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Posted by: McMark May 26 2005, 01:05 AM

I'm sure Miller vs. Lincoln is another Ford vs. Chevy, McDonalds vs. Burger King, situations. Everybody has their favorite. But anyone have some anecdotal evidence for me as to which is the better TIG? I'm shopping for a setup.

Posted by: McMark May 26 2005, 01:47 PM

Posted by: bperry May 26 2005, 02:08 PM

You may want to look over on the welding forums:
http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/
http://www.millermotorsports.com/mboard/
http://www.welding-forum.com/

There is a ton of good information you can search through.

Even though the hobart & miller sites are sometimes slanted
twards miller products you will see instances
where lincoln products or others are recommended over the Miller or Hobart ones.



--- bill

Posted by: bondo May 26 2005, 02:24 PM

I like miller because I prefer blue over red.

Posted by: Series9 May 26 2005, 02:34 PM

I have a Lincoln TIG Pro Squarewave 175. It has performed flawlessly.


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Posted by: Porcharu May 26 2005, 02:41 PM

I like blue - have had a Miller 175 Mig for about 8 years of trouble free service. I also have a Miller TIG I think it is a Syncrowave 185 I am still learning TIG and have not used it more than 25 hours. It also works very well and it doesn't seem to broadcast RF when I use the high freq. modes. If I were doing it again I would consider getting a model or 2 up the range that has more adjustments for pre/post purge and waveform adjustment.
My brother has a very nice Lincoln multi (TIG, MIG and stick) and is very happy with it.

Just so you know that I'm not a Miller only guy I really really want a Hypertherm plasma cutter.

Posted by: cha914 May 26 2005, 03:20 PM

I have a Miller 250dx and love it. Never have tried a comperable lincoln TIG though, but I have used some of their MIG's and have been impressed. I think the both make good machines. For me I would shop around at the local welding supply places, they will let you try the machines out, plus they will be the ones repairing the machine if it breaks. The place we got ours from said the millers almost never came in for repair, so that sealed the deal.

I also took a welding class at the local community college, and they had some miller 250s that had been rode very hard for many years, and still operated very well, so that was another reason.

have fun!

Tony

Posted by: McMark May 26 2005, 03:30 PM

Choices choices.

I hate this stuff when things are too close to call. I suppose as long as whatever I buy gives me good service for the next 3 years, I'm golden. By then I might want to upgrade.

My impression is that Miller has higher build quality, but Lincoln has slightly better technology. Maybe that's why Lincolns "break" more, more gadgets to go wrong.

Posted by: cha914 May 26 2005, 03:43 PM

I know on my Miller I can add functionality...I have the base 250, bu I can add on several functions like pulse welding and a few others that I can't think of at the moment...so you could probably buy a machine that would allow you an upgrade path.

Tony

Posted by: andys May 26 2005, 04:31 PM

I like the Miller cause it's blue, and I have one......Synchrowave 250. That said, I tried a Lincoln 175 and was surprised at how well it performed when welding aluminum. Honestly; buy a premier brand name, and you should be just fine. Make sure however, that you select a good torch and/or one you like. I have a Weldcraft that I'm not crazy about, but does what I need. I like the Miller torch better. I've only used the air-cooled Lincoln, so it's not a direct comparison.

Andy

Posted by: Series9 May 26 2005, 09:22 PM

I've decided I would like to have a MIG, as well as the Lincoln TIG I already own, for the TurtleGirl project. I think I'll get a Miller so I have one of each.

I'm sure there won't be a problem, but I will post any as the arise.

Posted by: McMark May 26 2005, 09:29 PM

I'm leaning towards the Lincoln. Should know next week if I got the financing. Then it'll be TIG time.