Buy it. Killer deal. Sell the Esab. Should be able to get $1000 if it's clean with a good gun, ground, and regulator.

 

Have you welded with an ESAB MigMaster 250? One of the nicest arcs of any MIG made. High duty cycle and 280 amp rated output. 22 unique violat voltage taps. The 255 really isn't any better, the OP may even find the arc characteristics of the MM are better.
NOT sure I would justify spending money just to have a red machine instead of yellow.

Spool gun is a plus, might be able to sell it for a little profit if you decide you don't like it. Certainly could break even if nothing else

 

Yes, the MM250 is what I'm using now.
Would be nice to do a side by side comparison. So I'm really just wonder if the $1200 is a good enough deal to buy the Lincoln 255. Again, comes with bottle, regulator and spool gun.

 

Price sounds good and the Lincoln will have a really nice arc but other than the spool gun, the Esab is a good machine in it's own right. They were originally a Linde machine, then L-Tec and were made for many, many years. Parts for the Lincoln will likely be easier to source. If your Esab works good, I'd save my money. If you want a spool gun, consider the Lincoln. You should be able to get decent money if you sell your Esab. Single phase 250 amp MIG's generally hold their value better than most other machines and if a potential buyer can try it out before purchasing makes a big difference.

 

Some people like the Lincoln arc, and others the Esab. I welded with both, and prefer the Esab's, generally for the nicer wet-out of the weld bead. The Lincoln had a pretty crisp arc, and had a bit of simalarites with the Esab 260.. I would fine tune the Esab 250 to get the most out of it.. .030 guide tubes if using .030 wire etc.. Makes a nice setup on tube type work.. Watch close,and you will see the difference in flow out of the weld bead..

 

I would fine tune the Esab 250 to get the most out of it.. .030 guide tubes if using .030 wire etc.. Makes a nice setup on tube type work.. Watch close,and you will see the difference in flow out of the weld bead..

I have only run .035 wire though the Esab. I just bought some .030 wire and tips. Was wondering if I can get away with running the .035 rollers or if I need to buy some .030 wire feed rollers.
Thanks

 

Get the correct guide tubes, and Rollers. The Esab does lack the excellent design on the Lincoln machine. Means you need to match up parts correctly, to get good performance out of it.. I kind of wish I would of kept my Esab 250 Plus model.(Four roller) It was the finest built version. Although the 275 was second. There is nothing wrong with a standard model, if you match the feeder/liner/drive rolls, and liner to the size wire you are using.. Not too much to go wrong with the Esab 250, I would keep it for the reliability alone.. Tough/ good machine.. I do understand wanting to try something else.. Happens to a lot of 250 owners. Just have them so long, and think there is a better way.. Probably not just for sticking Mild steel together..