im looking to buy mig welder and not to spend over $500.
was at home depot and saw a lincoln for $389. just
want some info on what you guys think. i know lincoln
is one of the best around. do any of you have or know
of anyone who has one and how do you or they like it.
thanks

I like mine ALOT.. infact I find it very difficult to weld on a different make welder :?

The Lincolns at Home Depot and the Lincolns at the LWS are not the same. Are you looking for 110v or 220v? A 220v welder is a far superior machine. 110v is kind of like a play toy IMO. I own and recommend the Hobart Handler 187. It is a 7 tap machine with very smooth arc characteristics. It also performs extremely well on the top end compared to its competitors. Many of its accessories are Miller since they are owned by the same parent company. Best bang for the buck without a doubt. If you are looking for a little something more, look at the Millermatic 212. Skip the Ironman, it isn't worth the money.

it is the lincoln electric weld pak 100hd
model # k2189-1
needs to be 110v or 115v
thanks

Na, you don't want that welder, its got no balls. Take a look at this one...
http://www.toolking.com/hobartwelders_500500a.aspx

i like it
hobart it is
thanks

I'll pass along the recommendation that was given to me (and I just acted on two weeks ago.) Budget at least $1000. You don't have to spend it all at once, but you will eventually.

Find a welding supply shop and buy from there. The expendable supplies have a shelf life and a supply company will cycle their inventory. Plus, you can tap into their advice.

I ended up getting a Lincon Electric PowerMIG 140C (pn K2471-1) It'* a 110 "portable" that will handle light sheet metal through 5/16th. I also got a Jackson EQC helmet that auto-dims (really cool..one of the reasons I avoided learning to weld was not being able to see what I was doing...now it'* like having a pair of sunglasses on until you strike an arc.)

I'm still learning on the flux-core wire. In a few weeks I'll spring for a bottle of CO2/Argon mix to start using gas shielding on lighter sheetmetal. (I've got door patches to install on the '87)

Cool, glad I could help. I've run the HH125, the 140'* little brother, and liked it for a 110v unit.

I hear the 140C is a nice machine. Again, I want to point out to the readers of this thread that the Lowes/Home Depot Lincoln welders are NOT the same as the welders at your LWS. The 140C is the good unit. The auto-dim helmets are nice but I have been flashed from them on more than one occasion and therefore am sticking with my trusty big window, fixed shade flip down. I am more used to it anyway(and its only $20). Pick up that C25 gas mix man, you'll love it. I guess I'm spoiled but I never even ran FC, skipped it altogether. I agree that if you are really serious about welding, set back $1000. That is what I have in my rig. Gas alone is about $200 depending on location. I didn't realize other people on this forum were interested in welding. I may just start a "show your welds" thread. Could be fun.