Why I STOPPED buying Lincoln Electric welders for my business!

In this video I talk about my negative experiences with Lincoln’s warranty claims and parts quality on the Lincoln 210 mp which made me not want to spend any more money with them!
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[@chriscosby2459]

I have owned Lincoln and Miller machines -- Miller seems to keep older replacement parts in stock longer.

[@washburnfabco]

@@chriscosby2459 good to know. Pretty sure the 210 mp parts are completely discontinued and it’s only been out of production for a year or so

[@tombuktu8459]

Bought a Lincoln 211i. Brought it back to the shop and started to set it up. 1st problem was with the gun, pull the trigger and it wouldn't release without smacking it. Figured whatever my welding shop will swap it out. 2nd problem was the LED lights around the synergic knob were clocked improperly. I boxed it up and took it back asked em to swap it for a different one, they said no we will have to warranty it. I told em no way I was going to warranty a machine that I haven't even struck an arc with. Got my money back and bought a Yeswelder 205 for 1/5 of the price and so far it works fine and does what I need it to do. Done with Lincoln

[@washburnfabco]

Damn that sucks that the new machine isn’t improved. The main machine I’m talking about in this video had the trigger do the same thing shortly after I got it. New trigger and it was good till last week. I just ordered an aftermarket whip for it on eBay. We’ll see how it does

[@tombuktu8459]

@@washburnfabco Honestly I was surprised at the lack of quality control from Lincoln. Paying a premium price for mediocre quality. Feel Like I saved my self a headache by taking it back. Thanks for the vid

[@washburnfabco]

@@tombuktu8459 yes sir no problem. Like I said in the video I rather buy 5 yes welders. I just broke mine leaving a job recently. Finally killed it lol. Had my MiG cart sitting on the trailer didn’t wrap up the leads good bounced off and got the whip caught under my tire. Tore the drive rolls area up. But hey I ain’t even mad bc it’s my fault not their haha

[@SteveWarner-e8z]

I have a MP210, a Idealarc 250 AC/DC and a 1966 Redface SA200. Been very happy with Lincoln products

[@gustavomunoz3077]

You should try Fronius machines

[@washburnfabco]

I used one at a job I had back in 2018 I believe. It may of just been the way they were set up at the shop but I wasn’t the biggest fan. If I had one here and dialed in I would prob like it.

[@timberslasher4899]

Miller is just as bad or worse anymore. I own lots of red and blue but now I'm loving my Forney green, 210 mig, 140 flux, P45 pro plasma, and my brand new 270 mig!! The local welding gas dealer can't keep green on the shelf and they can't move a Miller. All that being said I do love my 2014 model ideal arc 250 stick Lincoln!!

[@someguy4476]

Yeah but what about engine driven?

[@timberslasher4899]

@someguy4476 I have a Miller Bobcat 250.... it's a great machine. Probably the best ten years ago, but the new Lincolns are way improved from what I hear.

[@papalilburn]

Never owned a Lincoln, never will! I'll take a Miller "blue" machine until someone can show me a better way!

[@richarcruz7843]

That’s why went with Everlast mind u I’m a beginner welders I started out everything Lincoln An hit a wall with th Lincoln 180i Mp just gotta back after a month replacing th board on it…I gave a quick test An it doesn’t even run properly knock on wood my 140 regular transformer unit hasn’t let me down yet I call th head tech at Lincoln gentleman by th name of Jayson explain my situation An told him if there’s anything they can do I was willing to upgrade to a 215 An pay th difference I didn’t want a discount I just wanted a machine that perform like th name said he sent me an email n said there’s nothing they can do since I purchase my machine at a Home Depot other words u stuck I didn’t even respond cause I’m my head I’m saying at th end of th day it says Lincoln in front of th machine no matter where I bought it’s ur name stand by it Shame on u Lincoln cooperation

[@washburnfabco]

