Hi,
Some Lincolns have the MIG kit included. The MIG kit is a different
gun/cord, gas regulator, hose, and solenoid. The Lincoln I have will
work with or without gas but if you don't use gas then you need some
kind of flux. Gas is the way to go. MIGs are also wire feed welders.
I think if you are just going to use flux cored wire you may as well
settle for a stick welder. But, stick welders aren't good for thinner
metals.
If you watch American Chopper or shows like that they use a MIG for
tacking and fab work and then a TIG for fancy, pretty welds. TIGs are
cool but it takes skill (read practice and experience) to make good
welds with any method. MIG is by far the best all around method for
novice/amateur DIY types.
I didn't say I don't like the Lincolns. I really have nothing bad to
say about them. They are good, and inexpensive IMHO. I just think
the Millers are slightly better. I've seen Hobarts at HF and they
look OK but I've never seen a professional welder with a Hobart from
HF.
I have a good friend who runs a body shop. They had a little Lincoln
like mine and decided that they needed something bigger because they
were using the little Lincoln alot. So, they bought a huge industrial
strength MIG setup that is about the size of a chest freezer. The
new, big machine works very well but a few of the body guys still
prefer to use the little Lincoln. Guys in the workplace are like kids
on a playground. They all want to play with the new toys. But, after
using the big, expensive toy many of them liked the "feel" of the old
toy.
Cheers,
Derf
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