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Lincoln POWERMIG 180 Dual

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7.1K views 25 replies 7 participants last post by  Twinhit  
T
#1 ·
Hi
Newbie here.

I am very seriously prospecting this model welder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqVxqp9sqio


I have some welding experience, certainly not a lot, but some.
My prospect comes on the heels of a project that I just finished.
It is a NEMA 56 motor adaptor for Delta 6x48 belt sander that
was originally equipped with a 3Ø motor. The 1Ø motor mounting slots,
curiously did not quite match up, so... a couple of angle irons and a
1/8"x8"x8" drilled and slotted was my plan and I got er done.

The trouble with using a friend's Hobart Handler 135, isn't so much
the welder as it is that you have to pack up your parts and get there
to use his equipment and though he was generous with his welder and
his time, I felt a bit cramped about it. It all worked out fine, though.
However, I found that I'd really rather have my own welder so I can
operate on my own time when I am good and ready to do so, and
not take the risk of being liable of damaging his machine or have
to wait a couple of weeks for a window to open. - He actually
had a similar reason for purchasing his.

That being said, his Hobart Handler is set up with definitive
voltage presets, rather than the variable rheostat variety.
4 presets if I recall correctly. It did an ok job, for what I wanted
to do, but my application goes beyond what his welder is capable
of. Not much but some.

After scanning the "big three" I landed on lincoln and liked the 140 at first
then looked at the 210MP, but I get the jitters with the digital stuff as well
as the "three in one" package. I can be cynical. then I landed back
down on the 180 Dual as it has the 2 voltage options and the slightly higher
output range. I know it's not much, but for the pricepoint that I am looking
to spend, it feels right for my budget.


2 Questions:

anyway... all that said, I would like to hear opinions about this model, this setup
pros and cons and the gory details concerning this machine, if there are any.
I'd like to do some light fabrication and repair work. Maximum plate thickness
would be around 1/4"


Also, would anyone know what size stand alone portable generator would be more than
adequate for this welder would be? any recommendations? I am thinking in the 7000 watt (run)
range but open to suggestions. Oh.... yes... I need to consider a 5 hp/80 gal. air compressor
and whether the generator can handle that. It would only be one machine at a time, so...

Thank you for reading.
Sorry for the book.

:sleeping:
 
T
#3 ·
Sure hope I didn't say something wrong.

I recognize that the home/hobbiest welders aren't industrial grade, however, at present,
I presently don't have 230v 1Ø and I am simply not ready at this time for the likes of larger more powerful 3Ø units
or engine driven units and that's ok.
One way or another, I'd hope to have access to 230v 1Ø and 220v/440v 3Ø power service.

But for now, this 180 seems to be the ticket that I can work with until I can get the experience and funds to move up.
 
F
#4 ·
Try Everlast 140e:
Way under 30lbs
Variable voltage and wirespeed
Plenty of power/even more with 30a circuit breaker
Full inverter setup....120v
Under $400.
 
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T
#6 ·
B
#5 ·
20 years from now you'll be able to buy weather resistant fabric to make a cover for that Lincoln........the fabric being made out of recycled Everlast, Longevity, Work(insert color here) inverted welderzzz. If you can't lift a 180 Dual take up pastry cheffing. Welding is the wrong game.
The Dual is a fine choice of a machine. If you need other processes drop a couple hundred more and get the 210MP. That welder is becoming a star like the old MM200 was(is).
 
T
#7 ·
Thank you Bonzoo for your suggestion.
Hmm... in the following order, at first, I was looking at a Hobart Handler 140, then looked at the Lincoln 140C, followed by the 210MP, then back to the 140C, then the Miller 211, then back to the 180 Dual.

I had taken a liking to that 210MP but what has got me spooked about it is the digital LCD interface. I know it's cool and all, on top of the MIG/TIG and STICK capabilities, but
I am of the "manual/analogue/mechanical" school. You know... in this case read the chart make your adjustments and go. For the life of me, I am spooked by the MP machines.
In the 210MP's case, something about mixing the modern digital technology with the multi-processes which are used in a rugged environment.
What's going through the back of my mind is the "something else to go wrong" law. I read somewhere where someone had busted the knob and circuit board off of their 210MP.
and the advice given by another "to be particularly "gentle" (or careful) with the machine". I've actually seen the 210 in person, and I thought that that rotary knob was particularly
vulnerable as well feeling a bit "cheap" as it were. Then I saw a youtube clip where the demonstrator was peeling a plastic cover off the LCD screen. both of these observations
caused me to conclude that while the 210 is nice, it may be more prudent (for me) to purchase individual dedicated machines for the different processes according to what
my application objectives would be.


