MIG...why not just stick?

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Not long back I bought the Hobart Stickmate 235 and am now considering the MIller 211, a decision I put off until later.  But after using the Stickmate, am questioning if I really need a MIG welder.  I only use a welder for odds and ends and don't do body work, although I can see wanting to weld thin materials and aluminum from time to time.  Later is fast approaching and want to act within the next two weeks.  Currently I can afford the 211 but might not after attending a gun show just down the calendar .What are the less obvious benefits of a MIG so I can convince myself to go ahead. Of course, if I must ask, might be said I don't need it, and I don't, only want to learn to use one and perhaps use it from time to time. The other benefit, my SIL was a welder for several years, and this would be a nice tool to leave to him.  Appreciate your comments.
Reply:Its easy to learn.  Can weld thinner materials easier.  IMO it usually makes a nicier looking weld  if appearance is an issue.  Dont know much about MIG machines but is the 211 able to run on both 110/220 power?  That would be nice.
Reply:Buy the mig, sell the stick, and buy lotsa guns!!!!! yaaaaaaa!
Reply:Originally Posted by 99trxriderIts easy to learn.  Can weld thinner materials easier.  IMO it usually makes a nicier looking weld  if appearance is an issue.  Dont know much about MIG machines but is the 211 able to run on both 110/220 power?  That would be nice.
Reply:is it ac/dc the 211 if so u can do some aluminium and stainless.
Reply:a tig machine will let you weld thin, thick, and stick weld also..if you dont need to do aluminim, you dont need tons of power..isnt migs strength production - oriented  work ?
Reply:the benefits are that you can add a spool gun and run aluminum, and it's easier to weld thin materials.  People talk all the time about how a mig lays down a better looking weld than a stick, but I don't buy into it.  A competent stick weldor can run a bead that will rival any bead layed down by a mig machine.  If you practice and become proficient then there is no reason that you shouldn't be able to weld materials as thin as 16ga-18ga.  I do it on a daily basis off of my service truck.  Mig definitely has it's place.  It's cleaner, and faster, but if you will be welding outside gas coverage can be an issue with the wind blowing unless you set up to run self shielded wire.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Originally Posted by Hammack_Weldingthe benefits are that you can add a spool gun and run aluminum, and it's easier to weld thin materials.  People talk all the time about how a mig lays down a better looking weld than a stick, but I don't buy into it.  A competent stick weldor can run a bead that will rival any bead layed down by a mig machine.  If you practice and become proficient then there is no reason that you shouldn't be able to weld materials as thin as 16ga-18ga.  I do it on a daily basis off of my service truck.  Mig definitely has it's place.  It's cleaner, and faster, but if you will be welding outside gas coverage can be an issue with the wind blowing unless you set up to run self shielded wire.
Reply:Like Hammack said they weld cleaner. By that he means no flux on weld. For things that need to be ground out to look nice or things that will be finished then the mig is the way to go. If you are building something that has a lot of welds or pieces that need to be tacked together first then the mig is the way to go. Basically think shop work-mig, outside work-stick.
Reply:MIG will require the use of a cylinder of inert gas (usually 75% argon, 25% CO2) unless your running self shielded flux core.  I am more favored to the use of inert gas.
Reply:If money is not a big deterent, then go ahead and buy the 211. You will love how it welds and the 110/220v makes it easy to take and weld other places. The Autoset feature is very handy, too. Your Son-in-law will love it.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:OK, I'm convinced!  The other item can wait.  The MIG will be something that I can use too, not so with the other necessity...at least hope not.  Have been checking CL for many months, but have not seen what I would prefer, so while on sale....Thanks for your thoughts and info.
Reply:Just got a Miller 212 for Birthday/Fathers day and let me tell ya easy quick and clean. I use gas and keep it setup with .035 steal wire. I have a Tig and I hardly ever Stick anymore......Great machineBrandonLincoln Tombstone 225 A/C Steel StickerOld Victor O2/Acetylene setupMiller Syncrowave 250 Tig/PC-300 PulserMiller Millermatic 212 Mig HTP Invertatig 201 Giant Teck D50 Plasma cutterLots of HF grinders
Reply:I have a wire feed but prefer to run it with flux core, not as pretty a weld but no porosity due to the breeze blowing the shield gas away, it can weld real thin stuff and you don't have to store rods in a dry place. On the downside they are fairly high maintenance with the tips having to be replaced periodically, in our climate at certain times of the year the wire is prone to rusting which causes feed problems in the liner which then has to have a clean out. You can't kink the line or it will feed erratically and I have found that I tend to knock the controls when turning it off and if I forget to look ( which I can guarantee I will forget) before I start it up again there is a moment of erratic feed. The stick on the other hand I just put in a rod and weld. Very low maintenance. I don't like mig, or should I say don't trust mig for the following reason. In 1987 where I was living in New Zealand we had a 6.8 earthquake. There were numerous instances of buildings that had been mig welded and the weld didn't give/flex due to it's high tensile composition, and literally tore out of the parent metal leaving a big gap or crater. Buildings that had been stick welded in the main stood up, a lot were twisted beyond use but the welds had flexed, being mainly 6013 compared to E70T.The company I worked for then specialised in structural steel buildings and we had a few big contracts to replace some pretty big stuff and it was interesting as a tradesman to look over the damaged stuff.The trend where I am now is for everything low hydrogen which is 70XX but if I put up anything for myself I use 6013 cause I feel happier about the weld in a cyclone or quake.Just my 2cents worth.Clive
Reply:I find that interesting. 6013 has always been a rod I just plain hated.Between this post and Flange Jockey's I am getting a new perspective.Miller Dynasty 700Miller 350P with Aluma-pro push-pullMiller 280 Dynasty with expansion card Dynasty 200 DXMigMax 215 Enuff power and hand tools to create one of anything..... but mass produce nothing!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by FusionKingI find that interesting. 6013 has always been a rod I just plain hated.Between this post and Flange Jockey's I am getting a new perspective.