Miller 180 vs Lincoln 180 MIG

Iraq Sucks · 02-06-2009, 11:30 PM

What do you think?

Camaroholic · 02-07-2009, 09:48 AM

Other option would be the Hobart Handler 187, a lot of guys like it. It goes on sale at Tractor Supply for under $600 fairly frequently.

My shop is blue though.

bgblockelcamino · 02-08-2009, 11:10 AM

i h ave the ESAB 250. prob a little overkill but love the machine. have a old lincoln idealarc 300 TIG. both industrial type machines that have worked well for me. have had both for over 5 years already

fast377 · 02-08-2009, 03:43 PM

I bought that same miller a few years ago...I absolutely love it. Big enough for roll cages and small enough for sheet metal. I used the Lincoln and Hobart before I got the miller. I felt the Miller was a better product. I had very little welding experience at that time too...don't know if that had anything to do with my choice. I wouldn't do it different today.

Gordon0652 · 02-08-2009, 04:15 PM

I would do Miller/Hobart, I have a few welders and plasma cutter from them - i beat the shit out of them and they are still very strong!!! Also the customer support is AMAZING with them.
If you needed customer support or anything with Lincoln... haha goodluck on that.

If this is your first welder i would go with a Hobart, thats what i started with.

02BLKWS6MD · 02-08-2009, 04:40 PM

I went with the miller 180. I love this welder its small but can be used for frames exhaust and sheetmetal. It has a good feel to it.

ws6chicken · 02-09-2009, 11:06 PM

I'd go with Millermatic 180 completely based on personal preference. But as mentioned above go with a Hobart it is the same thing.

FYI
Hobart is owned by Miller and from what the Hobart rep told me at Tractor Supply they are actually made on the same line. However on the Hobart they put less "industrial" parts on them, ie the wire feed wheels I believe.

I have had allot of time on both Millers and Lincolns. I have found that any quality MIG welder SET UP PROPERLY will work the same.

rotary1307cc · 02-10-2009, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgblockelcamino

i h ave the ESAB 250. prob a little overkill but love the machine.

great machines, we run two and they never have ever missed a beat

bgblockelcamino · 02-10-2009, 09:55 AM

i have used hundred of lbs of wire through this machine. has served me very well. i learned on a linde then went to esab. not the most popular but was sold on it due to already having a few years experience and none of them missed a beat

99mongooSS · 02-10-2009, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camaroholic

My shop is blue though.

so is our shop.

BMR Sales2 · 02-11-2009, 02:54 PM

Us too, along with myself having a 210 and 135

Tricked-Out-Toy · 02-17-2009, 03:00 PM

I have the Lincoln 180 and if you actually set this one up next to the miller and go through them side by side the build quality on the lincoln is light years ahead of the miller. there plenty of build quiality picture floating around the internet, do a search not only is the lincoln built better its cheaper. and the spool gun attachment is cheaper as well.

PS Im not a Miller hater, I just picked up the Diversion 165 Tig so my welder choices are strickly dictated by quality. and for the 180 class mig the lincoln owns the miller.

heres mine

Dave 96TA · 02-17-2009, 03:05 PM

Oh man i want that cart! sexy!

Tricked-Out-Toy · 02-17-2009, 03:10 PM

Thanks man, Im adding a level under the mig for my new Tig

Im also adding 3' sections of tube on the side for all my tig rod.

Irocss85 · 02-17-2009, 10:50 PM

http://www.docendi.org/comparison-t20963.html?

just happened on that when I was searching on the welder for pricing. didnt read it though. you can.

Tigman · 02-24-2009, 10:00 PM

The Millers have a faulty micro switch in the trigger while the Lincoln has a simple contact that is faultless! I have 7 guys working for me that fight over the Lincolns!! Daylight and dark difference in arc qualty.

Mark

slammed1500 · 02-24-2009, 10:51 PM

i have the millermatic 180 and i like it

miller and lincoln are both good

the miller has auto set witch is ok
i dont use the auto set much but it is great if someone doent know how 2 set the machine yet

jomomma · 04-04-2009, 10:37 PM

i have a lincoln 180 for mig and a miller maxstar for stick and tig. i love them both!

tennerv8 · 04-05-2009, 12:05 AM

Miller=Gmc, Hobart=chevy, Lincoln=Ford, Esab=Dodge. Its really like that when it comes to welders. You could get a Hobart handler 210 for the same price or less as the miller 180. You really can't go wrong with any of these brands. The miller/hobart are made at the same place. Its just that miller is geared towards the "professional" and the hobart is geared towards the handy man. Just as a gmc and a chevrolet are pretty much the same truck.

BADD SS · 04-05-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigman

The Millers have a faulty micro switch in the trigger while the Lincoln has a simple contact that is faultless! I have 7 guys working for me that fight over the Lincolns!! Daylight and dark difference in arc qualty.

Mark

I used to run all Red, till i saw the arc flash, My whole shop is blue just for the reason you mentioned, MILLER generally has a slightly better arc quality over a lincoln. The only lincoln I still prefer would be an old SA 200 pipeliner red face, about the nicecst welding engine drive I have ever used.

As far as mig's, tigs and shop stick welders go, I have always prefered blue.