you need to keep in mind that the welder the OP listed is a Clarke welder that has been rebadged

research Clarke welders... then maybe you can talk? until then you are just talking out your rear end...

do the research first... then open your mouth

I have owned a Lincoln HD3200 it was ok but fell flat on it;s face on anything thicker than 1/8 or so... I have used other Lincolns as well... I have used Millers / Hobart

with that in mind I can safely say, Lincoln < Clarke < Miller/hobart

and I will a clarke over a Lincoln ANY day it has no issues dealing with 1/4" thick material

 

I hear that...why pay exorbitant sums of money for a welder that can be matched by a welder that's a fraction of the cost. The Chicago Electric welder is perfectly fine...unless, of course, you happen to be taking up welding as a profession and need a daily sparker.

 

 

Brand new, nicer machines are expensive, and way out of most people's price range. However with the economy the way it is you can buy a used machine in good condition, that has years ifnot decades worth of life left in it for a fraction of what a new machine would cost.

As far as getting a red/blue/white machine that wont be used everyday, I like to know that if something comes up and I NEED to weld something I can rely on my welder to work then and there without any BS.

I've heard too many stories about cheap welders crapping out at the most inconvenient time to ever consider buying one. Its like comparing a Stihl chainsaw to a Homelite or Poulan...while the cheaper ones get the job done they just don't compare.

I have done my research, and IMO current era Clarke welders are of slightly lower quality than hobart.

Miller>Lincoln>Hobart>Clarke

Have you ever considered that maybe the Lincoln you used was a defective unit?

my PM 255 and various other Lincoln MIG machines I've used always work great and will actually penetrate thicker than what they're rated for.

For example, I was able to consistently get full penetration on a 3/16" T joint with a Lincoln weldpak 120.

That and at less than half of max output I can burn holes in 1/4" all day long with 75/25 and solid core wire using my PM 255.

I've used Clarke welders too, the quality is okay but the arc is nowhere near as smooth as what you get from a Miller/Lincoln machine. All of the higher end(Red/Blue) welders I've used pur like kittens.

 

I'm sure his wasn't. I had the exact same one, and I have not much good to say about it.

 

Thanks for all of the opinions. Like asking a room full of guys what type of girl they prefer. I have been keeping my eye on CL for the last couple nights. Nothing that would blow your socks off within the immediate area, but I am definitely keeping my eyes peeled.

Off, but on topic at the same time, those of you that search CL alot for specific items, Android has a craigslist notification app that will send you alerts when a post is added with your keyword. Scored me my new set of 32s for $400. :-)

Also, check out www.searchtempest.com allows you to search all of the craigslist cities within XX radius from your zip code. Cuts a lot of time not having to jump from city to city state to state.

 

Miller 180

 

Have run a Lincoln 170T at work for 11 years and it still works great. Run it on carbon steel and stainless. Run the Lincoln 250 on heavy work for 9 years. Low, low maintenance on both. Picked up a Lincoln 180C for home. Very happy, nice core, very flexible. You mentioned some floor work and rockers. This was a challenge, the Lincoln Ruled that floor. 38 lb of .025 wire and few bottles of ArCo2 mig mix. If it's heavy work at home, that Sears stick welder can handle it even after 10 yrs old. Get a good autoshield and keep your lense clean.

 

Checked out a welder today that gave me wood! I believe its made by Infinity? not sure but this thing was AWESOME! It was a 2 part unit that housed the mig...tig...and arc welding faiths...and for the kicker...also included a plasma cutter! Can't remember the name of it but it rounded off at $1800. I'll be going by the shop that sells them tomorrow and I'll get more particulars. Lincoln, my ***! LoL!

 

Bought this one about a year ago..
I have been very happy with it.
It was the biggest one I could afford at the time...
I got tired of running out of enough welder to complete daily tasks efficiently and in a satisfactory manner.
Blue, red, or grey, it would be hard to go wrong.

I wouldn't mind one of those Everlast Multi-Purpose units...plasma cutting, tig and stick welding all in wonder.