Welders

l88cam · Jul 25, 2005

I'm getting ready to buy a welder. Over the week end I did a search on welders and spent most of the week end setting in front of the computer reading all the posts on welders. Now I have one final question.

What is the difference between The Lincoln Sp135 that is available in the local welding supply shops for $675 or on Amazon for $642 and the Lincoln Pro-Mig 135 that Lowes carries and sells for $457 ? Are they the same with Lowes just wanted their own model number. I used to work for a computer manufacturer and we would build special model numbers for all the large retail stores, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc., that way they could say that no one could beat their price and you couldn't because no one else had that model number. We would add one little thing to the pre-load or something simple and cheap to make it unique. Is this that kind of thing?

Bob

68 Camaro SS/RS
02 Camaro SS

PairOf69's · Jul 25, 2005

Basically they are the same welder, they both have the same power output, both will weld the same thickness of metal. If you do get a mig, get yourself a tank of Argon/Co2 and use solid wire because gasless just plain sucks. :thumbsup:

boodlefoof · Jul 26, 2005

If I remember correctly, the SP-135 has infinite voltage adjustment, whereas the Lowe's version only has five tapped voltage settings. Makes a difference, particularly when trying to get nice welds on thin sheetmetal.

What do you plan on using the welder for? I recently went through this decision and decided on a Millermatic 175. Test-drive one. The 220v input makes for some nice welding.

Johnny Boy · Jul 26, 2005

Just resently purchaced a Hobart handler 140 from a local welding shop in Chi town and the thing "kiks arz" I have never had a welder wok for me like this one dose, although this is only the second one Ive used.

l88cam · Jul 26, 2005

boodlefoof said:
If I remember correctly, the SP-135 has infinite voltage adjustment, whereas the Lowe's version only has five tapped voltage settings. Makes a difference, particularly when trying to get nice welds on thin sheetmetal.

What do you plan on using the welder for? I recently went through this decision and decided on a Millermatic 175. Test-drive one. The 220v input makes for some nice welding.

I checked and you're right, the SP-135 has infinite voltage adjustment while the Lowe's machine has the 5 fixed settings.

I’d like a 220 machine, but I just don't have 220 available where the Camaro is and where I would do most of my welding. Most of my wood working equipment is 220, now let me see how hard it would be to run a 220 line from the wood shop out to where the car is, a distant of about 60 ft.

Bob

bgw67 · Jul 26, 2005

I had the same 220 problem to my garage. Looking into an electrician running a drop about 50 ft and adding the breaker to my main box cost over $1200! Mainly, the cost was the labor for digging the trench. I had him put a weather proof receptacle on my house for the 220, then built an extension cord for much less than this. Works great, but the 50 foot extension cord must weigh 50 lbs. It is some think cable and rubber to handle 220v/30a power.

boodlefoof · Jul 27, 2005

I also made a big extension cord (about 30') for mine.

Welders

l88cam

PairOf69's

boodlefoof

Johnny Boy

l88cam

bgw67

boodlefoof

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities