Question is would you get a good used 255 Lincoln wire matic or a new miller 175 millermatic? The lincoln has a fairly new 18' 300A gun on it. theres less than $100 diffrence in cost of the 2 units. Never had any dealings with a lincoln and would like some outside input. Thanks Wayne

 

Personally, I’d go with a Hobart Handler 180 over the MM 175, the only thing that the MM 175 offers over the HH is the infinite voltage selection and a different wire speed tracking, which in general most people find annoying and most experienced welders don’t use. In other words, save your money and get the cheaper Hobart if you’re looking for a welder in that class.

As far as the Lincoln 255 I have no real experience with it and the only input that I could give is that I don’t like Lincoln’s smaller machines. The >200A class of mig is a totally different category then the <200A, and if the price is in the ballpark I would consider it long and hard as long as it’s in decent shape.

 

Go with the larger machine, either a Miller 251 or Lincoln 255. I bought a used Lincoln 255 a little over a year ago and am very happy with it. The smaller machines aren't as capable and can't use 12" spools which are more economical.

Lon

 

i go with the bigger machine, if i were looking at similar machines i'd get the miller

 

Thanks, anymore imput would be helpfull good or bad. Thanks again

 

If I was looking for a machine in that class (probably would be if I had the money for it) I’d be looking at a MM251… My only point was that the big Lincoln really is big compared to the smaller machine, which could really be an issue in a smaller shop or one with lesser wiring…

Even if I did at one point pick up something like the MM251, I’d probably still keep my HH135 for it’s portability and the fact that I can plug it into just about any circuit and do some welding.

 

I use a lincoln power MIG 255 daily at work. Never had a problem with it at all even with the heavy industrial use we put it through.

It's also a 300 amp machine in my case.

 

I have a lincoln 255 and i love it.But i like my airco 200 amp 480 volt 3 phase 100% duty cycle better.