I recently heard from a local Lincoln Dealer, that the Lincoln welders sold at Home Depot are in fact Century welders in a Lincoln case. I have noticed that the welders sold at Home Depot do not have any model #'s on them such as "SP 135." Just curious if anybody else has heard this.
45willy
Lincoln has a line of retail products that were designed to go up against the imports and sold in home centers, etc. They're Lincoln products and you get Lincoln support (3-year warranty on some items).
The Weld-Pak 3200HD compares to the SP-135T and not the SP-135 Plus. The WeldpPak 175 HD and a Pro-Mig 175 compare to the SP-175T. If you open them up you'll see Lincoln parts, etc.
http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentseries.asp?browse=114|2690|
Century was mentioned, and while Lincoln isn't putting Century stuff in their cases a guy I know bought a Century welder from Harbor Freight a few years ago for $100 or so -- he uses the heck out of it and is quite happy with it.
I was just starting my search for a welder and had never heard of Century so I did a search and found that Sears is selling the same unit he has on sale for $319 from $399.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Electrical+Shop&pid=00946856000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Welders&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
Going purely by the pictures, it appears that some of the Craftsman models are relabeled Century units.
And Weldmark is relabeling both Lincoln and Miller.
The Weld-Pak 3200HD compares to the SP-135T and not the SP-135 Plus. The WeldpPak 175 HD and a Pro-Mig 175 compare to the SP-175T. If you open them up you'll see Lincoln parts, etc.
http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentseries.asp?browse=114|2690|
Century was mentioned, and while Lincoln isn't putting Century stuff in their cases a guy I know bought a Century welder from Harbor Freight a few years ago for $100 or so -- he uses the heck out of it and is quite happy with it.
I was just starting my search for a welder and had never heard of Century so I did a search and found that Sears is selling the same unit he has on sale for $319 from $399.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Electrical+Shop&pid=00946856000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Welders&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
Going purely by the pictures, it appears that some of the Craftsman models are relabeled Century units.
And Weldmark is relabeling both Lincoln and Miller.
Hi 45willy !
There were a few previous postings that discussed this - but hard to find by title. You can find them with a search for MIG-Pak, etc. I am not so certain about the various Lincoln 115 volt model/packages of the SP-135. However, the 230 volt model/packages of the PS-175T are identical.
Anyway, I took the liberty of copying from those previous posts.
Re: Lincoln 175
RC-Racer
WeldingWeb Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dutchess County, NY
Posts: 41
Re: Lincoln 175
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Big muddy,
I also have the Pro Mig 175. It is the SP175T ( tapped ) version. Lincoln provides retail packaging for Home Depot, Lowes etc.
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Anyone have a Lincoln 175t??
10-02-2006, 08:48 PM
Robo48
WeldingWeb Apprentice Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 33
Anyone have a Lincoln 175t??
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However, the 175 amp Lincoln machines are now mass consummer items; you can buy em at Home Depot, etc.
e.g. In my home town (Ottawa), you can buy a Lincoln SP-175 on special at BOC welding distributor for $900 Canadian. However, a few weeks back, you could buy it on super-sale as a MigPak 15 from Canadian Tire for $550 - less the gas regulator and tank hose.
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Re: Converting Stick Welder from AC to Full Wave DC
09-14-2006, 03:40 PM
Rick V
WeldingWeb Journeyman Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 94
Re: Converting Stick Welder from AC to Full Wave DC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick V
Awright - "Rick V, it would be interesting to know if the SP-175T is identical inside the case to the MIG-PAK 15, especially if they also use 16 diodes in their rectifier. "
Yes - tell ya what. I'll go to BOC and ask to see the insides of that SP-175T. Now I'm curious. I'll report back!
Reference: MIG Pak 15, MIG-Pak 15, MIG-Pak-15, MIG Pak-15, MIG PAK 15, MIG-PAK 15, MIG-PAK-15
Hi, I just returned from the welding supplier, having looked carefully at the innards of a Lincoln SP-175T.