That is.... the 180 P-MIG, (a larger 350, later on), "perhaps" a vintage Idealarc 250 Stick (the ones that look like a tombstone) or modern equivalent,
and a Precision 225 TIG - ie three dedicated machines.
That's my thinking in the long term, IF I can get my business off the ground. (we'll just classify that short list as "dream fodder")

My short term plan is really steered in the direction of the 180 P-MIG and an Oxy/Acet torch for cutting/welding and brazing equipment for thicker materials.

http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/

I think so long as I keep my expectations reasonable and stay within the limits of the equipment, I shouldn't have too much trouble.
 
B
#11 ·
Ready to laugh ? The machine I use the most right now is a lowly 140C with a 15 foot whip and CO2 ! I cant kill it !I'm doing tons of sheet metal and 1/8 angles.
Doodie Cycle my azz. I just run it. If it blows I'll roll ol' blue(MM200) out until I find another on a steal.
Those digitations and stuff scare me too.Multi purpose is out for me.One dies-they all die. I have an old blue tigger, 3 red sticks and 3 Migs(140,MM200,-one yeller MM280). If I needed more power and this same size I'd do the 180 dual too.Immediately.
The dual voltage ability is a huge plus if the machine ever leaves home to do some work.I actually have a Lincoln 225GLM sitting here for that very reason.I goes both ways too. I call it Kaitlyn ;-)

I'll get a little yellow dual volt stick some day.With a flowery shoulder strap and consumable purse...... If I get that weak before they dig my hole.
 
T
#17 ·
You have quite a collection.
I think I recall a friend back in the late 1980s who had, I think, an older Miller Dialarc in his basement, talkin' about about a dream Miller. Don't know if it was the Millermatic 200 or not.

Sounds like you're very happy with your 140C. :)
Due to my house is only wired for 120v I'd be stuck on the low side.
I need to post some pics of my little motor adapter project that I just finished. I am pretty sure the welds are awful as I am NOT
an everyday welder. In fact, my last welding project was a replacement handle for my upright 25(?) gal air compressor. the parts
used was a 18-20" piece of tubing that had 90° bends at each end that I think I found in the trash, a 1/2" x 4" x 24" mild steel flat stock
and a 1" solid round cold rolled steel (CR) stock. That compressor has to weigh around 150lbs. I did that job about 8 years ago, I think.
I hadn't had any issues, but I think I would like to go back to it and give it another pass for safe measure.
I will say this much about it: it's a far more robust handle than the OEM design. Will have to post some pics of that, too.
Not that I am proud of my welds. Pretty sure they would end up in the scary welds thread.
 
R
#13 ·
I bought a 180 Dual about 5 years ago when I outgrew a harbor freight 90 amp fluxcore welder. Obviously no comparison between the two. I've put a lot of flux core and solid wire through my 180 and it's done great....only one issue out of it and it was the on/off switch which started to give me problems this year. Doesn't seem to be a common issue from what I can tell so I'm thinking it was an isolated sort of problem. Easy and cheap fix...part was not hard to get and arrived quickly. I pretty much use it on 240v power all the time, but I have used the 120v capability a handful of times which was nice.
 
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T
#21 ·
Go here:
http://weldingweb.com/showthread.ph...howthread.php?593361-The-Welding-Cart-Thread-Post-Em-Up!!&p=7504441#post7504441


NICE Work, there, Melted,

Tons of ideas in that thread, isn't there??

This 180 Dual, that I am looking at, would be the first welder of my very own. My shop is cramped and so it looks like I am going to have to be "creative".
At present, it's pretty cramped. Some machines are on casters and rolled outside for use. I just saw a bunch of cradles for these machines of mine, in my head.

I just gotta get some pics up.
Then again, I may be too proud of my shame.
I am so bad.
:(
 
B
#20 ·
Only on B00bT00b can you weld 1/4 with a 110. If you have a buddy hold a rosebud it might be worth a shot...lol Get a clunker stick and weld it up with a handful of 6011 then cover it up with mig so it's sexy. Braze it instead of mig after the 6011 and you can tell everyone you used the 140 in "spray mode" ;-)
You might become a B00bT00b star too. Is the name MR. Spray taken yet ?
 
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