Exactly man. I don’t even care if some one sees this and buys a machine that I get commission from. Shit go buy everlast buy ANYTHING else and see if it works good. Lincoln does have quality external parts like knobs and cases but is that worth the price difference when the reliability is either the same or way below a cheap machine that’s a fraction of the cost. More all my little rant comment. More expensive isn’t always better. Id choose a smaller company with a good support over the big name

[@richarcruz7843]

💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

[@user-ss4cj3bk5d]

I have one Everlast for yearss it is definitely a wonderful machine

[@Banshee350speed]

I gave up on Lincoln and miller, have had both. One had a burned out board and the other the drive motor gave out. Had to drive 57 miles to a authorized service shop to get them fixed, after 13 calls and a lot of headache. Said to hell with both companies, went to Everlast. Now have 3 machines from them, great customer service, and all 3 perform like a champ 👍

[@mcfwelding]

Only lincoln i own is a ranger 305d on the truck. I run the primewelds in my "shop" mainly for side work as i dont run a business but do a good amount of work on the side. Less expensive machines are just fine 👍

[@washburnfabco]

Yes sir 🤙🏻

[@user-dr4yl6zb2e]

Could you do a comparison between arccaptain and yeswelder? Kinda go into the specs and rank em against each other? Cuz I want to buy one or the other but I’m not totally sure whitch yet

[@washburnfabco]

I will next week

[@spy33r]

that's a very interesting story...have you ever tried "esab" welding machine ?

[@washburnfabco]

I have but the one I used was rather old. I didn’t use it very long. A buddy brought it over and I used to on a few jobs. I think it was a 2010s model.

[@OMGITSJB]

I'm a big miller fan, my pipe school had Lincoln and they where terrible, but I have a klutch multi process from northern tool and man, this little thing eats ive had it 6 year and it keeps up with any miller I've ever used at work

[@washburnfabco]

I’m not really a fan of the big names at all haha. But if I need a high amperage tig machine I would prob by a Miller dynasty. If I had enough work for it to be worth getting. Besides that no Lincoln or Miller besides what I already got haha

[@redspain349]

I bought a 180 Lincoln took it out of the box would not work. 700 bucks turned it back in got me a yes welder 205 DS

[@washburnfabco]

Damn!

[@repaircollc]

This is interesting to me. I have been thinking about a new mig welder and was looking at lincoln and Miller. After seeing so many of these other brands that are so cheap its been tempting. I dont need it to be my main welder, but I do like high quality machines either way. I guess I need to try one out for myself. I just hate that I can't put hands on one before buying. Any thoughts on the Harbor freight brands? At least with them its usually a worry free purchase. Hope all is well. Thanks for sharing with us! ✌️

[@washburnfabco]

Haven’t tried them out personally. But you shouldnt have problems with the machines mentioned. And if you do a lot of the time I have heard yes welder dosent even ask for the machine back that’s broke they just get you another

[@repaircollc]

@@washburnfabco Thanks for the response! I have been hearing a lot about yes welder, I will take a closer look for sure. Keep up the good work ✌️

[@gillihansmobilewelding]

Exactly, I have an engine drive welder for mobile but I end up using two "cheap" welders for 90% of my jobs. We have a LOT of 1/4" plate around here.. I'm not even joking, it seems like everyone has there own stash of 1/4" steel because it's a three hour round trip drive to the nearest steel supplier. I've been shooting a lot of .045 e71t-11 flux core out of a PrimeWeld Mig 180 with awesome results for 1/4" and 1/2". If it's under 1/4" and it's not critical, I'm using a Titanium flux 125 with e71t-11 .030. Between the two, I can do most of my jobs and I've got a 250 with 200 ft of lead for bigger stuff. I'll get more if I need it, but it's definitely hard to deny the ability to make some bank with a less expensive machine. Great video!

[@washburnfabco]

Yes sir. More expensive doesn’t always mean better! And running something besides Lincoln or Miller doesn’t make you any less qualified as the guy who does.

[@jake-mv5oi]

I bought a millermatic 210 back in high school. Only changed consumables since then. It's been a tank.

