If you are a novice or enthusiast welder, hobbyist, or DIY lover that’s just getting into a trade, you should consider Lincoln Easy MIG 140 as your first ever brand-name MIG welder.
Lincoln EasyMIG 140 is a versatile entry-level welder that requires 110V input power to run, meaning you can use it almost anywhere. You can plug it in on a job site, farm, shop, or in your garage.
This reliable unit is easy to use and set up, and you can start welding straight out of the box. Still, there are some limitations, so read this Lincoln EasyMIG 140 review to learn more about features, build quality, and value.
Lincoln EasyMIG 140 Review – MIG Welding Machine Package Content and Technical Specifications
Once you start browsing an entry-level MIG welder market, you may come across three units that look and offer pretty much the same – LincolnEasyMIG 140, Weld Pak 140, and ProMIG 140. However, these MIG welding machines carry a different nameplate that varies from the market and the supplier.
When buying a Lincoln EasyMIG 140, for the money spent, you get:
- Magnum® 100L gun and 10 ft. (3.0 m) cable assembly with brass connection and 4-pin MS-Type connection for trigger control
- .025 in (0.6 mm) contact tips (Qty 3)
- .035 in. (0.9 mm) contact tips (Qty. 3)
- Gasless nozzle for Innershield® welding
- Gas nozzle for MIG welding
- Spindle adapter for 8 in. (203 mm) diameter spools
- .025 – .035 in. (0.6 – 0.9 mm) wire diameter dual track drive roll for MIG and flux-cored welding
- Harris® 3000290 Gas Regulator (S25805)
- How TO MIG Weld DVD
- Instruction manual
- Sample spool of .035 in. (0.9 mm) diameter Innershield® NR®-211-MP for flux core welding
- Sample spool of .025 in. (0.6 mm) diameter SuperArc® L-56® premium MIG wire
- Work clamp and 10 ft. (3.0 m) cable
Once you decide to invest in the Lincoln 140 MIG welder, you get outstanding quality accessories. The 100L MIG torch is comfortable, and the brass-to-brass gun connection enhances conductivity. The ground clamp is sturdy as the spring will hold well.
Buyers even get consumables such as contact tips, gas nozzles, and sample spools of sold and flux-cored wire. In a nutshell, you get everything you need to weld straight out of the box.
Nevertheless, the provided consumables won’t keep you going for too long. However, you can buy Lincoln consumables in any local welding shop. Lincoln Easy MIG 140 is a great welder for beginners, and provided learn how to weld DVD confirms it. Still, if you are an absolute beginner, you might want to watch some how-to YouTube videos before you start.
Lincoln Easy MIG 140 Technical Specifications
| Welding Process: | MIG/Flux-cored welding |
| Input Voltage: | 110/115/120V, 60 Hz |
| Input Current: | 20A |
| Input phase: | Single-phase |
| Polarity: | DC |
| Output Range: | 30-140A |
| Welding Thickness (Steel): | MIG: 24 gauge up to 3/16 in. sheet metal in a single pass Flux Core: up to 5/16 in |
| Welding Thickness (Aluminum): | 22 gauge up to 10 gauge |
| Rated Duty Cycle: | 90A/19V/20% |
| Wire Feed Speed Range: | 50-500 ipm |
| Wire Range: | Solid wire: .025 – .035, Flux Cored Wire: .035 – .045 |
| Dimensions: | 13.7 in x 258 in x 17.9 in |
| Net Weight: | 50 lbs. |
| Warranty: | 3 years |
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Input Power
Lincoln Easy MIG 140 requires a 110V power input to run. This is a single-phase unit operating on 60 Hz, and you can plug in almost any regular household outlet. In addition, the MIG welder is versatile enough so that you can use it on job sites or remote locations easily.
Since maximum output power of 140 is not that high, nearly all 140-amp rated units, such as Hobart Handler 140, Miller Millermatic 140, or Forney 140 MIG, are 110V only devices.
The transformer technology has proven reliable over time, but it reduces the portability of Lincoln Easy MIG 140. In addition, you shouldn’t use a generator to power it. Many modern hobbyist welders, such as Eastwood MIG 140, use a lightweight IGBT technology, which can be run off a generator.
Welding Power and Capability
As the name states, Lincoln Electric Easy MIG 140 has a maximum power output of 30-140 amps, which is standard in the hobbyist MIG welder category. Still, you can MIG weld 24 ga. up to 3/16″ thick sheet metal steel or weld stainless steel. However, it is not recommended for welding materials thinner than 24 gauge.
Suppose you are looking for more heat and deeper penetration. In that case, you can opt for gasless wire, which can join up to 5/16″ thick metals. Overall, welding power is enough to MIG weld thin gauge steel, but some units such as Hobart Handler 140 and Forney 140 MIG offer more, as they can weld up to ¼” thick metals in a single pass. Finally, if you are looking for more power, you could consider Lincoln Easy MIG 180.
