Review of the LOTOS MIG 140 Welder (New 2017 edition)

Lotos MIG 140 Overview

Looking for a new mig welder? The MIG 140 from Lotos is certainly a tool to consider. It's a great quality machine at a good price point. While not top of the range, it performs very well for home projects and smaller professional jobs too. This 2017 version is new and improved with some useful extra features. We think it's great value for money. Let's take a closer look at just what the Lotos MIG 140 can do for you...

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The machine

The machine itself is pretty rugged so it'll withstand a few knocks and jolts. The size of the machine is 16 inches x 14.5 inches with a height of 9.6 inches. So it's not too large if storage space in your home or workshop is at a premium. It weighs in at 54 pounds making it light enough to handle but not too flimsy that you'll doubt its quality. The top handle makes it great for moving around or carrying from your van to your workplace. It doesn't come with a case, but you really don't need it as it's very portable as it is. It's also very easy to set up so you can get to work quickly. Perfect if time is of the essence!

You can easily adjust the output from 30A to 140A and it can weld a wide range of metals. Anything from 24 gauge to ¼ inch sheet metal. For wire you're looking at .025” to 0.30” for solid steel and .030” to .035” for flux cored. The duty cycle is 20% at 90amps.

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Key Features of the Lotos MIG 140

The Lotos MIG 140 is ideal for MIG welding, but it can also be used for flux-core welding. It can be used with or without gas, however, you don't get a gas cylinder in the box so be aware you'll have to buy that separately if you don't already have one. However, the gas hose is included in the package. This model has a new aluminium wire feeder making it much easier to use than previous models. The 140 also has a thermal cut-out system so you can rest assured that it won't become damaged from overheating or a power overload. This feature is likely to increase the lifespan of this machine making it a good long term investment. This doesn't mean though that you'll have to wait for it to cool down after just a few minutes of use. In our tests we ran the machine for over four hours, only pausing to change spools and we experienced no cut-outs during this time.

This 2017 version now comes with a 2T/4T switch. Two digital displays have also been added giving you more precise control over the voltage and the wire feeder speed. Additionally, it has a very handy ground cable quick connector that is a good improvement on previous models.

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Advantages of the Lotos MIG 140 

One of the main advantages of this welder has to be the price, or more to the point, what you get for your money. It's a decent quality machine that is pretty affordable. For anyone who isn't a professional welder this is the ideal tool. It's so easy to set up and use. If you only occasionally do any welding, or you're learning welding this is a good machine to opt for. The weight and portability also put it at an advantage compared to many other similar machines. If you're working on site this just makes life that little bit easier.

The new ground cable quick connector with this model makes it very easy to switch between positive and negative.

The Lotos MIG 140 is great for precision work and you'll be left with good looking welding. You can easily get a perfect bead at a constant feed rate. Perhaps the ease of use is the one thing that makes the MIG 140 really stand out. Some welders can be so frustrating to use but this one is a dream by comparison. Novice welders will be getting good results fast and professionals will appreciate the speed at which you can set it up and get going.

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Disadvantages of the Lotos MIG 140

You'll need a power supply to use the 140 as it doesn't run off a generator. This is something to bear in mind if you tend to work in remote areas without an electricity supply. Of course this is generally not a problem for the home or workshop welder. For the price, you get a lot for your money, but you'll realize that you're not getting a top professional tool for this price. If you're looking for something top of the range with highly advanced features then this may not be for you. However, many professionals do use this tool and like it for its simplicity and ease of use so don't dismiss it out of hand.

To conclude...

This is a great value welder and is extremely easy to use and to set up. If you've never welded before it's a great first machine but it's also perfectly at home in a professional workshop. It isn't packed with advanced features but it will do most lighter jobs with ease.

Unless you're a professional welder with high requirements, this machine should suit most of your needs. For the home user it's absolutely perfect. When you only want to do one quick job such as fixing a broken gate or doing a little work on your car then this a good choice. It's a reliable machine that you'll get to grips with fast. It's very portable and you can be up and working with it fast.

It's well built and should have a good lifespan - it really is a workhorse. Being capable of both MIG welding and flux core welding this a versatile machine. The quality is very good for the price, so don't let the low cost put you off. This machine will outperform many of its more expensive competition.