Pick a machine, there you go.

My Lincoln 175SP+ is kaput. $75 an hour for diagnosis, circuit boards up to
$400. Other repairs as needed.

I must first admit to my own stupidity, buying only on brand loyalty, and
the situation at the time, which was an overabundance of cash. I admit
that if I had investigated it at all, I would have NEVER chose the 175.
But, I bought it, then it sat and sat and sat, with heart surgery, traumatic
brain injury, two year recovery, broken back, yada yada yada.

Now, I need the machine, and it won't work. Warranty expired, but the
machine has been cranky since day one.

I called around, and located a Miller 175. My friend agreed to loan it to
me, as he has used it about three times in the last five years. Or rather,
someone has used it. He can't get his gloves on the correct hands. He'd
probably sell it to me.

Anyhoo, I got it home, and WHAT A DIFFERENCE in construction and component
parts. Metal components in the drive train. Drive wheels like the old
Miller Matic 200. A nice metal tensioner with substantially more metal than
the Lincoln wingnut. A very nice hub tensioner vs. the $.15 wingnut of
Lincoln. A MUCH higher quality gun. A larger box, and heavier. Again, I
admit to stupidity, as if I had looked closer and compared side by side,
Ronnie Milsap could have noticed the difference.

So, I'm back on track to finish my project.

Now, the interesting part. What Lincoln is willing to do to rectify the
situation. I don't expect anything, a lesson I learned early in life. But
we have an open line of communication, at least whenever this rep gets back
from his announced time off, which was yesterday.

Somebody kick me. I deserve this one.

Steve

"Steve B" wrote in message
. ..
Pick a machine, there you go.

My Lincoln 175SP+ is kaput. $75 an hour for diagnosis, circuit boards up
to
$400. Other repairs as needed.

I must first admit to my own stupidity, buying only on brand loyalty, and
the situation at the time, which was an overabundance of cash. I admit
that if I had investigated it at all, I would have NEVER chose the 175.
But, I bought it, then it sat and sat and sat, with heart surgery,
traumatic
brain injury, two year recovery, broken back, yada yada yada.

Now, I need the machine, and it won't work. Warranty expired, but the
machine has been cranky since day one.

I called around, and located a Miller 175. My friend agreed to loan it to
me, as he has used it about three times in the last five years. Or
rather,
someone has used it. He can't get his gloves on the correct hands. He'd
probably sell it to me.

Anyhoo, I got it home, and WHAT A DIFFERENCE in construction and
component parts. Metal components in the drive train. Drive wheels like
the old Miller Matic 200. A nice metal tensioner with substantially more
metal than the Lincoln wingnut. A very nice hub tensioner vs. the $.15
wingnut of Lincoln. A MUCH higher quality gun. A larger box, and heavier.
Again, I admit to stupidity, as if I had looked closer and compared side
by side, Ronnie Milsap could have noticed the difference.

So, I'm back on track to finish my project.

Now, the interesting part. What Lincoln is willing to do to rectify the
situation. I don't expect anything, a lesson I learned early in life.
But
we have an open line of communication, at least whenever this rep gets
back
from his announced time off, which was yesterday.

Somebody kick me. I deserve this one.

Well, it seems that even if Lincoln "made it right", it still wouldn't be
THAT right, due to inherent quality diffs.
Few people get to do a/b comparisons on pricey stuff (or at all), tho, so
you are lucky in that sense.

Try to sell the lincoln at a "fair" price, put that towards your friend's
miller. May really work out to be much less of a loss than you thought.
Or mebbe, since he don't hardly use his miller, your friend would just swap
you, plus mebbe a li'l sumpn....

Pity about Lincoln.... its corporate/employee equity structure was kind of
admirable. Miller seems to have steadily gained market share.

But miller parts ain't cheap either.
--
EA







Steve

For me, it is a Miller or nothing. Lincolns, I may buy and sell (not
the cheapos), but would never own.

i

On 2011-08-04, Existential Angst wrote:
"Steve B" wrote in message
. ..
Pick a machine, there you go.

My Lincoln 175SP+ is kaput. $75 an hour for diagnosis, circuit boards up
to
$400. Other repairs as needed.

I must first admit to my own stupidity, buying only on brand loyalty, and
the situation at the time, which was an overabundance of cash. I admit
that if I had investigated it at all, I would have NEVER chose the 175.
But, I bought it, then it sat and sat and sat, with heart surgery,
traumatic
brain injury, two year recovery, broken back, yada yada yada.

Now, I need the machine, and it won't work. Warranty expired, but the
machine has been cranky since day one.

I called around, and located a Miller 175. My friend agreed to loan it to
me, as he has used it about three times in the last five years. Or
rather,
someone has used it. He can't get his gloves on the correct hands. He'd
probably sell it to me.

Anyhoo, I got it home, and WHAT A DIFFERENCE in construction and
component parts. Metal components in the drive train. Drive wheels like
the old Miller Matic 200. A nice metal tensioner with substantially more
metal than the Lincoln wingnut. A very nice hub tensioner vs. the $.15
wingnut of Lincoln. A MUCH higher quality gun. A larger box, and heavier.
Again, I admit to stupidity, as if I had looked closer and compared side
by side, Ronnie Milsap could have noticed the difference.

