Choosing Welder Question...

I have the Lincoln 180 and we've been using it for everything (our "big" welder is down for the count). I am pleasantly surprised at how well it does for a small welder.

wow, you guys are effing awesome! Thanks for all the valuable input! Im really interested in the liconl 180.. however, im not all that horney about the 220 welders (obvyosly id prefer this) but i have no access to a higher volatage outlet in my small garage and like the idea of bring the smaller welder with me for odd jobs and not having to look for a 220 outlet... but thanks for the info, and i will keep this post alive with what i get after xmas.

back again... ok, I was looking into the 3200 more and it seems one of the only places that can get that model is Home Dept and on ebay. I went to one of the local welding supply places and they werent even familiar with the 3200 but told me the sp135t should be just about the same. Is this true? Right now they have 2 of those 135 for sale that were used for a few mins at a demo show for 300. Do you guys think i should go with that sp135?

Yes, the 135 is pretty much the same thing as the 3200HD. As a matter of fact, I think they are the same, they just changed the model numbers on them. My first welder was a WeldPak 100 and then I stepped up to a 135. It was a good welder, but I just wanted a Hobart.

Yes for $300 it's definately worth it. as long as they will make sure it works and you get all the accessories.

i wouldnt spend that much on a welder from homedepot. you can get a smaller 220 miller for about 200 more. even check craigslist for a used one. we have one of those smaller lincolns at work and i hate it, i would rather stick weld than use it. but thats my opinion. never had any problems with anything hobart or miller. hobarts are basically miller guts without the pretty blue wrapping.

The 3200HD is just a different number for the same model welder. I'm almost positive that they are both 135 amp welders and the T stands for tapped voltage verus wide voltage. I should also state that Lincoln recommends using shielded wire for anything over 1/8". When you step up to the 180, which is 220v, they recommend shielded wire for anything over 3/16". This info is straight from lincolns 2008 product catolog.