Subject: Century 120 MIG- any good?

From: "Louis K. Bonham" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 1996 10:36:27 +0000

I'm thinking of getting the Century 120 MIG setup (the local SAM'S has it 
for $299 -- 120 VAC input, 90 amp capacity, comes with wire, gloves, hood, 
video, etc., etc., etc.).  I know that comparable systems by Lincoln, Miller, 
Hobart, etc. are considered better, especially for professionals, but are 
about twice as expensive.

I'm going to be using it for relatively thin (>1/4") stainless and mild steel 
work.  For the typical weekend user, is the Century machine OK, or is cheap 
junk that is better avoided?

TIA ----> LKB

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From: TOM KRAUSE <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 1996 11:51:06 -0500

> junk that is better avoided?

As I remember the Century has only two amperage settings,true? if so
this can be very limiting.Have not been real impressed with the quality
of Century.
 I own a Daytona mig and 2 friends own Lincoln sp-100's,all work real 
well,I would by the Lincoln if I had it to do again.(they weren't close
price-wise when I bought mine,have since come down some)
 BTW I biult a vintage stock car with my 130 Daytona,crashed it pretty 
hard-suspension mounts welded up out of 3/16 plate held under the 
pressure of kinked leaf spring and a rear axle that was bent in a 
U-shape--not a busted weld to be found!
Tom

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From: [email-masked] (Felice Luftschein & Nicholas Carter)
Date: Thu, 26 Sep 1996 16:37:17 GMT

>junk that is better avoided?

I bought a Lincoln Weld-Pak 100 at the Home Depot for about $300, have
gone through several pounds of wire and love it. It hasn't screwed up yet.
I also see that in the local pawn shops, the price of a used one is higher 
than the $300 I spent, which to me is a good recommendation. The Lincoln has a 
three year warranty as well.