miller 211 vs thermal arc 252?

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I know I'm comparing apple's to oranges however I am trying to decide which machine to purchase.  Here is the rundown I want opinions.  I currently have a monkey ward 250mp AC/DC welder. I bought it for 100 bucks. It's served me very well.  I'm a hobby welder but I've been building BBQ pits AMD a few other items on the side for extra cash.  I have come into need of a MIG welder.  Both welding machines have there advantages. For instance the Miller is capable of 115 and 230 volt. So when my brother in law and I are building a BBQ we can run two machines. The miller plugged into a 115 socket and the stick in the 230v. One of us can tack everything in place with the MIG and the other can do the final welds.  The 115v and 230v is a big benefit to me.  The thermal arc has a way higher duty cycle.  I can have one machine in my small garage instead of two.  It has a higher amperage output than my current stick.  Not that I really need it.  It also has a higher duty cycle than the 211.  Also I want to learn tig.  Down side is 1k more, and I probably don't "need it". It is 230v and not capable of 115v. Anyway as a MIG welder which machine would be better?
Reply:I have a 211 great machine but between the 2 i would go with the 252 for amps and stick and tig ability. Yes I use it on 110 at times but have a 50' extension for 220 so can usually hook up and go where ever I need in 220.Last edited by nikodell; 02-14-2013 at 01:48 PM.
Reply:Are you working on multiple BBQs at a time? While he is tacking on one are you then finishing up on a different BBQ?Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:First post here.I cant speak for the thermal arc, but i own the miller 211. It has been a very good welder for me. It has the power for everything ive ever had to mig weld(ive done 1/4 inch aluminum), and the dual voltage has come in very handy. I did not like the M-100 gun or the ground clamp that came with the welder, the gun just cant handle the heat, so i changed that out for the Bernard Q200, and put a beefier ground on it. I also use it with the spoolmate 100 spool gun a fair amount and have had good results.
Reply:I have a thermal arc 252 and it is a wonderfull machine.  Once you get all the "advanced features" worked out it is awsome.  It is a great stick welder with the hot start.  I have not done much mig with it but what i have done it was ok. And i have not bought a tig torch to try out the tig function.  I also have yet to exceed the duty cycle.  One thing i dont like about it is the fan wich is about as loud as a jet. Also the mig nozle threads get gummed up realy easy. But overall it is a great machine and would recomend it over a miller 211.And if you still need the multi voltage and want most of the features of the 252 i would think about the thermal arc 211.Thermal Arc 252iHobart StickmateIf you aint burn'n you aint learn'n.
Reply:Thanks for the opinions.  I'm really leaning to the 252i.  My brother in law is all about stick welding. So I was thinking if I get the 252i I may pick up one of those 95s machines.  He is the pro but he is usually the one measuring cutting tacking everything.  Then I do the final welds unless its something critical or a difficult weld I'm bound to screw up and time is of the essence.  Regaurdless of which machine I purchase I'm going to continue running stick unless appearance is important and my stick welding aperance still sucks.  I'll also use the MIG on think stuff I can't do with a stick.  For instance my kid and I are fixing up a truck and I need to do some welding to the autobody.  The reason for the stick is because we weld outside all the time.  Well we run the cables out the front of the garage.  Out here in West Texas the wind is always blowing. Often its not a little brease its usually blowing!  We could use flux cord but practically nobody uses it out here everyone says stick is way better out here.  I know I went off topic but thanks. I think I'm sold on saving up the extra cash and getting the 252i. O on a side note what gauge is your 50 foot extension cord?  I built a 10 footer that fits my need.  But having a really long one would be beneficial if I needed it.
Reply:For what you're doing........ Miller 211. .  It's all the machine you'll need.  Welding up bbq's with that machine is like simply gluing beer cans together.  ie "no problem."Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Originally Posted by ZapzooThanks for the opinions.  I'm really leaning to the 252i.  My brother in law is all about stick welding. So I was thinking if I get the 252i I may pick up one of those 95s machines.  He is the pro but he is usually the one measuring cutting tacking everything.  Then I do the final welds unless its something critical or a difficult weld I'm bound to screw up and time is of the essence.  Regaurdless of which machine I purchase I'm going to continue running stick unless appearance is important and my stick welding aperance still sucks.  I'll also use the MIG on think stuff I can't do with a stick.  For instance my kid and I are fixing up a truck and I need to do some welding to the autobody.  The reason for the stick is because we weld outside all the time.  Well we run the cables out the front of the garage.  Out here in West Texas the wind is always blowing. Often its not a little brease its usually blowing!  We could use flux cord but practically nobody uses it out here everyone says stick is way better out here.  I know I went off topic but thanks. I think I'm sold on saving up the extra cash and getting the 252i. O on a side note what gauge is your 50 foot extension cord?  I built a 10 footer that fits my need.  But having a really long one would be beneficial if I needed it.