[@washburnfabco]

How much have you used it and how many years ?

[@jake-mv5oi]

@@washburnfabco I bought it new in 2004. It's been hobby machine, so not everyday use, but I've done some pretty big projects with it. Usually used for offroad fabrication. It's an old transformer machine, no electronics to go bad. Doesn't have quite enough voltage to spray, but It'll do 1/4" all day long. It's big and heavy though. Bought a little Titanium 125 for when I need something I can take with me.

[@user-ss4cj3bk5d]

I never had any problems with my lincoln welders i had a weldanpower 40 + years old and i never had any problems with it also i have a 3200 mig and a 170 mig lincoln best machines in my opinion i have made 10 times what i paid for the machines lincoln are definitely quality machines

[@washburnfabco]

Have you ran anything produced in the last 5 ish years? I think something happened since

[@looseballs1966]

@@washburnfabco Yea they went to hell on quality while a few of the China welders are really upping thier quality, Lincoln and miller think just thier name is going to save them, got news for them outfits like yeswelder, arcaptain, primeweld and a few others are starting to give them the A** kicking they deserve for the crap they are turning out for ridiculas prices they want.

[@user-ss4cj3bk5d]

@washburnfabco no I Don't use anything new everything I buy is old and I fix everything my generator my welders everything is old I don't trust anything new

[@washburnfabco]

Glad to see these cheaper companies stepping up there game. 10 years ago all the budget gear was junk.

[@williamthomas9463]

On a Lincoln 210 MP, the little plastic hub that the drive roll slips onto will strip where it mounts to the wire feed motor shaft. Always keep a couple spares in your consumables. Took me two days to figure it out the first time it happened to me. I currently have my second 210 MP. The first one lasted 6 years and being used in a professional setting as opposed to the farm shop/welding enthusiast customers it was designed for, I don’t think it owed me a nickel.

[@washburnfabco]

Supprisingly I haven’t had that problem on either of mine

[@williamthomas9463]

You mentioned that you were having feeding issues. That hub being stripped will dog-gone sure cause it.

[@washburnfabco]

@@williamthomas9463 you could hear the motor hum inconsistently. Did you notice that

[@KnowlesFamilyGarage]

Good video bro. I love my cheap welders they work just as good as my lincoln or my hobart that i used to use daily. How long they last used daily is still up in the air but time will tell.

[@jondavidmcnabb]

Same here, I grew up on big blue and big red. I got tired of the bullshit prices, the shitty warranty's, and the general behavior of the company reps. If you are a profession then either Fronius or HTP. It's sad that these companies have decided to piss off all of us old school users.

[@washburnfabco]

I want to try an HTP next 👀. But yeah man I’m done with them. I don’t even seem to have a reason to give Miller a shot either unless I needed a heavy duty tig machine like the dynasty but I doubt I will be able to ever justify that.

[@CDavis28]

Agreed warranty sucks and customer service blows, prices and quality have both been getting worse and worse. They’re the total package. I have news for them these other companies are gaining on them and I really take no pleasure in saying that I’d much rather do business with American companies but unless they start to earn they’re loyalty back I’m out on my next buy.

[@americathefree3708]

If I was Lincoln, I would GIVE you a new welder! Take care brother and be safe!

[@washburnfabco]

@@americathefree3708 ikr. Instead they leave you high and dry when you got work to do.. thanks bro you too!

[@carlkelley4566]

Bought several Lincoln Electric welders. But, the last one malfunctioned and burned a huge hole in my earlobes. (joke)

[@washburnfabco]

Arced out and just blew out an ear

[@tombrady9385]

Cheat people always complain and have an excuse for anything. I own many Miller & Lincoln machines. When they broke I just buy new one simple as that. Whether it’s $2k or $10k. I need to get my job done. Nothing last forever. I bought a $8k miller and broke after 7months. I just buy another one. If you make over $250k a year, buying a welder once a year is nothing. If you’re not making any money, you need to get out of welding and find something else.

