What MIG welder to get?

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I have been looking to get a good mig welder for my home shop, all these new inverter based ones like the Miller 211, Lincoln 210 mp, Tweco 252I etc. and realize I already have two dedicated TIG machines, Lincoln square wave 175 and a HTP invertig 221 so getting a multi process machine isnt necessary. I have shifted my focus now on a Transformer based machine like the Lincoln power mig 256, looks like a good solid machine and built in Cleveland Ohio, USA always a bonus but I know these like to consume more power.I dont mind spending the $$$ for tried and true but also dont wanna get something thats not gonna last. My square wave has served me well for the past couple of years and I got it off here used. It has never had anything done to it and works like it was new and this is the quality I am looking for thats why Im looking at another Lincoln like the power mig 256, was hoping I could get some suggestions from others with experience with good quality MIG machines or multi process ones as well.Thanks in advance Lincoln PM 256 link- http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...eEgaArvO8P8HAQTweco 252I link- http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...l-gun-w1004403 SQUARE WAVE 175 TIG   DUAL MIG 151
Reply:The Lincoln looks like an excellent choice. I got a Millermatic 252 a year or so ago and it is very good. It's a bit more expensive than the Lincoln so it's a little harder to choose. Either is good, red or blue. Millermatic 252 at IOChttp://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...0&q=miller+252Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:Used both the Miller 252 and the Lincoln 256, both are good machines. I have the Lincoln 210 MP at home, and it only goes up to about 25 volts, where as these other ones go up to 30 or so (I can't remember exactly though). A lot of the MIG I've done has been on Lincoln CV 350's with LN-75 feeders, and Miller XMT series or Lincoln Invertec Pro v350's... but these were in fabrication shops and cost quite a bit more. Personally, I prefer Lincoln welders for wire.
Reply:I don't think you can beat the 252i for price and features. It welds as nice as any of them and puts up with lots of abuse. Has a 4 year warranty, runs on generators, spool gun ready, dual port for argon and c25. Pre/post/spot with inductance control for mig. The Lincoln is nice and have welded with it, no time on the Miller, as I recall though both are more expensive with less warranty, does not mean I would not have one, I think every mig in this class does a good job and it's hard to pick a clear choice.ESAB Rebels 215 and 235, ESAB HELIARC 281i, ESAB ET 301i, Hypertherm 85 and 45XP, Thermal Arc 185, TD 60i, HTP PRO PULSE 300
Reply:i do like my Lincoln 216 but wish I had gotten the 256 for the fine controls over the heat and wire speed. I am doing less and less MIG so it does not bother me too bad but the 256 sure looks like a nice machine. Cant really go wrong with Blue or Red. I did switch my torch out for a 20' .030 Bernard 180amp torch with a short radius 45* next. It is pretty small and fits in small places well. I dont do much high temp MIG welding so the smaller torch has been fine. The torch does not like to have ANY sharp bends or loops at 20' length, thats for sure.
Reply:Originally Posted by gnm109The Lincoln looks like an excellent choice. I got a Millermatic 252 a year or so ago and it is very good. It's a bit more expensive than the Lincoln so it's a little harder to choose. Either is good, red or blue. Millermatic 252 at IOChttp://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...0&q=miller+252
Reply:I have the Power mig 256 at work and it says "made in Mexico" on it. If I had to choose again I'd have gone with the MM 252 because the Lincoln has too many quirks (door rattle and control board problems) for a machine that cost $2000+.My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:Htp mig2400Eventual master of the obvious, practitioner of "stream of consciousness fabrication".  P.S. I edit almost every post because because I'm posting from my phone and my fingers sometimes move faster than my brain.
Reply:Don't forget the big tranny Hobart IronMan 230.It is a 250 amp machine too and employs 12 click voltage selector, but it is bullet proof and no digital crap to fail.Oh, and it is made by Miller.It is a large heavy machine that will tote up to a 330ft bottle and weighs in about 2 hundred lbs, but comes with runnin/rolling gear and gages and spare everything for about 15-1600 hundred bucks.