So, I'm back on track to finish my project.

Now, the interesting part. What Lincoln is willing to do to rectify the
situation. I don't expect anything, a lesson I learned early in life.
But
we have an open line of communication, at least whenever this rep gets
back
from his announced time off, which was yesterday.

Somebody kick me. I deserve this one.

Well, it seems that even if Lincoln "made it right", it still wouldn't be
THAT right, due to inherent quality diffs.
Few people get to do a/b comparisons on pricey stuff (or at all), tho, so
you are lucky in that sense.

Try to sell the lincoln at a "fair" price, put that towards your friend's
miller. May really work out to be much less of a loss than you thought.
Or mebbe, since he don't hardly use his miller, your friend would just swap
you, plus mebbe a li'l sumpn....

Pity about Lincoln.... its corporate/employee equity structure was kind of
admirable. Miller seems to have steadily gained market share.

But miller parts ain't cheap either.

"Ignoramus14275"
wrote in message For me, it is a Miller or
nothing. Lincolns, I may buy and sell (not
the cheapos), but would never own.

i

On 2011-08-04, Existential Angst
wrote:
"Steve B"
wrote in message
Pick a machine, there you go.



Pity about Lincoln.... its corporate/employee
equity structure was kind of
admirable. Miller seems to have steadily
gained market share.

But miller parts ain't cheap either.

I'll hang on to my Lincoln square wave 275 tig,
thank you. Still going strong
after 12 years of near daily use... ;)}
phil k.

On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:44:31 -0500, Ignoramus14275
wrote:

For me, it is a Miller or nothing. Lincolns, I may buy and sell (not
the cheapos), but would never own.


I just scored a Millermatic 250 with AL spoolgun at an auction for
$900. Sold my Century (private label Lincoln from Sears) for $600 - no
AL spoolgun. Looks like I got an issue with the spoolgun. Otherwise,
WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT!!! I got the Century years ago and decided MIG
was only for sheet metal. Now, that's no longer true. The stick
machine won't see a lot more use.

Karl

"Karl Townsend" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:44:31 -0500, Ignoramus14275
wrote:

For me, it is a Miller or nothing. Lincolns, I may buy and sell (not
the cheapos), but would never own.


I just scored a Millermatic 250 with AL spoolgun at an auction for
$900. Sold my Century (private label Lincoln from Sears) for $600 - no
AL spoolgun. Looks like I got an issue with the spoolgun. Otherwise,
WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT!!! I got the Century years ago and decided MIG
was only for sheet metal. Now, that's no longer true. The stick
machine won't see a lot more use.

You'd use mig over stick? In all apps?
When would you use stick over mig?
--
EA



Karl

On 2011-08-05, Karl Townsend wrote:
On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:44:31 -0500, Ignoramus14275
wrote:

For me, it is a Miller or nothing. Lincolns, I may buy and sell (not
the cheapos), but would never own.


I just scored a Millermatic 250 with AL spoolgun at an auction for
$900. Sold my Century (private label Lincoln from Sears) for $600 - no
AL spoolgun. Looks like I got an issue with the spoolgun. Otherwise,
WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT!!! I got the Century years ago and decided MIG
was only for sheet metal. Now, that's no longer true. The stick
machine won't see a lot more use.

Yes, those 250s, are simple, sleek, manageable and convenient.

I have a MM 251. But I weld almost everything with stick.

i

On Thu, 4 Aug 2011 22:55:38 -0400, "Existential Angst"
wrote:

"Karl Townsend" wrote in message
.. .
On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:44:31 -0500, Ignoramus14275
wrote:

For me, it is a Miller or nothing. Lincolns, I may buy and sell (not
the cheapos), but would never own.


I just scored a Millermatic 250 with AL spoolgun at an auction for
$900. Sold my Century (private label Lincoln from Sears) for $600 - no
AL spoolgun. Looks like I got an issue with the spoolgun. Otherwise,
WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT!!! I got the Century years ago and decided MIG
was only for sheet metal. Now, that's no longer true. The stick
machine won't see a lot more use.

You'd use mig over stick? In all apps?
When would you use stick over mig?


Oh, I still like the stick welder. Great for material over 1/2" thick,
repair work, anything rusted. I do a fair amount of hardfacing with
it.

But I'll change to MIG for most all my fabrication work.

Karl

On Aug 4, 5:28*pm, "Steve B" wrote:
Pick a machine, there you go.

My Lincoln 175SP+ is kaput. *$75 an hour for diagnosis, circuit boards up to
$400. *Other repairs as needed.

I must first admit to my own stupidity, buying only on brand loyalty, and
the situation at the time, which was an overabundance of cash. *I admit
that if I had investigated it at all, I would have NEVER chose the 175.
But, I bought it, then it sat and sat and sat, with heart surgery, traumatic
brain injury, two year recovery, broken back, yada yada yada.

