Welder Advice

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Hi guys,I'd like some advice on what to buy. At the moment I have a borrowed Lincoln Mig Pac 140 (which I need to return shortly) and a Miller Maxstar 200 STR (never used and a bit of a long story as to how I got it).The endgame I would like is dedicated MIG and TIG machines, and I'm not sure what the best way to do this is. I am thinking of two options:1. Sell the Maxstar and buy a Lincoln 210 mp and eventually buy a (hf capable?) TIG machine.2. Buy a Miller 211 and use the Maxstar as a DC TIG machine.At the moment I am only working with steel, so AC TIG capabilities aren't particularly important to me. Portablily isn't a concern either.Both the Miller 211 and Lincoln 210 would cost me $1400 after rebates, so there isn't a clear financial incentive.So I think, in part, this boils down to whether I can expect the same MIG performace out of the Miller 211/Lincoln 210 and whether HF start is worth selling the Maxstar.Any thoughts?
Reply:Buy a Ironman, you will thank yourself for it. It's $1000.00 less than the Miller 252 and welds just as good, I have both and can't tell the difference. A dedicated Mig welder will do everything good, not great, but good. I can't say the same for a tig welder. I don't much care for multi process machines as they are to damn expensive to have repaired.
Reply:At $2625, the Ironman 230 is a fair bit more than I've budgeted. Is the increase from 220 to 250 amps really worth the premium? Originally I was looking at the Lincoln 180, but figured I would be pushing its limits too soon. My main use is in my hobby shop, so I'm trying to balance what I want with what I really need.
Reply:The Miller Maxstar 200 is one of the top of the line smaller stick tig machines out there. Sure it doesn't have all the fancy advanced functions of the DX model, but most will never use those anyways. I don't really see you gaining a lot. The Maxstar 200 is actually a better DC tig machine than my Syncrowave 200 is, and I have both machines.As far as mig, I don't see you going wrong with the MM211. As far as the Ironman 230, you must be looking at list price. Northern Tool and Cyberweld both show it around $1500, and I saw one listing on line at $1350. The ironman is a much better machine in terms of output and duty cycle. Down side is it's not really portable and isn't dual voltage capable. If you want an all around machine that you can take to other places and use on limited output on 115v circuits, the MM211 is a better choice. If this is for shop use on 230v all the time, the Ironman is way better..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by TheCollectiveAt $2625, the Ironman 230 is a fair bit more than I've budgeted. Is the increase from 220 to 250 amps really worth the premium? Originally I was looking at the Lincoln 180, but figured I would be pushing its limits too soon. My main use is in my hobby shop, so I'm trying to balance what I want with what I really need.
Reply:DSW, I'm in Canada, so we have very few places that sell welding equipment. The gas distributors sell machines, but at a premium. Things are likely different in oil country, but I'm in a goverment town. Miller and Lincoln machines are easy to come by, but Hobart is very rare. I used to import tools from the US, but the dollar to too low for that at the moment. For isntance the Ironman 230 at Northern Tool is $1849 USD and $2612 CAD after duty.Thanks for your thoughts on the Maxstar. They don't seem to be discussed very often, so I wasn't sure that it would be a good TIG option.Edit: I have no plans on these welders moving from my shop, where I have many 240 v receptacles.Last edited by TheCollective; 04-23-2016 at 09:20 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by TheCollectiveDSW, I'm in Canada, so we have very few places that sell welding equipment. The gas distributors sell machines, but at a premium. Things are likely different in oil country, but I'm in a goverment town. Miller and Lincoln machines are easy to come by, but Hobart is very rare. I used to import tools from the US, but the dollar to too low for that at the moment. For isntance the Ironman 230 at Northern Tool is $1849 USD and $2612 CAD after duty.Thanks for your thoughts on the Maxstar. They don't seem to be discussed very often, so I wasn't sure that it would be a good TIG option.Edit: I have no plans on these welders moving from my shop, where I have many 240 v receptacles.
Reply:The Maxstar 200's don't often get mentioned for a couple of reasons. 1st the Maxstar 150 is a lot less money, but will do almost as much as the 200's will. Big difference besides the extra 50 amps, is the fact the 200's were designed to run 6010 well, while on the Maxstar 150's Miller made a conscious decision to improve tig function at the expense of the ability to run 6010 well to meet their price point. Many who want a small portable stick machine that runs both 6010 and 7018 well, but don't need the advanced tig functions, opt to get the Miller CST instead again because it's a bit less money than the Maxstar 200. 2nd once you get to the point where you need to spend the money for the extra amps and ability to weld 6010 well, the Dynasty 200 wasn't a whole lot more. Many opted to spend that extra money to gain the ability to weld with AC tig. That ability also would make a difference on resale value. On DC the Maxstar 200 and Dynasty 200 are pretty much the same. The only difference comes on the AC side of the Dynasty's.I bought my Maxstar 200Dx from a member here who only had put 70 hours on the machine since he bought it. He needed to upgrade to the Dynasty 200 for a big alum job he had coming up and needed the cash to fund the investment in the new machine. I hadn't planned on buying a machine, since my Syncrowave 200 covered almost everything I needed in a tig, but the price he wanted after it had been sitting for a bit was just too good to pass up on a top end portable tig/stick machine..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Thanks DSW. It sounds like going down the Miller 211 may be my best bet. I'm not sure I can justifiy the extra money forthe Ironman, but I'll think about it.kctgb, a goverment town is where the largest source of employment is the goverment. Many capitals are this way (Ottawa, D.C. etc.)
Reply:Without hesitation I would keep the Maxstar and buy a Millermatic 211.Psst, I bet a 211 will fit in the spare tire well crossing the border...RyanMiller Multimatic 200 tig/spool gun/wireless remoteMillermatic 350P, Bernard/XR Python gunsMiller Dynasty 350, Coolmate 3.5 & wireless remoteCK WF1 TIG wire feederMiller Spectrum 375 XtremeOptrel e684Miller Digital EliteMiller Weld-Mask
Reply:Originally Posted by TheCollectiveThanks DSW. It sounds like going down the Miller 211 may be my best bet. I'm not sure I can justifiy the extra money forthe Ironman, but I'll think about it.kctgb, a goverment town is where the largest source of employment is the goverment. Many capitals are this way (Ottawa, D.C. etc.)
Reply:The new inverter based MM211 is a good machine and can put out 230amps- short duty cycle at that output but it's got it.As mentioned, since you have the Maxstar, the MM211 would be a good addition to your shop.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:Thanks guys, I appreciate the help. I think I'll pull the trigger on the Miller 211. xryan, I certainly thought about it, but I want a solid warranty and it is mostly the exchange rate that is the problem.