So I’m out in the field welding some diamond plate ramps for my buddy…we are making a motorcycle lift for his old Ninja… And then the power goes out.
I check the box and we are good…so I’m hoping it’s not the local utility company.
And then BAM… I find a few of his neighbors on the dirt road. Ugh, I think to myself. The power is done and this is going to be a long day. My 210 MVP needs 220v to operate and my buddy has no generator in sight. How am I going to get this welded up in a short time?
My shop is a good 4 hours away and home depot is only 18 minutes away… I know you see where this is going. So I walked out of home depot with a red welder and a generator. And it was awesome.
Also Read:
Hobart 210 VS 190: Which One Is The Right For You?
In this review you’ll get:
- An overview of the Lincoln 140 Mig welder and specifications
- The generator I ran the welder from (and some other power source information)
- Answers to common questions about welding and the Lincoln 140
- A recommended upgrade to the Lincoln 140 and a more affordable option.
And the Lincoln 140 was a good solution to our problem. We used both the flux core and the gas with this machine – off a generator. We welded 5/16 mild steel supports with flux and we used gas on the 1/16 bed for the motorcycle. I was surprised that the 140 had smooth wire flow and produced a solid arc.
I’ll be honest with you – I thought this would be a crappy machine that would end up sitting in my shop on the wall of shame – with the Goplus MIG 130 I inherited.
I was so surprised by the performance I had to write this review. In fact, this machine is going to sit in the back of my Chevy for small job sites. It’s a great price, delivers solid performance and comes with world-class support. I think we have a winner.
Specifications of the Lincoln 140
So as soon as I got to home depot I was definitely distracted. I wandered into the power tools sections and I almost didn’t get out without buying 1k of tools I wanted. In fact, I started doing research and found a good comparison of their house brand drill.
But, let’s get back to the action.
Raw stats
Here is the breakdown of our MIG welder:
- 120 v power, so you can hook up to regular home electric
- 30-140 amp output range
- 71 lbs
- 2 taps – wire speed and voltage
- 20% duty cycle
- Cast aluminum drive box
- Welds up 3/16 with gas, 5/16 Flux core wire
So for an average out of the box welder, it doesn’t look like much. But sometimes a good welder, let a good woman has more important features on the inside – and that’s what we’re really looking for.
Lincoln 140 MIG Welder Testimonials
I was really put off by this machine when I first looked at it. The low volts, the 4 amp settings, and the flux core wire… I just couldn’t take it seriously. Then I welder with it. This thing works and it’s awesome.
I’ve used all the functions on this machine, flux core and gas welding. It’s a solidly built machine and I recently constructed a trailer. I love it, the only thing is you need a 20 amp line for this. I tried a 15 amp circuit and it blew in under a minute.
What The Machine Can Really Do
Now I mentioned I was welding a ramp for my buddies motorcycle – so we got to use this machine live and in the field. It’s a basic machine that has limited controls. And I really like that-, especially for a beginner. Why? So can focus on welding and laying some good beads and not tinkering with your machine.
We started with the flux core on some lightly rusted 5/16 solid stock. We made some cross bracing for our ramp- and the first thing I noticed was the smooth delivery. I used a Lincoln powermig 256 before and have experience with their Diamond core technology.
The arc is not as smooth as the 256 … but still awesome for an entry level machine. The wire delivery is super smooth and I’m really starting to like the lincoln’s system the more I use it.
Their cast Aluminum drive is pretty durable and a welcomed surprise since most entry-level machines -even Hobart’s-use plastic.
Can the 140 really run off of a generator?
Yes. You just need one with a 20 amp circuit. I’ve seen a lot of reviews, where they used a 15 amp receptacle and it popped with 20 seconds of welding. So be sure to use a heavy duty outlet.
Now, the generator I used was a troy-bilt generator – which I found to be a pretty good value and I’ve used these in the past – they are pretty durable. But in case you can’t get to a home depot or just want a generator delivered to you – this one is a great option.
What about home use and power issues?
Just like a lot of entry-level welders you will probably have power issues if you have older electric. You are going to need a dedicated 20 amp receptacle for the Lincoln 140.
Now – every home is set up a little bit differently. I get that so your results might be different. But I will say this – with limited power (not a dedicated line) you will only generate limited amps – so your welding thickness will be affected.
Can the Lincoln be used for production work?
That’s a great question. The short answer is no. WIth production work, you’ll need a wide range of amps and volts to handle thicker gauge material. You’ll also need a much higher duty cycle for sustained welding (arc time) throughout the day.
Now, if you had a situation where you’re doing plug welds or tack welds on some thin gauge material you could use the 140, but again it’s going to be limited in use.
I like the Lincoln but feel a heavier duty machine would be better.
A heavier duty machine would be best in a fabrication setting, so for fabrication in a shop or in the field, there are two machines that come to mind right away. For the shop, I would recommend the Hobart Ironman 230. It’s a solid machine that I use to weld all day long.
In the field, I would suggest something lighter. Now depending what you’re welding a good stick welder would do the trick and I always have one in the truck. A good all-around MIG machine for the shop would be this Hobart here.
Also Read:
Hobart 210 VS 190: Which One Is The Right For You?
Hobart Ironman 230 VS Miller 252
Hobart 130 VS 140
Conclusion
The 140 is a solid machine – especially for the beginner or the DIY’er who wants a quality machine. What makes this stand out from all the machines in the market is really simple:
- World class support (great for a newbie with a lot of questions).
- Solid construction will make this machine last.
- Limited controls for ease of use.
- Smooth wire delivery and good, constant arc.
Those are the basics you need in a good welder, and this machine delivers.
What would be a more affordable welder for someone starting out?
I get asked this questions a lot. So, I know you might have a limited budget and you need to buy a good set of gloves, a hood, and jacket.
With that in mind, I like this machine for a beginner- it’s solid and will not break the bank.