New, Lincoln Electric Sprinter 180Si Stick/TIG Welder Review
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- In this video I take a look at the brand new, Lincoln Electric Sprinter 180 Si, inside and out. I think this welder sits in a good spot in terms of features/performance for the money. So let's look it over, open it up, then do some welding with it to see if it's any good.
It's amazing the things you don't catch in editing. Like calling the Harris regulator a "Harrison."
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
It's funny the things you miss in editing, even after going through it several times. I called the Harris regulator a "Harrison." Not sure why I said that. I'm familiar with Harris regulators. Silly slip of the tongue and I missed it. I'm sure there are others and will be others in the future..
😂
I love your welder reviews, great as always!
Thanks!
Looks like a nice little package. Sometimes things simple are nice
Hi bigtb1717. Currently a newbie in welding school and your videos have helped me decide on the best first portable Stick welder. Thank you!
Happy to have helped. Good luck!
Oh the dev of the channel did not replyed me😢
Nice welder. Enjoyed watching.👍
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
Nice welder. How does it compare to the Klutch welder
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 was shopping around for welders with PF correction listed and came up with SanRex. A SanRex dealer told me they used to make thermal dynamics imports before Esab bought them. When I got my Esab 180i at the welding supply, they had a ProTec brand. ProTec does not claim PF correction, but 20a input with 125A out sounds like it. The salesman there said ProTec was started by a former exec at Esab. The machines looked like Sanrex. If you ever get to test a ProTec, look inside and see if you see SanRex parts inside. SanRex makes its own semiconductors.
Be careful, a lot of stick welders are rated on 30 amp 120v circuits, which is non-existant in most buildings. A 20 amp is more typical. I don't know what they used, but something to look at.
Great way of reviewing products man could you do a review on the miller plasma cutter I'm thinking about getting the extreme 625
Thanks. I would love to review that machine. Unfortunately, I don't have the money right now to get one of those for review. I'll keep it in mind for the future, but if I do get one, it won't be for a while. Sorry.
Awesome, was wondering about this. so.. better than the little HONE at 9 times the cost?
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.
I'm guessing the Sprinter will run the red brick 5P, opposed to the grey 5P+, but have you tried it? The ESAB 180i burns any rod I throw at it, including 6010, 6011, 5P, 5P+, 7018, 7024, 6013, et al.
I'm a bit confused over the SMAW smoothness. The ESAB 180i is an amazing stick machine. I was under the impression this could position Lincoln as the standard stick welder, much like the tombstone was in days of lore. Comments? Thanks for your great reviews!👍
I haven't tried the other 6010/5P rods. I've been meaning to get some to try during welder tests.
As for the Sprinter, I should probably do some more stick welding with it. Believe it or not, I've never welded with a "tombstone" welder. Like 10 years ago I was trolling on Craigslist for one and never ended up with one. The Sprinter is versatile and seems to be built well. If it proves to be robust and long lasting, I think it could become a good go-to. But who knows.
does it compare to the arccaptain 200 which is really a 160?
I'm not sure if this is a serious question, but the Sprinter is a FAR better machine.
It's actually quite shocking that you took a Lincoln welder for a ride it actually looks like a damn good machine I've been looking at one myself since it is just a DC machine I could use it for sanitary welding only. I was also looking at it at the point too that it was assembled in Mexico and that's almost just as good as getting one assembled in China. Lol😅😅 keep up the great reviews looking forward to the day you review the primeweld Tig 225x it's a great budget tig welder with all the features of a $10,000 miller.
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.
I've been eyeballing one of these. Not surprised it lacks AC, would be amazing but would probably sacrifice even more features if it had that mode.
Thanks for your time, how do you compare it to Miller 161STH.
I got the miller not long ago for home use since it was the attractive option from built quality available to me.
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.
Nice detailed review. Thank you
I'm planning to buy the base model because i dont see a finger switch in the tig package. and my question is can i use different brand of tig torch with hF switch like the arcaptain hf switch? Will the hf finger switch work with other brand? Thank you for your answers...
Correct, the TIG package comes with a foot pedal, not a finger switch. If you just want a push button to activate the high frequency start, you should be able to use any brand, as it's just a switch. However, you will need the right connector. If the one you want doesn't have the correct connector, you could get the right connector and wire it to your switch.
Also bear in mind that an Arccaptain TIG torch won't likely have the correct torch connector on it either. So you'd have to get the proper, gas-through torch connector, and a new wire connector for the torch switch.
I'm about to pull the trigger on this after i watched your tier lists.. Is the 6010 on short or tight arc only? What happens if you long arc it?
It seems to do okay with long arcing, but I honestly haven't run much 6010 with it. I should be able to try it out and let you know, but might be a few days to a week before I can get around to it.
Possibly looking at getting one of these my only question is do you have to use the foot pedal when tig welding I would assume you don't since it has lift arc
Correct. You can use lift start without a foot pedal.
Everlast's SuperUltra 206Si can do stick, TIG, and plasma cutting at half the price of the Lincoln and esab, with numerous accessories included. Seems very good value. Would you consider review this machine?
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!
Cheap machines I have 2 everlast my first one stick only it’s good but the multiprocess are trash
@@horaciosalinas8145what happened to your multiprocess one
@@horaciosalinas8145 what happened to the multi process?
I was really anticipating this machine, but the low amp output on 120v threw me off. My dream would be the Fronius but can't justify the cost. I like Esabs, but have you looked at the Profax 160 or Weldcote 160? Your input would be invaluable, thanks.
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.
Hello bigtb1717, would love to see you run this with the pulse mode on and using an Aluminum ARC Rod (you know the hack Zila did it) to see if it even works and how controllable it is.
Can you make a test for a gys stick welder?
Unfortunately, they don't seem readily available in the US. I found some models on eBay, but they shipping is like $100+.
Hello there! Could you please review CEA Matrix 2200 e? It has a planar transformer, the rectified current frequency is 100 kilohertz and the no-load voltage is 100 volts
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
Hi, i buy this Machine. How to connect the hose torch in the output receptacle
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.
Is this better than the Esab 180i?
@@mrlost5937 Each one has positives. The Lincoln is a bit better for TIG, with HF start and pulse, and it has a good value package with foot pedal, torch, and regulator. The ESAB has power factor correction, so it draws a bit less current at a given output, and it has more output on 120V, I believe.
Bummer just got the ESAB 180i. Nah, these are portable welders. I wanted the higher output of 110A on 120V. Below 90A you won't get full amperage of a 3/32 rod, but they will run and 85 is close. The ESAB is much more expensive since it only came with stick cables and has no special tig features other than lift and remote connector. Esab had the confidence to tell me that if my generator held steady voltage, it would be fine.
Interesting i think ill get one soon
Lincoln Sprinter 180i vs ESAB ET 200i??
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.