New, Lincoln Electric Sprinter 180Si Stick/TIG Welder Review 

Thanks!

Happy to have helped. Good luck!

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

I've been considering getting a Primeweld 225X to check out. Just need to find the time...and money...and space, lol.

@@bigtb1717 you won't be disappointed in the primeweld I did a lot of debating on which welder to get. It was between the AHP, Everlast,lotos and primeweld compared all the features and hasn't disappoint me once in 21/2 yrs of running it hard. Customer service is bar none any trouble they have a FB page they will reach out to you and help with the problems.

😂

There are things I slightly prefer about the Miller. It is a bit smaller and lighter. I think the stick arc is a tiny bit smoother on the Miller and it has 5 more amps of stick output and 20 more amps of TIG output on 120V. I also like that it has a quieter, temperature controlled fan and more flexible power cord. The high frequency start is also a bit less harsh. Basically, I think the Miller is a "nicer" machine and I prefer it overall. Still, the Lincoln is available for with a complete TIG setup for less money than the stick only version of the Maxstar (there is a $500 rebate on the Maxstar 161 S right now that makes it compelling as a stick only welder, simply because of how nice the stick arc is). The Maxstar that includes the TIG package comes with a fingertip amperage control instead of a foot pedal. Those can be really handy and it does seem to fit the ultra-portable theme of the Maxstar 161. But I prefer a foot pedal whenever I can use one. Also, the Miller torch isn't a flex head, doesn't include gas lenses, and I don't like the electrode holder or work clamp quite as well. And oviously, the Sprinter is capable of more amperage when running on 240V. Personally, I prefer the Maxstar 161STH and I think it's a nicer machine. But the Sprinter 180Si is the better value.

The Hone 185D is a good little machine, for what it is, and it's obviously a good value. The Sprinter is a lot more expensive, so it won't be worth it for a lot of people. But the Sprinter 180Si is in a different league, and I think it's also a good value for what it is. It is a lot better built, performs a bit better, can run 6010, has FAR better accessories, has a better warranty, and has TIG features that the Hone does not (high frequency start, built-in gas solenoid, remote amperage control, pulse). And it should have the safety certifications/listings to be allowed onto job sites that require such things (not common, but it could happen if you are using the machine for a job). So it's a lot more money, but you are getting a lot more machine. Just depends on what you're looking for.

Correct. You can use lift start without a foot pedal.

Interesting. Looks like a new machine. I'll try to check it out. I've been crazy busy lately. Haven't had time to work on any videos for a while, plus just spent some money fixing some stuff around the house. And I have a couple welders in the box, waiting to be tested and reviewed, lol. But it's an interesting machine. I'll definitely keep it on my radar. Cheers!

I saw the red, sort of rounded Weldcote Striker 160 years ago and almost bought one. The specs looked great and it was pretty cheap back then. The current Striker 160 (grey) is a little hard to find online. I can find a few, small sellers, but it doesn't seem very widely available. I wonder if there's any local dealers around here that could get me one. Hmm... I don't know much about the Profax welders. A bit pricy for a "basic" machine these days (analog amperage knob and that's it), but that's fine if they are a quality machine. Still, could be interesting to check out. The look reminds me a bit of the old ESAB Miniarc 161 LTS. Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with either, so I can't say for sure if either of them is good and/or a good value.

@@bigtb1717 thanks for replying. Yea I wonder about the Profax; made in Mexico and probably has nice leads. The Weldcote was referred to me by another weldor, he loved it. I really liked my esab 161lts, but gave it to my son when the Rogue 180i came out, figured I'd get that. Then Lincoln announced this one and now I'm kinda torn. The weldor who owned the Weldcote did have to upgrade the leads though. Hey thanks for your videos and commentaries, I've learned alot watching them.

I'll definitely keep the Profax on my radar. Maybe I'll check one out at some point.

It's similar in capability, but the build quality of the Sprinter is nicer, the included accessories are nicer, and from what I've heard lately about Klutch support, the Lincoln warranty is much better as well. Someone reported that their Klutch machine failed after two months. Northern Tool directed them to the manufacturer and they never responded to him. That's just one report, but it's concerning.

I would love to, but unfortunately, it's not likely to happen. I can't seem to find anywhere to buy one in the US, and the places I can find them in Europe, they are something like $3,500+ (No idea if they would ship to the US or how much they'd charge to do so). Not in the cards for me right now. Sorry.

@@bigtb1717 thank you Sir

If you bought the version with the included torch, the gas flows through the Dinse connector. All you do is connect the torch to the negative Dinse connector and that's it. If you have your own torch with a separate gas hose, you will need to get a gas through Dinse torch adapter.

I'm not sure if I'll ever do a comparison video, but I'll give some thoughts. The ESAB is bit more expensive, and has more adjustability. It had adjustable pre and post-flow, more adjustment on the pulse mode, adjustable ramp up and down and start current. It also has adjustable hot start and arc force in stick mode. However, it doesn't have a 6010 mode. It may still run 6010, but it's tough to say for sure. I greatly prefer the accessories that are included with the Lincoln. The ESAB includes a bulky torch with a torch switch. I much prefer the slimmer torch and foot pedal setup with the Lincoln. I also prefer the flow-meter that comes with the Lincoln. I feel like the electrode holder and work clamp are also a tiny bit nicer with the Lincoln. The output and duty cycle of the two are almost identical on 240V. The ESAB seems to show it as a dual voltage machine, but the spec sheet doesn't show the output numbers for 120V, so I don't know what's going on there. Both are likely good machines. Personally, I'm willing to give up the features of the ESAB for the lower cost and the accessories of the Lincoln. But that's just me.

Thank you for the detailed response. The ESAB ET 200i is currently $1050 on cyber weld. They are taking $350 off the $1399.99 price.

Nice! That's where I got the Sprinter as well. It was on sale then too, but it wasn't as much of a discount as that.

​@bigtb1717 just sick mode with 6010 in mind, Sprinter or esab 180 ?

@@floridastate3247 With 6010 in mind, do you need more than 130 amps? If not, the ESAB Rogue 130 is cheaper and could be a good option. If you need more than 130 amps, it's tough to say. The ESAB has adjustable hot start and arc force, but the Lincoln ran 6010 fine without that. I don't have the Rogue 180 any more, but I do have access to a 130 and could try to do a bit of a comparison at some point.