Bill,
I recently replaced my POS Chicago Electric 140 amp MIG welder with a
Century 170amp MIG (from the Tractor Supply Store). When buying the new one
I looked at Miller, Lincoln etc... and chose the Century primarily because
it had an infinitely variable power setting that went down to 20 amps while
the Lincoln and Miller had 4 or 5 position power settings that started at 40
amps. When you are welding in light gauge metals like on a car body/frame,
being able to tweak the temperature can make a huge difference. The Century
also uses a Tweco gun that can be replaced or repaired at any welding shop
in the world. The Chicago Electric (harbor freight) gun was always leaking
gas and would often jam when loading a new spool of wire. I wasn't too
disappointed when that machine broke down.
I do recommend getting the highest amperage machine you can afford, but
also compare the lowest setting. With proper material preparation virtually
any welder can handle heavy gauge stuff, it will just require more passes
and a lot more time spent waiting for the machine to cool off due to the low
duty cycles.
Having had the Century for about 6 months, I would get another, over the
low end Miller and Lincolns.
Tom
>On Fri, 20 Aug 1999, Jan Schmidt wrote:
>
>> List
>> Anyone have any experience with the cheaper mig welders before I plop
down $1100 or more on a Lincoln or a Miller welder? I have found really
cheap ones at Harbor Freight Catalog in the $200 to $400 range new and even
cheaper if they are factory reconditioned. Then there is the Century brand
at Tractor Supply Co. for $300 to $500. And good old Wal Mart has Campbell
Hausfeld one for $200. Obviously the Lincoln and Miller are better wewlders,
but I am just a shadetree mechanic who will occasionally weld. People with
experience please speak up. TIA
>> Bill Schmidt cs rx7 kc reg
>>
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