Flux core mig welder

[jbobb1]

Would like your take on flux core mig welders. I'm looking at a Lincoln 140 that plugs in to a 115 outlet. I've welder most of my life. Arc, mig and tig. Anything from little parts to 300 amp spray arc transfer, but I'm not totally sold on these type of welders. I want something for my home shop, but don't want to invest 2K.

 

[7milesup]

I have owned a Lincoln TIG200 for a number of years now and it has been reliable, so there is that.
I just bought a YesWelder ProMig 250, but have very little time on it yet. Their 205DS is a multi-process and dual voltage. There are a ton of positive reviews on YouTube from independent folks. YesWelder 205DS. I found a 20% coupon when I ordered mine. I should point out that this one only has a 1-year warranty.
If I was going to do it over, I probably would have gone with the Primeweld series, mostly because of the 3-year warranty and the number of positive reviews. You would spend about the same on a Primeweld as you will on a Lincoln but the Primeweld, just like the YesWelder, gives you dual voltage and multiprocess. PrimeWeld MTS200
Another option is Eastwood. I have read a lot of positive reviews about them too. https://www.eastwood.com/welders/mig-welders.html

I am not intending to drive you away from Lincoln, but just pointing out that there are many other options out there that offer a lot for your money. The Lincoln 140 is made in Mexico whereas all the others are made in China, so having a reputable company such as Primeweld is important.

 

[C-Bag]

I’ve welded most my life too. OA, stick,mig and a little tig. I was working as an independent contractor in an orange house and the guy working with me went down and bought a Lincoln 170. I was VERY skeptical, it was so tiny and the drive looked kinda cheap. But we used that thing 10hrs a day 5-6days a week for 3yrs till I left and it never gave us a bit of trouble. My BIL had one of the 140’s and it was great for smaller stuff. I have a 170 at home now and run flux core, never have hooked up the CO2. I’m no certified welder, just a farm welder, but it’s what I’ve got and I’m not looking to replace it any time soon.

 

[BGHansen]

I have a Hobart 190, 220V MIG. It came with a roll of flux-core but can use gas if I'd flip the polarity and hook up my cylinder. I've had the welder for over 5 years and have had no equipment issues (just the operator). I admittedly don't do a lot of welding, a 2 lb. spool of 0.030" lasts me a couple of years. The buddy I mention in the post below has a 140 110V welder and at the time was going through a 2 lb. spool a month (he uses gas). I've not found it to be too inconvenient to wire brush my welds after the fact with the flux core.

Bruce

Show Us your Welders!

My turn.... New here...i have welding machines but do not yet call myself a welder.... Just made this cart from crap about the yard. Holds my Old Miller AC Spot they call it...my Mastercraft 110v MIG was a gift...and my Weldking Coolcut 30 also a gift...actually even the Miller was a gift...

www.hobby-machinist.com

 

[C-Bag]

I've not found it to be too inconvenient to wire brush my welds after the fact with the flux core.

Yeah, most of what I did was stick, so flux core is seamless to me too. Cleaning welds is second nature.

 

[BladesIIB]

I have owned the Lincoln 180C for over 10 years and it has served me well. If you can do 220v I would recommend going that route either Lincoln or another brand just to give you the versatility to use gas if you want to. I typically use Argon even with the flux core wire for less spatter and a for me a little cleaner weld.

 

[jbobb1]

I have a Hobart 190, 220V MIG. It came with a roll of flux-core but can use gas if I'd flip the polarity and hook up my cylinder. I've had the welder for over 5 years and have had no equipment issues (just the operator). I admittedly don't do a lot of welding, a 2 lb. spool of 0.030" lasts me a couple of years. The buddy I mention in the post below has a 140 110V welder and at the time was going through a 2 lb. spool a month (he uses gas). I've not found it to be too inconvenient to wire brush my welds after the fact with the flux core.

Bruce

Show Us your Welders!

My turn.... New here...i have welding machines but do not yet call myself a welder.... Just made this cart from crap about the yard. Holds my Old Miller AC Spot they call it...my Mastercraft 110v MIG was a gift...and my Weldking Coolcut 30 also a gift...actually even the Miller was a gift...

www.hobby-machinist.com

I was just looking at this exact welder.

 

[FOMOGO]

I actually prefer the Hobart over the Lincoln, but picked up a 175 Lincoln 220V used for $150 and it works geat. I had purchased a new metal feed unit for it, but the plastic one it came with seems to be working just fine, so the new one will sit on the shelf till needed. If your looking to save a little money I would check out Craigs list , and facebook MP. There are always used ones there for cheap. Mike

 

[jbobb1]

I have owned the Lincoln 180C for over 10 years and it has served me well. If you can do 220v I would recommend going that route either Lincoln or another brand just to give you the versatility to use gas if you want to. I typically use Argon even with the flux core wire for less spatter and a for me a little cleaner weld.

Having only used flux core maybe twice, it's a new game for me.

 

[jbobb1]

I actually prefer the Hobart over the Lincoln, but picked up a 175 Lincoln 220V used for $150 and it works just fine. I had purchased a new metal feed unit for it, but the plastic one it came with seems to be working just fine, so the new one will sit on the shelf till needed. If your looking to save a little money I would check out Craigs list , and facebook MP. There are always used ones there for cheap. Mike

I'll do that.