Billy,
I've had a "small Lincoln" (an SP-100) for about 20 years, now, and it still
works as well as the day I bought it. Of course, I bought it through an
industrial welding supply outfit that I use, rather than from Home
Depot/Lowes/etc. The ones you find in the big-box stores are made to be
sold cheaply and in high volume. They are made for the "hobbyist/occasional
user", so you just know that some corners have been cut in order to get them
to market for a low price. The small Lincolns sold by industrial welding
suppliers are every bit as good as the comparable Millers, Hobarts, etc.
The "big Lincoln" I bought 26 years ago has been awesome, but the gun is
worn out and Lincoln has discontinued the model. My welding supply outlet
is going see if they can get the parts to rebuild it for me (the gun...the
welder is still 100%).
Just in case, I'm looking at new Lincolns. I paid $1100 for the big one (it
was a demonstrator, so I got it cheap) and it would cost me around $1700 to
replace it. The smaller "big" Lincolns are going for $764.00, but I'd
need to ad the spot weld timer for $112.00.
Bud Osbourne (welding for over 40 years, now)
-----Original Message-----
From: spridgets-bounces at autox.team.net
[mailto:spridgets-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Billy Zoom
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 8:01 PM
To: Frank Clarici; Kevin Valentine
Cc: Spridgets
Subject: Re: [Spridgets] Welder
Hobart and Miller are both very good. Personally, I prefer Italian MIGs like
SIP or Cebora. Cebora is sold here as Astro Pneumatic, Mac Tools, Clark,
etc. I've had mine since 1994 and I'm still happy with it.
A MIG is basically a transformer, and the Italians currently make the best
transformers. FWIW, they also make the best speakers and inductors. They
seem to excel at anything that involves winding coils of wire.
No Fiat jokes please. They really do make good electronics.
If you want American, go with Hobart or Miller. The big Lincolns are good,
but the small ones are Home Depot quality.
My opinion...YMMV.
BZ
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