what mig machine to look for next

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Ive outgrown my Lincoln 135HD machine I bought it used from a friend for a decent price but Im looking for something that is a little more powerful to do some thicker materialswhat should I look for next ? I have a Miller Syncrowave tig machine so I dont need anything that is capable of doing aluminum etc. just something a little more powerful any recommendations that dont cost a fortune Im on a super tight budget
Reply:You are going to have to go to a 220v machine to get more power. If you step up I'd say go to at least a 200 amp mig rather than a 180 amp unit. On a tight budget you'll be looking at whatever you can find used, or if new look at the Hobart machines. You might even think about the MM211 since it's 110v/220v and sell your existing mig to help cover the extra cost over 220v only 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:if i wanted to buy one mig welder to last me the rest of my life i would budget $1500-$2200my first choice would be the lincoln power mig 216 which is a 250amp machine..i really like the looks of this machine, plus its 250amp..  for home use, i dont think the normal user would ever outgrow a 250amp machine... it has a great price for a welder that size. http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...MIG-216/Detail next i would look at the miller 212 w/autoset.. although it might be a little on the small side... http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...AUTOSET/Detail my third choice would be a miller 252, the only limiting factor of this machine would be the pricetag.. i still would have to give it alot of thought though... i owned one of these machines for about 2 yrs, this is a top notch machine, and i kick myself in the a$$ everytime i remind myself i sold it.. this is a hoss of a machine for a home shop.. i can highly recommend it..  i could go and say this is one of millers flagship machines for home use.. its a cadillac..http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...-WELDER/Detail i currently have a lincoln 180c, i've had it for around 3 yrs or so, its been a great machine, its compact, has a decent price on it..near perfect for a smaller garage because its compact.. also has a metal drive assembly... think it has a 5yr warranty on it.. and serviced locallyit seems like the price on the 180c has went up since i bought mine though.. it still has a decent price though...  i do think i'll need an upgrade in a couple yrs, after owning the miller 252 and selling it, i really want another 252... http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...IG-180C/Detail i think for a 250amp machine, and the price, the lincoln power mig 216 is going to be tough to beat..Last edited by brucer; 11-25-2010 at 08:32 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:brucer thanks for the reply ive been looking at that lincoln 180 are you interested in maybe selling yours by any chance ? if so email me at [email protected]
Reply:Based on the V/A curve Lincoln sent me on the PM 216 the unit isn't going to be able to output anywhere near 250 amps with a solid wire & shielding gas. An E71T-11 self-shielded fluxcore wire requires less voltage then solid wire, so it should have no problem hitting 250 amps with it.I own a PM 180C and a HH 187. I've also field tested the MM 180. The PM 180C is a very good unit; however, it doesn't offer as much top end power (voltage & amperage) as the HH 187 or MM 180. If a 180 amp machine was the max my budget could handle and I wanted a unit for 1/4" and thinner steel, I'd go with the HH 187 or MM 180 over the PM 180C. My preference between the two being the HH 187.ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:My Lincoln 140 was stolen and I wanted a little more power than the Lincoln 140 had to offer.So I did some research and found that a Refurbished Hobart Handler 210 would be a good bet so I waited till one was available from ToolKing and bought one. It had the remainder of the 5 year warranty (4 years 3 months left on my unit) and it had free shipping too! It came with a new mig gun and ground clamps and it looked like new. All for a tad less than $700.I've used the Miller 211 and liked it but the price was a bit much for me. Seeing how the Hobart Handler 210 is almost a Miller 211 minus the Autoset, which I would not use anyway, so the Hobart was the one I chose. With the money I saved on buying refurbished, I was able to pick up a 125 Cubic foot C/25 tank plus another 125 cf tank for my tig machine and a whole bunch of consumables, a set of mig pliers and several rolls of different size mig wire plus was able to save a bit from the Miller's price.I love the Handler 210. It can do everything I ask of it. I've yet to hit the duty cycle wall with it. Seeing how you are budget minded, If you can find a refurbished Hobart 210 or even a Hobart 187, I would recommend it .
Reply:Using the stick side of your Syncrowave, would be a cheaper option then purchasing a larger wire unit.I meant to add in my previous post that if I were going to consider purchasing a unit like the PM 216 or MM 212. I'd have to seriously consider going with a  Hobart Ironman 230 over the 216 or 212. The 230 produces more top end power. The 230 also offers 5 more tap selections then the 216. The 230 produces a very smooth arc, that wets the weld puddle out very well and produces a very light spatter across the entire output power range the unit covers.http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...ct_47864_47864ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:Originally Posted by ralphiejantzbrucer thanks for the reply ive been looking at that lincoln 180 are you interested in maybe selling yours by any chance ? if so email me at [email protected]
Reply:You can a lincoln 180t for 570$ shipped through www.weldingmart.com. They are reconditioned, but the one I got looked brand new. Its tough to. I had it on back of my 1 ton flatbed welding on a building and forgot to unhook the ground.(SH@T) It hit the ground pretty hard, but never missed a beat. Comes with a regulator, face shield(worthless), and a pound of wire.
Reply:I outgrew my craigsland find $100 weld pack 100, and I just bought a nice new hobart 187 from tsc. $727 out the door with a 10lb spool of wire... I tried it out, and I think I'm in love... its incredible :-)[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:I buy used when I can. I'm a craigslist fiend. About every two or three hours during the day I check for welders on there using my phone. I shopped for over a year but finally found a very nice Millermatic 250 for 900 dollars. It still had the paper tags screwed to the faceplate and original spool of wire in it. But, you've got to be Johnny on the spot when a deal turns up or someone else will scoop it up. Carry cash at all times and be ready to pounce.Kevin- Springtown, TexasTruck:Chevy cab/ chassis 1 ton dually, big block and flatbedMiller BobcatVictor cutting rigTool boxes crammed full of stuffShop:Millermatic 250Lincoln 135Lincoln 225AC tombstone