Hey guys its been awhile, found this welder on craigs list http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/tls/1392416657.html LINCOLN WELD PAC 100 HD MIG WELDER , NEW ! - $320 can't find any info, not trying to doubt the guy, but I like making absolutely sure when buying any tool that it'll do as advertised , any advice would greatly be appreciated, btw i'll be welding up a turbo header, sub frame connectors, "general body repair" ie rusted out rocker panels, front safe-t caps for the front subframe rails, etc....

-Mike

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I am the Guardian, I hate helos, everything leaks.......

I couldn't see the ad (cl is blocked for me), but one plus is that it's a Lincoln... easy to get parts. It'll be a 110V, so you can use it anywhere.

If it's rigged for gas welding, that will help, rather than having to chip slag off your flux-cored welds... some of the jobs you're suggesting (structural) will likely require multi-pass welds to get the thickness you need to build... not having to clean the welds between passes will be a definite plus!

I have a Lincoln HandiMIG 110V with only four heat settings and variable speed, gas or gasless... I can weld on some very thin metal with it. I'd probably use my stick welder for thicker stuff. I paid $450 Canadian new as the model was being discontinued.

If this one's set up for gas, and you can be patient for the bigger jobs, sounds good to me!

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sasktrini, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

'68 Fargo A-100 Van, 225, A727, 8 3/4" rear axle

An WP 100 is a great little welder AFTER it's been converted to gas operation.

I had one and it worked great for 1/8" and lighter steel... I bought a Miller 175 because I needed a little more grunt.

I paid $100.00 for mine and it was almost new then spent another $75.00 (?) to convert it.

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Check it out... www.symcoshakedown.com

well I am still looking for more info on this welder, won't even be in Jville till after the 1st of Oct, when I move the wife up near NAS Mayport. So is $320 for a brand new welder a good price ? or should I try and talk him down a bit ? and most defienitly agreed on the gas, and spatter reduction,

-Mike

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I am the Guardian, I hate helos, everything leaks.......

lincons are good quality but i prefer miller. Like a miller matic 250 welder is good for autobody doing exaust work and it would weld a frame as well so i would recomend that since i weld alot and im certified.

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87 d150 2bbl carb 225
79 f250 300 v8
97 cavalier z24
83 f150 straight 6
89 f450 diseal 4x4 dually 5sp

Mike
Pass on it!!! Thats retail price. You would be disappointed as it doesnt have gas. You will REALLY want the gas when you start doing THIN or presision stuff.
Frank

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Scrapple: Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
73 Duster - Race Car
66 Dart Wagon - DD
178" FED
82 D150
All Slant powered

I appreciate the help guys, I see we got a miller reccomendation, which is actually what i started welding with, but most are recommending lincoln's. So whats everones recommendations based on what I need to use it for ? BTW I would like to spend around $500 or so

-Mike

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I am the Guardian, I hate helos, everything leaks.......

I have a Clarke 180 EN (had a 130 EN and it was fine) Has gas and better controls. Excellent Quality made in Italy support is EH to OK (they are in Ohio)
IMHO its the BEST cheap welder out there. They also make ALL the Craftsman and other brands as well.
Frank

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Scrapple: Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
73 Duster - Race Car
66 Dart Wagon - DD
178" FED
82 D150
All Slant powered

the 100 amp welder will be under powered for a lot of applications, but will be fine for exhaust and body metal. gasless welding is fine for exhaust or rusty welding because the welder runs negative polarity on the wand thus more burn in, but don't use gasless for body because the weld is more brittle.there is no reason other than portability to run gasless, mig is always better. lincoln makes a great welder they are very reliable but a miller wire welder welds smoother.I have a lincoln 250 and would rather have a miller

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Nick
86 d150 turbo /6.
64 valiant 4 door

Got another Miller fan here; I love my Millermatic 185!! (I bought new in 1997 or '98) By far not my "only" welding exp; I did alot working in that steel mill and the 18 years before that wrenching for a living.
the consensus of most I know is Miller is the best for MIG and Lincoln for stick welding. and hobart is the same as Miller same parent company. but Hobarts tend to have a few less bells n whistles than an equiv Miller.
I have had several cheap Migs before getting smart and buying a good one; Astro, Century, and MAC tools.
A bit O/T; but beer? Miller wins out there too! make mine High Life.

i am a welder for a living, although i hardly ever see a hobart on the job it is what i always recomend when i see some one looking to buy a small wire feeder. i have a hobart handler 210 in my garage. i also have 2 lincoln machines. im not partial to brands, well i like the lincoln dc only engine drives. miller inverters are real nice. but they all do the job. hobart is made right next to miller, they are owned by the same company, have a great warranty, and excelent customer service. they usually can be found way cheaper than miller or lincoln. and are made in the usa. some of the lincolns went overseas. 100 amps will be fine for almost any auto project. think about it, what is the thickest part on a car? especially an a unibody car?

well i did pass on the lincoln, just found a guy selling a "Clarke Gas Mig-Welder, bought a few years ago for odd jobs around the shop, comes with large roll of wire, ready to go.. clearing out garage" says he paid nearly $600 for it which leads me to the Clarke 180EN, I sent him an e-mail, if I don't hear from him by noonish, I will call the number listed, if it is the 180EN, thats 220v which means it has to be wired to a dryer outlet right ?

Frank(66aCuda) hows the overall experience with clarkes been ?

Anyone else have experience to share about clarkes ?

And finally are Chicago Electric welders really junk ? Anyone with first hand experience ?

-Mike

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I am the Guardian, I hate helos, everything leaks.......

Clarke has been GREAT. Plug in and go. "consumables" like tips and such are long life. One note is make sure you have the power available for the welder. I think that a 30 amp 120vac outlet is good(EN130) And a 30 amp 220vac outlet is good for the 180. On my 130 if you plug it into a standard 20 amp outlet and run it up to full power it will trip the breaker after about 45 seconds to 1 min.
Im running 30% Argon/ 70% CO2 for my gas. Works great for most things.
Frank

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Scrapple: Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
73 Duster - Race Car
66 Dart Wagon - DD
178" FED
82 D150
All Slant powered

but what can you wled, ie stainless, mild, aluminium, cast iron etc all of the above ?

-Mike

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I am the Guardian, I hate helos, everything leaks.......

Gonna need a TIG welder for that.

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