You must have an old one like mine before Lincoln turned that line into a loss leader Home Depot type machine. I have had mine since about '91 and it weighs almost twice as much as the current version of the same product. It'll easily weld up to about 1/4" and has done tons of ch***is fab over the years. Cost me dearly when I bought it, but the only time I ever had to take it in for repairs, as I walked in the door the guy in the shop was making offers to buy it from me.
Same idea, buy brand name. I have a Lincoln SP100, bought it 17 years ago slightly used, been through lots of wire, loaned out to a couple of close buddies, and it's still going. Not knocking Miller, Hobart, etc, just saying good using NAME items.
Fo0r what it is worth, I have a Lincoln Sp135 Plus that serves me very well. I bought it on the recommendation from the Voc. Welding instructor I worked with at the prison here in Tehachapi. I taught Voc. Auto and needed a small unit pith portability fro home use. He has 5 of them in constant use by his inmates for a few years now and none of them were able to hurt one! Inmates can break an anvil with a rubber mallet if they try (or so it seems). I use it with flux core wire because I often use it outdoors and don't have to worry about the wind ruining my gas "envelope".I have safely welded all types of things without a problem so far in the 4 plus years I have owned it.
I have a Miller 130, it is a fantastic welder. It will weld sheetmetal, and I have welded up to 1/4 inch plate, just vee the pieces, and double p***. I wouldn't trade this welder for all the money in the world
I have the Miller 140, it is the version before the autoset and it welds amazingly well for a 110 Mig machine. Along with my Miller Diversion 165 Tig I'm all set for many years.
I have been through 2 wire welders, 1 was a cheap Lincoln and the handle would get hot, finally burnt the main wire, Lincoln woun't do anything. The last one I got was from Eastwood and has been good so far.
Good to hear - Had my Eastwood for a year now - just spent 2 days wleding up a new dog-house hump for the COE. Works great for the occasional hobbiest....
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