Want to buy welder and need advice!

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Ok, to start I'm sure this type of thread is frowned upon.  But I really believe the only way I am going to get this answer is from an experienced welder.  I really appreciate any help.I have had two 110v licoln flux core mig welders and have been using them for years.  I got really good at using these difficult machines and am able to make smooth, even beads... but it did take years to achieve.  Any real welding I need , i go to my buddy who does it for a living.  He's an old timer and has a millermatic 35.  Its a tall 220v mig machine.  I use this machine all the time, and I feel like a child could use it.  The beads come out huge, flat, pretty, smooth...with no effort at all.  Even a first timer can run a perfect bead with just a little luck.  I want that ability!  What a difference from my machine which took me years to learn.I guess I have two questions.  My first is what makes this welder burn such nice, huge, smooth beads with such ease?  As opposed to my welder 110v flux core which takes years of experience to get a nice bead.  Is it the 220v or the gas shielding?  Because my 110 does have a gas hook up.Also I found a millermatic 35 for sale locally, but after looking up reviews, everyone says don't even think of getting it. The technology is so old, any welder today will run circles around it.  Are these reviews serious?  I can buy any 220v, gas shielded, name brand welder and it will be better then my buddys millermatic  35?  Thanks guys for bearing with me.  I need advice.
Reply:The reason it welds so much better is simple... More output power. As far as getting an older machine, depends what you compare it to... Compare that MM35 to say a MM180 or Hobart HH 180, and I'd take the MM35 hands down. More duty cycle and a much heavier machine designed for light industrial work. Now if you compare it to something a bit similar, say a MM 212, and the lines get a bit blurrier. The MM212 has about the same max output and a bit higher duty cycle, so there they are pretty much even. The MM 212 is ready to take a spoolgun. I don't believe the MM35 is off the top of my head. Parts for the MM35 might also be an issue if you do have a problem for some reason as it's getting pretty old and some parts may not be available any longer. ( those machines are tanks though)Now the last part... Money. List on the MM212 is over $2K... If you can get that MM35 for less than $1K, that's a huge savings for some one who is just a hobbyist and doesn't depend on the machine to be ready to go at an instant and down time costs money. Wouldn't surprise me to see that MM35 go less than $600.Another really good older Miller mig is the MM200 with more output, or the MM185 which is almost the same as the MM35, just newer ( note the MM185 is older than the current MM180 and a much better machine than the MM180 is). I wouldn't be scared to own any of those machines. Good solid older machines are often a very good value for the money..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:Originally Posted by Strider380Ok, to start I'm sure this type of thread is frowned upon.  But I really believe the only way I am going to get this answer is from an experienced welder.  I really appreciate any help.... I found a millermatic 35 for sale locally...Thanks guys for bearing with me.  I need advice.
Reply:Geeze thats some great advice.  Thanks for not chewing me out for posting a "what welder to buy" thread.  I'm sure you get those all the time. You've given me some great info and recommendations to look into. Thanks!
Reply:Originally Posted by Strider380Ok, to start I'm sure this type of thread is frowned upon.  But I really believe the only way I am going to get this answer is from an experienced welder.  I really appreciate any help.I have had two 110v licoln flux core mig welders and have been using them for years.  I got really good at using these difficult machines and am able to make smooth, even beads... but it did take years to achieve.  Any real welding I need , i go to my buddy who does it for a living.  He's an old timer and has a millermatic 35.  Its a tall 220v mig machine.  I use this machine all the time, and I feel like a child could use it.  The beads come out huge, flat, pretty, smooth...with no effort at all.  Even a first timer can run a perfect bead with just a little luck.  I want that ability!  What a difference from my machine which took me years to learn.I guess I have two questions.  My first is what makes this welder burn such nice, huge, smooth beads with such ease?  As opposed to my welder 110v flux core which takes years of experience to get a nice bead.  Is it the 220v or the gas shielding?  Because my 110 does have a gas hook up.Also I found a millermatic 35 for sale locally, but after looking up reviews, everyone says don't even think of getting it. The technology is so old, any welder today will run circles around it.  Are these reviews serious?  I can buy any 220v, gas shielded, name brand welder and it will be better then my buddys millermatic  35?  Thanks guys for bearing with me.  I need advice.
Reply:Originally Posted by Strider380Thanks for not chewing me out for posting a "what welder to buy" thread.  I'm sure you get those all the time.
Reply:I am sure you would be happy with pretty much any 220v MIG machine! I like the older simpler machines. I just picked up and put to work a MM250 and love it so far!
