Can you buy too big?

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Hi All,I'm a hobbyist and looking to buy a MIG. I want to use it for anything from sheet metal to 1/4", maybe 3/8" in the future. I'm looking at Lincoln Power Migs. I think the power mig 216 suits my needs, but I really like the adjustability of the power mig 256. Mainly the fact that it has infinitely adjustable voltage. My question is, will I be at a disadvantage having a 256 if I'm just doing small stuff in my garage? Obviously the fact that it's bigger and heavier comes into play, but what I mean is will I be limited in performance on smaller material if I go with a bigger machine? Will the bigger machine weld any better than the smaller one?
Reply:You never sacrifice the lower performance when buying a large machine.NEVER.The large machines will weld 16ga sheet metal just as good as say, a little 115v mig, with .024 wire. I was just running a powermig 256 last night.Very nice machine.3f and 4f .045 fcaw-g on 3/8" plate.And the root run on a 3/8" 3g.Welcome to the forum btw.Last edited by AKweldshop; 01-14-2015 at 03:42 PM.Reason: spelling/m ore picsJust a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Can you buy too big?  Did you really ask that? No.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:I have a 216. Nice machine. The tapped voltage has not been an issue for me. I got an additional liner and tips etc. to run .030 wire.    The smaller wire suits my small shop needs better.  The unit came set up for .035 wire.   The 216 can certainly handle what you have listed as required.
Reply:Only way I can think is if you buy something that cannot be powered by your available power supply or too big physically to fit in your shop.  Either way, I don't think you are in any danger of running into that.Multimatic 200Ellis 1800Haberle S225 9" cold sawMM 300;  Spoolmate 30A w/ WC-24TB 302GDynasty 280 DX Tigrunner
Reply:Infinite adjustments are worth it.My name's not Jim....
Reply:doojus let me ask you a question.Which of these pictures would you rather your welds look like? First picture is the results of what my V350-Pro can do on 3/8” material.Second picture is what a 120-volt Mig welder maxed out can do on 3/8” material. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:As a pure rookie that only welds stick and knows nothing of MIG, I would buy the 256.  Plus AK gave good advice and showed what it can do!!!!Everlast PowerArc 300
Reply:Actually the bigger machine will probably weld smaller stuff better than the smaller machine.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:In rare circumstances you can buy too big of a machine. An SAE 400 is a great machine but if you have some sheet metal to weld, forget it. I think they only go down to 80 amps.
Reply:Thanks for all of the replies fellas! Originally Posted by AKweldshopYou never sacrifice the lower performance when buying a large machine.NEVER.The large machines will weld 16ga sheet metal just as good as say, a little 115v mig, with .024 wire. I was just running a powermig 256 last night.Very nice machine.3f and 4f .045 fcaw-g on 3/8" plate.And the root run on a 3/8" 3g.Welcome to the forum btw.
Reply:Originally Posted by doojusThanks for all of the replies fellas!Thank you for the welcome! I think your post confirms that a 256 would work for me.First one for sureLooking at the specs of the two, the 216 has a voltage output of 13-24 volts while the 256 does 10-28 volts. Not sure if lower voltage capacity would translate into being able to weld smaller stuff better, but it seems like a wider range of voltage would be handy any way you put it.One last noob question, does the 230 volt version of the 256 use a regular NEMA 6-50P connector or does it use a different plug?
Reply:One issue you may have is trying to run .024 wire with the 15' gun that comes with bigger welders. A secondary gun like 10 or 12 feet may be needed.
Reply:A good point. Virtually all Lincoln guns under 500A are interchangeable, most Tweco's as well. I often use a Magnum 100 gun (for small 120V welders) with a full-size shop MIG when welding thin sheet metal. Lighter and easier to handle as well.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Definitely get the 256 if you can, bigger is better, my TA 210 welds sheet metal better than the 180c, and on 1/4 up its a whole new game.Thermal Arc 210 - Tweco 211I - Cutmaster 52
Reply:I just purchased a 216 last Friday.  I like it. It replaced my My 180c.  I dont miss the continuous.  I actually had a hobart 210 (my 180c needed a vacation) that was tapped, that was when i realized i did not miss continuous volt adjust.  I guess I am officially a Lincoln guy.  Especially since every miller or Hobart i have owned got sold.    Perhaps as a hobbyist you can get what you want,  but in business get what you need.  Thus, for me the amp is less important  than the duty cycle.
