Lincoln 135 or Miller 135...which one would you buy?????

[caffeine]

Need something small for the garage. No serious welding (Already have a welder at the shop for that) just something small and around 500$.

I'm looking at the lincoln and the miller 135.

I dont have 220 in the garage at home, and dont plan on running it anytime soon (no real need for it) and just need something i can tack weld or weld some brackets on a motorcycle frame and misc motorcycle parts (wont be using it on cars at all)

which one would you buy? pros cons?

Again, not looking for a big welder, something 110v. it doesnt have to weld much.

[el Scotto]

Good call, I've been looking into getting my own welder, and would like to hear what the experts say...

I plan to do automotive frame work, as well as sheetmetal...

[DeadFast 33]

Miller,....I have had both and the miller is my favorite !!! Even on frame stuff.

FLIP

[McGrath]

By personal preference, I would go with the Miller. I weld for a living and Miller welders are pretty much trouble free. We have 3 Miller Shopmasters at my work which are around 10 years old. They are used everyday, and we have never had a problem with them.

Although I have never used Millers 110v Welders, I have used the small Lincolns. I was not impressed with the Lincoln's performance and if I was going to buy a small Welder like that, I would most likely go with the Miller just because of my experience with their products...

[caffeine]

Only problem i have with miller is my sales guy. hes trying to jerk me around and giving me a shitty price. doggin the lincoln saying that its not a gas welder, etc. etc. its only fluxcore (im not an asshole...well maybe a little one)

its also 100$ more then the lincoln. if the lincoln is really a piece of shit...ill cough up 600 beans for the miller, but just wanted to hear.

i know you get what you pay for, but just wanted to be sure. the specs seem the same.

[caffeine]

he was also telling me shit like..."what you can do in 1 pass with a miller, it will take 2 with the lincoln"

I just cant see how thats possible.

[Ayers Garage]

I have a Lincoln 110 MIG welder that works fine.

Since I bought it though, I've used a lot of Millers and let me tell you, a Miller is one hell of a welder, all of them.

I'd look real seriously at a Hobart 135. It's the same theing as a Miller 135. Miller owns Hobart.

[CURIOUS RASH]

<font color="green">I wen through this years ago, wound up with a Hobart, now owned by Miller.

I wish I had bought the Miller, smaller head on the gun, easier to use.

Never been too impressed with the Lincoln's myself.

RASHY </font>

[oldchevyseller]

well the welders are now coming with infinate voltage instead of 4 power setting, so if yo ubuy one make sure they ae the plus units ,with the new settings ,other wise you are buiyng old units, the guns are the same now,cant go wrong with either if you buy a package deal i like the miller myself

[flt-blk]

Go True blue
I have a Miller 130XP and love it.

I assume you have equal access to parts and pieces for either.
TZ

[Unkl Ian]

I have a Lincoln 175.
Good machine,no problems.

If you NEVER do anything but sheetmetal,110 is ok.
Otherwise,220 volts is a good investment.

[fatassbuick]

I've used a Miller on a job for two years that had everybody and their brother weld with it (ran perfect!), and spent about 6 agonizing months with a Lincoln only used by a couple of folks...go MILLER IMHO. I also had a Hobart 135 that was reasonable for the money I spent, but my next welder will be a Millermatic 210, absolutely no doubt.

[zman]

Go Miller you won't be sorry. I've got a Millermatic 210 and wouldn't have it any other way.

[delaware george]

i love my miller machine....600 sounds a little high,i bought a miller 175 for not much more than that,so the 135 should be less....shop around

[2tall2beahotrodder]

We have both.. Their much bigger, but i would diffintily go with the Miller..

The lincolns Seem alot better as they get older..

I did one pass with the new small lincolns at school and its shit... ( could be me, or all in the head. but i dought it)

[Flatdog]

Caff, I have a miller 135 at home, if you whant a road test pm me.

[playin' hookie]

I have both. Prefer the Miller. Head feels better(little smaller), wire feed is alot more stable, adjustments in settings feels more accurate.

Spend the extra, you'll be happy.

[Deuce Roadster]

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

http://www.weldingmart.com/Qstore/custom/millermatic135.gif


Miller.........all the way.

These guys are at $584.10.......free shipping

http://www.weldingmart.com/Qstore/p001730.htm


http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[chad]

I have had a miller for years and I have never had a problem with it.I use it daily.Very nice machines,they are well worth the money.

[moondisc]

I love my Miller 130. So does everyone that's tried it.
The small gun is nice but, at least with mine (9 years old) the nozzle just pushes on, it doesn't screw on. PITA.
BTW, 9 years and not a single problem!
You can buy a either brand without the gas valve and regulator. If the Linclon has them it's not just for flux core.

[bigron]

i bought a used miller 150 3 or 4 years ago for $400.00.

[Mutt]

I bought my Millermatic 175 from IOC on E-bay. They have the 135 listed for $536.87, shipping included. They were great to deal with. And the Millers have infinite heat settings.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;category=45032&amp;item=3830949 130

Mutt

[krooser]

I've got an older Miller 35 for the heavy stuff but it's not real good for sheet metal...My swap neighbor at the Iola car show sold me a nearly new (used twice) Lincoln Weld Pak 100 fluxcore for $150.00 (paid $345.00)...bought a MIG conversion kit for another $100.00...works fine...now if I can only find a $150.00 plasma cutter!!!

[ESnacky6]

I have a Miller 135 and it rules..!!!

got it from www.welders-direct.com (http://www.welders-direct.com)

I think about $550 delivered, no cart.... (made my own..!)


Later, Snacks....

[67Imp.Wagon]

Everyone dogging on the Lincoln. I'll have to give some props for them.

I had a Weldpac 100 with gas for 12 years with zero problems.I liked it but had never welded with anything else.

I think you really can't go wrong with either brand. Since you want a small one for home, I would get which ever one you could get the best deal on.

I ended up with another Lincoln. I bought a Lincoln 175 and so far its working well for me.

[demonspeed]

I got the Miller 135 in my shop. works great.

[JOECOOL]

Spend your money on a used 210.

[Slide]

I picked up a Millermatic 135 about a year ago. After mucho shopping around (locally) I found that the Millers and Lincolns were very close to the same price unless you gave up the infinite heat adjustment. (That's what makes the Lincolns $100 cheaper.) If you are dealing with rusty sheet metal, you WANT the infinite control (like a rheostat instead of low, medium, high, max.)

I really like my Miller a lot, but I have a couple projects coming up that could definitely make use of a stronger welder (like a 175 or 210). If I decide to make the upgrade, keep an eye out on the HAMB Classifieds for my 135!

[Spitfire1776]

Do the ebay thing. There's a lot of Millers for sale on there for better prices than your sales man is giving you. Some of the places are in Jersey and New York so maybe you could work out something with no shipping.

I have a Miller, and compared to the other welders I've used its worth the extra money. Especially saying I've never had a problem with steady feed rate, which was a problem with others. Could try ESAB too. You can find decent deals on those and I understand they are amazing. Have yet to try one myself, but maybe soon. I was thinking about scrounging the ESAB factory trash near here. Maybe I could wrangle a working ESAB together out of discarded parts. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[caseyjones]

Has anyone ever tried wiring in an infinite control into a welder with the 4-position settings? I can't imagine it would be terribly difficult--especially if they are making similar models, one with infinite and one with a few settings. Can it be as easy as just getting the new rheostat, remove and replace...?
--Casey