Reply:Hey, Strider.If you are looking for a new 220v MIG, I would encourage you to look at the Miller 211AS. It will weld both 110v and 220v, has plenty of power for a hobbiest like you and me, and I doubt you will outgrow it. I have enjoyed mine and you will find many positive posts. Hard to find a used one yet because they are fairly new and very popular.Of course there are many other options, and I think you will find any 220v gas MIG from one of the major manufacturers will give you good service. You already know how to weld, so you just need a little bigger welder.Welcome to the forum.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:I picked up a Millermatic 211 mvp a few weeks ago.  I'm not a very good welder, and have very limited experience with other machines except my old Millermatic 130.  Set on 120v it works great on thin sheet, and on 240v it does the thicker stuff really nice. Most of  these guys on the forum like DSW know their $**t and won't steer you wrong.
Reply:I want the GTO!  Ironic comparison, my brother owns 5.  I own a few Jeep Willys and I wouldn't even think of buying a new jeep  due to inferior parts.  Good for driving down the road but not for getting used and abused.  This puts it into perspective for me.  I've also noticed every good welding shop has a couple of old timer machines sitting in the corner.   This millermatic 35 in question is $600.  The guy lives kind of far so I could prob offer him a little less.  Its got a black face.  Are these the ones with the problematic guns?I really appreciate all the model numbers you guys have thrown at me of great welders.  You guys have made it really easy for me and I will take the time to research each one.  Looks like the millermatic 211AS is a hell of a machine.  Runs at 110 or 220, can be fitted to run aluminum,  and for just over a grand, is not completly out of question.  I really like the 60% duty cycle of the millermatic 35 tho.  I've noticed when welding, especially if i'm being rushed and cranky (which I often am), I don't tend to stop and could really use that extra duty cycle.  Decisions, decisions.  Wish I knew a little more then I do.  Feel free to keep reccomending model numbers as its really helping me out.  I appreciate it more then you could imagine!
Reply:The most important thing to me was the duty cycle when welder shopping. Especially with a MIG that you can just keep going and going with and lose track of time. After that my second must have was spool gun ready and about the same level of neediness was a big enough machine that could weld at least 1/4" without breaking a sweat.Another thing to keep in mind is the amps needed for the machine (breaker size). My MM250 takes a 60amp breaker, in many shops this is 60% of the 100amp box. So if you have AC in the shop, have a good size compressor, etc. while using the welder you may trip the main breaker.
Reply:as for the guns,  if it craps out just hit up ebay for a replacement new one under $200 shipped,   I recommend the Bernard Q series.   but Lenco, Profax, Tweco, and others are all good.  Miller does not make their own guns. one of 3 or 4 companies mentioned make them.  I am forgetting one company triafet or something like that...   they are all modular so u just get the one with the back end that fits the machine..http://www.bernardwelds.com/products/semi-automatic/://also a new liner will often fix problems in an old mig gunTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I own a MM211 and love it. This guy help me decide. I not a professional just a hobbyist.
Reply:I reciently purchased my very first welder. I went with the Hobart 210mvp. I had wavered between several machines. It has the same dual voltage as the Miller 211 and pretty much the same welder in several aspects. I paid less than $800 shipped which is just about $400 less than the 211. For my HOBBY needs it has been a great choice.
Reply:Originally Posted by Strider380  I really like the 60% duty cycle of the millermatic 35 tho.  I've noticed when welding, especially if i'm being rushed and cranky (which I often am), I don't tend to stop and could really use that extra duty cycle.
Reply:If a HH210 or Miller 211 is not enough, look at the Hobart Ironman 230. Not portable or dual voltage but very good duty cycle.
Reply:DSW,The MM212 has about the same max output and a bit higher duty cycle, so there they are pretty much even. The MM 212 is ready to take a spoolgun.I own a 212 and been using a Dimension 450 every day for the last couple of weeks. http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/spec_sheets/DC19-5.pdfNot a real fair comparison I know, but the lack of spray transfer mode and the feeder difference is a big deal. In hind sight I would have bought a used industrial machine over the new 212 if I could do it over. I am actually rolling the idea of getting rid of my 212 and gettting a used 302.
Reply:Originally Posted by yakdungI own a MM211 and love it. This guy help me decide. I not a professional just a hobbyist.
Reply:Is that a Miller rep? Seems to me he is just a guy, that welds junk, that really likes his new welder. Made a video and told miller about it and they liked his enthusiasm?"Fancy pants chart on the cover!"  My 1995 250 has the same chart.