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View Full Version : Lincoln precision 185 TIG is a decent machine?



Midwest Performance
05-11-2007, 08:27 PM
There is a guy selling a Lincoln precision 185 TIG(no tanks) that is a year old and used 5 times. He paid $2275 and is asking $1650. Is it a good machine and is that a good price. Any idea of the machine capabilities. I have not found much on it.

Thanks
Kevin

hotrdblder
05-12-2007, 02:55 AM
great first machine and really will do anything a home garage guy would need.
1650 is not a steal but fair price.
good to weld thru 3/8 to 1/2 steel and 1/4 or so aluminum

Goatman
05-12-2007, 03:07 AM
I had a brand new one for sale not that long ago for $1550 and it took me months to sell it (even on e-bay). Brand new in the crate.

Now the guy who just bought it from me is selling it and he's having a hard time too...

I wouldn't pay more than $1400 for one. You can buy them new even at stores for around $1500 now that the 225's are out.

wendell
05-15-2007, 05:13 AM
There's a 185 on ebay brandnew for $1100 right now. Also, 185A isn't going to weld 1/2" steel but you can only build so much of a car out of 1/2" steel any ways.

I_work_for_Barry
05-29-2007, 07:30 AM
Good luck on the heavy material. 1/4 inch aluminum even pre heated takes a bunch of horse power to weld. If you are looking for a machine I would save some money and go with a 250DX from Miller or the same rating in a Lincoln. I use the Miller 250DX daily and the only problem I have ever had was after welding thick aluminum for long periods of time the plug that goes into the wall gets HOT. I hope this helps.

wendell
05-30-2007, 12:42 PM
Missed the 1/4" AL claim as well. That's not going to happen with 185A. (It's the internet so tons of people will say I'm wrong, good luck)

Midwest Performance
05-30-2007, 02:00 PM
I run a Miller 250DX w/Liquid cooled torch at work. It doesn't have the extra controls on the right. Would the other controls be worth it?

Later Kevin

MonzaRacer
05-31-2007, 07:56 PM
I have my sights set on a Thermadyne TS160 i believeis the model its thier 110 tig/stick with high freq so you can weld aluminum.
Honestly I have Astro Pneumatic 110 mig welder and it makes great welds. Its simple and it will run gas or gasless(flux core is messy it gives off splatter.
honestly if you spend more than $1000 on a USED unit (you have no protection under the purchasing of it) your gonna get burned if your unlucky.
Honestly a small hand carryable 110 mig and a similar unit in tig or even maybe step up to a 220 tig in portable form, then find someone with a Lincoln 225 AC/DC stick welder and buy a tig torch and a converter box and getting one that can do more than just hi frq will pay off more.
Get a water cooled tig torch for the big rig and figure on having $10k in the mess but be able to weld anything in your shop pretty much.
But honestly I think Ill find a decent TIG upgrade the torch/controls and cooling and be happy.
also thats a little high on price.
Lee

wendell
06-06-2007, 06:24 AM
"Get a water cooled tig torch for the big rig and figure on having $10k in the mess but be able to weld anything in your shop pretty much."

I think Midwest is on the right track for buying the TIG he wants. I'm not really tracking on your $10K figure. There's no sense in scaring the guy. For 10K I could buy 9 of my "big rigs" and have a $1000 left over for consumables. 375A to the stinger, 300A to a water cooled torch, first rate flow meter, HF, pulse, foot current/contactor, torch contactor, post flow, start amp control...

I'd steer clear of a 110V TIG if you want to weld AL. 1/8" will be your max capacity and that will be at a marginal duty cycle.

Midwest Performance
06-06-2007, 06:37 PM
I was online and a Miller 250DX unit could be had for $3500 est. I don't remember what was on it. I don't think it had a liquid cooled torch. It seems you always wish you bought a bigger unit after you settle for a more afordable system.

:hah: I never though I would be talking about buying a bigger unit on the internet.

So are the controls on the right hand side of the machine a recomended upgrade? Allows you to adjust you square wave I believe.

Later
Kevin

Duesey2
07-01-2007, 05:47 PM
I bought a precisiontig 225 this spring for around 2100 out the door and I've been very happy with it's performance. Easy adjustments and simple to use.