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Author
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Topic: A Plug For Anyone Looking To Buy A Mig Welder:
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F15Falcon
Gearhead Posts: 109
From: el paso, tx.
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 06-16-2005 10:24 PM
  
My dad bought a Lincoln Weldpak HD 3200 at Home Depot a little over a year ago,and I cannot say enough good things about it. It is a 135 amp output machine that will plug in to a 120 volt outlet. He paid $382.00 for it and another $100.00 for a small argon bottle and a regulator at a welding supply store. It has 4 heat settings, and a wire speed regulator. It comes with a roll of flux core wire that also works very well, especially if you are welding out doors. I have used it extensively on everything from sheetmetal to welding heavy gauge tubing. I would recommend this machine to any home welder for any kind of work including chassis work.
 I used the welder to install this 9" Ford rear end back brace last week when my 225 amp L-tec MIG ran out of wire:
 This is 1 5/8" x .134 wall roll cage tubing that I welded with the Weld Pak 3200, and the penetration is awesome.
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steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 9830
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 06-16-2005 11:46 PM
Do you think it's the "best bang for the buck"? I am in the market,SteveW
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F15Falcon
Gearhead Posts: 109
From: el paso, tx.
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 06-17-2005 12:06 AM
I would say it is pretty close to the best bang for the buck.
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 28942
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 06-17-2005 01:39 AM
I just bought one last week.
About $75 more expensive now.
Home Depot had 1 year free financing which was a great deal.
Have not used it yet.
Need to go and buy the bottle too.------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA & SS/MA National Record Holder '00,'01,'02,'03,'04 &'05
First NHRA & IHRA 289 automatic Superstock Mustang in the TENS 06-99
First SS/MA in the TENS 04-03
IHRA division 5 Superstock Champion
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28 The Barry of BarrysGrrl Quote #1: "I never met a magazine mechanic I liked."
Quote #2: "Make sure brain is in gear before engaging mouth!"
Quote #3: "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!"
www.moneymakerracing.com [This message has been edited by Moneymaker (edited 06-17-2005).]
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lonewolf
Gearhead Posts: 410
From: Colorado; M&M #3117
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 06-17-2005 11:13 AM
Those are pretty welds. Nice job.I have an older Weld Pak 100 that I have used pretty extensively too. No issues after 5+ years of it. I would suggest getting the large spool kit though. Nothing sucks worse than running out of wire in the middle of a bead. Does the 3500 come with a MIG conversion kit or did you have pick that up separate? Cheers, Rick ------------------
Lonewolf
1968 Coupe in Pieces
99 1/2 F250
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ccode67
Gearhead Posts: 3278
From: douglasville,ga,usa
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 06-17-2005 12:51 PM
This is good timing, hope to have power in my garage real soon, first purchase will be a welder. Then I'll need a teacher to show me how.  ------------------
Stuart
M&M #1091
67 stang 5 speed, 351W, (sold and missed) my photo page
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JAAZZY
Gearhead Posts: 918
From: Bay Area, CA
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 06-17-2005 08:04 PM
I have the SP-135 which I have a feeling is the same as this one. Nice unit and easy to use. They say this about the best one for the money though some swear by the Miller unit. I couldn't get as good a price on that one though. I bought it for a small project because I hate renting.
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steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 9830
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 06-17-2005 09:44 PM
My Son, the Iron Worker, has a new Miller 140 and says it is "sweet". But it costs more.  SteveW
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Mark T 7724
Gearhead Posts: 334
From: Palmdale, CA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 06-18-2005 12:10 AM
The 3200 is a great welder for the Home Garage, It comes equipped ready for gas I would suggest you use "Steelmix" 75% Argon 25% CO2 it will allow you to weld hotter at a lower amperage.------------------
1964-1/2 Mustang SS/L 289 4-Speed, 10.537 @ 124.83. West Coast Money Maker Racing Team Member
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bob6364
Gearhead Posts: 438
From: griswold,ct usa MCA#59447
Registered: Dec 2004
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posted 06-18-2005 12:57 AM
I have had the same one for a year now ,works great.I just did a full quarter on a 71 coupe and it came out great if I do say so myself  ------------------
Bob
69 R Code Mach 1
70 Fastback 351C
71 coupe 302
99 F-250 Super Duty
2002 Exploder :)
http://community.webshots.com/album/214154666mXNhcr
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Rudi
Journeyman Posts: 83
From: Welland ,On., Ca.
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 06-20-2005 09:45 PM
You get what you pay for on items like this.
I tried a Lincoln for a few weeks and was not satisfied with it's operation so I opted for a Miller 172. It was more money but the important wire drive mechanism was cast aluminum not plastic.
This Miller will weld 20 thou' shim stock right up to 3/8 material.
IMO Linc makes excellent stick welders, but Miller is way ahead of them on MIG wire pushers.[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 06-22-2005).]
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