I've had experience with Lincoln, Miller Esab, and Thermal Dynamics. Spend the money, get Miller. If it were a smoking deal on a used Linc or Hobart, it might be worth it, but if you're buying new, get the best thing you can possibly afford. You'll thank yourself later. Yeah, Miller's products seem to work better out of the box. They set up easier and do seem to control an arc better than the other big players. Where the justification in price difference comes in, IMO, is customer service. Having PERSONALLY dealt with Esab's FACTORY SERVICE FACILITY, not a "certified warranty shop", let me tell you, they're idiots. They ignored a five paragraph problem description I sent in with a high-dollar MIG welder. They kept the thing for two weeks before calling to tell me they couldn't find a problem. I asked the tech what he had done, and if he had followed my description. "What description?" Ugh. I walked him through it on the phone, but never got the feeling he heard me. Two weeks later, I find out it's shipped back to National, not us as we requested. I had to personally pick it up. Was there a description of the actions taken? No. Was it fixed? Of course not! Will I ever endorse Esab? Not on your life! Lincoln is slow, but better. A lot of their products are made overseas now, though. Miller is just head and shoulders above the rest, and I don't know why anyone would look elsewhere.
