Lincoln Electric MIG-Pak 180 Wire Feed Welder - too much/little for beginner?

[TRip]

Hello Jim,

Thank you for letting me know about Esab.

I'll check out their web site.

Cheers

Trip

[MGBV8]

The Lincoln you had picked out looked like a lot of welder for the money & one you could grow into.

[Moderator]

re: "the big three"

It's more accurate to say "big two". Miller and Hobart were grand old companies, with their own distinct products, customers, and values. From what I've been told, the old Hobart "Handler" MIG welders have a particularly excellent reputation... but they're an entirely different machine than what is labeled a "Hobart Handler" today.  Miller was a family business until the family died off; then they became a wholly owned subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works (ITW) in 1993. Then, in 1995 ITW bought Hobart too, but the sale was delayed and altered by the Federal Trade Commission due to antitrust concerns. The sale became official in 1996 after ITW signed a consent agreement (which involved divesting parts of the Hobart business.) By now, Hobart is basically just a brand name that Miller puts on consumer/hobbiest versions of its equipment.

[TRip]

Hi Curtis,

That's really important info, thank you.  It's good to know that Miller and Hobart are the same CO and that Hobart, because it's hobby/consumer, likely won't be as robust as the Miller units.  Although, I don't think I'll be needing a heavy duty rig, it's definitely something I'll keep in mind.

Thanks for the information, Curtis.

Trip

[B-Fast B-Strong]

Well I bought my Hobart 175 in 04 and it has been a great machine , they may have cheap-end them since then. I've heard someone say something about plastic feed rollers  ! Now I will say something about the plasma cutter I have that runs on 115 and has a built in compressor , unless you are cutting under 1/8 inch , don't get one. I was told it would cut 1/4 inch when I bought it, right if you have all day. It is a quality machine and cuts good up to 1/8 but a time or two I wish I had bought bigger . You just need 220 to work on steel !
I did put a long cord set on my Hobart 175 so I can roll it all over the shop, even outside, I only have the one 220 plug right by the power box.

[B-Fast B-Strong]

Oh, on the welder , get one with gas, you can't do a good weld without shielding.

[TRip]

Okay, thanks William, I'm looking for a good used welder in my area now and I'll be sure to get one with gas.