IH8MUD™ Forums - View Single Post - Lincoln Electric Weld-Pak 3200HD or the MIG-Pak 140

Wile E Coyote · 05-01-08, 04:01 AM

I've owned my 3200HD for roughly 4-5 yrs, I think. It's gone through numerous lbs of solid and FCAW wire without a hiccup. It sure is a little guy as far as welders go, which works nicely in my 2 car garage.
Lincoln is quite generous with the max thickness ratings, like if they say 5/16" using FCAW, I would never exceed 1/4" in my personal experience. That's with fully beveled, and occasionally even preheated joints.
Making sure you've got full 20 amps service, minimizing the use of extension cords, and staying aware of the really short duty cycle at higher settings, would be three vital tips for getting the best welds near max rated output.

I don't have any experience to offer a direct comparison between the units.

05-01-08, 04:01 AM	#2
Wile E Coyote IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lake Havasu and Kingman, AZ Posts: 1,228	I've owned my 3200HD for roughly 4-5 yrs, I think. It's gone through numerous lbs of solid and FCAW wire without a hiccup. It sure is a little guy as far as welders go, which works nicely in my 2 car garage. Lincoln is quite generous with the max thickness ratings, like if they say 5/16" using FCAW, I would never exceed 1/4" in my personal experience. That's with fully beveled, and occasionally even preheated joints. Making sure you've got full 20 amps service, minimizing the use of extension cords, and staying aware of the really short duty cycle at higher settings, would be three vital tips for getting the best welds near max rated output. I don't have any experience to offer a direct comparison between the units. __________________ ="Are you gonna sit there on that friggin computer all day or what?" The desert dwellin, roadrunner chasin, soooper-genius! '90 FJ 62, '08 Scion head unit, chopped quarters and rockers, bedlined exterior, and mostly stock. My soft wheeler and DD. '85 Dodge Ramcharger a little built, and a little beat. My hard wheeler.