$1500 budget for a mig welder..

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i want to go back to a chassis machine..i'm mainly focusing on these 3 machines, acctually the miller and the thermal arc are at the top of the list..miller 212... 210 amp infinite settingsthermal arc 210  250amp 16 tap settingslincoln 216 250amp  7 tap settings..  i use to own a miller 252 i liked it alot..  are the characteristics of the 212 anything like the 252 when welding like 1/4 steel... if anyone has used a thermal arc mig, how do they compare to the millers and lincolns at the same amperage range?tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Might be worth checking out the Hobart Ironman 230 also, only $1300 w/free shipping at Northern Tools. 250 Amp with 12 tap settings, nearly double the Lincoln.
Reply:I have seen Miller 251's recently for under 1000 on craigslist. You should be able to find one in your budget with some extras to boot.UA Local 598
Reply:My .02 cents: I prefer a welder with infinite power control over tabbed power settings.BillMillermatic 2111960 Ford Ranchero1975 Dodge B200
Reply:I just bought a Millermatic 252 for only $500 more.  It's a welder and half.
Reply:I know you asked in the other thread and I gave my reply over there but when someone in future searches they can find this answer then. The thermal arc even being tapped has so much adjustment that you don't need the infinite voltage. It worried me at first but after owning the machine for a good while I realized it had lots of adjustments. The miller 211 i had ran just like my 252 but not near the power so I am guessing the 212 should have the nice soft arc the other millers have. The thermal arc has way more power then the miller 211 could have ever imagined and since the 211 has similar output as the 212 just less duty cycle I would think that the thermal arc would blow both the lincoln and miller away. One thing nice about the 252 is that you can turn the knobs alot and it doesn't change the settings so much where as the other machines that have 700-800 ipm wire speed when you move the knob a little it actually changes the speed alot and that can make things tricky to get set perfect everytime. I love my miller 252 but also loved my thermal arc and I believe the thermal arc is a better built, heavier machine. Not necessarily going to outlast the miller but they just seem to use heavier materials in the making of the machine. The 5 year warranty of the Thermal arc is nice too. If you liked your 252 then I highly suggest trying the other machines out and then maybe just holding out and getting another miller 252.Millermatic 252Lincoln 175 plusTA 185tswTA 161stlhypertherm pmax 45Victor torchHenrob torchAn S10 for each day of the week