MIG for the Farm

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Id like a MIG welder to use on the farm. It needs to be able to run 220 or dual voltage, flux core capable, and have a fair duty cycle at max amps. Id prefer a american name like Miller or Lincoln, but others like Everlast and Hobart are fine just not HF units. What yall recommend?Miller Dialarc 250Miller Bobcat 225Hobart Oxy/FuelCouple of Dewalt and Milwaukee GrindersJET Bandsaw and Drill Press
Reply:Just my .02 cents.   Hobart 210 or if you really need the higher duty cycle the Ironman 230
Reply:I'd give the Hobart 210 a close look.
Reply:Keep an eye on Norfolk Craigslist. Have seen big old Lincoln wirefeed units for a good price once in awhile. Might luck out and find an LTEC or ESAB Migmaster 250."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:I wouldnt put hobart in the same sentence as everlast...hobart is on par with miller or lincoln.......I have a hobart 140 and put alot of wire through it with zero problems....go for the hobart....Of all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:Hobart 210 or miller 211
Reply:Do you have three phase power at the farm?  Lots of options open with that available. Dan D.Manipulator Of Metal
Reply:You won't get a very high duty cycle with a dual voltage machine. Hobart is basically the retail version of Miller. In fact some Hobart machines are identical. What kind of budget do you have?
Reply:I'd say the Hobart 210mvp.Or spend a little more a get the Lincoln 210mp Attached ImagesJust a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:The Lincoln 210mp would spark an interest for me for farm use. It would be handy to also have stick welding capabilities on the farm.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:The Lincoln 210mp.   You are not stuck with only 7 positions for your heat setting, like the Hobart. It's half the weight of the Hobart, it's an inverter, and you can stick weld with it right out of the box.And if you ever want to Tig DC style you can buy the Tig kit.AHP AlphaTig 200x 3rd gen.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP
Reply:What thickness are you gonna be welding ? Farm stuff to me sounds like 1/2'' thick or thicker at times . If you need to do the thick stuff just go to the Miller 252 and your done. Or consider the Miller 211 and a stick machine IF you do not have a stick one already. I use stick for almost all farm equipment repairs. A 1/8'' welding rod fits almost anywhere and 6010 burns through almost everything.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1What thickness are you gonna be welding ? Farm stuff to me sounds like 1/2'' thick or thicker at times . If you need to do the thick stuff just go to the Miller 252 and your done. Or consider the Miller 211 and a stick machine IF you do not have a stick one already. I use stick for almost all farm equipment repairs. A 1/8'' welding rod fits almost anywhere and 6010 burns through almost everything.
Reply:Used a miller 175 for quite a while till I got the 252. brother in law got the 212 and loves it for farm repairsMillermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:Depending exactly how much you're going to use it and how much you're wanting to spend I'd buy and XMT 304 or 350 with a wire feeder. Gives you all the DC capabilities on one machine. Another option would be to buy a suitcase welder that is both CC/CV and you could run it off your dialarc and take it out in the field with your Bobcat 225. Just another couple options to think about.Keep in mind if you're wanting to use it on some larger, heavier metal projects these 210/211 machines have a pretty low duty cycle. I'm not saying they're bad machines at all, but could pose a problem on larger jobs and is something to think about.Last edited by derekpfeiffer; 03-15-2015 at 07:57 PM.-DoogieMiller 350PMiller Trailblazer 325 EFI w/ Excel PowerLincoln LN25 suitcase welderXMT 304/22a feederMiller Syncrowave 350LXMiller EconotigHobart Handler 140(2) Uni-Hydro 42-14Hypertherm 65 plasmaWEBB Gap bed lathe
Reply:An XMT 304 or 350 for a farm welder is serious overkill unless the farmer is also a commercial welder doing work on the side. How much aux. power does your Bobcat have? You'll have limited duty cycle with any machine than runs on 110.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveAn XMT 304 or 350 for a farm welder is serious overkill unless the farmer is also a commercial welder doing work on the side. How much aux. power does your Bobcat have? You'll have limited duty cycle with any machine than runs on 110.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmwelderIt needs to... have a fair duty cycle at max amps.