Now, I need the machine, and it won't work. *Warranty expired, but the
machine has been cranky since day one.

I called around, and located a Miller 175. *My friend agreed to loan it to
me, as he has used it about three times in the last five years. *Or rather,
someone has used it. *He can't get his gloves on the correct hands. *He'd
probably sell it to me.

* Anyhoo, I got it home, and WHAT A DIFFERENCE in construction and component
parts. *Metal components in the drive train. *Drive wheels like the old
Miller Matic 200. *A nice metal tensioner with substantially more metal than
the Lincoln wingnut. *A very nice hub tensioner vs. the $.15 wingnut of
Lincoln. A MUCH higher quality gun. *A larger box, and heavier. *Again, I
admit to stupidity, as if I had looked closer and compared side by side,
Ronnie Milsap could have noticed the difference.

So, I'm back on track to finish my project.

Now, the interesting part. *What Lincoln is willing to do to rectify the
situation. *I don't expect anything, a lesson I learned early in life. *But
we have an open line of communication, at least whenever this rep gets back
from his announced time off, which was yesterday.

Somebody kick me. *I deserve this one.

Steve

Steve...the same pricing on repairs applies to Miller...both companies
usually want your first born to pay for repairs.

We have a situation where the two main players have a monopoly and the
customers take it in the shorts.

Whether or not we like it, welders for the most part can be considered
to be consumables..throw away tools.

Plan for it in your business model and move on.

TMT

On Aug 4, 5:44*pm, Ignoramus14275 ignoramus14...@NOSPAM.
14275.invalid wrote:
For me, it is a Miller or nothing. Lincolns, I may buy and sell (not
the cheapos), but would never own.

i

On 2011-08-04, Existential Angst wrote:



"Steve B" wrote in message
...
Pick a machine, there you go.

My Lincoln 175SP+ is kaput. *$75 an hour for diagnosis, circuit boards up
to
$400. *Other repairs as needed.

I must first admit to my own stupidity, buying only on brand loyalty, and
the situation at the time, which was an overabundance of cash. *I admit
that if I had investigated it at all, I would have NEVER chose the 175..
But, I bought it, then it sat and sat and sat, with heart surgery,
traumatic
brain injury, two year recovery, broken back, yada yada yada.

Now, I need the machine, and it won't work. *Warranty expired, but the
machine has been cranky since day one.

I called around, and located a Miller 175. *My friend agreed to loan it to
me, as he has used it about three times in the last five years. *Or
rather,
someone has used it. *He can't get his gloves on the correct hands. *He'd
probably sell it to me.

*Anyhoo, I got it home, and WHAT A DIFFERENCE in construction and
component parts. *Metal components in the drive train. *Drive wheels like
the old Miller Matic 200. *A nice metal tensioner with substantially more
metal than the Lincoln wingnut. *A very nice hub tensioner vs. the $..15
wingnut of Lincoln. A MUCH higher quality gun. *A larger box, and heavier.
Again, I admit to stupidity, as if I had looked closer and compared side
by side, Ronnie Milsap could have noticed the difference.

So, I'm back on track to finish my project.

Now, the interesting part. *What Lincoln is willing to do to rectify the
situation. *I don't expect anything, a lesson I learned early in life.
But
we have an open line of communication, at least whenever this rep gets
back
from his announced time off, which was yesterday.

Somebody kick me. *I deserve this one.

Well, it seems that even if Lincoln "made it right", it still wouldn't be
THAT right, due to inherent quality diffs.
Few people get to do a/b comparisons on pricey stuff (or at all), tho, so
you are lucky in that sense.

Try to sell the lincoln at a "fair" price, put that towards your friend's
miller. *May really work out to be much less of a loss than you thought.
Or mebbe, since he don't hardly use his miller, your friend would just swap
you, plus mebbe a li'l sumpn....

Pity about Lincoln.... *its corporate/employee equity structure was kind of
admirable. *Miller seems to have steadily gained market share.

But miller parts ain't cheap either.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Ig...I see that you have been buying and selling welders.

Walk that thin ice carefully....buying one lemon of a welder can
really trash your profits.

If I were you, I would do some serious learning for what to look for
in the welders that you favor. Every design has its weaknesses and
most repairs tally up ...and not by accident...to being over 1/2 the
price of a new welder.

Both Miller and Lincoln have the deck stacked against the used welder
market and those who deal in it.

TMT

TMT

On Aug 4, 9:37*pm, Karl Townsend
wrote:
On Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:44:31 -0500, Ignoramus14275

wrote:
For me, it is a Miller or nothing. Lincolns, I may buy and sell (not
the cheapos), but would never own.

I just scored a Millermatic 250 with AL spoolgun at an auction for
$900. Sold my Century (private label Lincoln from Sears) for $600 - no
AL spoolgun. Looks like I got an issue with the spoolgun. Otherwise,
WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT!!! * I got the Century years ago and decided MIG
was only for sheet metal. *Now, that's no longer true. The stick
machine won't see a lot more use.

Karl

You might want to do a number of welds with both and then check them
out.

I still prefer stick for welds that my life depends on.

TMT