Millermatic Challenger 172 vs Lincoln Sp-175?

[George Glines]

Any recommendations as to which is the better machine? For home
machinist/hobbyist use - making carts, workbenches, welding mild steel, and
sheet metal work.

I'm looking for a 230v machine for a beginner that I won't outgrow after the
first project.

Thanks,

George

[Roger Duncan]

Lincoln low amp is reason they can weld 24 gage
SP170
30 to 170 amp range

I would go with the Lincoln SP175+
Infinant voltage adjustment.
25 to 175 amp range.

Miller 172 has a better wire feeder.
Only 4 transformer taps.
40 to 170 amp range

If stuck on Miller I would try to step up to 185
Infinant voltage adjustment.
30 to185 amp range

[Roger Duncan]

>If stuck on Miller I would try to step up to 185
>Infinant voltage adjustment.
>30 to185 amp range

It has a spool gun option.
Lincoln has nothing in this nitch with that.

[Jay]

I use the miller 175 for a small manufacturing shop. I have beaten this
welder up and it still keeps on sparking. As for infinite voltage control on
the lincoln, I find I use only 3 setting for voltage and wire feed for
different situations and do not need the Lincoln's features. Also, Lincoln
parts are easy to get. I use this welder with flux-core, not as clean as gas
but cleans up easily.

George Glines <ggl...@home.com> wrote in message
news:nUSc5.31078$ll.2...@news1.rdc1.az.home.com...

> Any recommendations as to which is the better machine? For home
> machinist/hobbyist use - making carts, workbenches, welding mild steel,
and
> sheet metal work.
>
> I'm looking for a 230v machine for a beginner that I won't outgrow after
the
> first project.
>

> Thanks,
>
> George
>
>

[Jay]

Sorry, I meant to say Miller parts are easy to acquire, not Lincoln.

Jay <jhof...@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:9fhd5.5244$BR.3...@news1.atl...

[Roger Duncan]

I just down loaded information on millermatic challenger172. It now
has spool gun option not shown in the 2000 catalog.