honest advice

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Not intending to start the 'ol "blue vs. red" thing, but some honest factual opinions on the Miller 211 and the Lincoln 180 powermig would be greatly appreciated. I'm going to buy one of the two next week and I'm having a hard time deciding. (Been a Blue diehard for many years...... so convince me...)Miller 211Miller T-bolt ac/dcVictor o/aMilwaukee ChopsawDewalt, Milwaukee minigrinderDelta drill pressDelta bench grinderair grinder, die grinderHF pipe benderHF horizontal bandsaw
Reply:I would go for the 211 based on amps alone. I have heard great things about the autoset feature on it as well.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Go blue.  I have 2 reds and one blue.   211 vs 180 ain't exactly a fair fight, blue has it.
Reply:Blue.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:Hello tekstar, make a comparison of the wire drive mechanisms of the two machines. You will have your answer right there, for starters......Blue is for you between these two. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:I had an older Lincoln 170SP mig which is almost identical to the current 180's, and now have the Miller 211.  Hands down the 211 is a better machine.  The 170 didn't have adequate adjustment ranges.  It always needed to be turned up pretty hot to make it weld smooth.  The 211 is way more adjustable and flat out welds smoother and has a much better top end.  The lincoln welded good at anything under 1/8" thick and then started to peter out.  It could do much thicker but just not as smooth.  The miller does 1/4" like it's nothing.Miller 211 MIGThermal ARC 186 TIGHypertherm Powermax 30 Plasma
Reply:3/16" and thinner the PM 180C is the better unit. With solid wire and shielding gas, the PM 180C is light on the top end for critical  1/4" applications. So, if you're wanting to weld 1/4" steel go with the MM 211 or a Hobart Handler 210 MVP.Last edited by Dan; 06-28-2014 at 04:02 AM.ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:Originally Posted by aevaldHello tekstar, make a comparison of the wire drive mechanisms of the two machines. You will have your answer right there, for starters......Blue is for you between these two. Best regards, Allan
Reply:Originally Posted by Toggle SwitchI had an older Lincoln 170SP mig which is almost identical to the current 180's, and now have the Miller 211.  Hands down the 211 is a better machine.  The 170 didn't have adequate adjustment ranges.  It always needed to be turned up pretty hot to make it weld smooth.  The 211 is way more adjustable and flat out welds smoother and has a much better top end.  The lincoln welded good at anything under 1/8" thick and then started to peter out.  It could do much thicker but just not as smooth.  The miller does 1/4" like it's nothing.
Reply:Both are good machines.I recently picked a 180 dual up mainly for the 110/220 option, (mainly used for portable applications).I also had a 180c that I recently sold, still ran fine (warranty was about to end)For some reason Lincoln decided to change the gun to accept a "new" style diffuser & tips which do not match up with any other tips on the market...Big dummy move...The contact tips also now go to a point & wear out twice as fast due to overheating.The Miller 211 is a good, solid machine but I'm not a fan of the auto set BS.Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:I like my 180c.  I can only compare it to My former hobart 210.  I sold the 210.  I like lincolns arc much better.  It feeds better when gun is in odd angles.  I like the small light size of the gun  and cable for the stuff I do.Had mine for nearly 10 yrs. Use it in my business daily. It stay on 24/7.For what I do, I haven't missed more amps. Unless you have a steady diet of heavy material, then change process when over the capacity of the linclon.
Reply:Last year I went through the same decision. Having owned a mm210 for many years and run countless lincolns at the shop, currently a v350pro, I would say they both make great equipment and either way you would be happy. I opted for a Thermal Arc 211i  mainly for its range of options: 110/220, mig, stick, and dc tig, and can hold a standard 12" spool. Oh it also has a tweco gun for ease of finding parts.Runs like a champ in all modes and I couldn't be happier with it.Just a little more food for thought.
Reply:Love my little millertime 211.  At times I can't access a 230 plug for the 220 so the MVP works well with light work.  I run that on auto.  Had to fix someone's grill grates the other day and zapped it together 1,2,3. DunSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:had a 175+ for several years, always hitting duty cycle.  didn't know what I was missing till I got an old MigMaster 250 by L-Tec/ESAB.   so like others have said get as much power as you can afford...  also make a good comparison of the duty cycles.  some of the miller stuff has crappy duty cycles at the top end... ESAB make great machines too with really soft arc.   worth looking at if you can find something that matches your needsTiger 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:I like my 211 and the auto set works. You still need to adjust to fit your welding ability. IF you want the MILLER, June 30 is the last day of their rebate if that is a consideration.http://www.millerwelds.com/landing/build-with-blue/
Reply:Thanks for all the great input !..... guess I'll hook up with a new 211 tomorrow.   Miller 211Miller T-bolt ac/dcVictor o/aMilwaukee ChopsawDewalt, Milwaukee minigrinderDelta drill pressDelta bench grinderair grinder, die grinderHF pipe benderHF horizontal bandsaw
Reply:You cant go wrong with the miller 211, the autoset does work well with 75/25 gas. But if you use CO2 you're on your own. Myself I like .030 ER70S-6 and CO2 for most small stuff in my home shop.