Would you trade a Lincoln SP-175+ for a Lincoln PowerMIG 255...???

[Greg72]

I've got a guy locally that is looking to sell his larger model welder and get into something smaller. Apparently he mostly does TIG now and doesn't really need MIG too often, and is getting a little short on space.

The deal we're talking about is a trade of my existing 220V machine (Lincoln SP175+) plus maybe $200 cash for his 220V machine (Lincoln PowerMIG 255). Both machines are about the same age.... roughly 7 years old. The cost to buy a new 255 model is in the $1600 - $1900 range, so there is a strong financial motivation to check this one out.

I'm planning to bring my welder to his place, let him burn a few welds with it...then burn a few with his machine.

Assuming everything checks out are there any cons to getting the larger machine? I'll still need to do sheetmetal work as well as thicker items like rollcages, etc.

 

[doonjumper]

I'm no welder by far. I would take a sheet of the thinest metal you plan on ever welding and see if his machine burns through it at it's lowest setting. Then consider what the thickest metal you plan on welding. Has there ever been a time when you needed a bigger machine to complete a job? That's my thought process. "Why buy a 9lb sledge hammer if you are only gonna use 16 penny nails".

 

[tRustyK5]

If the machine checks out this one is a no brainer Greg. I can weld sheet metal with a 500 amp machine...i just turn it way down.

Rene

 

[howdiy]

I think my Lincoln 175 is junk now after using a more powerful machine

 

[4X4HIGH]

Personally i don't see a need to swap machines if yours has done everything you've asked of it and if you don't plan on doing anything out of the capacity of your existing machine. You have no idea how someone has used the machine before you and it might work for a day or 10 years then fry a circuit board. You bought yours brand new and YOU KNOW how it has been treated.

As far as is it worth trade the trade, sure it is.

 

[Greg72]

There have been a number of times lately that I've run my 175 "wide-open" on the settings and wished for a bit more on the top end for a hotter and deeper weld.

The whole wire drive-system on the larger models looks to be a lot better quality....more metal parts, and a more robust design than the simple plastic pinch roller/tension setup on the 175.

Don't get me wrong, the 175 has served me very well but there's a good chance that I could benefit from a more capable and powerful machine at this stage in my welding "education"...

 

[rdn2blazer]

Swap it 100% IF it's a good machine.

 

[JK5]

The 255's a great machine...but can you power the thing up?
You will need a 50 amp breaker.
I like using tri-gas...and cranking the amps and wire speed.
Can you say "Spray Mig"!