Upgrade from a MM175 to a MM210

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My future brother in law wants a MIG welder.  My MM 175 has only run one spool of wire through it, and yet I am wishing I had bought a MM210.  Need some thing with a little more oomph.The 210 is rated for 3/8 and worth with spray transfer right?  Can I use the same gas bottles that I use with my 175 or should I look to get different gas mix and a larger bottle (I have two 80 cubic foot cylinders).  I have yet to use up a full bottle in the 80 cu ft but don't know if for some reason the 210 would yuse more gas.I hate to spend more money, but he is willing to pay close to what I paid for the 175 and for roughly $1000 I can upgrade with the spoolgun.What do you guys think?  Waht I am looking for is the ability to weld aluminum and up to 3/8" material.  I find myself trying to do 1/4" regularly and am taxing the 175.Thanks to all
Reply:I've got the setup you want. I do Short circuit for steel, never tried spray on my machine. Of course you know you'll need pure Argon for aluminum. I run two 125's, C25, and argon. Being able to just turn on the proper gas, set the machine, pick up the right gun is very convenient. Attached Images
Reply:How much alum you figure you are going to do?  As for gas bottle size the 210 will work just the same but for me an 80 would just be too small,, 125 min.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:I would think that 1/2 of my time would be on aluminum.  It's a hobby, so I am using it 4-6 hours each weekend.  Probably 1-3 woul wind up being aluminum if I had the capability
Reply:neimad,You don't sya what gasses you have now, but your 210 will use the same as the 175 for mild steel or SS.  100% argon, or helium/argon mix for aluminum.jim,I get mine in August!!Be well guys,hankj
Reply:neimad, one thing to consider for the tanks is that I like 2 smaller tanks like what you have.  This way, by having 2 you are more likely to drop one off to get filled and still have a full one.  This way you don't run out during a project or just as you start.  A friend of mine has a 125 and he frequently tries to get the last little bit out then always runs out.  How heavy is a full 125?
Reply:I have three 80 cu ft bottles, two 75/25 and on 100% argon.I'm having a hard time justifying the extra $.  I have an older Lincoln buzzbox.  I may just stick with that for thicker stuff.I need to win the lottery
Reply:How heavy is a full 125?
Reply:If you are spending that kind of time with welding the jump to the 210 would be well worth it.  It is a far superior machine and you can use 30# spool of wire.  I think most people overestimate the need to do alum, its still a steel world.  The weigh of the bottles isnt an issue for me, the larger ones are taller and usually you can tip them into a truck.  I handle 240 cf ones all the time by myself.  I also do not use spray, I short circuit everything. I need the all position capability and it would be too much fartin around.Last edited by Sberry; 05-09-2004 at 04:34 PM.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:Neimad,The MM 210 is only a short circuit machine and WILL NOT run spray transfer.  I started with MIG on a MM 185 the predecessor to the MM210 and outgrew it the day I brought it home.  Spend the extra and get a MM 251.  They sell for ~$1700 new or you can look on ebay; but be carefull there I see a fair amount of junk for sale for too much money.  And with Miller's warrantee it is worth going for new.  I run my MM251 as my back up machine and my MM 350P for production($3150).   It is likely a little pricey for you but I and running production on it around 20 hrs a week.  But in a production application is improved my throughput about 40%.  The 350P is also a pulse machine, with the ability to run a push pull aluminum gun.  I did not get the pushpull gun as my aluminum welding is very limited at this time and my 30A spoolgun is great.I would be willing to discuss the more with you.Sincerely,RonRon ShopFloorTalk Millermatic 350P, M-25, M-40 gunsDynasty 300DX, Coolmate 3, Crafter CS-310 TorchTrailblazer 302, 12RC, WC-2430A spoolgunSpectrum 2050Thermal Arc Plasma Welder PS-3000/WC-100B
Reply:[QUOTE]Originally posted by Shade Tree Welder [B]Neimad,The MM 210 is only a short circuit machine and WILL NOT run spray transfer.] NeimadDo a search on Miller's site on spray transfer with a MM 210. You'll find that it WILL spray with .030 wire and 98/2 gas. The same results can be found on Hobart's site with the same search.
Reply:[QUOTE]Originally posted by DDA52 [B]Originally posted by Shade Tree Welder Neimad,The MM 210 is only a short circuit machine and WILL NOT run spray transfer.] NeimadDo a search on Miller's site on spray transfer with a MM 210. You'll find that it WILL spray with .030 wire and 98/2 gas. The same results can be found on Hobart's site with the same search.
Reply:Newb, I need to correct myself on the cylinder weight you asked about.The older 125 size 3A2015 cyls weigh about 80 lbs +/- 10 lbs, but the newer 3AA2015 cyls weigh about 60 lbs more or less.
Reply:Thanks SDean, those weights are a lot more reasonable than I expected.  I suppose I could have my wife load them for me
Reply:You may want to look at the cost to refill/exchange cylinders and decide.  I used to use only the 80 because I could own them with no lease.  I turn them over fast enough now the the larger 240-300 cu ft bottle makes more sense.  The gas is the 240-300 size is about 1/2 the cost per cubic foot of what an 80 cu ft bottle is.Ron ShopFloorTalk Millermatic 350P, M-25, M-40 gunsDynasty 300DX, Coolmate 3, Crafter CS-310 TorchTrailblazer 302, 12RC, WC-2430A spoolgunSpectrum 2050Thermal Arc Plasma Welder PS-3000/WC-100B
Reply:The MM 210 is capable of producing spray transfer with an .035 solid wire and 98/2 on 1/4" steel. To do this you have the run the machine at about maximum output. At this output, Miller gives the machine a conservative 30% duty cycle rating. I state conservative, because Miller produces this rating at a room temperature of 104 degrees F. So in reality, since most people aren t going to weld when the temp is this high, the duty cycle rating is actually going to be better then 30%. Now, I would assume, that the highest percentage of people on this forum or others that purchase a MM 210 are using the machine in a hobbyist enviroment. In most cases hobbyist type welding projects aren t large in scale or high in volume were a 30% duty cycle would be an issue. So, in such cases, i see know reason why a person who owns a MM 210 shouldn't take advantage of what the machine is capable of doing. However, if I was purchasing the machine with the intent of using spray transfer a high percentage of the time, a MM 251,  PM 255, or ESAB 250 would be a better choice.