Reply:My vote goes for the Ironman too. I have both the IM and 252 and there is no difference in weld quality between the two. Like oldwornout welder said, no digital display to fix on the IM. My digital display went out on my 252 and it cost lots of Ben Franklin's to get fixed. The IM will run on a 30 amp circuit and cost close to a $1000.00 less than the Miller, both miller and Hobart are owned by the same parent company, Illinois tool works. In my opinion, the IM is a bullet proof machine and made in America.Last edited by kctgb; 05-03-2016 at 10:38 PM.
Reply:I first started this journey looking at the Hobart Ironman until I saw it was a tapped welder, that was a turnoff for me, if the digital display goes out does the welder quit welding? SQUARE WAVE 175 TIG   DUAL MIG 151
Reply:Originally Posted by Spar-XI first started this journey looking at the Hobart Ironman until I saw it was a tapped welder, that was a turnoff for me, if the digital display goes out does the welder quit welding?
Reply:Originally Posted by Jimmy_pop I did switch my torch out for a 20' .030 Bernard 180amp torch with a short radius 45* next. It is pretty small and fits in small places well. I dont do much high temp MIG welding so the smaller torch has been fine. The torch does not like to have ANY sharp bends or loops at 20' length, thats for sure.
Reply:You have a HTP keep it up the 2400 is 1500 bucks and does all the Miller and Lincoln can do ,see Lanse Chucke 2009 report on it. The Lincoln is a tank we use em in our shops against DC-600/LN-9 and they burn tons of wire .045 outershield 71 M vs 1/16 in the LN-9 still works.
Reply:Originally Posted by kctgbTrying to set voltage and wire speed without a digital display is kind a like pi$$ing into the wind.
Reply:Originally Posted by Spar-XI was just asking if it stopped the welder from welding like a safety feature, If it still worked Id still be able to make adjustments just from past experiences with my cheap HF welder which was just like not having any idea where your settings were, you had to rely on puddle and sound to know where you were in the heat and wire speed range.http://www.usaweld.com/MIG-2400-Weld...2401-st-24.htmseems they are out of stock and have a waiting list, whats up with their quad roller design? lol looks like overkill but maybe necessary for long torch's
Reply:Ironman ... no digital display.Located In SE OklahomaLincoln Mig 135Hobart Ironman 230 Mig5x10 CNC Table with DTHC & FTHypertherm PM65 on the tableMiller Bobcatwww.caneyagequipment.com
Reply:Originally Posted by wornoutoldwelderDon't forget the big tranny Hobart IronMan 230.It is a 250 amp machine too and employs 12 click voltage selector, but it is bullet proof and no digital crap to fail.Oh, and it is made by Miller.It is a large heavy machine that will tote up to a 330ft bottle and weighs in about 2 hundred lbs, but comes with runnin/rolling gear and gages and spare everything for about 15-1600 hundred bucks.
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1If '' THE TOMBS '' have a Farm and Fleet , they have all the Hobarts and some Lincolns on sale. The Hobart 230, is $1400.00 Sale starts May 5 .
Reply:As much as I like Lincoln and are NJ best Lincoln customer. , the HTP 2400 is a good deal as you have their tig.
Reply:Originally Posted by PavinsteelmanAs much as I like Lincoln and are NJ best Lincoln customer. , the HTP 2400 is a good deal as you have their tig.
Reply:24 taps isn't fine enough adjustment?Eventual master of the obvious, practitioner of "stream of consciousness fabrication".  P.S. I edit almost every post because because I'm posting from my phone and my fingers sometimes move faster than my brain.
Reply:Originally Posted by Spar-XYeah but again I dont really want a tapped welder, if it wasnt for that I would probably get the Ironman
Reply:You'll spend an extra thousand dollars for infinite adjustment.Eventual master of the obvious, practitioner of "stream of consciousness fabrication".  P.S. I edit almost every post because because I'm posting from my phone and my fingers sometimes move faster than my brain.
Reply:Originally Posted by SedanmanYou'll spend an extra thousand dollars for infinite adjustment.I've read all posts above I think the most important question is - what are you going to use it for?Home shop doesn't say much about anything. It would be a big difference looking for a machine that is going to be used for body panel work running .024 wire or an fcaw machine used to repair heavy machinery on the farm.