lincoln welder choice??

[Grumpy]

Which is better for all around welding? Lincoln 180 or lincoln arc welder?

I purchased a Lincoln engine driven generator/ arc welder, fully anticipating adding a TIG adapter kit at some point
https://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-...roducttype=gt&detail=K1783-9(LincolnElectric)
knowing a bit more about what your trying to do here would be helpful,
welding what material , what thickness and how often?
honestly, without some related info thats like asking if girl A or b is better looking with no pictures or reference.
the old school arc welders less than 2/5ths the price of the mig, but remember the migs much more versatile and it also requires a tank of shield gas to operate correctly

https://pickwelder.com/lincoln-powermig-180c-review.html

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200434276_200434276?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Welding > Arc + Stick Welding&utm_campaign=Lincoln Electric&utm_content=167743&cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=google_PLA&utm_campaign=&mkwid=sVlyaIJ6C&pcrid=200681799740&devicetype=c
thats one great reason , on an endless list of reasons to own,
and know how to use a a decent quality MIG or TIG welder,
I don,t see how anyone in this hobby can function,
without a decent welder , drill press and a decent tool chest

we have a whole welding section
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?forums/welding-tips-and-welders.60/


https://www.eastwood.com/welders/mig-welders.html

https://store.cyberweld.com/millerw...MI5IS68_L23QIVHbjACh3lSA4REAAYASAAEgI64_D_BwE

https://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/equipment/Pages/welders.aspx

https://www.weldersupply.com/C/42/TigMachines
related info
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/shield-gas-selection-for-welding.1108/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/mig-wire-selection.1283/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/auto-darkening-welding-helmet.811/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...e-in-handy-for-the-arc-welders.66/#post-36992

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-t-do-stupid-stuff-get-decent-equipment.1669/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/most-versital-shop-welder.1594/

 

[Grumpy]

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200323712_200323712

about 12 years ago I purchased a Kohler engine driven generator/arc welder,
for a power supply back-up for my shop.
(and secondary hurricane power back-up)
its worked rather well for over a decade,

when it failed to start a few days ago,
I changed the fuel filter and spark plug,
but I went out to fire it up, which I do every few weeks, minimum.
and it would not start, a spray of starter fluid into the air cleaner,
would fire it up,
but it would not continue running,
this may be because it might have some ethanol laced fuel added to the tank at some point!
( had my grand son fill the tank,
but I use gas cans that say, ethonol free/ or are unmarked and just red gas cans,
my bet is that he could have not looked, and filled the generator with the first gas can he located.)
its always best to avoid that ethanol laced fuel in generators and smaller engines that are not used daily.
its generally a good idea to avoid ethanol laced fuel and add fuel stabilizer and fuel system cleaner additives to fuel in generators (which I do most of the time)
https://www.pure-gas.org/
I verified the fuel was getting to the carburetor but it was not going to run!
I decided to disassemble the very basic single throat carburetor It was about the least complicated design I've ever seen,
I took it apart and sprayed all the internal passages with gum out carb cleaner ,
and then poured a can of fuel system cleaner in the generator's fuel tank.
once reassembled I tried to start the generator and used a shot of starter fluid,
after the internal flush and clean, it fired right up and kept running smoothly so what ever was clogged of sticking is now fully functional

 

[Indycars]

It would be easy to tell if the gas had ethanol by pouring a known (Say 10 ml) quantity of water
into a sample of the gasoline. If you get more more than 10 ml that separates out, then you have
ethanol in your fuel.

 

[Grumpy]

yeah but that fuel in the tank at the base of the generator is not easy to get access to in a portable welder/generator, it weights over 700 lbs

theres no drain on the fuel tank, I probably should have tested,
but yes I did pump out the fuel I could get out,
(no I did not test it I simply dumped in in a bucket for use later,
and yeah it looked like very old ice tea)
but Im sure I can use it to clean greasy parts,or start a fire etc.
once I found the problem with the carb on the generator not functional,
I then replaced that fuel as a first step in trouble shooting the no start issue