Mig welder choice

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I'll give you a little background first of what I have used and what we are doing for projects.  Currently we are using a crappy mig machine from HD that just isn't cutting it anymore.  Before we started building a flat bed kit for a 4x4 it was fine but now we find ourselves welding for about 2-3 hours straight.  Its fine during the tacking of tubes but the duty cycle isn't high enough for the full welding.  Not even close.  Didn't expect it to be but its reached the point of ****ing me off.  Right now the tubing is only .120 wall but we want nice looking welds and pentration for when we weld the DOM 1 3/4 .120 wall tubing to the flat bed for the exo cage.  So time has come to buy a new welder.I was torn between two different welders.  Do it once and do it right the first time.Millermatic 212   $1500or Millermatic 252   $2000At this current time I wouldn't be purchasing a spool gun for the machines since I still have my precission 225 tig machine w/o water torch and would love to do the exo in tig but not good enough yet and figure I would get more uses out of a good mig.  does seem like Miller is more favored in town so parts maybe a little easier to get also.We have a few big projects coming down the line for the next 4 months that I know of right now.  2 exo/flatbed, 1 solid axle conversions and what ever else pops up.  My links for the spring will be 1/2in DOM tubing.Really torn between which one to get.
Reply:This is simple. If you can afford the better unit, buy it. You'll be glad that you did as you start doing more (and possibly larger) work. Larger units on smaller jobs tend to have an increased duty cycle when compared to the smaller unit on the same job at the same amperage.If you can't afford the larger one, well....
Reply:Well, if you're already needing to upgrade welders why have to do it again?Since you already have a smaller unit, I would go as big as you can with the new one. Keep the smaller unit for quick/small jobs like tacking and sheet metal and use the new, bigger one for the heavy stuff. Especially if you are welding on trail/off-road trucks...get some power.BTW, the .120" wall tubing you are welding right now will weld the same as the .120" wall DOM....it's still .120" wall tubing any way you slice it.  - Paulhttp://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:I have a question for you that may be a little off-beat from your question..  But I was wondering what the duty cycle is on the welder that you're replacing?Edit: I also wanted to chime in on those two Millermatics...  I looked at the comparison chart on the Miller webpage.  I'd say go with the 252 if price is not too huge of an issue.  They seem pretty similar.  However, the 252 has a rated duty cycle that puts the 212 to shame.  I think the extra $500.00 would be worth it.  Plus, there are other benefits that I did not mention that are a total plus too. Last edited by DubJ; 09-05-2007 at 03:31 PM.***Stick welding like, woah.***
Reply:252. <-------<City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:There is nothing shabby about the 212, and it will serve you well, but as mentioned the duty cycle will be better for the 252.I had this same problem a few years back and went for the 212 (210 at the time) and have been very happy with it.  Most of what I do is 3/16 and 1/4". But you will never be disappointed with the 252 if you have the extra $500!Also check around and see if any dealers still have an old model 210 or 251 (last year) model on the floor that they will give you a good deal on.Me!
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabBTW, the .120" wall tubing you are welding right now will weld the same as the .120" wall DOM....it's still .120" wall tubing any way you slice it.  - Paul
Reply:Originally Posted by DubJI have a question for you that may be a little off-beat from your question..  But I was wondering what the duty cycle is on the welder that you're replacing?
Reply:Yup, probably 5-10% duty cycle at max useable output.  Not quite enough for that stuff. If it were me, I'd go for the best you can get...or the most. I have a MM210 and spoolgun. It will handle everything I throw at it, even 18 wheeler trailer bumpers. The 210/212 are good machines and will handle a steady diet of 1/8 and will also handle 3/8 with zero issues. If that would fit the bill and giove you emough to get a spoolgun with it, great. Otherwise the MM252 would be good as well. It will give you a heavier duty cycle and a larger spray capacity to boot.  Nothing wrong with either machine, it just depends on which is the better fit for you.
Reply:I was just giving you sh!t duc.....I know you have your reasons.  - Paulhttp://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:DUC,I went through the same decision process you're looking at.  The MM210/212 are great machines, and I'm sure you'd be happy with one.  I personally looked at duty cycle (particularly for spray) and decided on the MM251.  I will never regret the decision.  Old addage, you can't use amps you didn't buy.The 15A/30A Spoolguns for the MM251/252 are also much more robust, but they are also much more expensive than the 3035 (used on the 210.212).With either machine, I would recommend going with the Bernard gun.  Much better made gun than the M25 (Standard).  There used to be a direct(no cost) exchange program.  Check with the dealer you purchase from.Tough decision, but if the money's there, I'd go with the MM252.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by DDA52Yup, probably 5-10% duty cycle at max useable output.  Not quite enough for that stuff.