| Comparison Chart |
Miller Maxstar® 150 STL |
Lincoln V160-S |
Thermal Arc P-WEE 160S |
Comments |
| 2003 List Price |
$949 |
$976 |
$900 |
Similar price yet the Maxstar 150 STL offers better value. |
| Process |
Stick/Lift Arc TIG |
Stick/Touch Start TIG |
Stick/Lift TIG |
Similar |
| DC Stick Welding Amperage Range: 115 VAC |
20-110 amps |
5-160 amps |
5-85 amps |
Similar. The amperage draw of the V160-S when welding above 80 amps is too high for most 115 volt circuits (see below). |
| DC Stick Welding Amperage Range: 230 VAC |
20-150 amps |
5-160 amps |
5-160 amps |
Similar |
| DC TIG Welding Amperage Range: 115 VAC |
5-150 amps |
5-160 amps |
5-85 amps |
The P-Wee doesn't match up. |
| DC TIG Welding Amperage Range: 230 VAC |
5-150 amps |
5-160 amps |
5-160 amps |
Similar |
| Duty Cycle Rating: 115 VAC Stick |
70 amps @ 22.8 Volts-100% |
80 amps @ 23.2 Volts-20% |
85 amps @ 23 Volts-100% |
The V160-S doesn't match up. |
| Amperage Draw at the above rating |
17.4 amps |
26.7 amps |
38 amps |
The Maxstar 150 S draws 35% less amperage at similar weld outputs. |
| Duty Cycle Rating: 230 VAC Stick |
100 amps @ 24 Volts-100% |
110 amps @ 24.4 Volts-100% |
160 amps @ 26 Volts-35% |
The V160-S has a little stronger rating here but please check the amp draw. |
| Amperage Draw at the above rating |
13.1 amps |
21 amps |
38 amps |
35% less amperage draw than the Lincoln at similar weld outputs. |
| Duty Cycle Rating: 115 VAC TIG |
100 amps @ 14 Volts-100% |
125 amps @ 15 Volts-20% |
85 amps @ 13 Volts-100% |
Strong output with strong duty cycles. |
| Amperage Draw at the above rating |
18.4 amps |
26.7 amps |
22 amps |
Higher weld output, higher duty cycles and less amperage draw! |
| Duty Cycle Rating: 230 VAC TIG |
100 amps @ 14 Volts-100% |
110 amps @ 24.4 Volts-100% |
160 amps @ 16 Volts-35% |
Similar |
| Amperage Draw at the above rating |
8.3 amps |
21 amps |
23 amps |
More than 60% less amperage draw than the V160-S at similar weld output. |
| Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
3 Years |
Miller Electric's True Blue® Warranty and Service are recognized as the industry standards. |
| Dimensions (H/W/D) |
9 x 5.5 x 13.25 in
(229 x 140 x 337mm) |
13 x 8 x 17 in
(330 x 203 x 432mm) |
10.2 x 5.1 x 12.6 in
(260 x 130 x 320mm) |
Similar |
| Weight |
13.7 lbs. (6.2kg) |
21.5 lbs. (9.7kg) |
19.0 lbs. (8.6kg) |
The Maxstar 150 STL is over 25% lighter than P-WEE. |
| Autoline |
Yes (115-230 VAC) |
Auto-Reconnect |
Yes (Smart Link) |
Similar. Automatically connects to 115-230 VAC, single phase power. |
| Adaptive Hot Start For Stick Arc Starts |
Yes |
No |
No - must manually adjust |
Adaptive Hot Start prevents the electrode from sticking. |
| Low OCV Stick |
Yes |
No |
VRD (Voltage Reducing Device) |
The Maxstar 150 STL uses a simple design that reduces open circuit voltage to just 13 volts when the power source is not in use. This eliminates the need for add-on voltage reducers. |
| Lift Arc TIG |
Yes |
Yes (Touch Start) |
Yes (Lift TIG) |
Provides TIG arc starting without the use of high frequency. |
| Built-in Gas Solenoid |
Yes |
No |
No |
No valve to turn on and off. Saves shielding gas and time. |
| Built-in Preflow |
Yes |
No |
No |
Purges the weld area prior to welding. |
| Full Function Remote Control |
Yes (Foot or Finger) |
Yes (Foot or Finger) |
Yes (Foot or Finger) |
Allows the operator to "crater out" when doing critical work using either a foot or finger tip control. |
| Fan-on-Demand™ |
Yes |
No |
No |
Improves power efficiency and reduces noise and maintenance by lessening the amount of airborne contaminants pulled through the machine. |
