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I've been using a Lincoln/Viking 3350. The one with the huge window. It's not the latest version with the 4c technology or whatever but I feel like it still does great.
Bumping this, I currently have an AlphaTig 201x for tig welding. I'm looking at Harbor Freight's Mig 140/170 for a mig cheap welder. If i'm only welding car parts, any benefit of getting the 170 over the 140? For thicker (structural) welds, I plan on primarily sticking with tig welding either way.
Bumping this, I currently have an AlphaTig 201x for tig welding. I'm looking at Harbor Freight's Mig 140/170 for a mig cheap welder. If i'm only welding car parts, any benefit of getting the 170 over the 140? For thicker (structural) welds, I plan on primarily sticking with tig welding either way.
You talking about the green machine on hf.com?
For a little more you get a Hobart 140. I am very happy with my Hobart machine and it has worked like a champ along side my tig welder.
You're correct, I was referring to the green/titanium series. I was heavily considering the Hobart 140 as it's 'only' $100 more expensive than the Titanium 170. Comparing the Hobart 140 to the Titanium 140, it's about $200 difference though. Functionally and durability, I understand the Hobart will surpass the Titanium 140/170. For my case though, do I really need to space the $200 and get the Hobart 140 over the Mig 140? The thickest metal I plan on welding is about 1/8th steel. More commonly, I'll be welding 1/16th stainless for small brackets and exhaust parts. I also only weld 2-3 times a month for hobby purposes.
Get on OfferUp and look for welders. Always some crazy good deals to be had on Lincoln 140 and 180 mig setups. I've got the Lincoln ProMIG 140 and it's been great. It can do 1/8" plate even with 0.025" wire no problem. A 220v unit will probably weld nicer but I wanted a small welder that ran on 110v so that I could bring it with to the track and run it off my generator if need be.
If you go with the Lincoln 140 try to make sure it is not the Lowes/HDRacing one. I believe those are built to a slightly lower quality. But I will second watching CL/offerup/FB for a used mig 140 of a decent brand.
My concern with a used welder is primarily warranty or parts. I'm not too knowledgeful (if at all) of troubleshooting if anything is wrong with the welder.
As long as it's a big name brand welder, you will be able to get parts and service. That's any lincoln, Miller, hobart, esab. Any of these local welding supply and repair places will work on.
Any of the Chinese stuff and you'll be mailing the welder back for any service and warranty coverage can be hit and miss.
If you go with the Lincoln 140 try to make sure it is not the Lowes/HDRacing one. I believe those are built to a slightly lower quality. But I will second watching CL/offerup/FB for a used mig 140 of a decent brand.
My Lincoln ProMIG 140 is from Lowe's and honestly it's still great quality. Maybe not the same as the non-box store versions but it's still better than like HF stuff. I've gone through about 20 pounds of 0.025 wire so far and it's never skipped a beat.
I'd like to thank y'all for the ProMig 140 recommendation. I'm in touch with a seller who may have one for $400 so hopefully i'm in possession of a -new to me- ProMig 140 by this evening.
Shameless bump, was able to grab this for $380. Serious thanks for telling me to check locally regarding the ProMig 140. First build will be a mini-cart for this.
A little mini cart project could be cool but honestly the little 40 dollar or whatever Harbor Freight cart is perfect for that welder. I posted pictures of it earlier in this thread I think.
Well then, the cost of the cart is like 1/3rd of what I expected to pay in material for my diy cart. I'll be buying HF's cart. I'll be changing my next build to be a 36'x48"x mobile welding table then.
If you plan on doing any real projects, a good table will make your life so much easier than a small portable one. My table is 36x90 with a 3/8 top and it's still not big enough. I have an actual fabrication shop and when I I built it I had a booth for doing all my welding and grinding to contain the dust and it was as big as I could fit with my different sanders and tool boxes and stuff. Now my shop is 2000 sqft and all open space. I would like to make a bigger table, but at the same time I'm looking at acquiring a commercial down draft table to help contain the grinding dust
With my luck, it turns out the output guide(?) is jammed with wire in it. Is this part disassemble-able? I cannot see any wire from the front of the machine and my attempt to pull the little strand from the rear resulted in the wire breaking
Edit: Lincoln customer support said to call back tomorrow and they'll try to assist me with troubleshooting and/or replacing the part if needed.
Last edited by skylinecalvin; 11-24-2020 at 05:18 PM.
09-14-2020, 11:21 AM
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