Don’t get me wrong, you can weld thicker metals with Lincoln Easy MIG 140, but you will need time and a multi-pass approach to do it. For example, with a 20% duty cycle rated at 90A, you will exceed the duty cycle fast if you try to weld thicker material in a single pass, and the machine will shut down.
Remember that Lincoln Easy MIG 140 is a spool gun ready, meaning you can MIG weld 22 ga. up to 10 ga. aluminum. However, welding aluminum will require a spool gun sold separately, which increases the overall cost. Still, some units such as Forney 140 MIG are not even spool gun compatible, which adds up the versatility of this Lincoln welder 140-amp machine.
One of the features beginners will like is a forgiving arc that is easy to start. In addition, wire is electrically cold, so you won’t have to worry about accidentally starting an arc before pulling the trigger. Overall, most seasoned welders are satisfied by arc performance and bead quality.
Welder Build Quality
The Lincoln Electric company is renowned for high-quality welding machines that are built to last and perform. In my opinion, Lincoln Easy MIG 140 is no exception. However, this is not an industrial-grade machine, but the sturdy build justifies the cost.
The control panel is pretty straightforward as it features only two control knobs. One is used to adjust the wire feed speed, while the other mirrors a five-tap voltage control. If you are a novice welder, you will love how easy to use and set up this welder is, straight out of the box.
However, you might need some time to get a hand with the best settings. In addition, experienced welders that like to fine-tune their machine usually prefer an infinitely adjustable voltage.
Opening the wiring compartment, there is a durable cast aluminum body drive system. The durable gearbox delivers added drive torque and quiet operation for different wire diameters, with clearly marked wire alignment. The fully adjustable drive system helps you fine-tune the wire tension with a numeric indicator, which results in super-smooth wire feeding without wire tangling.
In addition, you don’t need any tools to change the wire, flux-cored polarity, or mount a new spool of wire. The wire drive system is not as industrial-grade as you find at Lincoln Power MIG 180, but it still ensures a smooth wire feed. However, some owners report that their wire feed system had failed, but the warranty covered the replacement.
Lincoln Easy MIG 140 features a side door chart that gives the recommended settings for the given material thickness. However, the recommendations might be too hot or cold, so you must make some wire feed speed and voltage adjustments. In addition, some find the high-pitched noise that the cooling fan produces pretty frustrating.
Price and Value
Once you decide to invest in Lincoln Electric welders, you should be ready to pay some extra bucks. Unfortunately, Lincoln Electric Easy MIG 140 is not one of the MIG welders in the 140-amp category with an affordable price. However, the price is approximately the same as the other branded welders such as Hobart Handler 140, Miller Millermatic 140, or Forney 140 MIG recommended. Nevertheless, some units offer more for the money spent, so you might have to browse some more. But, don’t get me wrong, you won’t make a mistake buying Lincoln Easy MIG 140 regarding its versatility and reliability.
To protect your investment, Lincoln Electric offers a three-year warranty. On the other hand, Hobart and Forney’s companies offer an industry-leading 5/3/1 year warranty. So if you have any doubts, you can always purchase an additional 2-year warranty extension. However, I don’t think you will need it, as most satisfied owners didn’t have any issues after long periods of welding.
Portability
Since Lincoln Easy MIG 140 uses transformer-based technology that provides excellent results welding steel, it is not that lightweight. Still, this is one of the small-scale welders that weigh 50 lbs, making it slightly lighter than Hobart Handler 190 with 57 lbs. Miller Millermatic 140 with 60 lbs and Forney 140 MIG with 62 lbs.
For increased portability, there is a built-in handle, which helps you carry it around. However, if you add an additional gas cylinder and some accessories, I suggest you get a welding cart or build one as your first project with a brand-new welder.
Who Should Consider Buying This Lincoln Welder 140-amp Rated
Suppose you are a beginner that’s just getting into a trade or an intermediate looking for a versatile and portable welder for light-duty projects around the house, garage, or farm. In that case, you will love Lincoln Electric Easy MIG 140. Easy setup and forgiving arc deliver quality welds and make Easy MIG 140 an excellent machine for hobbyists, occasional welders, or welding enthusiasts that weld thin gauge steel.
Meanwhile, if you plan to weld longer hours or tackle thicker materials, you might want to look for another gas-shielded MIG welding machine from this list or read a review of EasyMIG 140 cousin EasyMIG 180. In addition, some might find the price too high for the performance this welding machine offers.
Pros and Cons Summarized
Lincoln Electric Easy MIG welder is a great gas-shielded MIG welding machine that requires a 110V input to run, meaning you can use it almost anywhere. 140-amp output power is high enough for light projects around the house, but you might hit the 20% duty cycle if you decide to weld thicker steel.
However, Easy MIG 140 is a reliable welder that won’t let you down. The manufacturer guarantees a high-quality build and capable performance. Nevertheless, you will have to be ready to pay some extra bucks for the brand.
In a nutshell, you will love how Lincoln EasyMIG 140 is easy to use and set up. As the name states, you can weld aluminum, steel, and stainless steel with ease. In addition, many satisfied owners say they had years of suitable welding with this entry-level machine.
