Concerns regarding Lincoln Quality. I have owned various Lincoln welding machines over the past 40 years. I have always considered Lincoln to be the Quality and Technology Leader in the welding equipment area, at least until this year. Over the last three months both my Lincoln Ranger 8 Diesel and my Lincoln Power Mig 350MP failed. In the case of the Ranger 8, the main circuit board overheated and burned. With the Lincoln Power Mig 350mp, the Feeder Head Circuit Board failed with no signs of any overheating or burning. Neither of these machines had extensive use, were kept indoors and cared for very well. Both machines are well out of warranty.
The good part is that I was able to trouble shoot the problem and repair them myself with a little help from Lincoln Technical Service. The bad part is that the replacement boards were hard to find and extremely expensive. (Could have purchased nice used welders for the cost of the replacement circuit boards). I understand that circuit board failures can happen however two machines in a short time indicates a quality issue regarding Lincoln electronics.
What is the experience rate for PC board failures on Newer Welding equipment? Is Miller or Hobart quality any better and should I switch from Red to Blue? Need some input?
The good part is that I was able to trouble shoot the problem and repair them myself with a little help from Lincoln Technical Service. The bad part is that the replacement boards were hard to find and extremely expensive. (Could have purchased nice used welders for the cost of the replacement circuit boards). I understand that circuit board failures can happen however two machines in a short time indicates a quality issue regarding Lincoln electronics.
What is the experience rate for PC board failures on Newer Welding equipment? Is Miller or Hobart quality any better and should I switch from Red to Blue? Need some input?