Looking for an affordable, high-quality mig welder with a spool gun? Look no further than Eastwood’s MIG 180 Welder. This welder is perfect for professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike, with its industrial features and user-friendly design. The Eastwood R&D team has been continuously improving this welder since 2009, resulting in a versatile machine that is ideal for aluminum, steel, metal fab, and auto restoration projects.
Lotos Technology
The Lotos Technology MIG welder is another great option that comes with a spool gun and a 9-foot MIG welding spool. This allows you to create complex welds quickly and easily. Please note that this set is specifically designed for Lotos MIG welders and cannot be used with any other brand.
The Lotos 140 operates on a 110-volt AC power supply, which can be plugged into any standard wall outlet. For safe operation, make sure you have at least a 20-amp circuit breaker on the circuit. This welding set includes a welding mask, heavy-duty grounding cable, aluminum wire feeder, and shielded gas hose.
Featuring two digital displays, the Lotos MIG 140 allows you to monitor the arc voltage and wire speed. The gun also has a convenient on/off switch, eliminating the need to constantly touch the trigger. This is especially useful for those with tired trigger fingers.
The Lotos 140 is perfect for home use, offering excellent power and a spool gun that is highly effective for welding aluminum. With a 9-foot cord, one pound of aluminum wire, and two 0.035-inch contact tips, you’ll have everything you need to get started on your projects. This portable MIG welder is reliable and enables you to complete a variety of tasks without the need to hire a professional. It even comes with a 3-month warranty, and you can save money by purchasing a replacement gun.
If you’re looking for an affordable welding set that can handle both aluminum and steel, consider the Lotos Mig 175 Welder and Spool Gun Kit. This kit allows you to start welding in just 10 minutes and offers excellent value for your money. While it may not match up to the likes of Lincoln Miller or Hobart machines, it’s still a reliable option that gets the job done.
Lincoln Electric Power MIG 210 MP
The Lincoln Electric Power MIG 210 MP with Spool Gun is a versatile stick and gasless MIG welder that’s easy to use and features a color touch screen. With the ability to operate on both 120 and 230 volts, it’s suitable for a wide range of general fabrication and repair jobs. Its compact size makes it highly portable and perfect for remote or cramped areas.
Equipped with a 10-foot spool gun, 120/230V Input Cables, a Work Cable and Clamp, an Electrode Holder and Lead Assembly, and an Adjustable Gas Regulator and Hose, the Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP is a comprehensive package. It can weld up to 3/8″ of mild steel and 3/16″ of aluminum.
The integrated push-turn digital control mechanism significantly reduces setup time, making it incredibly user-friendly, especially for beginners. Additionally, Lincoln has ensured that this welder performs at its best with a high-quality spool gun.
The Lincoln Electric Power MIG 210 MP with Spool Gun is a multi-process welder that’s a popular choice among DIY enthusiasts and professionals. Its versatile features and easy-to-use display make it a top contender for both home and professional use. While it may have a few minor drawbacks, overall it’s one of the most versatile multi-purpose welders on the market.
Lincoln Electronics’ K2532-1 Magnum 100SG
For both novice and experienced welders, the Magnum 100SG mig welder from Lincoln Electronics is an excellent low-cost option. It comes with a spool gun that can accommodate a standard PowerMig 180C torch.
This lightweight spool gun makes welding aluminum a breeze, and it even comes with a cushioned carrying case. The Magnum 100SG is compatible with the same nozzles and contact tips as the standard Magnum 100L MIG gun. It can also be used with the Century Wire Feed 255 and the Lincoln Electric Power MIG 140C and 140T.
Featuring a single drive roll/liner assembly for easy wire feeding, the K2532-1 Magnum 100SG spool gun is compatible with most aluminum alloys and has a recommended wire diameter of 0.030 in. Its compact design makes it easy to set up, even for beginners.
Lincoln Electronics’ PrimeWeld MIG180
The PrimeWeld MIG 180 mig welder with spool-gun from Lincoln Electronics offers a wide range of welding options to suit your needs. Its Synergistic MIG technology allows seamless communication between the power source, gun, and feeder. This welder can handle solid and flux wire of up to 0.9 mm. With a three-year warranty and heavy-duty construction, it’s built to withstand demanding tasks.
Weighing in at 65 pounds, the MIG180 is relatively lightweight and compact, making it easy to transport. It features a cold anode that remains cold until the trigger is pulled. Its four and eight-inch spool guns are capable of welding 3/8-inch steel and up to 24 gauge sheets. Before starting your welding project, make sure the polarity is correct and the spool is charged with aluminum wire.
The MIG180 offers three different welding processes: stick welding, gas welding, and flux-core wire welding. It can even run aluminum MIG wire without a shielding gas, which is particularly useful for welding thin aluminum. The aluminum spool gun that comes standard with this welder sets it apart from the competition. However, it’s important to note that aluminum wire is softer and more prone to kinking or jamming, so it’s advisable to avoid using it for long welds whenever possible.
Another standout feature of the MIG180 is its ability to adjust both voltage and wire feed speed without relying on preset values. This allows the user to fine-tune the arc for different materials and bead sizes, providing greater control over the welding process.
While the MIG180 is a more traditional and slightly heavier unit than its counterpart, the MIG 175 mig welder, it offers similar functionality. It has a shorter wire feed speed, the same warranty period, and duty cycle as the Lincoln Easy MIG. It requires a 210-230/240V input, making it ideal for hobbyists without access to a 220V outlet.
For beginners in the welding field, the MIG180 is an excellent choice. It produces clean and precise weld beads with minimal spatter. However, it’s worth mentioning that the spool gun and leads may not be of the highest quality. Nevertheless, this welder is relatively easy to use and comes with a helpful manual. Considering its limitations, it still provides great value for the money.
