Lincoln Electric K2185-1 MIG Welder Review

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lincoln electric k2185 review

This welder provides great versatility and portability for welders, DIYers, craftsmen, and trade workers alike.

Short Summary

POWER: 80%
VERSATILITY: 80%
PORTABILITY: 95%
DURABILITY: 80%
PRICE: 95%

Overall Rating

86%

Interested in MIG welding but don’t know where to begin?

The first step is investing in a quality welder that is easy to set up and use.

Are you an experienced welder looking for a second, smaller machine for MIG welding on the go or to keep around the house?

If you are looking for portability in addition to affordability, the Lincoln Electric K2185-1 might be what you are looking for.

At a great price, this welder comes fully equipped with accessories to help you get started the day you unbox.

Lincoln is a trusted name in welding and this article will weigh the pros and cons of their latest, lightweight yet powerful MIG welder.

What is this Machine Best For?

The Lincoln Electric k2185-1 was built with portability in mind.

It weighs just 46 lbs but has output power ranging from 35A to 88A.

This makes it able to weld mild steel ranging from 24-gauge to 1/8 thick sheets. It is a great machine for DIYers who like doing hobbies in the garage or making repairs on light gauge steel materials around the house. 

It can be used on body panel replacement on vehicles, custom fabrication, work on bumpers, or roll cages.

It is best used for beginners just starting out with MIG welding, especially considering the low price point and easy to use interface. 

It is also a great pick for a more experienced welder that wants a more portable machine they can depend on to produce strong and precise welds on the go.

It can make a great addition to any tradesmen that travels from job to job. It can also inspire creativity in craftsmen looking to do more artistic fabrications.

The machine’s ability to weld a variety of materials is a big bonus. From aluminum to carbon steel to mild steel, there is little this MIG welder can’t do. All you need is a power outlet, take it with you and plug it in to start welding.

Lincoln Electric MIG Welder

Lincoln Electric k2185-1 MIG welder Pros

Affordability

One of the best things about this welder is definitely the price.

If you are not sure that welding is for you and just want to try it out or know that you are strictly a hobbyist, this is a great option. With Lincoln, you know you’re getting a quality product. In this case, it’s an amazing price, too.

Highly Portable

As previously mentioned, this machine only weighs 46 lbs. Wherever there is an outlet, you can weld.

This is a big draw for those welders who want to use it at their shop and at home too. It is also good to bring into tighter spaces to weld with. It plugs into a regular household 115V, 20 amp outlet.

Welds both MIG and Flux-Core

This machine allows you to weld mild steel from 24 gauge to 1/8” thick. It’s an amazingly versatile machine.

There is continuous wire feed speed adjustment and four voltage settings to give the welder more precise control.

Pros:

  • Affordability
  • Highly Portable
  • MIG + Flux-Core welds
  • Welding gun and cable assembly.
  • Work cable with work clamp.
  • Gasless nozzle for flux-cored welding.
  • Gas nozzle, gas regulator and hose for MIG welding.
  • 1 lb. spool .035" (0.9mm) Innershield® NR®-211-MP flux-cored wire.
  • 2 lb. spool .025" (0.6mm) SuperArc L-56 solid MIG wire.
  • .035" contact tips – quantity 3.
  • .025" contact tips – quantity 3.
  • Welding handshield with #10 filter plate and clear glass cover plate.
  • Chipping hammer/brush.

Lincoln Electric k2185-1 MIG welder Cons

  • Mask it comes with is flimsy
  • Doesn't come w/ shielding gas
  • Not great for larger jobs

Flimsy Welding Mask

The welder does come equipped with a welding mask, but many users claim it is super flimsy and hand-held.

It is recommended that you invest in your own, higher quality welding mask for maximum comfort and safety.

Doesn't Come with Shielding Gas

As with most machines, the shielding gas is not included. If you want to do TIG welds, this will only run you about $100.

If you are just looking to flux core weld you’ll only need to purchase those consumables to operate the welder.

Not a Heavy Duty Machine

This is a beginner or light-use machine. It’s a great value for the cost, but don’t expect to make it your go-to welder for work or big projects.

Video Review

Warranty Information

As a leading brand name, Lincoln prides itself in its machine warranties. When you buy a Lincoln Electric k2185-1 it comes with a free 1-year warranty on parts and labor. The gun and cable have a 90-day warranty.

If you need your machine repaired after purchase you must pay for shipment to the facility yourself and contact a Lincoln Authorized Service Facility. Lincoln owners seem unanimously pleased with the customer service and warranty program the company offers.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a no-frills MIG welder to start out on or take around with you on different jobs, this is an excellent purchase.

Lincoln offers really great customer service and customers are pleased with the k2185-1 for smaller projects around the house.

This is definitely more of a hobbyist’s machine or beginners learning MIG welder than a heavy duty machine.

That being said, for the price, it is a really reliable machine that produces strong welds. It provides great versatility and portability for welders, DIYers, craftsmen, and trade workers alike.

About the Author Gregory

Hi, my name is Gregory! I have been welding practically all of my life and love it. As I have gotten older I have started to weld less and less, so in order to continue my love for welding I created this website. I like to write about my experiences and help you all become welders. I hope that you enjoy the site!

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