as possible. We were not permitted to be on the production floor earlier than 30 minutes before our scheduled shift, or later than 30 minutes after. Assemblers like me would arrive early to setup our tools and gather all of the supplies needed for the days work. It made for a much easier workday.