new Welder

[JTMcCracken]

Originally posted by Franz
[
Go over and look at Lincoln's propoganda site, and see how Lincoln does business these days. Lincoln ain't the company they were 30 years ago, today they have a ****load of MBA types running the company who wouldn't know a MIG machine from an O/A torch, after all, they both have cylinders attached. Another thing about Lincoln, they have a load of teck service centers across the country, but unless you process a hundred thousand pounds of steel a year, see how long it takes them to call you back.

Now I realize to a newby, Price of the machine is the number 1 consideration, and that's largely because a newby doesn't know what he's even looking at, but from where I sit, Price of the machine is only the beginning. Welders don't wear out in 3 years, good machines last 40+ years, and there are some unique parts in them. The Miller/Hobart guys will be there to help you with a 40 year old machine, they've done it for me, and they'll do it for any owner. Lincoln, well, they will politely read the script from their screne that informs you no company can economicly continue to provide parts for older machines.

Frankly, I like the way Miller/Hobart does business. I liked Lincoln 20 years back, but that has changed. Lincoln is only interested in pushing new overpriced machines out the door. [/B]

I've had little or no experience with Hobart or Miller but I'm sure they are good folks. All I can say is your experience with Lincoln runs counter to mine or any of my cohorts. Every time I or one of my partners in crime, who all make their living running around the country with a welding rig, have needed to call Lincoln we have had a prompt and good response. I would be curious as to what old machines Lincoln is no longer supporting? I have friends running, in a very fast paced enviroment, 1950's model Lincolns and you can buy any part on those old dogs.

JTMcC.

[Franz]

JT, I'm wondering if the difference in response from Lincoln might have something to do with the geography we are running around in. Lincoln has a supplier in this area who covers both Rochester & Buffalo, and the standard answer from Lincoln is either "take it to Jackson Welding" or "Your area supplier for parts is Jackson Welding".
Fortunately, my Lincolns are all older rotarys, with the exception of a 1964 toumbstone, and I'm fully able to service them myself, because I wouldn't set foot in Jackson Welding for love or money.

[Big D]

I also have had good experience with Miller. I purchased a Miller Pulser Mig machine and had a great deal of diffilculty with aluminum welding. It welded way hot for the recomended settings. I called Miller and told them of the problem and they asked about my incoming voltage which was 240 volts. They said the pulsing feature was sensitive to voltage. My machine came set up to handle 230 volts. Miller had since came out with a newer version to handle 240 volts. The Miller rep instructed me to take the machine to my local dealer for a free replacement. Mind you this machine was 4 months old. What other company does that in this day and age?

[Aaron]

Impressive first post, and point well taken. Miller's reputation for service is one of the reasons I have a MM251. The other is that in my area, pretty much everything and everyone is blue. I'm gonna bet that the two are related.