Lincoln 255C or Esab 250 ?

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I'm ready to buy a 250 amp mig to replace my 175plus that I out grew.I'm leaning towards the powermig 255c or the migmaster 250. I'll be purchasing online, so I wouldn't feel right testing them out at a distributor. I've only mig-welded with Lincoln 175 plus and Airco 200 machines, so experience is lacking.I've looked at the mm210 and mm251 and considered them also??!! Opinions on these welders would be appreciated !!
Reply:I recently bought a new 255C. Best damn 250A MIG I have used. Smooth as hell and is great for sheet metal to 1/2 plate. Great machine. This may be a bias opinion, but I couldn't be happier with my machine. Its a step up from all other MIG machines I have ran in the past.Patriot Performance AutoLincoln Power Mig 255CLincoln AC-225 StickVictor Journeyman O/AQuincy QT-5 Compressor
Reply:[QUOTE=Patriot Performance]I recently bought a new 255C. Best damn 250A MIG I have used. Smooth as hell and is great for sheet metal to 1/2 plate. Great machine. This may be a bias opinion, but I couldn't be happier with my machine. Its a step up from all other MIG machines I have ran in the past.                                                                                                            Thanks for the reply....I'm glad you are happy with your purchase, If the 255is as easy to use as my 175 plus was, I'd be thrilled. I guess I'm bias'd as well,I still miss that little Lincoln......so much I thought of getting a 180C also to use on the small stuff (someday I'll grow up)If anyone else can offer their 2 cents....
Reply:I like both machines very well but still prefer the Esab 250 overall. Not from a feature standpoint but from the wet out of the weld bead overall. I like my 250 plus model better then both the standard Esab 250 and the 255C. Personally, I have a feeling you might like the 255C just from a refinement pointof view. The Standard Esab 250 has a euro connector for a gun unlike my plus model or the Lincoln 255C  (Tweco# 2/4) That means way more guns around and you can use them off of your smaller Lincoln if you want. (140/180c boltsright up without any changes) The Esab has a really loud fan and and runs thewhole time. (good for working the machine hard). The Lincoln has a timed fan that is quiet and works just like my plus model. (good too)I owned two SP-175 plus machines and you will really like the new versions too. Attached Images
Reply:Thanks for the reply Brand X. Did you mean that the 255c/250plus can takethe smaller guns...or just the std 250 esab?? The smaller gun inter-change would be nice...kinda what I was fond of. I'm gonna guess that they discontinued the 250plus, I like the 260 style chassis on yours...sweet setupby the way!!As much as I'd like to get the 180c also, the 250 or 255c will have to do....besides, I still need a plasma cutter....hmmm....
Reply:The Lincoln 255C and the Esab 250 plus take the standard type guns (Tweco 2/4) The standard Migmaster 250 takes The euro back-end and will not run the guns like the little Lincoln guns, etc.. The 250 plus is history. They put the four roll drive like the 260 and solid state contactor, quieter fan and it does run all the time. I got it mixed up with my 260. Tweco 2/4, Two inductance taps, burn-back standard, Dual bottle rack, and a way cheaper$$$ volt/amp meter option, then then the standard model. Lot's more copper inside the unit too. They basically fixed all that was wrong with the standard unit but did not push it very hard. Everybody just wanted the standard model??? Sometimes space is a issue and other times people just buy what they know about.The Lincoln should suit your needs well, so will the standard Easb too.
Reply:Thanks for the clarification Brand X, now I got it. The gun options of the Lincoln are more appealing to me, so I'll probably go that route. I also don't want to wear ear plugs when I'm welding.....the Airco 200 I used was annoying. I got to go test drive a mm210 at my buddy's shop....though he has 208 volts( I have 230+ ), I hope I can get an accurate impression of the machine. He says he been welding cages(.134 wall dom) on tap 7 with .035,kinda surprising to me.Well, thanks again for all the info...very helpful!!