Hate to say it late in the game but avoid the home depot and lowes Lincoln welders. They are OK welders but Lincoln won't warranty them period. If you have a problem you have to deal with either lowes or home depot for warranty or parts. They are a 'dumbed' down version of the real Lincoln welder and are spec'd so low for the retailer that the manufacturer won't touch them for problems.... Don't believe me go to a Lincoln dealer and tell them your having problems with your home depot special...
I agree about the Lowes Lincoln welder. I talked to the guys at the welding supply house and they said Lincoln would not even sell the cheap ones they sell at Lowes to them.
this is completely inaccurate.
I just called lincoln.
"sir, I'm looking at purchasing one of your welders from the local lowe's store and wanted to make sure it still carried the full lincoln warranty/etc same as if I purchased somewhere else"
"that is absolutely correct sir, 3 year, wall to wall warranty"
"well, there's some misinformation on the internet saying that a lincoln purchased from home depot or lowes was NOT the same machine that might come direct from you or an authorized dealer"
"that not correct, its just a matter of labeling. getting a foot in the door for retail sales. HD only means Home Depot, but is the exact same machine as one that comes from somewhere else"
"and the weld pak is from lowe's, and they're all the exact same machine on the inside, regardless of where it comes from"
"yes sir, and often times, its a way for a customer to get one of our machines a little bit cheaper"
"due to volume of these stores"
"that's right"
"ok, thank you for your help!"
like so many other things, just because the "guys at the shop said it", doesnt make it so.
whether that be the latest chrome thingy from the speed shop guaranteed to give ya 15 horsepower, whatever and etc.
no offense intended to the people saying "I heard blah blah", but the answer above is straight from the horse's mouth.
