1st time buying welder... Hobart or Miller?

admin

looking at a Hobart and miller..  Liking the auto set on the miller 212 but I have also noticed the iron man 230 Hobart that appears to be a "better" welder.   I'll be welding mostly on car frames, tractor, ect..   both are about the same cost.  doesn't need to be portable.   will stay in my shop.   any advice on what to buy?   thanks!
Reply:What about the MILLER 211 ? My local supplier sells more of them then anything else. He doesn't even stock the 212 since he sold the last one. I would skip the 212 and go right to the 252. Prices vary by location but my guy has the 252 for $500 more then the 212. Check local prices for a package deal. The 211 is in a current rebate program if you need accessories. http://www.weldersupply.com/C/36/MigWelding
Reply:I dont need a "major" big welder for work or anything..  This is just for hobby use and repair on machines around my home.    I'm currently about to start a build on my jeep tj with an Engine swap, frame mods, roll cage, 4 link, truss axles, ext.. Never bought a new welder and just really need to know how big of a welder I'll actually need to do what I intend to do.
Reply:Try to find a used 251/252... DIGITAL readout of your volts and wire speed. Originally Posted by james06I dont need a "major" big welder for work or anything..  This is just for hobby use and repair on machines around my home.    I'm currently about to start a build on my jeep tj with an Engine swap, frame mods, roll cage, 4 link, truss axles, ext.. Never bought a new welder and just really need to know how big of a welder I'll actually need to do what I intend to do.
Reply:My Hobart welder came off the same production line as my , the next yrs. model, Miller. Both are gas, Hobart 18 hp Kohler and Miller 21 hp Kohler. Same versions come also with Onan. Except for hp every component is the same. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Auto set is a little over rated so don't buy based on that feature.The IM230 is a fine machine and there is noting wrong with a Tapped machine without digital read out  $1,499.00 at Northern ToolMM212- $1,752.00  at Cyberweld.$253.00 towards your shielding gas bottle Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:As far as MM211 vs MM212. depends what you want/need. The MM211 is a nice machine, dual voltage lets you do up to 1/8" on 110v and up to say 3/8" when run on 230v power. It's "portable" if heavy. However the small size that makes it portable lowers the duty cycle.The MM212 is a cabinet style "shop" mig. It's 230v only, but with a much higher duty cycle. It's also more expensive. For the small fab shop that will be doing welding all day long, where duty cycle will be an issue, it's a better choice. You really don't need to jump up to a bigger unit if all you do is say a steady diet of 1/8" to maybe 3/16" regularly.I will admit the MM212 probably doesn't have as big a market as machines in this class probably did before the MM211 came out. The average home hobby guy can make do with the output and duty cycle of the 211 if he's patient. I can certainly see where a shop might opt to go with a bigger mig if you are dumping that kind of money out anyways for a dedicated shop machine.The Ironman is a decent unit. For a small shop on a budget it's got the output needed and is priced quite well.I can't remember the specs off the top of my head, but I want to put it between the 212 and 252 in top end power..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Probably go with an Ironman from Hobart if going brand new....    I have a chance to buy a Napa 83-381 welder 220v / 265 amp ,  but I can find NO info on this older modle welder...   Can get it for 800$ and comes with an owned tank, digital amperage display, converted to tweco fittings,  8 sub levels with spot and stitch functions. made by Marquette.    Anyone have experience with these welders?
Reply:go to usa weld the htp 2400 is 1500.00 delivered 240 amps blows blue away
Reply:I purchased an IM230 about four months ago, 1549.00 from Northern. It was a choice between that and the 211. So far have ran about 20lbs of .35 and 5 lbs of .23 for sheet metal, so far no problems at all. Glad I went with the larger machine.
Reply:Whats closer to you a store that sells the Hobart Ironman or a store that sells the Miller mig? honestly Hobart and Miller will work perfect so I would stick with the one you have the budget for.Lincoln pro core 125 14''chop saw7 inch grinder,2-4.5 inch grinders,electric die grinder.Half inch drillAnd alot of hand tools
Reply:@ james06 - recommend selecting the unit with higher juice, if costs are equal~ish.  Bro, both units are solid.  Forego the need for "auto set".  The feature will not make you a better welder.  Started off with a MM175, for a cool $340, and upgraded to a larger BLUE multi-process unit.Hobart vs Miller.  Reminds me of the Remington vs Savage.  "It's not about the bow, it's about the Indian".  Always reminding myself of this as the welding/fabrication journey continues.Several dudes here run the Hobart 230s and they deliver some high quality welds.  If ripping a new unit, go Hobart for best value.  Good luck!"Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:Going with thr Iron man 230.  Thanks for the info guys!
Reply:My problem is I don't have a garage.  I would need to weld outside and keep it in my shed or drag it out of the house everytime I want to use it.  Anyone have a suggestion for a good portable stick welder?  I can use 110 or the 220 from my pool filter.  Looking for something under $1000 if possible.Thanks.
Reply:Get a Lincoln 180 dualand call it a day.Trust me on the dual voltage. One day you'll smile. I actually sold my old best friend(Thunderchicken AC/DC) and replaced her with a 225-GLM for the 110 ability. I must be some kind of pervert. I have zero problem with AC only.Miller whored out.Fugg'em.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:OooooPs. I jumped the gun ! Get a 216 since it  stays in the shop.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeinLINYMy problem is I don't have a garage.  I would need to weld outside and keep it in my shed or drag it out of the house everytime I want to use it.  Anyone have a suggestion for a good portable stick welder?  I can use 110 or the 220 from my pool filter.  Looking for something under $1000 if possible.Thanks.
Reply:Burpee I deleted your duplicate post.As far as a 110v/220v stick unit, I'd agree the Maxstar's are a great little machine. The Miller CST 280's are also nice, but more money typically. TA has a couple nice inverter 220v only units as well I believe. 110v only, I'd look at the TA95s or whatever the Tweeco version will be after the name change. They will run 3/32" rods generally with no major issues. I'd still take my Maxstar on 220v over running it on 110v though, given a choice..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:I love the MM211.  On 240v, it has a 30% duty cycle.  I love my a lincoln 216 which is about the same class as the iron man.  If I could only choose one for home use and occasional heavy fab work, I'd still choose the mm211.  For working on auto bodies or the frame itself, the 211 can handle it without a hitch.  I usually never weld uninterrupted for 3 solid minutes (30% duty cycle) anyway.   IIRC, the 212 puts out the same power as the 211, but it has a 60% duty cycle.Last edited by SuperArc; 12-24-2013 at 08:43 PM.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member