180 Amp MIG/Flux Wire Feed Welder - 24 volts @ 140 amps

Comments about Chicago Electric Welding Systems 180 Amp MIG/Flux Wire Feed Welder - 24 volts @ 140 amps:

easy out of the box set up, having flux wire aids in not having to run out and buy the gas set up, but would reccomend getting argon set up. would like to see longer leads, but i get by just fine.

Comments about Chicago Electric Welding Systems 180 Amp MIG/Flux Wire Feed Welder - 24 volts @ 140 amps:

ive been welding for over eight years and this machine works just as good as all the lincoln, millers, and thermal arc mig/flux welders ive use.

Comments about Chicago Electric Welding Systems 180 Amp MIG/Flux Wire Feed Welder - 24 volts @ 140 amps:

Really need to buy a 10' MIG gun for this unit. But where?

Comments about Chicago Electric Welding Systems 180 Amp MIG/Flux Wire Feed Welder - 24 volts @ 140 amps:

i just learned to weld i like it so far and got a 2 year warranty and all i got to say is sharpen up the wire it will feed better

Comments about Chicago Electric Welding Systems 180 Amp MIG/Flux Wire Feed Welder - 24 volts @ 140 amps:

I found this welder in the open box section for dirt cheap. It was a little bent up and had some missing parts, but I bought it anyhow. I have a 170 unit and the torches are the same, so I just traded the parts to use the 180. I thought that the 170 was a good machine, but the 180 out-classes it my a lot. It has a good arc and is very stable on everything I have used it on, from 16 gauge to 1/4"......it just works. The duty cycle is kinda low, but is workable.

Comments about Chicago Electric Welding Systems 180 Amp MIG/Flux Wire Feed Welder - 24 volts @ 140 amps:

I have had the 90 amp for a long time and seriously abused it. It still works, but feeding is getting jerky. I never paid attention to the duty cycle and it never overheated.

This 180 amp feeds more steadily, has much better heat control, can add the gas bottle and of course can weld much heavier materials. I have done auto sheet metal, a driveshaft, and some 1/4" metal.

I noticed the feed wheel on this model has knurling on it which I think will make the feeding more robust for those of us that abuse the product and kink the torch cable. It would be nice to have longer cables though.

If you have 220 in your welding area, pony up the extra cost for this machine over the others.

Comments about Chicago Electric Welding Systems 180 Amp MIG/Flux Wire Feed Welder - 24 volts @ 140 amps:

Bougtht this welder to be able to burn 1/4 plate for frame plates. This is a nice unit, and half the price as other similar powered welders. Great welder for home/shop use.

Comments about Chicago Electric Welding Systems 180 Amp MIG/Flux Wire Feed Welder - 24 volts @ 140 amps:

I bought this welder because I sold my Lincoln ac-dc 225amp and gave my son my Hobart handler 175amp, found out I could'nt do without a mig, and beleive me I like this welder as much or more than any I've used ( migs ) I started welding in 1970 and have used about everything made. This little jewel holds its own and is well worth the
money, I purchased the 2 year warranty and hope I never have to use it. I've welded 13 Ga., 1/8", 1/4" and 1/2" plate so far and it welds perfect. Love it. Marvin PS. Now I'm going to make a log splitter

Comments about Chicago Electric Welding Systems 180 Amp MIG/Flux Wire Feed Welder - 24 volts @ 140 amps:

I think this a very nice welding machine, it welds very good and has plenty of power. I started welding about 40 years ago and have used about every welder made, I've owned a Lincoln 225 Amp Ac-Dc machine and also have a Hobart Handler 175 Amp,This welder does as good a job as any I've used and a little better than my Hobart. Now as for dependability, I have'nt a clue,only that I can buy 3 of these for the price of the Hobart or a Lincoln, I've read a lot of welding Forums and some folks really run this welder in the ground and for that matter Harbor Freight in genreal, Oh well too each his- her own . I did buy the 2 year exstended warranty and hopefully will not need it, I've only had this a couple of days but really like it so far. Marvin

Comments about Chicago Electric Welding Systems 180 Amp MIG/Flux Wire Feed Welder - 24 volts @ 140 amps:

Bought this today and got it home, hooked up gas bottle and regulator, switched the electrode polarity (its set for flux core wire) and started welding. I was welding 1/4 inch angle iron onto an old tank to make a cooker and I only turned the heat to 4 out of six and it was plenty hot.
The build quality is not the best but it is adequate for my needs. This welds much better than my 120 volt sn*pon welder.

If it lasts at all it is certainly worth the money.