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Finding a welder that’s versatile enough to suit all my needs isn’t easy.
So, I’ve set out to find one that is multifunctional and sturdy. Yet portable so I can take it to different workspaces. Lincoln Electric produces one such welder model.
In this Lincoln Power MIG 180 dual review, I’ll examine what this welder has to offer. Including its most significant features and benefits.
The Lincoln Power MIG 180 Dual is made by Lincoln Electric, one of the leading welding and cutting equipment manufacturers.
Though built for flux-core welding, this welder also supports MIG welding. Its most prominent feature is the dual input power, so it’s easy to accommodate different power supply.
You can use it to work on a number of metals, including stainless steel, steel, and aluminum. It can cut through metal that is ½” thick easily.
This 64 lbs welder has an input power of 115/208/230/1/60 and comes with all the perks including:
You can find a full list of specs and what’s included here.
Though not as heavy-duty as the Lincoln Pro MIG 180, this baby can hold its own. These two models share some of the same features, such as dual power input and diamond core technology. While coming at a relatively affordable price compared to its pro version.
Perhaps the most significant differences between the two versions are the weight, size, and work capacity.
The Lincoln Power MIG 180 Dual is smaller and lighter, but with a lower performance capacity. Meaning it can be used better at cutting thinner metals for less run time.
This also makes it more portable than its counterpart.
You’ll find that the Lincoln Power MIG 180 Dual also compares well with the Everlast PowerTIG 185. This is an achievement as the Everlast is considered a category leader in the market.
The main difference is the welding technique. Lincoln uses the MIG welding process, while Everlast employs the TIG. TIG welders work better with thin metals, while MIG is easier to use for thick ones.
So, in terms of performance, if you’re looking to work with thicker metals, go with the Lincoln.
Another difference is weight, the Everlast at 40 lbs. is around 20 pounds lighter than the Lincoln. So, you may consider the Everlast if a lightweight welder is what you’re looking for.
The Lincoln Power MIG 180 Dual is an option worth considering if you’re looking to work with sheet metals for home or farm work. And, even some casual auto body or metal fabrication work.
The Lincoln Power MIG 180 dual is recommended for metal fabrication, maintenance and repair, autobody/farm, and light industrial work.
With that in mind, this powerful machine has a number of effective features and benefits. Let’s take a look at those and how they can be useful.
This machine comes with 2 input cables, which support 120 and 208/230 volt input. That way, you can change the power input according to your needs, usage, and location.
This means you can safely use your home’s power supply to operate it. Quite a useful feat! I find it quite useful when working on restoring cars in my home garage.
So what if you have outdoor work to do? Easy, whether you’ll be relying on a generator or not, the power input duality is your savior. You can easily just change the input cable to match your power supply source.
A big plus of the dual power input is you can perform a variety of functions without changing machines. By adjusting the welder, you can easily switch between tasks.
Diamond core technology is patented by Lincoln Electric and is one that is quite impressive for welders. This technology allows for a forgiving arc and makes very low spatter.
Last but not least, this feature makes for a wide voltage sweet spot—a great option when using it on metals such as aluminum and steel. But don’t forget to adjust the settings!
The dual gear-driven drive rolls are great for delivering positive traction and boosting efficiency. The industrial cast aluminum drive increases torque, while protecting your machine.
And the brass-to-brass gun connection enhances conductivity, which in turn increases the welder’s efficiency.
This feature plays a role in enhancing the welder’s performance. You can replace the MIG gun with the Magnum Pro 100SG spool gun that comes with the machine. What will this achieve, you ask?
Well, by doing so, you can improve the performance of feeding aluminum wire.
I always find it great when my work machines are easy to adjust. Especially if I’m working outside my workshop. I don’t like lugging all kinds of unnecessary equipment if I don’t have to. And if you’re honest, you probably agree.
Lincoln offers you many options in this versatile welder. Big whoop, they offer alternating these options absolutely hassle-free with their tool-less design.
You can easily change input power and polarity. Not only that, but you can also mount the spool and service wire drive effortlessly.
Protecting the inside of your welder is crucial to ensure smooth running.
In this model, the board protection is potted, which seals in the sensitive components in the machine.
Moreover, the sensitive components are packed in tough plastic material in a tray-like design to keep the inside materials rigid and make the equipment shock-resistant.
The Lincoln Power MIG 180 has a relatively good run time. With an amperage range of 30-180, you can perform more than one task.
Worth noting is that if you don’t need to, it’s better to not run this model at its full capacity. If you do, you’ll need to give it more time to rest and cool down before continuing with your project.
If you do use an average setting of below 130 amps though, you’ll get better run time.
The simple design of this welder makes it easy to handle for both beginners and professionals.
Even though it isn’t the lightest of machines, it’s still relatively light, making it portable. Also, the placement of the wide handle makes it easy to lift and use.
The best way to know if a product works as advertised? Customers reviews. Okay, maybe not the best, but it’s one of the most indicative.
Customers who bought the Lincoln Power MIG 180 Dual have some great things to say about it.
One customer on eBay finds the dual input and tool-less features quite useful. They also liked the higher duty cycle compared to other welders.
Another customer reviewed this model on Welding Supplies from IOC, praising its portability and the dual input power feature. They also highly recommend it for body or frame work.
The Lincoln Power MIG Dual is a capable welder that can fit your needs. It’s suitable for both beginners and advanced users. You can use it on several types of metals and for a wide variety of functions.
Remember, this welder is not built for heavy-duty work. Rather, stick to light metalwork and maintenance to get the best out of this one.
The dual power input is a major advantage allowing you more freedom in your tasks. It’s also an easy-to-handle piece of equipment that is portable and will be a great addition to your tools.
Are you a seasoned welder like myself? Or maybe it’s your first welding project?
No matter whichever of them you are, this list is for you. There are 3 main aspects to consider, as well as a couple of others you might find useful.
Fact: if you use the wrong voltage with the wrong plug, this will cause your machine to burn out.
So, always check the power supply at your workspace. Depending on the available voltage, you can choose between welders that are 110, 240, or 415 volts.
A welding machine’s voltage also affects its power capacity.
Are you welding steel? Or maybe iron? How thick is your metal sheet?
Knowing the metal type and thickness that you’ll mostly be working with will make your life a bit easier. How? You may ask.
Well, there’s a number of technologies used, including MIG, TIG, and Stick welding.
And this will allow you to narrow down your choice between these different welding processes.
Depending on your level of expertise, you need to consider the handling ease of the welder.
If you’re a professional, you’ll probably face no issue operating any type of welding machine.
However, if you’re a beginner, then a MIG welder will probably be a better fit for you. You won’t need to work with a complicated system. You can simply operate it with a touch of a button.
Other aspects you may want to consider are run time, working conditions, warranty, and price.