Lincoln Electric Power MIG 210 MP Welder k3963 1 Review

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Welding Buddy Experts

June 15, 2021
lincoln electric power mig 210 mp welder k3963 1

For those just getting started in the world of welding, we recommend that you look for a welding machine that is inexpensive, calibrated to standard household current (a maximum of 25-140 Amps), and capable of handling light-duty MIG welds. The Lincoln MIG 210 welder checks out everything on that list.

The Lincoln Electric Power MIG 210 MP welder k3963 1 is a versatile welder with multi-purpose output and all of the features you need to create your best welds. It's ideal for weekend welders and small businesses looking for a setup that's capable of handling a variety of processes from TIG, MIG, stick to flux-cored welding. Because of its straightforward design, this machine is an excellent benchmark for beginning welders looking to learn the ropes. This is one of the best multi-purpose welders around. Read on for our Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP analysis to determine why and whether it has any drawbacks.

Why Should You Buy the Lincoln Power MIG 210 mp Multi-Process Welder K3963 1?

This welding machine combines four functions in 1 compact unit, so if you're in the market for versatility, the Lincoln MIG 210 is an excellent choice. You only need to attach the suitable torch and ground clamp depending on the job at hand. Adjusting the controls for a specific welding job is a breeze with the 210's fantastic digital display. After that, double-check your gas link, and you're set to start welding!

Since the MIG 210 is so versatile in the work processes it can achieve, it can be pretty economical to own, especially if your work takes you from one welding process to another. It is preferable to have a single welder with multiple welding types rather than multiple welders. The 210 is fantastic for home workshops, small-scale welding businesses, educators, small contractors, and hobbyists. Whether it's for light industrial applications, auto body repairs, farm work, and other maintenance, the MIG 210 will perform and deliver.

Its lightweight and generator compatibility comes with a compactness that's amazing considering its versatility in welding processes. The digital interface is intuitive and straightforward to use, and it automatically recommends settings for various welding job forms, wire length, and material thickness.

Features of the Lincoln Electric K3963 1:

  • MIG, TIG, stick, and flux-cored capable
  • The configuration process is driven by push-and-turn digital controls and a color display panel.
  • Driven by an all-metal wire
  • Sheet-metal structure

Pros

  • The capacity to operate four welding processes on a single rig.
  • Dual voltage input.
  • All-metal wire drive mechanism and sheet metal structure have a durable and robust build.
  • Controls are simple to use, and the monitor is huge, making it easy to set up the machine. Overall, this machine is simple enough for novice welders but sufficiently sophisticated for professionals.
  • Inverter technology and small-scale design make it the perfect companion from one job site to another.
  • A generator can drive the machine.
  • It has an efficient cooling system with two built-in fans.

Cons

  • It is not suitable for TIG and is well suited to MIG. TIG aluminum has no alternating current.
  • For newcomers, it can be prohibitively expensive.
  • The power cord is a bit short.

Lincoln Electric K3963 1

Main Features, Benefits, and Shortcomings

A Multi-Purpose Welder

The dual voltage function of this Lincoln welder contributes to its versatility. So you can use it on a regular 115V household outlet or a 230V alternative if you need more power for the job at hand. The output power range varies depending on the voltage used. At 120v, you can expect 20-140 amps output, while at 230v, 20 to 220 amps are the usual range. The machine has a duty cycle of 25% at 200 amps and a longer duty cycle of 45 percent at 100 amps. The machine has enough power and a wire feed speed range of 50-500 pm to handle a wide range of MIG welding work. It can accommodate mild or stainless steel with an overall thickness of 38". It will even weld up to 3/16" aluminum, but you must purchase the extra spool gun to do so. Flux-cored welding is ideal for working with dense metals. The DC stick alternative will accommodate up to 5/32" stick electrodes.

Easy to Start Working With

The digital display on the welder's face makes the machine very intuitive and straightforward to set up. Suppose you're not very familiar with manually tuning the settings for the proper welding process. In that case, this digital interface will allow you to do so at the touch of a button so you can start working right away, wasting no time worrying about inputting the wrong settings for the pressure, amps, etc.

The 210 combines all the best of four worlds in one solid machine with the capacity of a full-fledged MIG welder and TIG, Stick, and flux-cored welder. To use it for TIG welding, attach your TIG torch to the DC negative terminal and clamp. Then press the digital controls for TIG, confirm that your gas is connected, and you're set to do some TIG welding. Stick, more or less, follows the same procedure as with all other processes. If you want to weld aluminum, you can do this with a spool gun to MIG weld aluminum but not TIG weld aluminum.

The basic push-turn digital control system is simple to understand, user-friendly, and significantly reduces setup and usage time. Many consider this machine to be one of the most user-friendly for its digital features alone. It also has Lincoln's patented "Ready, Set, Weld" feature, which is why the brand is so familiar with new welders.

Portable

The lightweight design and small dimensions of the Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP allow you to pack it in and out of almost any area easily. Even a beginner person without a truck could comfortably and conveniently stow on the floorboard of their car's passenger seat.

