Lincoln Power Mig 255 opinions?

ericher69 · May 29, 2013

Looking at a used Power Mig 255. $1400 Canadian funds

What are the main differences between the 255 and newer 256?

Spool gun performance for aluminum? (Doesn't come with one but would add one)

Any and all opinions welcome

Scooby074 · May 30, 2013

Good price considering what people want for used. Less would be better of course.

Im not a Lincoln guy so I cant comment on what differences there are between the two models, but the 255 does have a great reputation.

Is the PM255 spool gun compatible out of the box? Or do you have to add a module? I know that my MM252 could run a SG right out of the box.

I will say, the 250 class machines are real nice! They will spoil you.

Have you looked at new? Locally my LWS's are beating US prices! IIRC I was quoted about $2250 for a PM256, plus tax. Some great deals on welders up here now.

Arc weld · May 30, 2013

Price is a little high. Another poster on here bought a brand new Miller 252 for around $2200 with a spool of wire. The 255 Lincoln is good machine though. I bought a Lincoln 255 in about 1999. I think it might have been a Power Mig 255. It was part of a package deal and a little cheaper than Miller. One thing I liked was that it had slow wire run in at the start of welding. This is really nice on steel so you don't get stray wires at the start. You had the option of changing it to normal speed if you wanted. I really liked the arc on it but it wasn't the best feeding .023 wire the few times I needed to weld real thin stuff. The new 256 uses all new consumables which is a real pain if have an older Lincoln and want to have common parts. A really dumb idea by Lincoln.:confused3:

Scooby074 · May 30, 2013

I think your referring to me. I got the 252 for less than $2200 + tax with a spool. Thats a great price for up here.

Actually, when you compare that price to what the chicom machines sell for after shipping, there is not much of a difference to step up to a Miller (or Lincoln)

ericher69 · May 31, 2013

Scooby074 said:
I think your referring to me. I got the 252 for less than $2200 + tax with a spool. Thats a great price for up here.

Actually, when you compare that price to what the chicom machines sell for after shipping, there is not much of a difference to step up to a Miller (or Lincoln)

Scooby074;

You better send me the name and number of you LWS as in Ontario I am looking at $1000 more before taxes for your setup

Scooby074 · May 31, 2013

ericher69 said:
Scooby074;

You better send me the name and number of you LWS as in Ontario I am looking at $1000 more before taxes for your setup

You need to find a new LWS.
Right now air liquide has the 252 for $2450 in the blueshield.ca flyer. This is Canada wide.. http://www.blueshield.ca/en/docs/pdf/marketingInfo/brochures/Catalog_EN_2013.pdf. You should be able to get them down some from there pretty easy.

Kms tools has it on for about the same. http://www.kmstools.com/miller-millermatic-252-welder-3443. That's pretty much the going rate. $3200 for a 252 is crazy.

crazyal · May 31, 2013

I think there is two generations of the powermig 255. There's a 255 and a 255 XT. I think the XT is spool gun ready but you'll pay quite a bit for a spool gun. My 255 came with a blank panel on the front that I had to remove to install optional features like 2 step/ 4 step trigger, burn back, spot, and timed. I think I paid around $1500 for mine new shipped about 10 years ago. The price really depends on the condition, if it's been in a shop and has lots of use then I'm not sure if I would spend that much. If it was bought for personal use, like mine, and has very few hours on it and the owner maintains it well then it could be worth it.

ericher69 · Jun 1, 2013

Scooby074 said:
I think your referring to me. I got the 252 for less than $2200 + tax with a spool. Thats a great price for up here.

Actually, when you compare that price to what the chicom machines sell for after shipping, there is not much of a difference to step up to a Miller (or Lincoln)

Ok I misunderstood...

Spool as "wire spool" thought you meant spool gun for aluminum!

Scooby074 · Jun 1, 2013

ericher69 said:
Ok I misunderstood...

Spool as "wire spool" thought you meant spool gun for aluminum!

Ahh.. I wish I got both the welder and spoolgun for $2200... Id buy all I could for resale!!

Actually if you could get a 252 with a 30a spoolGUN for $3200, thats a very good deal too ($2200 for the welder, $1000 for the gun)! The 30a is over $1200 on its own.