i have never owned a welder, but would like to get one for small projects on the cruiser ie, brackets to the frame, body work, maybe some slider fab, i don't know. i know that a stick welder is better for the thicker steel, but i was looking at lincoln's website and it doesn't look like there is too much difference between the 135 and the 175. what makes the 175 better and $250 more? which do ya'll think would be a better purchase? keep in mind that i haven't welded that much and i'm a state employee so i'm on a budget.
A notable difference is that one runs on 110v and the other requires 220v. Aside that the 175 gives a higher duty cycle which only indicates how long it can work before overheating and implies a higher level of quality and durability of the functional parts, in particular the transformer system.
I believe that Lincoln is optimistic when publishing the welding capabilities of their machines. All makers are, but Lincoln's advertizing practices border on fraud, in my opinion, when they say that a 135a welder can weld 5/16" mild steel. It can do that, but only either with multiple passes or with flux core wire and a long stay at each point along the weld line. Anyway Lincoln is the most reticent maker of all when it comes to published statistical information about their products.
So what to do? Look carefully at what you want to weld and buy a welder that will do that. Go to welding websites like this http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/ friendly place to ask your questions. With the exception of heavy sliders the 135 will probably do, but be sure to use gas for sheetmetal work. Fluxcore wire can be convenient but it spatters and fumes disgustingly and those little balls of steel are hard to remove. It'll make your sheetmetal work pretty messy.
I'm a beginner, too, so my experience is very limited. I can tell you this, I borrowed my Son's 135 to do my Cruiser work. It is very capable on sheet metal which is what he bought it for. I have almost completed my custom rear bumper and it did it, but it was tougher on thicker metal or where you wanted a larger bead.
That said, as a hobbyist, it will be a fine machine. The duty cycle will kill you if you are in a hurry or trying to do production. Just go slow and give the machine time to catch up. For the projects you listed, it should do fine.
I would not mind having the 135 around for this-and-that projects and repairs. I kinda hope he doesn't need it back soon! I keep finding more projects for it. However, if my budget would allow it, I would get a 175 or equivalent to replace it!
I have only run it with solid wire (.023 & .030) and mixed gas. Never tried flux core. I played with it a bit and found I could do this.
The 135T & 175T are tapped voltage controlled while the Sp135+ & 175+ are infinite voltage cotrolled.
The Plus models will give the most adjustment in welding voltage as power coming out've the wall into the machine can vary on any given day. Tapped models work fine, you just get a voltage 'range' with each click of the knob.
The 115volt 135 models will run about anywhere, but with limited applications, for a general purpose garage mig a 230v model will give a bit more amperage. In general it is a good idea to buy as much amperage as you can afford. If I were buying one of these machines it would be the 135+, but only because I allready have larger 230v welders for the thicker stuff. FWIW, the 135+ & 175+ little Lincolns are the best you can get in this machine size.
Assuming you have 220 power in your place of welding, and can only have one... get the 175+.
That's a hard question to answer. I think that roll cages should be taken very seriously as a possibly life saving piece of equipment. A very experienced and skilled mig weldor could probably do a good job of welding together a rollcage with that welder, but I think any other weldor would be well advised to use more welding current than the 135 class welders can supply to assure strong reliable joints.
Welds can be deceiving. One that looks good - continuous, smooth, and right can be porous and lack enough penetration to keep it from cracking or breaking loose under stress. It can surprise a good weldor and is the reason for weld inspections of several types.
unless you have more confidence than I do in your welding ability with a mig (former fabricator) I would not recommend mig welding a roll cage together.
TIG
only way to go when your life and more importantly your passengers life is at risk.
Dave
My father owns a metal fab shop, so I speak from limited but real experience. Most welding companies make good and poor quality welders and price tends to be somewhat of an indication. also any welder that runs on 110v will not be up to the task of welding much more than heavy guage sheet metal. they also tend to have short duty cycles and once you start tripping the breaker it will trip easier and easier. The smaller 220v welders are much better. If you had a chance to use both I think that you would spend the extra $. I think that you will like having the variable voltage as you become more experienced.
Also I would have no problem welding a cage with a mig setup, but I am confident in my welding skills, have worked in a weld shop, and have taken technical school to learn to weld correctly. I'm not sure the little welders will give the penetration of a larger machine (although they may be fine depending on the thickness of the tubing), but I think a metaltech cage welded up with a 135 would still be much stronger than a stock roll bar bolted to sheet metal.
Just as an aside We just got rid of a panasonic gunslinger due to a melt down (100% warranty, local dealer just wrote a check 0 and replaced it with a Millermatic 251 and it works great. It's small for production welding, but for smaller projects like automotive things its awesome and very user friendly.
One more thing you will find that by not buying the right tool now in the end you will have paid for it and still don't have it (henry ford)
I bought a Lincoln 135 Plus 2 yrs. ago. It is the first welder I have bought so my experiance is limited. I have practiced with it quite a bit and am now very confident in the abilities of this machine. It will make a novice look like a pro in a short time and if used correctly can penetrate anything you need to fabricate on a cruiser. I am still learning how to use it and do not in anyway claim to be an expert or even proficient at welding but I believe this machine is an excellant choice for a beginner.
(100% warranty, local dealer just wrote a check