i have have alot of expeiance w/ both. i have had over 700 hours of welding classes not including side job, on the job and current schooling, they both work well and i would say they are equal as far as specs and capabilities, but the miller with outlast by a long shot. i have seen many lincolns give out and very few millers. i would only buy miller if money wasn't an issue. the holbart dont even compare to the other two in my opinion

 

Thanks blznlow'! I am really starting to lean towards the Miller.

One thing that is complicating this a bit more is the fact that the Lincoln has the spot timer which would come in quite handy for all of the spot welds that I am going to have on my Chevelle!! I don't think that the Miller has anything like that available...

Also, I just read a Guide on eBay specifically dealing with MIG welders...

 

i dont really know much about the spot timer. i haven't saw it before. i still say the miller. but that timer wouldn't be important to me. but if that timer is really something you need then the lincoln may be your better option. i checked w/ my localwelder dealer and they sell the miller for $658 w/ cart, you might want to check around before you pay that off ebay. maybe you have a local dealer where you live. they didnt carry the lincoln so i couldn't get a price.

 

Oh I definitely was going to check with the local retailers. I am only using the eBay price for a comparison.

I'm still leaning towards the Miller as the more I read about flux core, the less I think I'm going to be using it. It may come in handy at some point, but I'll never use it on my Chevelle.

Once I get good at welding the spot welds, I won't need the spot timer. I can practice quite a bit before doing it on the car. The spot timer is just a neat gadget.

I just looked on the local suppliers webpages and the Miller is significantly more expensive ($60+) than it was online. That and there was a greater separation ($20+) between the Autoset and the regular 140. I would much rather buy it local if they can match even the online price!

*EDIT* - Blznlow', does your local store happen to have a flyer or website displaying that price? I may be able to use that to get either of the two local places to price match!

 

i already looked so you could try that. they dont have a website that post prices they just list products but i will go by and see if they will give mesome kind of print out w/ the price and could mail it to you and you can see if it will help.

 

Cool thanks!

Heck, even if they match the price from WeldingSuppliesfromIOC.com, I'd be fine with that. $20 more than your local shop price isn't worth pushing too hard.

Still waitin' to hear from Pat (hillbillyinohio) on any deals he can strike!

 

I would go with the lincoln, both are really great welders(miller and lincoln) but as far as doing spot welding, tacking and thin to thick metal a lincoln is the way to go. I have been using a lincoln wire feed for 4 yrs, and I have welded frame rails, body mounts, shaved doors, body panel replacementand never have any problems with it at all, also i use it with a mixed gas. [sm=wootwoot.gif]

 

Sorry Pat, couldn't wait...

So I took the plunge today during lunch. I went to the local welding supply shop talked with the guys there for a good half hour. Their price difference, after besting the online price from the aforementioned website, still ended up being $10 difference between the Lincoln and the Miller. They had a Millermatic 140 out in the warehouse that was a demo unit. I didn't get to try out the Lincoln, but man, that Miller was sweet!! So I made my final decision and purchased everything necessary today.

Out the door was $1145, $668 for the 140 w/autoset & cart, $225 for the helmet (Miller Performance Series), $160 for a 80cuft tank, something like $20 for the C25 mix (75% Argon, 25% CO2), and some extra consumables (anti-spatter, nozzles, tips, and a 2# spool of 0.030 wire) + Taxes.

 

hey man thats cool. glad you got it. hoe you like it which i know you will. which helmet did you get. i bought the camo elite series. i love it. you will want to get a welding jacket ar some sleeves. and a welding cap if you are going to be in tight spaces.

 

I bought the 'Stars, Stripes, & Eagle Performance Series.

I already have a welding cap and I have a machinist jacket that is flame retardant that I'll use until it's dead, then get a proper welding coat.