which Miller Mig Welder to purchase MM211 or MM212

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Need to weld together 1/4 inch tubing for gravel screen project, [you can look at my other posts here {Weldings Web forum} referencing this project if you want to]; I do not want to use the Miller stick welder that I have, because I am not that good with stick welding, I want the project to look nice when it is done and painted.The tubes will be welded together to make a frame; the tube of one end on top of the other tubes length. So there will be gaps on two sides (the out side sides) which is another reason I do not want to use the stick welder, I have tried it , does not look good.I have used a Miller MM 350P, that is one very nice machine, but I do not want to spend close to 5,000 dollars on a Mig welder.Most of the steel I weld is 1/4 inch thick and under.The two welders I have pretty much settled on are both Miller welding machines, now I am not set on a Miller an I am looking for input here.The two Miller Mig welders are Millermatic 212 and Millermatic 211 both have the Auto-Set system which is some thing like on the MM 350P.My question is this, I am looking for comments on the two machines:their performancethe weld results I can expect given that a non Mig user is welding.comparison of the two machine - your comments are very much appreciated.other manufacurers of  similar machines like Lincoln Power Mig 216or Lincoln Power Mig 180CThank you in advance for your knowledgeable input.Bob
Reply:Biggest differences between the two are physical size, 110v/220v vs 220v only, and the duty cycle.If you need a small portable machine that can run on 110v or 220v power, then that steers you towards the MM211. If you want  way more duty cycle and can deal with a larger 220v only shop machine, then the MM212 would be the better choice.Hobart makes some very nice machines also, but the don't have the auto set feature and usually they have tapped settings vs infinite voltage adjustment..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:The 211 is a multi volt, 110/220, the 212 is 220 volt. The duty cycle of the 211 is 150 amps/30%, while the 212 is160 amps /60%. My local guy just quoted me $1025.00 for the 211 and $1650.00 for the 212.Like DSW said 212 is a floor model at 174 pounds , the 211 is more less portable at 74 pounds. The 211 takes 8'' spools, and the 212 is 12" spools.  The 211 has the smaller mig gun.    My supplier told me he he sells 211's like they are free. He has not sold a 212 in 9 months.If you want the bigger machine go to the 252 but now your at $2200.00.  Sounds like the 211 will do what you need and isn't too expensive.. You could build a cart that would hold all the machines and take up less floor space if that is a issue.
Reply:The Miller 212 was a transformer based machine and the Miller 211 an inverter based machine. I own a Lincoln 180c,  I think it would be on the small side or light duty for what your wanting. I'm still thinking about selling my 180c and moving up to a 200-250amp machine, just dont want to spend any money right now.. I think the best deal going is the Thermal Arc Fabricator 210, Indiana Oxygen is selling them for $1250 free shipping (250amp 16voltage taps,60% Duty Cycle@176amps). If you want to stay American made, I would buy the Hobart Ironman 230 (currently $1449 at Northern Tools w/free shipping)..  If I were wanting a mig welder only, the Ironman 230 or the Thermal Arc fabricator 210 would be the two mig machines I would be looking at.. both seem to be the best bang for the buck. I would also have to consider the Thermal Arc multi process machines, starting with the Fabricator 211i.. these multi process machines are getting good reviews and seem to have a good price point for the versatility..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:The two machine I was looking for and I end up buying the 211mm for mutivoltage and portable option., indeed at 74 pds she's a bit heavy compare to a passport+ One thing very handy about the 212mm, you can plug a spool gun and a mig gun simultaneously. I never regret the purchase of my 211 even if sometime I wish I have choose the 212 for his handy feature, the 211 fill the bill for me.Miller MM211Esab Mini Arc 161LTSEsab Handy Plasma 380Duck tapeTy- rapKool-aid
Reply:Ive got a 211 and i have used the crap out of it. I have put almost 300lbs of wire through it. Ive had to change the gun once and i upgraded the ground cable. I forget the gauge but it is double the size of the original. I can run the machine to the duty cycle and the ground never gets hot. Anyhow the 211 is going to be more than enough for most people. I should have gotten the 252 but the 211 is all i could afford at the time. Personally i wouldnt bother with the 212, if im going to upgrade the duty cyle i want the heavier gun, ground and more heat. So for me the 252 will be my next mig.However i would say that the 211 will be plenty for you. Its a very good machine and the portability is great, even though its on the heavy side of portable.
Reply:I disagree with you for the 212 and 252, they got exactly the same M25 gun and they both can use the same spool gun, the only 2 raisons I see to choose a 212 instead of a 252 for a hobbyist is a lower electric bill and a cheaper price tag!I have to agree with you on the 211, it was one of the best bang for the buck out here when they put it on the market in February 2009 and they still sell like hot cup cake. He can't go wrong if he get one.Last edited by OldSkull; 01-19-2013 at 07:26 PM.Miller MM211Esab Mini Arc 161LTSEsab Handy Plasma 380Duck tapeTy- rapKool-aid
Reply:I choose the 212 because I have a 30A spoolgun, the 211 would not work with that. Also, I much prefer the higher duty cycle of the 212, same as the 252.MillerMatic 212, Lincoln Precision TIG 225, Hypertherm 45XP