I have heard people say the the Pro series from Home Depot and Lowes
isn't as good as the regular series.
I see
Lincoln Electric Pro-Mig 175 K-2280-1
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and
Lincoln Electric Weld-Pak 175HD K-2338-1 From Home Depot
Both of these are $599 + Tax. Looks like you can get them from Ebay
for Under $500 after shipping.
How different are these from the
K1875-1 SP-175T 208/230/1/60
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K1642-3 SP-175 Plus 208/230/1/60
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Could some one give me a technical pros/cons
Thanks
I am anxiously waiting to hear from someone who can give the technical
answer here.
As an aside, I own a 175SP+, and really like it. The only other machine I
owned in a wirefeed was a MillerMatic 200 that I bought in 1982. I sold it
13 years later, and didn't have a day of trouble out of it.
I don't use this Lincoln nearly as much, but for what I use it for, I really
like it.
I don't believe there could be much difference between the two machines, but
cannot say definitely. Probably some small differences. If it was me, I'd
spring for a few more bucks and buy the Plus.
Steve
I don't know for sure but the Lowes ad you reference looks the same as
the Lincoln SP-175T except you get extra wire and a cheap helmet-like
thing in the Lowes package.
The difference of the Plus vs. non-plus seems to be the Plus has
continuous voltage control vs. stepped on the T. Look at the technical
link on the Lincoln pages for a bit more info about the difference.
That's my opinion after looking at the ads. I don't have any of these.
I went to the site quoted at Lowe's. A zoom in of the control shows that
the control knobs are different on my Plus.
I like having power and speed controls that are infinite (like on the Plus)
rather than in jumps. It gives you a little more ability to be just right.
Steve
I have an SP-170T which is an older version of the Pro MIG 175 and I checked
parts listings some time ago and found that the SP-170T, SP-175T, MIGPak 15
and WeldPak 155 all used identical parts except for the sticker on the front
panel. I'm fairly certain that the Home Depot and Lowes versions are also
the same but I haven't checked to be sure.
They use different names because Lowes and Home Depot both offer to meet or
beat other prices but only on the identical item. By having them with
different names/models they don't have to do that. :-/
I've never checked on the + model because there would be so many
differences internally but I'm fairly sure they use the same torch, etc.
The difference between the + and all of the other models is that the + has
continuously variable voltage while the T and other versions have a 4 or 5
position switch to select different taps off of the transformer.
The following comments are my opinion only:
The pros of the + version are better control over the weld. The minuses are
more complex circuitry which means more to fail and more expensive to
repair. Also, for the new user it might be more confusing to try and tune
it when you have two variables to adjust, the 2nd being wire feed speed.
The pros of the T and Lowes and Home Depot models is simplicity, meaning
less to fail and cheaper to repair, and less confusing to adjust. You
simply pick your voltage setting based on metal thickness and wire diameter
and then adjust your wire feed speed to get a smooth weld.
As for quality, I've had the SP-170T for, IIRC 3 or 4 years now. I bought
it used at an auction for $375. I use it for occasional projects but my son
uses it a lot. He's built a dozen or so heavy custom truck bumpers, usually
out of 3/16" plate with lots of continuous welds plus a couple of trailers
and several other projects. He even did one bumper out of stainless. He
pays no attention to duty cycle or preventative maintenance and generally
breaks lots of my tools but he has yet to hurt the welder.
Once I went to use it and nothing happened when I pulled the trigger. I
reseated the connector for the switch and it's been working fine ever since.
That's the only problem I ever had with it and it was an old model when I
got it.
Best Regards,
Keith Marshall
snipped-for-privacy@progressivelogic.com
"I'm not grown up enough to be so old!"
The drive roller/ housing is different along with the drive gearbox on
the Plus model.
The plus model is more money but is the best in-class. The T or Lowe/HD
are fine but for the extra $$$ the plus is worth it. It's super
reliable in any form,
but for dialing it in perfect, the plus has a edge. It has a better
low-end arc then
my Miller passport. :)
Keith Marshall wrote:
According to my local supplier, the lincoln version and the lowes HD
are the same machine.
HD and Lowes gets a huge volume discount from lincoln.
and they have to call it a different name i.e. pro mig;
Can you imagine if LOwes would call it Lincoln SP 175T ot 175 + and
sell it in their big box store for 3/4 of the price of what the local
welding supplier charge or what lincon charges to their direct
customers?
Also those machines; all come out of the same factory lines with a
different name sticker.
It would not cost effective for lincoln to use a separate assembely
line just for lowes or HD to make a lesser quality machine.
It is all imported in to the US anyway.
Lincoln, Miller ... its all good good machines.
Yes.
I just ordered my second SP175 plus today.
The last one I traded to my friend for his MM-185
He wanted smaller and I used the 185 for a trade.
Both weld great and I miss them both.
Spoke to Lincoln today . . . The Lincoln Electric SP-175T / Pro "whatever,
is the same at Lowes & Home Depot as that sold at the welding supply houses.
The Lincoln Electric SP-175 Plus is not available in a retail outlet like
Lowes, Home Depot, etc . . .
I priced the Lincoln Electric SP-175 Plus today at a Reddy-Arc welding
supply and they were less than any internet price . .
Steve
I do this with a lot of tools I buy. I research the tool, decide which one
I want, then, as an informed buyer, go looking for the best price.
I find that when I do finally purchase something, I feel like I have bought
the best tool, and payed the lowest price.
It is a good feeling.
Steve
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