The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Lincoln welder question.

I am new to welding. This will be my first welder, so I want a quality tool.

Local man is selling a Lincoln Pro 135 MIG welder with a 55 cubic foot bottle for $250. Says it's hardly been used. I plan to take a friend with me to see a demonstration first.

Does it sound like a reasonable 1st welder for me and is it a good deal (seems like a good price)??

Thanks

Lincoln makes good products. I have the 180 Lincoln and found it on sale last year for $590. I have never seen it for less, but that's in Canada - we pay more to live here

The 135 Welder from Eastwood is $300: [url]http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=eastwood%20135%20welder&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eastwood.com%2Fmig-welder-110vac-135a-output.html&ei=SBPVToGDOq6u2AXX-5Bv&usg=AFQjCNFe49qWhLSbjXgrTITLPqHINCGZLQ&sig2=D5yWQZBgfpWnlKd0wCE6ow[url]

A 135 will be fine for most uses. I'm sure you can weld up to 3/16" plate with it.

Not sure about your neck of the woods, but here the bottles are owned by the gas company you use and are traded off for a full one. Ask if he gets it refilled, or if he's going to transfer the contract to you.

Jay,

The Pro Mig is a decent little 110 volt welder. It should be fine for repairing these old trucks. Machine and tank at $250 is a great price. The tank alone to purchase will run you upwards of $180 these days.

When you look the machine over, take a look at the gun primarily where it plugs into the machine. As long at the lead insulation is intact it should be fine. Keep in mind if the machine is not used often, the wire could have some heavy rust due to moisture in most shops. If you buy it, replace the wire if it indeed has any rust. Rust is the worst enemy for gun liners. The machine is probably about 6-8 years old but consumable parts are plenty easy to find. Most Home Depots and Lowes have tips and nozzles in stock.

On the tank, the last test date could mean that you have to pay a retest fee when you have it refilled. The last test date if it has a star beside it will be ten years from that date to expiration. If it is out of date, that will cost you about $25-40 extra depending on the company you use to refill.

At any rate, sounds like a good first welder!

The machine and tank is being offered at considerably less than half of retail. I am partial to Miller, but we have a 135 Lincoln and its a good machine. If it works, I would grab it before someone else does. As for the tank, it is a size that is sold, not rented. However, each gas distributor makes his own rules. But keep in mind if you buy a new tank for $150, the distributor will exchange it, and you will wind up with a used tank anyway.

If it were me, I would buy it. Sounds like a good deal.