Are Century Welders OK?

[taylord]

Hello:

I stumbled upon what seems like a great deal-$450 for a NEW 220v Century 170 MIG, including regulator. They're made in Minneapolis (or at least the company is there).

Any opinions on Century's overall quality, and is it a case of just having to pay more $$ for the more widely-used brand names of Miller and Lincoln?

Another quickie: I found one used for $250 with "very little use". Bad way to roll the dice? I'm on a very limited budget, but don't want junk, either. IE: Any way this thing might need a ton of $$ in a worst-case scenario? I'm sure I could fix it myself, just a matter of the parts cost.

Thanks,
taylord

[cope]

The bigger Centuries are quite good; they make many of the welders for Snap On, Matco and Mac. They use Tweco guns and have a few nice features such as a purge feature to allow you to purge the flowmeter w/o messing with the welder settings.

[taylord]

I'm assuming any of the 220v models would be classifies as "big".

[DJD775]

Its funny this topic just came up, but I just recieved a new Sears tool catalog today and they have a 250 amp century Mig in there for 1199.99. That seems like a great deal for a 250amp mig!

[morpheus]

there's a Miller250 in my local paper for $1000 with supplies and a bottle ...

[DJD775]

How old morpheous?

[morpheus]

I dunno ... here's what the ad says ...

Millermatic
MIG WELDER 250, with tank, works good, $1,000. Call 796-1560 or 796-6922.

I just called both of the numbers and didn't get an answer at either. I'll try again later.

- jack

[Roger]

I looked at 110 & 220 Century MIG welders at Sam's Club real close before buying different brand. They cut some corners to save price. The ones I looked at didn't have drive roller quick release and drive tension spring is really small & light. If I had bought a Century I would have added that feature using spring for Lincoln weld pack.

The included shielding gas regulator was not adjustable.

It came with a bottle bracket that might of worked with 20 cu ft bottle.

The Sears MIG welders I see in stores look like Century.

[taylord]

Yup, I figured there is always a price to pay for not paying the price.

[cope]

Roger, the Sam's Club type Century aren't the same as what Taylord is asking about. The bigger 220 volt units are pretty nice. I have seen them in use at body shops and garages. They would do fine for home use. If I was looking at the new small units I would stay clear of them. 10 years ago they were better than anything the big 3 hadd out, IMHO.

[Roger]

The 220V Century welder I saw at Sam's 3 years ago looked same as 170 amp welder in sears tool catalog. It had infinatly adjastabe pot voltage adjustment instead of switched voltagetaps. I see it now has adjustabe regulator. Price is $599.00 from Sears.

Cant say how it welds.

[taylord]

I'm sure it's the same one I ran across for $450, the guy said they usually go for about $550. It's even $80 cheaper than Farm & Fleet's sale price-first time F & F got undercut on anything in 25+ years of shopping there.

[Roger]

See how it welds on thick and thin metal. If you like then buy. Also try welding with different welders. Big advantage of some welding stores is try before buy.

[taylord]

Yea, I've been pondering that. This is at a welding store, but it's 3 hrs away, but guess I'll make the trip.

[R. Nelson]

Re: Are Century Welders OK?

Originally posted by taylord
Hello:

I stumbled upon what seems like a great deal-$450 for a NEW 220v Century 170 MIG, including regulator. They're made in Minneapolis (or at least the company is there).

Any opinions on Century's overall quality, and is it a case of just having to pay more $$ for the more widely-used brand names of Miller and Lincoln?

Another quickie: I found one used for $250 with "very little use". Bad way to roll the dice? I'm on a very limited budget, but don't want junk, either. IE: Any way this thing might need a ton of $$ in a worst-case scenario? I'm sure I could fix it myself, just a matter of the parts cost.

Thanks,
taylord

Hey Taylord, I would say it depends on what you plan to do with it. If you want a welder to do occasional repairs on the lawn-mower or what ever, or even some hobby construction projects, it will be fine. As stated by others century is a little cheaper because the omit some features.
After taking some welding courses, I bought a sears 240amp ac/dc stick welder(century) and love it, 6 months later I bought sears 110 volt wire feed welder(century) and love it, I can use it anywhere, now I have a HH175....and man I LOVE it. What I am saying is, think about how much you plan to use it. If you use it just to repair things, centuries are good units, and I do not have any experience with the bigger century mig units, but if you want to get into welding, you will eventually end up with a Mller, Hobart or Lincoln.

P.S.
I have had my sears units for about 4 years now, and they still work perfectly.