Is the Lincoln SP-175T the same as a Lincoln MIG-PAK 15?
The answer - Absolutely Identical In Every Detail! (Except the name plate on the front.)
Same fan housing, rectifier bank (yes, the same 16 diodes on the same configuration heat sink), same transformer, choke, power capacitor, circuit board, circuit breaker, gas solenoid, off/on switch, power-selector switch and rheostat wire feed adjuster. They don't come anymore identical!
There it is - Final Answer? Yes, that is my final answer -
The Lincoln SP-175T is absolutely identical to the Lincoln MIG-PAK 15.
Rick V
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I hope that helps,
Rick V
There were a few previous postings that discussed this - but hard to find by title. You can find them with a search for MIG-Pak, etc. I am not so certain about the various Lincoln 115 volt model/packages of the SP-135. However, the 230 volt model/packages of the PS-175T are identical.
Anyway, I took the liberty of copying from those previous posts.
Re: Lincoln 175
RC-Racer
WeldingWeb Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dutchess County, NY
Posts: 41
Re: Lincoln 175
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Big muddy,
I also have the Pro Mig 175. It is the SP175T ( tapped ) version. Lincoln provides retail packaging for Home Depot, Lowes etc.
===================
Anyone have a Lincoln 175t??
10-02-2006, 08:48 PM
Robo48
WeldingWeb Apprentice Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 33
Anyone have a Lincoln 175t??
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
However, the 175 amp Lincoln machines are now mass consummer items; you can buy em at Home Depot, etc.
e.g. In my home town (Ottawa), you can buy a Lincoln SP-175 on special at BOC welding distributor for $900 Canadian. However, a few weeks back, you could buy it on super-sale as a MigPak 15 from Canadian Tire for $550 - less the gas regulator and tank hose.
===================
Re: Converting Stick Welder from AC to Full Wave DC
09-14-2006, 03:40 PM
Rick V
WeldingWeb Journeyman Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 94
Re: Converting Stick Welder from AC to Full Wave DC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick V
Awright - "Rick V, it would be interesting to know if the SP-175T is identical inside the case to the MIG-PAK 15, especially if they also use 16 diodes in their rectifier. "
Yes - tell ya what. I'll go to BOC and ask to see the insides of that SP-175T. Now I'm curious. I'll report back!
Reference: MIG Pak 15, MIG-Pak 15, MIG-Pak-15, MIG Pak-15, MIG PAK 15, MIG-PAK 15, MIG-PAK-15
Hi, I just returned from the welding supplier, having looked carefully at the innards of a Lincoln SP-175T.
Is the Lincoln SP-175T the same as a Lincoln MIG-PAK 15?
The answer - Absolutely Identical In Every Detail! (Except the name plate on the front.)
Same fan housing, rectifier bank (yes, the same 16 diodes on the same configuration heat sink), same transformer, choke, power capacitor, circuit board, circuit breaker, gas solenoid, off/on switch, power-selector switch and rheostat wire feed adjuster. They don't come anymore identical!
There it is - Final Answer? Yes, that is my final answer -
The Lincoln SP-175T is absolutely identical to the Lincoln MIG-PAK 15.
Rick V
===================
I hope that helps,
Rick V
Thanks for the input. After posting the thread, I sent the question to Lincoln and got a reply back this morning. Lincoln stated that Home Depot Lincoln's are in fact Lincoln's, and not Century's in a Lincoln case. So I guess the Lincoln salesman is feeding me a line. Thanks again for the info, if anybody has anything different let me know. 
45willy said:Thanks for the input. After posting the thread, I sent the question to Lincoln and got a reply back this morning. Lincoln stated that Home Depot Lincoln's are in fact Lincoln's, and not Century's in a Lincoln case. So I guess the Lincoln salesman is feeding me a line. Thanks again for the info, if anybody has anything different let me know.
