Lincoln Electric Power MIG 255 -- VS -- SIP Ideal Super 240

[thkoutsidthebox]

Hi all,

So Im looking at two Mig welders. One seems only to be known on this side of the Atlantic and it's a SIP Ideal Super 240 at a price of €1395 ($1838). The other is known everywhere that I have asked so far (Which is already a good point) and is the Lincoln Power Mig 255 at a price of €1450 ($1911).

http://www.toolsnstuff.co.uk/product...roducts_id=161
http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...et.asp?p=19154
http://content.lincolnelectric.com/p...ature/e754.pdf

So:

Who has experience with the Power Mig 255 or other Lincoln's and what are your thoughts please?

If anyone has experience of SIP please also share your thoughts?

The European equivalent to the Lincoln is the Metron Compact 250. It still says 'Lincoln Electric' on the side, I think its built over here under license. Its not on the site below, the guy on the phone told me that the site needs to be updated since they got the new machines in. http://www.metronwelding.com/frames.htm

One positive so far that I've noticed is that the Lincoln has constant voltage and wire speed adjustment while the SIP only has 16 output power settings.
Also I'm learning to weld on a Lincoln Electric TransMig and I like them.
But the SIP has 60% Duty cycle at 200Amps and the Lincoln only has 40% at 195Amps.
However, its easier to get accessories appropriate to the Lincoln such as a spool gun as lincoln make them all to suit their machines.

Unfortunately I havent heard anything bad about either and the prices are so close so Im stumped. So cmon, throw up the dirt on why I shouldn't buy either?

I'll be using it mainly for mild steel, and a small bit of aluminium (With the relevant adaptors). They are both single phase.

At present its head to head but the Lincoln is pulling away by a nose because I've used it and I like the constant adjustment, plus the guy is giving me a good deal...I think!. Also, its better the devil you know...as they say.

Thanks.

[thkoutsidthebox]

Just push this back to the top.

[CypherNinja]

I live 10 minutes from Lincoln, learned to weld in their school, and know the Lincoln kids. Get the Lincoln.

[DareBee]

Lincoln here has a 3 year warranty and most others only have 1 year.
I have 3 PowerMig 255s and they are superb machines especially my last 2 with the digital controls.
If the other machine doesn't have infinitely variable adjustments I wouldn't consider it.
If you are serious about welding aluminum and want to do it well, you WILL want the spoolgun kit and I suggest that you factor the price of this into your purchase up front.
You may get a discount by buying as a package.