new welder - mm252 or power mig 256

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ready to get new machine. which machine is best? went to LWS and guy there said lincoln has better drive system. will be used for home shop, general stuff. maybe aluminum one day.thanksdave
Reply:Either will serve your purpose, but I prefer miller when talking wire feed.  I wouldn't pass up a reasonable priced Lincoln though.
Reply:seems price is about same $2200. lincoln has a $200 rebate ( i hate rebates). leaning towards the mm252. whats the overall opinion on these? any major problems / gripes?dave
Reply:I sold my millermatic 211 and bought a Power Mig 256, I had been all blue all my life this machine changed that, the millermatic was constantly having drive issues, I was very unhappy with it, the PowerMig256 has performed flawlessly, and I do mean flawlessly the entire time I have had it, I bought it a little over a year ago, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is an all around better machine. As far as spool guns go, I am not a fan of Lincoln or Millers, you want to squirt with a spool gun get a Profax, that is what most of the industrial welders who work on the sub stations use to weld aluminum.72 Chevy Cummins Project94 3500HD Welding Rig build Sold NOV 2011
Reply:flip a coin?  at this point it comes down to brand loyalty.At least that is what i would say if i had any experience.. lol
Reply:You can buy me whatever one you want I won't bitch if you bring me a Miller or a Lincoln. I will be just grateful for a new one.
Reply:I researched both the Miller 252 and the Lincoln 255 (before the 256 came out). I started out favoring the Miller, mostly because of its advanced spool gun features. After using both machines and looking closely at the internals, how they looked, felt and worked, I came to the conclusion that if you wanted or needed the additional spool gun and push/pull gun features that the Miller offered, then it was the best machine for the money. If you didn't need those features, then I liked the "heavy duty" look and feel of the Lincoln, especially the internals, better than the Miller. So, guess what, I bought a Lincoln Tig/Stick (Precision Tig 225) and I found a deal that I could not pass up on an old but good Lincoln Mig (SP200) and did not buy either of the machines I had originally sought. I am very happy with the two machines that I have, but I am seriously considering the Miller 211 for some portability.