They absolutely are made by Lincoln. the main difference is that Home Depot (and Lowes) only sell the tapped transformer models under several different model names. If you want one of the variable power models (my personal choice) you need to go to eBay for a good price, often with no tax and free shipping or to your local welding dealer (if you wish to pay full retail, plus tax).
Home Depot or Lowes are good places to get the odd roll of welding wire also. The prices aren't bad and they have OEM Lincoln supplies. I foolishly bought some .023 wire from Airgas a while back and it wouldn't run properly in my SP175 plus. It was their house brand, Radnor. I finally tossed it and went back to Lincoln wire.
Stopped off at Home Depot and they had the welder I have on display so I started looking for accessories, tips, etc. The tool guy walks up and asks if he can help me. I pointed and told him that I have that welder and wanted to look for some accessories. He tells me that the 3200-HD unit is more versatile.gnm109 said:
I say, “That’s nice, but I already have this one.” He replies, “We don’t sell that one.” Hmm. Okay...it’s on display because...? I say that’s fine but I have one and am looking for accessories. He says, “I’ve worked here for 12 years and I’ve never seen that one before. I have no idea why it’s on display. This one here is...” I interrupt him and tell him I’m doing just fine, and I’ll find him if I need help.
I found what I wanted after he walked away. Sheesh.
Visorblue said:Stopped off at Home Depot and they had the welder I have on display so I started looking for accessories, tips, etc. The tool guy walks up and asks if he can help me. I pointed and told him that I have that welder and wanted to look for some accessories. He tells me that the 3200-HD unit is more versatile.
I say, “That’s nice, but I already have this one.” He replies, “We don’t sell that one.” Hmm. Okay...it’s on display because...? I say that’s fine but I have one and am looking for accessories. He says, “I’ve worked here for 12 years and I’ve never seen that one before. I have no idea why it’s on display. This one here is...” I interrupt him and tell him I’m doing just fine, and I’ll find him if I need help.
I found what I wanted after he walked away. Sheesh.
SOMEONE WANTED A SALE
Here in Canada their is a difference from the mig pack series and the SP series. The migpack 10 - 15 are the same rating as the SP130T and SP170T but the SP series and more durable and will last longer if use more commercailly. This is the information that the lincoln dealer pasted on and they even had both models apart for customer conparision. Their is a 200 dollar difference in price here.
Not sure I'd trust a Lincoln dealer to fairly compare the versions they sell to versions they don't, they're trying to sell what they have. Can't see them saying that the less expensive models are the same as the ones they have. I was at a LWS here and the sales guy seemed to be making things up as he talked. I was rather shocked when I discovered that almost everything he told me wasn't true.jamlit said:
I'd check with a tech at Lincoln itself to be sure you have the right information. The dealer could have had a MIG Pak HD and compared it to a SP100T and there's a difference there, not the same class machine. However, a MIG Pak 10 is the same class as a SP100T, pretty much identical machines.
For kicks I looked up the parts manuals for a MIG Pak 10 and SP100T and compared the components in each. I don't see that much of a difference. As a matter of fact, the side panel of the SP100T in this case says MIG PAK right on it:
SP100T: http://content.lincolnelectric.com//pdfs/products/navigator/parts/P279.pdf
MIG Pak 10: http://content.lincolnelectric.com//pdfs/products/navigator/parts/P459.pdf
Better to do your own research in cases like this.
almost everything sold at HD and lowes is a somewhat inferior grade of the same brand name. the power tools are made special with little corners cut here and there-plastic bearing instead of metal etc. even plumbing parts, a part from HD from the same manufacturer with the same model number will weigh less than one from a commercial plumbing retailer. that's how their able to sell so much cheaper.
