Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder

I am a welder by trade as a mechanic where I work. I bought this unit and used it in my shop where I make custom metal work on my days off. Here is my honest opinion of the Lincoln. For $325 it is a good deal, but for heavy welding or for long periods of welding time it will overheat and you will be waiting for it to cool down. The flux core is decent to weld with, I did most of my welding with gas and it was clean, could be better penetration but you have to remember it is only a 110 welder so it is only going to do so much. The regulator does not come with a gauge so you do not know how much is left in your bottle or how much is coming out, I ended up buying one with a gauge on another website. If you are doing small jobs like lawnmowers, 1/16" and 1/8" metal it will work, but after a while you will figure out what it actually can do. I ended up selling it and buying a Miller 211. The shield that comes with it is more like a toy in my opinion and the plastic used on the tension wheel to hold down the wire is cheap. But I will say, it never broke down for the year I used it.

Solid welder. Body panel replacement, custom fabricating, roll cages, bumpers are something this welder can handle. You don't need another welder for simple DIY jobs than this. Highly recommended

Awesome! So, I'm a cabinet maker. A buddy of mine is a certified structural welder, great welder, owns a huge Miller. He found it shameful that I don't know how to weld. He said, "its great to be able to fix stuff around the house". For the money he said this is a great welder, it's all about the electronics. Then he said, "could you stop by latter and fix one of my cabinet doors? Lmao I enclosed some pics. It's a piece of 1/4" plate from Home Depot. I sepperated the pieces a 1/32", and beveled the edge for better penetration. I flap sanded with a grinder and cleaned the steel with acetone. I also put on a 100% solid copper ground clamp. Im new at this so the weld is kinda ugly. It's ok. I then put the piece on an anvil and beat the living sh__ out of it with a 12lb sledge. I'll be keeping this welder. :) hope this helps.

Very impressed with the quality. Bought this unit because I moved and could no longer use my Lincoln stick welder due to losing access to a 220v plug. Was skeptical that a welder that plugs into the wall could provide the penetration necessary to do some of the welding tasks I was used to with my stick welder. While it truly does not provide the same welding prowess I was used to it does give way more power than I expected. I always review products based on expectations vs reality as opposed to product vs product. With that in mind if you have a 220v service available to you. Skip this machine. It is good but take advantage of the heat if you have it. If you lack a 220v service and have been looking for an alternative. I simply can’t brag on this machine enough. For what it is advertised to be, you won’t be disappointed.

I purchased this to work on a project on my Jeep. After reading all the reviews and looking high and low I found it here for a great price. I must say the simple controls and the nice instruction book gives you all you need to get started quickly. I know how to weld so but and very out of practice and with this welder I was able to dial in the wire speed and the heat settings really quick and get my project done quick and with good welds. I have welded to my Jeep frame some 1/8 plate and fixed some rust on the tub so that would be 1/16th. It was able to weld both very well. I would buy this machine again if I had to.

Everything you need in a box. Don't get me wrong, the mask is a joke, but it still works.

Works great for auto body panels. But i kind of wish i had bought the more powerful one for other projects.

Did a great job 66 mustngbbody panel parts