This lightweight and portable computer may be carried into difficult-to-reach environments where rare or spontaneous tasks must be completed for the specialist. Imagine attempting to transport something bigger into a confined basement or crawl space, then the importance of its limited size becomes immediately evident.

Durable Build

The sturdy sheet metal structure is reinforced with heavy-duty plastic along all of the joints and fittings. The shape of the shell adds to its longevity and ability to withstand a reasonable amount of abuse as consumers pass it from place to place.

The top's durable and substantial hard plastic handle makes it possible for nearly everyone to walk about. Lincoln Electric rigorously checks the welding equipment to ensure reliability and longevity.

Price 

Although this rugged, compact welder is a bundle of high-quality features and materials, it comes for a price. Unlike equivalent machines in its class, the Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP has a comparatively high price point. The Lincoln 210mp is currently available for about sixteen hundred dollars at publishing. That may be plenty of zeros, especially for start-ups and those looking to weld using one process only. On the other hand, imagine purchasing a MIG welder, a Stick welder, and a TIG computer separately. If seen in this light, the price becomes more than fair enough.

Price(From Amazon): $1689.89

Warranty

A three-year extended warranty protects this unit from Lincoln. However, you can further cover your savings by extending the warranty for a further two years for an additional fee.

Technical Specifications

  • Input voltages: 115V/230V
  • Range of Amperage (230v): 20-220 A
  • Range of Amperage (115v): 20-140 A
  • Processes: MIG, Stick, TIG, Flux Core
  • Duty cycle:
  • 40%% @ 100 A
  • 25% @ 200 A
  • Dimensions with handles: 14 in X 19 in X 10.8 in
  • Weight: 40 pounds
  • Speed of Wire Feed: 50-500 IPM
  • Weld Thickness: 24 ga. - 3/8 in.

Conclusion

The Lincoln MIG 320 is more than capable of catering to the needs of welding trainers (especially those teaching in high school), weekend hobbyists, and small-time contractors. People who invest in this machine need something versatile and high-capacity. This ensures they'll be prepared for a wide range of workloads. The 210 is also a good option for those who plan to do mainly MIG welding but will need to do other forms of welds on occasion.

You'll love the fact your first welding machine can do so much, giving you the leeway to learn other welding processes at your pace. The PowerMIG 210 MP is not the right option for experienced welders who mainly do TIG/stick welding. If you like welding and can pay a little more than you can for a basic arc welder, this is a perfect thing to have in the garage, around the home, or in the back of the truck for whatever you might fancy.

Tips in Buying the Right MIG Welder

MIG welding is considered by many to be the simplest and most effective way to start your welding journey. MIG welding makes clean welds possible on aluminum, steel, and stainless. Even for novice welders, with little to no slag to tidy up afterward. It also gives the welder improved control on thin metals and can weld materials as thin as gauge 26. Here are a few nifty tips to consider before making your first or next purchase:

  • Power

The power output is the first factor to consider when selecting a MIG welder. 

The rule of thumb is that MIG welders should need about 30 amps for every millimeter increase in the thickness of the material they're welding. Take, for example: if you want to weld 7 mm material, you'll likely need 210 amps.

  • Consider the MIG's amperage output at a given duty cycle.

Welders are graded according to the amperage they create over a given service period. The amperage is the amount of heat it can generate. The duty cycle is the amount of time the welder can run at a given amperage without overheating over a 10-minute duration. Long story short, if you think you want to be welding for long periods without stopping, you'll want to get a welding machine with a higher duty cycle.

  • Consider the Input Voltage

Be sure you have the proper electrical outlets installed before purchasing a MIG welder. The fantastic thing about 110 volt MIG welders is that they can be plugged into every 110-volt household socket. This takes away any confusion about whether you can take the welding machine back to your garage or not. On the other hand, you are constrained to the amperage your welder can achieve with a 110-volt outlet. So, if you only need to weld metals no thicker than 1/8" in a single pass, a 110-volt welder would suffice. In reality, for most hobby welders, a 110-volt welder would suffice.

If you need extra strength and you'll be welding 12" thick metal in one pass, a 220-volt welder is what you'll need. This, of course, necessitates the installation of a 220-volt outlet if you do not already have one. Thankfully, the Lincoln MIG 210 comes with dual voltage capabilities, allowing you to weld anywhere that has those two voltages.

  • Spool Guns for Aluminum Welding

A spool gun is a device that most welders cannot do without welding aluminum. When fed via a standard wire feed spool, aluminum appears to get twisted. A spool gun that connects to the torch handle and feeds the aluminum filler wire directly into the gun, moving a few centimeters, is the perfect solution. If your welder does not come with a spool tool, make sure it has a mount for one in case you need one.

  • Warranty

It is an excellent guide for determining a welder's consistency. In most cases, three years of warranty is sufficient. Excellent warranty service can make or break your experience with a welding machine since it's highly likely that you could encounter some manufacturing defects or unit issues along the way.

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