Mvp 210

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Thinking of buying my first welder...I took classes in welding at my university, (CCNY in NYC)we used one of the larger lincoln machines... one of the taller double decker ones... not a lunchbox (what are those taller machines called? haha)i basically got pretty spoiled using it... and along with learning the basics of welding... gained real life experience of what does and doesnt work... we did sheet metal projects, bar stock, tube etc... and i was known in the class for being able to fill in all the holes everyone was blowing in their sheet metal... i developed a trick to do it... by the end of the class i felt like i had been welding for 20 years...im looking to buy my first machine for my house... before everyone tells me to buy a smaller lunchbox to experiment with...1. im not really that much of a beginner and im already spoiled on the larger machines... and 2. im looking to buy something professional for when i do decide to scale up i already have the capability... and 3. i dont have 240 outlet but until i get that wired up in my house i want to be able to use it... is the hobart mvp 210 the right machine?? seems to fill all these needs... or is there another one that fits these needs... (dual voltage, professional level because im spoiled and good to have, etc)i know duty cycle is less than optimal but are there any other dual voltage machines that have better duty cycle? especially at this price? I know hobarts are pretty high quality and want something that can last a lifetime if well taken care of and kept clean... im pretty much dropping $800 on it ASAP... if no one has any other recommendationsthanks
Reply:You are going to be limited to about 140 amps on 120 volt current regardless of which machine you buy. The Hobart is a nice machine, I had their 190 for a long time. The 210 is not a big machine, I consider it akin to the "lunch box" welders. There are a lot of choices in this class: The Hobart 210, the Lincoln 210MP, the Millermatic 211 and or the 215, the Esab rebel 215, the Harbor Freight Migmax 215, Harbor Freight Omnipro 220, etc., etc. They are all more or less the same class of machine topping out at around 210-220 amps or so. I think all of those are dual voltage, but not 100% sure. If you want a "big" welder, you need to be looking at a 250 amp class welder...or larger. Millermatic 252, Lincoln Powermig 256, Esab 235, or larger. But you probably can't buy a "big" welder for $800.If it was me and my money and I only had $800, I would go and get one of the Harbor Freight units. There have been multiple positive reviews of them, and you can try it risk free for a year. If anytime in 1 year you don't like it, just bring it back for a full refund. There is no other machine out there right now that offers you this kind of trial period. You have nothing to lose. But that's just me. Terry (Shovelon) was a beta tester for some of the Harbor Freight units, and he had nice things to say. AvE just did a video tear down on the MigMax 215 and he decided it was a real quality machine at a bargain price. Now if you can save a little more money, I freaking love my MM 252. Well worth trying to find one used.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:yes, correct me if im wrong.... but isnt it really only a lunchbox style machine if used on 120 volts... but if used on 240.. its somewhat commercial level but with lower duty cycle than the larger machines with wheels?
Reply:If you are looking at that class of machine I would highly recommend the 210mp. It has all the bells and whistles the 210mvp lacks for not much more. Mig, flux, lift tig (dc only), and stick of course. With an easy to read lcd display and presets available if you want them. Plus there is an add on peddle for the 210 mp from Lincoln.97 Hobart Titian 7000squarewave 200210mp140st
Reply:The machines at your university more than likely had a variable voltage control, whereas, the Handler 210 has 7 "fixed" voltage tap selections. Depending on your actual skill level, the tapped voltage selections, could make the Handler 210 less of a "professional" machine then you are use to operating. The 210 mvp is a good MIG unit. The unit produces a nice arc with C25 and solid wire. However, the arc quality and especially the level of adjustability isn't in the same league as a unit like my Multimatic 215.ESAB Migmaster 250

Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:I have a Miller 211 and it like how well it works, lightweight and dual voltage. I works great with lower cost C100. That said I am sure the Handler 210 will have a better chance of being trouble free since it transformer based has less electronics to go wrong.
Reply:but if used on 240.. its somewhat commercial level but with lower duty cycle than the larger machines with wheels?
Reply:

Originally Posted by Louie1961

No not really...the bigger machines on wheels are typically 250 amp and up. For instance my MM252 can go to 300 amps. It will weld 1/2 inch steel in a single pass. None of the machines I described earlier will do that. Its not just duty cycle but it is max output as well. If you want to get into dual shield flux core (FCAW-G, outershield, etc...) then the machines without wheels will only handle .035 wire and may run into limitations because of not enough voltage. I have not heard of anyone running dual shield successfully on a Hobart 210MVP, and some of the other welders I mentioned may or may not run it. The stories seem hit or miss. I can run 035 and 045 dual shield on my MM252 without any problems.The same probably goes for spray arc with ER70S wire. I am not sure the smaller machines can get into spray mode.
Reply:I think the 210mvp you're looking at will serve you just fine for home use.Really the only thing wrong with it is no stick welding option. But if you don't want that option it won't matter. My full size millermatic 210 from the 90's only has 7 voltage taps and has never caused me any issues by not being a continuous adjustable model.It comes down to realistic expectations. If you seriously plan to run high amps often, a bigger machine may be needed.Last edited by MinnesotaDave; 06-04-2018 at 10:37 AM.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:before everyone tells me to buy a smaller lunchbox to experiment  with...1. im not really that much of a beginner and im already spoiled  on the larger machines... and 2. im looking to buy something  professional for when i do decide to scale up i already have the  capability... and 3. i dont have 240 outlet but until i get that wired  up in my house i want to be able to use it...
Reply:i would revise my statement to say that im not THAT spoiled... ive never welded above 3/8" and probably would never need to... and if I did need to go above 3/8"...  it probably wouldnt have melt all the way through the material..  just attatching something onto the surface... what i really mean by spoiled is experienced... as in... if im buying my first machine... i dont want people to tell me to go spend $200 bucks on a crappy lunchbox to experiment and figure out if i really want to weld... i KNOW i want to weld... also its in the sense that i cant handle myself on a larger machine... and dont need to be eased into the world of welding with smaller ones... however doesnt mean i necessarily need to weld 3/4" material... im spoiled in the sense that... if i buy a 140... ill eventually want somewhat of an upgrade... not necesarily a 1" upgrade... but bear minimum making the leap to 240 volt... and already have experience welding from 240v power supply... also this begs the question... how much of an upgrade from the HH 140 is the HH 210 mvp???? i mean... it seems like quite a bit of an upgrade.... since its like... ya know...  a higher number lol... (i dont really know what the numbers mean tbh except that higher is better haha)
Reply:its a pretty decent upgrade, but honestly there are better machines for the money. I would seriously consider the HF Omnipro 220...get you some stick welding and DC TIG too down the road (with optional accessories). the thing I like about the HF unit is it has adjustable inductance and infinitely adjustable voltage and wire speed settings, with digital meters. On the stick side, it has adjustable hot start and dig. Try it out and if it is not your cup of tea, you can return it for a full refund for up to a year without any risk, even if you just don't like it. I know some people will be like "that guy is such a broken record" but honestly, try it if you don't like you aren't out any money.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:There are many things that I like about my Hobart 210,  what I really like is that it can be worked on at my friendly neighborhood Miller service center, on warranty.  If all you want is Mig I doubt you will consider returning it in a year.
Reply:The Hobart MVP210 is considered a consumer level machine BUT that doesn't really take away from it. It is a solid machine from a solid company and will probably suit you just fine.It was made for just this purpose. If you got the $800.00 click on BUY from wherever yer looking at one and be happy.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:I know this post a couple months old, but what did you end up getting?GreggHobart Handler 210 MVPHobart Stickmate 210i