Reply:Nice set-up, and nice cart. A few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Originally Posted by Lis2323I'm a farmer and I guess I'm a firm believer of ' there's no such thing as overkill'.
Reply:Thank you Silcon-based.Last edited by Lis2323; 03-15-2015 at 09:38 PM.:
Reply:Welder Dave--Ha ha.  Nope, just a hobbyist.  Lucked into an ebay deal on the one year old XMT and feeder.Last edited by Lis2323; 03-15-2015 at 09:39 PM.:
Reply:I bought mine on ebay as well. I never said for the guy to run out and buy a brand new one tomorrow. There're deals to be had out there on used ones. I have just over 2k in mine and it's WAY more welder than a MM252 for comparable money.Just my $.02-DoogieMiller 350PMiller Trailblazer 325 EFI w/ Excel PowerLincoln LN25 suitcase welderXMT 304/22a feederMiller Syncrowave 350LXMiller EconotigHobart Handler 140(2) Uni-Hydro 42-14Hypertherm 65 plasmaWEBB Gap bed lathe
Reply:Ironman 230Lincoln ac tombstoneeverlast powerarc 300ST
Reply:An XMT 304 and feeder for $2000 is a great deal. New you'd be looking around $6000.Originally Posted by roadkillbobbI wouldnt put hobart in the same sentence as everlast...hobart is on par with miller or lincoln.......I have a hobart 140 and put alot of wire through it with zero problems....go for the hobart....
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveAn XMT 304 and feeder for $2000 is a great deal. New you'd be looking around $6000.
Reply:Miller has the REBATE in progress for the 211. This should definitely be a no brainer now. http://www.weldersupply.com/P/275/MillermaticAutoSet11Millermatic 211 Auto-Set 110/220 Volt Mig Welder Part#907422 FREE SHIPPING! REBATES! AFTER REBATE, $879.00 with free ship. Product Number: 907422$1,452.00$1,079.00Millermatic 211 Auto-Set Mig Welder #907422FREE SHIPPING to the lower 48 states!Millermatic 211 Inside ViewThe Millermatic 211 Auto-Set 110/220 Volt MIG welder is an excellent welder and best in its class. This is Miller's most versatile single phase Mig welder.NOW UNTIL 12/31/15 GET A $200 REBATE DIRECT FROM MILLER, SPEND $400 MORE IN MILLER ACCESSORIES AND GET A $400 REBATE INSTEAD!Plus Free pair of weldersupply.com Welding gloves! REBATE FORM https://www.millerwelds.com/landing/...lue-Rebate.pdf
Reply:The XMT and a suitcase feeder would be a great set-up, you can take that case up on top of a combine and weld. I have a Miller 301G and a suitcase feeder and it works out great. You can weld thick material to thin material. Last time I used this set-up was for welding on top of a  metal storage sea container.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveAn XMT 304 and feeder for $2000 is a great deal. New you'd be looking around $6000.
Reply:i am wonderin why farmers like mig. isnt mig best for production welding? isnt 6010 stick better for farm(rusty/oily/painty/cowcrappy) work? and stick is more easier to make portable..as in go fix the wreck rather than tow it home . you shouldnt have any problem with 3/32 6010 at 70 amps on 1/8 steel..Last edited by weldbead; 03-18-2015 at 09:37 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbeadi am wonderin why farmers like mig. isnt mig best for production welding? isnt 6010 stick better for farm(rusty/oily/painty/cowcrappy) work? and stick is more easier to make portable..as in go fix the wreck rather than tow it home . you shouldnt have any problem with 3/32 6010 at 70 amps on 1/8 steel..
Reply:thanks fer the reply, im a bit surprised.