Reply:By the way.  Make sure you check setup for the 256. The 216 only comes with .035 -0.045 drive rollers.  So to run smaller wire , you may need  optional rollers and plate and tips
Reply:Originally Posted by Silicon-basedA good point. Virtually all Lincoln guns under 500A are interchangeable, most Tweco's as well. I often use a Magnum 100 gun (for small 120V welders) with a full-size shop MIG when welding thin sheet metal. Lighter and easier to handle as well.John
Reply:We run the 256 as a production machine .045 outershield 71M all day long ,they are great.
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopYou never sacrifice the lower performance when buying a large machine.NEVER.The large machines will weld 16ga sheet metal just as good as say, a little 115v mig, with .024 wire. I was just running a powermig 256 last night.Very nice machine.3f and 4f .045 fcaw-g on 3/8" plate.And the root run on a 3/8" 3g.Welcome to the forum btw.
Reply:I always say buy bigger. You can turn a big machine down, but go ahead and try to turn a small machine up.But I think it might be difficult to find a gun/liner combo for .023 to work in my PowerMig 350MP. Check my posts. I always say buy big. I am just not sure I would say you NEVER sacrifice. Plus, a 110v mig is just so nice to have around for the small stuff anyways. You may find an .023 liner for a 400amp gun, but dang, it is a handful just to run .023 wire.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:John's post about the small gun on a large machine is correct. The Powermig 350 is excellent with that combo of small wire/small gun. The gun off a 180c fits just fine. Most people will find a 216 tapped machine great for bodywork. Just as good as a 256. I tend to like the small machine/ small wire setup, even though my 400 amp mig runs small wire excellent..Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:When I built this lumber rack. The tubing is all 1/16” wall. My 200-amp 15-feet long Tweco gun had nothing but trouble with .023” wire. I had to keep the gun as straight as possible at all times, or the wire would bird nest at the drive rolls of my Linde VI-206 Mig machine. If I would have had the Dynasty at the time I would have just Tig welded everything. This would have been the perfect project for a 120-volt Mig machine! Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I would say buy as big as you can.  You can always turn it down and it's great to know you have the available power if needed.
Reply:I agree with all the posts on the larger machines fitting the bill. When I was starting out it's what I did. I've purchased several L-Tec Migmaster 225 machines for general shop use and alongside them were Lincoln SP-125 Plus machines which were much smaller and lighter to use, especially on the frame rack(s). Pushing .023-.025 wire through a 12, or 15' mig gun will be a constant problem on the bigger machines. On the smaller Lincoln's an optional 12' Tweco gun running Lincoln's .025 L-56 wire has yielded no problems over a dozen years. On the single machines I still own, (one of each mentioned) they still have the original liners, nozzles, and drive rolls installed. These are now many years old but still function as they should.SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....I have the Millermatic 252, I love it! Others tell me they prefer the Lincoln. I believe they are like Ford vs. Chevy.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPWhen I built this lumber rack. The tubing is all 1/16” wall. My 200-amp 15-feet long Tweco gun had nothing but trouble with .023” wire. I had to keep the gun as straight as possible at all times, or the wire would bird nest at the drive rolls of my Linde VI-206 Mig machine. If I would have had the Dynasty at the time I would have just Tig welded everything. This would have been the perfect project for a 120-volt Mig machine!
Reply:I used the .045” NR-212 in the shop, knowing I was going to your place to do the same thing at a later date. I also knew the NR-212 would weld over galvanized material really well. If I had .030” shelf shielded wire I would have used it. Sometimes you just gotta use what you got. Every once in a while I luck out, and make an acceptable weld. You just happen to be there the day it happened.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:I have the older Lincoln 255 that I bought from a pawn shop for a steal.  It looks like hell, but welds like a dream.  I started with a Hobart 110V machine and worked my way up to this until this unit.  I can say that, if you have the means, get a bigger machine.  You will end up there, one way or another.Lincoln Powermig 255Hypertherm Powermax 45Thermal Arc 161SOxweld 24R OA TorchStill Looking for an Old Round Top Idealarc 250