I doubt that's true. The fact that they buy in huge quantities has a lot to do with the prices they pay and can sell for. If you follow the links in the previous message I wrote you'll notice that the parts are the same. Manufacturers don't usually make inferior parts and then good ones of the same model number, it's not in their best interest nor worth the hassle. On the other hand, Home Depot and other big chains could order a custom build of a different model to meet a certain price and that may not be as well made as another model. The old good, better and best deal.rusty ripple said:
After all, if your Dewalt (for example) grinder falls apart you aren't going to call Home Depot about it, you're calling Dewalt. They have a reputation they want to keep and they'll stand behind it.
Now, if you buy an off-brand or something like that then all bets are off. Then, even that may hold up well.
I asked lincoln about this. They said my dealer was right. Their are two listed welders but one was commercial grade the other residental grade. Same rating on both but one a little more heavy duty for longer life and continous use. Not sure about everyone else but I am sure I have seen this before on other products.
That's interesting as I spoke with Lincoln this morning trying to understand why all of the 110v welders from 100-140 amp all have the same 20% at 90amp and 18-19.5 volt duty cycle.jamlit said:
The tech I spoke with mentioned that the HD's (Weld Pak 100 and up, not the Weld Pak, MIG Pak, Handy MIG, etc.) were the same machine as the SP100-SP135 equivalents (some you have to add the gas kit to) and if you compare the parts in the parts manuals they're the same with the same parts numbers.
Visorblue said:
OK Visorablue, as you quoted you have wrong be for, so have I but I think we are saying the same thing now. Sorry if I sound off as I worked all night and got up early. I was referring ti the MIGPAK vs SP series. So this means the weld pak could be the same. They don't carry the weld paks where I live. So I think we are both right.
So, I use the SP130T and SP170T at one of the jobs sites I go to. Both work cery well and have been going for 2-3 years now. The gun failed on one but I think that was from the abuse. Both should work great for you. I will say I like my Miller 130 a little better than the Lincoln though as it seems to be a little smoother, but that just could be me. Hope it all works out for you and be sure to lets us know what you got and how it works for you take care and have fun :laugh: :laugh:
We may be. There's several MIG Paks. The small one, MIG Pak (one I have) which is made in Poland and is not the same as any of the SP series. It's basically a Weld Pak with the gas setup. There's the MIG Pak 10 which is like the SP100T and Weld Pak 100 (you need to add a gas kit to the Weld Pak 100). The MIG Pak 15 is like a SP175T. The Weld Pak 3200 is like the SP135T.jamlit said:
My little MIG Pak is a decent welder, it's under-rated and will weld thicker metal than the specs say, thicker than I really need to weld. It's all I need for years to come, yet, the gadget freak in me wants more. I'd like a SP135 Plus or 140C for some reason. Don't need either but I want one.
Hi,Lyrikz said:
The best answer is to call Lincoln (216.481.8100) and ask if there's a spool gun for the model you have/intend to get, and if that model will work with aluminum the way you want to. Some people have had good luck welding aluminum without a spool gun. Search this forum for info, tips, etc.
The new Lincoln Power MIG 140 and 180 (not to be confused with the "Pro MIG") will work with an inexpensive spool gun.
You can for the Power MIG 140's, too. Even a spot timer, too.gnm109 said:
http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentdatasheet.asp?p=42420
The Power MIG 140C/T and 180C/T series are the new units replacing the SP135T/Plus and SP175T/Plus. However, be careful on the name as it's Power MIG 140C/T and Power MIG 180C/T. Lowe's sells a 140amp version of the SP135T under the name Pro MIG 140 (K2498-1) and it's not the same as the Power MIG 140T.gnm109 said:
I almost bought one on ebay as I thought it was a smokin' deal on a Power MIG 140T at $400, glad I checked. Speaking of ebay, I was told that unless the seller is a verified authorized Lincoln dealer that the warranty may be void.
Haven't seen a retail version of a Power MIG series yet.
Pro MIG 140 on the left, Power MIG 140C on the right:
Different face, handle, features, specs...
Power MIG's: http://www.lincolnelectric.com/products/intros/Powermig_140_180.asp
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