Reply:Get the TA252i or the TA 211i if dual voltage is a concern.  I have a MM211, a TA18i and a TA252i.  I used to be a Miller guy but after buying the 181i and seen what the inverter can do I wanted the 252i more for its power and portability it weights less than the MM211.Also it is a lot easier to get the wire speed and voltage set with the digital output.  The MM 211 you just play around with the settings to get it where you want it but you have no voltage and amp readout. As not using self-shielded flux core wire, around here everyone in the ag construction uses flux core wire I use esab wire others use gtw or lincoln get your settings right and you find that you will not use stick.  The tig just makes the TA welders more versatile. Attached Images
Reply:I agree, I have the 211i, it is a great machine.  Dual voltage, inductance control for mig, stick and tig features are an added bonus.  I can't say enough about what a sweet deal it is.
Reply:Does anybody know what the input amperage requirement for the 252i is?  I called the manufacture and they did not have a clue what I was talking about.  I was just a bit disappointed I called and spoke with there technical support people and they had no clue what I was talking about.  I had to explain it to them then they put me on hold for about 10 minuets and told me it was 300 amps.  I told the person I know the machine is rated to put out 300 amps but how many amps does the power circuit need to be to run it at full power.  They got real quiet for a minuet and said um 300 amps.  I hung the phone up.
Reply:Manual....http://victortechnologies.com/IM_Upl...29_May2012.pdfIt says the effective input current is 22.4 amps and the max input current is 34.7 amps..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:Thank you very much for the link.  I am probably going to install a dedicated 230v 50 amp circuit in my garage.  I can plug the 252i into the drier plug and the monkey into the dedicated plug and run both welding machines at once.  I was also wandering about the ability to run this machine off a generator for remote use.  It looks like it won't be too difficult.  Thanks again.
Reply:Manual lists 10 KW for a genset IIRC from when I read the link earlier..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:From what I have seen Shovelon post about it,  If you do plan on ever getting a spoolgun, The TA252i wins hands down for its advanced spoolgun control like slow run in and hot start.  both great features. Note that the TA 252i IS made in USA unlike the smaller TA's that are made in China.    I have not used a 211 bit recently used a friends MM185 and was quiet impressed with the abilities of it.  Duty cycle for MIG is a big deal for me as I used to have a Lincoln 175+ and would constantly hit the duty cycle trying to weld a lot of 1/4"   so I moved from that to machines that will I will never have a duty cycle issue with .   you can easily use a mig to 40-60% duty cycle.   much harder to hit that using Stick or TIG...Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawFrom what I have seen Shovelon post about it,  If you do plan on ever getting a spoolgun, The TA252i wins hands down for its advanced spoolgun control like slow run in and hot start.  both great features. Note that the TA 252i IS made in USA unlike the smaller TA's that are made in China.    I have not used a 211 bit recently used a friends MM185 and was quiet impressed with the abilities of it.  Duty cycle for MIG is a big deal for me as I used to have a Lincoln 175+ and would constantly hit the duty cycle trying to weld a lot of 1/4"   so I moved from that to machines that will I will never have a duty cycle issue with .   you can easily use a mig to 40-60% duty cycle.   much harder to hit that using Stick or TIG...
Reply:Originally Posted by misterBWhere were you able to find where the thermal arc 252 was made?  I've tried searching their site but haven't found any info regarding where its manufactured which would lead me to believe that it is made in Taiwan like the others?
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1http://www.victortechnologies.com/Sh...7-made-in-usa/
Reply:My thermal arc 252 says "assembled in usa with global components"Thermal Arc 252iHobart StickmateIf you aint burn'n you aint learn'n.
Reply:Originally Posted by ZapzooDoes anybody know what the input amperage requirement for the 252i is?  I called the manufacture and they did not have a clue what I was talking about.  I was just a bit disappointed I called and spoke with there technical support people and they had no clue what I was talking about.  I had to explain it to them then they put me on hold for about 10 minuets and told me it was 300 amps.  I told the person I know the machine is rated to put out 300 amps but how many amps does the power circuit need to be to run it at full power.  They got real quiet for a minuet and said um 300 amps.  I hung the phone up.
Reply:I may have been talking to the wrong person. Honestly I hope I was they had no clue it really was kinda disappointing. I'm probably going to get the 252 anyway.
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawFrom what I have seen Shovelon post about it,  If you do plan on ever getting a spoolgun, The TA252i wins hands down for its advanced spoolgun control like slow run in and hot start.  both great features. Note that the TA 252i IS made in USA unlike the smaller TA's that are made in China.    I have not used a 211 bit recently used a friends MM185 and was quiet impressed with the abilities of it.  Duty cycle for MIG is a big deal for me as I used to have a Lincoln 175+ and would constantly hit the duty cycle trying to weld a lot of 1/4"   so I moved from that to machines that will I will never have a duty cycle issue with .   you can easily use a mig to 40-60% duty cycle.   much harder to hit that using Stick or TIG...
Reply:If your welding BBQ's and need the ability to for two people to weld and only have one 220 circuit. Why don't you buy something like a  2 Hobart/Miller 190's.  Split your circuit and then you have multiple welders if one goes down and the ability to jump from one machine to another in seamless.   They are an impressive machine and IMHO very suitable for the type of work your looking to do.   Just a thought......
Reply:I have the thermal arc 211i, I think its pretty much perfect for a home shop..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/