Opinion on a Lincoln easy-mig welder 140 wire

[BubbaJr]

Rural King has this welder now for just under $500. Is this a good welder for a beginner? I need it to weld a brace on my back blade made out of 1/8" angle iron. This is a 120V welder. Also is this a decent price?

Thanks, Joe

 

[yomax4]

Should do what you want. 115v fluxcore only is not a fave of mine but everyone has their own way. Personally I would save and get something dual voltage and or multiprocess or spend less for a 115v FC only in a different brand. Even a 115/230 inveter stick machine for a couple hundred. Lincoln is a good brand name however they do not make this unit. Anything you can weld with is a good deal in one way or another. Good luck on your project.

 

[RNeumann]

120v with a 30amp plug MAY work for that task. But thinking a 120v machine will do anything beyond sheetmetal is a stretch.

Lincoln makes good stuff though....

 

[metalbender]

If you have 220v power on hand, get a more capable welder. Had a 135 plus, worked well but has limitations when faced with real world work. Good for artsy fartsy stuff. Moved up to a 180c, much better. Now have a 210 mp. Bottom line, in welders, bigger is better.

 

[BubbaJr]

I don't have many uses for a welder, so I don't really need a more powerful one, just one to do simple tasks. I'm going to town tomorrow to take a look at it, and decide if that's the one I want. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks, guys,
Joe

 

[RNeumann]

What were are trying to relay is that welding structure onto a back blade or most other homeowner/farm projects with a 120v welder isn’t a great idea. How much or little you use the machine won’t change that.

If you don’t need a welder much don’t buy one- instead have a shop or mobile device weld it properly. If budget is an issue and you want to weld stuff on your tractor implements buy a stick welder. Those can be had for a few hundred bucks new and pop up on Craig’s List used all the time.

 

[dragoneggs]

Should do what you want. 115v fluxcore only is not a fave of mine but everyone has their own way. Personally I would save and get something dual voltage and or multiprocess or spend less for a 115v FC only in a different brand. Even a 115/230 inveter stick machine for a couple hundred. Lincoln is a good brand name however they do not make this unit. Anything you can weld with is a good deal in one way or another. Good luck on your project.

yomax, I just have to say... I have always appreciated your comments here on TBN. Also another thank you for the tickets you sent me for Fabtech a couple years ago. That inspired me to dive deeper into this hobby (for me). You seem to have a gift to understand where posters are coming from... whether we be rookies, or experienced, and provide thoughtful and wise advice. :thumbsup:

 

[WranglerX]

I have Hobart Handler 140 (120 volt) and on highest heat/amperage setting can do 1/4 inch material at single pass, anything thicker require some preheat and multiple passes.... Also don't limit your self to flux core (FCAW) machine, graduated from fluxcore to solid wire and shield gas (GMAW) and never looked back...

Only negative is manual states it will work on 20 Amp circuit beaker... Wrong.... Requires a 30 amp breaker as it actually draws about 24 amps running full out... Not any sort of problem other than a little fudge in published manual....

Hobart is owned by Miller and is less expensive brand than the Miller brand... Believe latest price on HH 140 is just $489...

IF I knew about 5 years ago what I know now where my welding has taken me I would have gotten something bigger that can handle thicker materials... Something like the Hobart 210MPV which can be powered by 120 volts and has same amperage ranges a the 140 or powered by 240volts and gives you two addition higher amperage ranges....

Don't know much about welding?.... Take peek here..

Welding Tips and Tricks - TIG, MIG, Stick and a pantload of other info

Dale

 

[herm0016]

The small Lincoln machines are not any better quality than the higher end harbor freight or Hobart machines. I have the Hobart and its been solid. I would seriously consider buying the mig/tig that harbor freight has come out with recently if i was buying today. its $700. 200 amp, duel voltage and mig/tig. or, if you want mig only, they have the vulcan 170 duel voltage for $499. I saw a tear down of it vs the Lincoln equivalent and the Vulcan was as good or better in nearly ever respect. those are the list prices, always a 20 or 25% coupon to be had.

 

[jaxs]

I'm no expert but for multiple reasons I believe 220 volt machines are the way to go. If you don't need to weld below 1/4tr inch,you can buy used 225AC stick welders for $150. If you want to weld sheet metal,a 220 volt 175-190amp wire welder (mig-flux core) will do that and up to 3/8ths inch. Used 220 volt mig-flux core machines can be bought for $500.