[@washburnfabco]

I was on the same page at first. But seeing how long these budget machines last will make you second guess spending so much. Regardless of how much your making that’s still money that coulda been in your pocket.

[@user-jb1gm3qe2c]

I'm a big proponent of "buy once, cry once" and typically try to buy the nicest equipment I can buy. We have 10 OTC/Daihein weldbee p400s in my shop. They have lasted 6 years and are still in great shape. If you have welders only lasting 6 months, you're either treating your equipment poorly or buying shit equipment

[@BowedUpWitMike]

Business on a budget

[@jamesward5721]

Card goes out & you're left holding an expensive brick. I now buy cheap chinese machines, love them - if they break, which they seldom do - who cares? Buy another. You can buy 10 for what a mid-range Lincoln runs you. None of my chinese welders have ever broken btw -Yeswelder & Hitbox make brilliant machines. When I was younger I'd blow 5k on a welder and not blink. More fool me.

[@washburnfabco]

That’s exactly my point! Its ridiculous lol

[@jamesward5721]

@@washburnfabco Had the same issues as you btw - getting warranty repairs & they'd be in there so long you'd forget you owned 'em. Out of warranty, forget about it - the repair costs were insane, not worth going ahead with. With the same dopey long wait time.

[@washburnfabco]

@@jamesward5721 it’s a shame that’s how they operate. I had some one try to tell me it was because of who I took them too for the warranty claims. But I don’t think that’s who’s problem it is. Pretty sure it’s Lincoln’s problem putting it off.

[@jamesward5721]

@@washburnfabco I noticed when passing recently that the dealership I used buy off have closed - I'm very unsurprised as everything they stocked was eye-watering expensive compared to what's available on-line now & repair times were rubbish. For site-work(where I run stick) I have a tiny Yeswelder that takes 220V off any old rubbish extension lead, weighs less than a pack of 6 eggs, cost (lol) €65 & to date has welded everything I encounter - I laugh a little every time I take it out of the jeep, it looks like a kids toy. Before, much to my regret now, I'd have a big diesel Lincoln or Mosa tow-behind that used set me back anywhere form 10k to 15k depending on spec - doing THE EXACT SAME WORK this bloomin "Toy" does. I'd be lugging leads all over the place from the machine - now I plonk the "Toy" down beside me & weld - then chuck it back into the jeep - usually I can't find it as it's buried under clamps, masks, gloves, grinders, lol - which tells you how tiny it is. Do I like it? Nope, I love it. :-) Hardest job on site now is cleaning off the long extension lead we run the welder off, as we roll it back up when we're done. Usually, there's a foot of mud anywhere we work & that lead gets manky - so it gets cleaned as it gets rolled back up. I can live with that. :-) I ran a Mosa Magik weld for a while - €1500 & still heavy to lug around, but it fit inside the jeep & was a 1 man lift- just - it did nothing more than this €65 Yeswelder that a 3 year old could carry. Every time I go to a job, everyone there wants to know wtf it is I am welding with?? How is it so tiny?? I'm a bloody good welder, so nobody asks is it any good - they know if I'm using it, it is. But they are still amazed - like me. Same applies in the workshop - they see the Hitbox I use all day every day & ask "WTF is that??" because it's tiny, uses no gas & runs off 220v - I love this sort of progress.

[@jamesward5721]

Just to "bore" people - only changes I made to the Yeswelder was chucking on a really nice stinger & changing the supplied earth-clamp for a proper solid version - the factory one was alright, but tended to get pretty hot if you're running hard - a hot earth suggests you need more clamping force - with the heavy brass earthclamp, it runs nice & cool. Classy earthclamp was €20, stinger I took off an old machine. So for a total outlay of less than 85 euro/100 dollars, I have a welder that can do anything I encounter & fits in the glovebox if you wanted. I run 2.5mm rods, generally 6013's or 6011's - they weld 99% of what you encounter on site. First hour I ran that Yeswelder, it paid itself off. Never could say that about the stuff I used run.