Miller just couldn't deliver

[Customizer]

I had my heart set on another "blue" machine (since my MIG is blue), a 180 TIG, but Miller stopped their rebate program and today was the last day to get a Lincoln Square Wave 200 for $1200 (after rebate) --- much less than the 180. Actually just as capable, perhaps even more so as it provides adjustments on AC Frequency, AC Pulse, and AC Balance --- all critical for TIG. Not sure why the 180 uses "presets" --- hope they'll change that in the future.

[MAC702]

When circumstances caused it, my first non-Blue machine still kind of broke my heart. After that, Hobarts and Lincolns weren't so bad anymore, and I still have at least one of all three!

[OscarJr]

Not sure why the 180 uses "presets" --- hope they'll change that in the future.

Because once you start adding more bells and whistles, then you would have a "Dynasty-ish" machine, and that would compete with sales of Dynasty units. That's like buying a Chevy Cavalier and wondering why it doesn't have the bells and whistles that a Cadillac has, all while being just as cheap as a normal Cavalier. If you want a Caddy, buy a Caddy.

[Customizer]

Because once you start adding more bells and whistles, then you would have a "Dynasty-ish" machine, and that would compete with sales of Dynasty units. That's like buying a Chevy Cavalier and wondering why it doesn't have the bells and whistles that a Cadillac has, all while being just as cheap as a normal Cavalier. If you want a Caddy, buy a Caddy.

To be perfectly honest, I would have gone with the 180 (even if more expensive) had they provided (at least) the ability to control balance for pen vice cleaning --- important for alum. I think I understand why Miller set its Freq Preset (120) and Bal Preset (72) up the way they did on the 180, but with the competition adding these for close to $1000 a machine cheaper, Miller should step up to the plate.

[OscarJr]

To be perfectly honest, I would have gone with the 180 (even if more expensive) had they provided (at least) the ability to control balance for pen vice cleaning --- important for alum. I think I understand why Miller set its Freq Preset (120) and Bal Preset (72) up the way they did on the 180, but with the competition adding these for close to $1000 a machine cheaper, Miller should step up to the plate.

That's because Lincoln doesn't have something to compete with the Dynasty Series in the sense of a small, inverter-based ~200A fully featured TIG machine. So they have to put those features into their lower lines. Miller, not so much in that position.

[aametalmaster]

So Mr Customizer. Are you Francis J or Auto Tech? And I do know the answer...Bob

[Aeronca41]

It's odd how all those users seem to share some personality traits .. :-)

thanks, Bob.

[Metjunkie]

Well, fellas, I have 3 Miller machines and when I bought them , I NEVER even considered another brand before buying. At all the manufacturing plants I worked at, every one of them had nothing but Miller welders and most had Hypertherm plaz machines, which is why I have both those brands in my garage. And I don't understand why anyone would be on a Miller forum and lament their perceived shortcomings over other brands. Like others have said, buy what you think you'll be happy with and be done with it. Hey Bob, will your detective skills qualify you for Super Moderator?

[aametalmaster]

Well, fellas, I have 3 Miller machines and when I bought them , I NEVER even considered another brand before buying.Hey Bob, will your detective skills qualify you for Super Moderator?

Maybe I will get bar #3 under my name . I have worked in shops for the last 40 years. 99.9% of them used Miller for the Migs and Lincoln for the Stick/Tig welders. Seems its still that way...Bob

[ryanjones2150]

I'm gonna go over to the Lincoln forum and tell all those guys how much I prefer Miller machines because Miller machines are awesome and how the miller people are so much nicer and helpful-er and how my dad can beat up their dad and all that stuff....

[aametalmaster]

I'm gonna go over to the Lincoln forum and tell all those guys how much I prefer Miller machines because Miller machines are awesome and how the miller people are so much nicer and helpful-er and how my dad can beat up their dad and all that stuff....

The Lincoln Forum will be online April 1st. Yeah it won't...Bob

[Helios]

I'm gonna go over to the Lincoln forum and tell all those guys how much I prefer Miller machines because Miller machines are awesome and how the miller people are so much nicer and helpful-er and how my dad can beat up their dad and all that stuff....

Funny how some people just love to come onto Miller threads to say how Lincoln is so much better and all the cool kids use Lincoln, and you'll never get a pipeline job with a Blue mocheen, blah blah blah, – yet you almost never see Miller guys go onto Lincoln threads to take a dump on Lincoln. They just go to work.

Kinda makes you think of a ragged-out 50-year-old Volkswagen Beetle plastered with bumper stickers of kids taking a pee on Corvettes...while the Corvettes pass them on their way to work, oblivious...who cares?

[Olivero]

Lol...

It's really a pointless argument, if the machine works for you, use it.

I have Millers at work so I got hooked on Miller there (like really hooked), had it been Lincoln at work, it might have been different.

I see Millers way more than I do Lincolns. In clearwater I have seen them on trucks, construction sites, my shop, another 2 company shops and I have come across one lincoln on a truck in the field and another 2 lincolns at another one of our shops.

I really just like Miller because it has yet to fail on me, I don't use a Lincoln to put it to the test but I found a brand that seems to never go down so I am happy with that, I stick to that.

Don't know if they are really all that different, no need to get into a fight over it, weld with what you have and buy what you want.

[aametalmaster]

I see Millers way more than I do Lincolns. In clearwater I have seen them on trucks, construction sites, my shop, another 2 company shops and I have come across one lincoln on a truck in the field and another 2 lincolns at another one of our shops.

Its different here in NE Ohio over the last 3 years or so with all of the pipeline work. I bet I saw 200 Lincolns and 3 Millers in trucks. Now service trucks where they are setting up on the side of a bed its almost all Millers. Like a RR truck or a sign company. Now rentals in the field at the refinery I worked in was all Millers but that was what the local rental place had on hand. So its whatever you like and want to buy...Bob

[H80N]

So Mr Customizer. Are you Francis J or Auto Tech? And I do know the answer...Bob

Trolls are losers whose punishment is the self infllicted loneliiness & misery that is their only companion......

pretty sad altogether..........