Decisions, Decisions?? Help

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I am fairly new to welding but have the funding to move to a machine that I feel will last a very long time. I am looking for recommendations as to which you prefer and why? I have done a lot of reading on both and am kind of stuck as to which to buy. Basically it is between the Miller 251 and the Lincoln 255C. Both machines seem to be really good. I will be using this around my home/shop for car/motorcycle projects and will need to weld from as thin as sheet up to 1/2" for axle tubes. Miller lists these features and states it makes it the better machine.http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...matic_251.htmlLincoln lists these features and states it makes it the better machine.http://content.lincolnelectric.com/p...re/mc04223.pdfSo what do you all say and which should I go with. I am not die hard blue or red so I am open to all suggestions. Thank you greatly for all the help.
Reply:i like the 255 my selfChuckASME Pressure Vessel welder
Reply:one companies propaganda vs. anothers.hmmm what color is your toolbox? ...thats why i bought red = } it matched snap-on L lol Lseriously though, your the one thats going to be investing in a machine for the long term. i say get out there and try them both out. decide which one your more comfortable using, the quality SHOULD be the same between the two. thats why there are PLENTY of people that will swear by both.besides you can always buy another toolbox later to compliment the new welder!!
Reply:I'm terrible at matching...my welders are blue, my tool box is red. John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Either way I go neither will match my box. It is black. And i am not selling a 6k toolbox just to get another that matches. ok all joking aside. I dont have a lot of experience with welding which is why I was asking opinions. To put it bluntly I have only welded a handful of times and I am sure you all can guess how that came out. I have an oxy/acet setup that I use quite often but that is completely diff. Basically as I said I am going to start getting into welding a lot more which is why I am going to go with one of these two "larger" machines rather then one of the beginners like the 135, etc.. Any idea which one would be more "idiot" friendly than the other for a beginner? Most likely I will go with which ever one is more forgiving to the less experienced. Thanks again.
Reply:HI Yohinan;First I don't really consder the 135 amp machines beginners machines.    I think that is a misconception as they are more of a machine focused on specifc tasks.    Besides it could be argued that these little machines require more talent to operate.As to the MIG welders that you are looking at I think they are fairly well matched.   Go up to the next size and I would have to say Lincoln wins hands down.   As to the usage of these larger welders I can't comment on them as my MIG experience with large welders was some twenty years ago.    As to beign idiot friendly well that all depends on the idiot.   It does pay to invest some time in either training or a good book and some scrape metal.   If you are not willing to bring yourself up to speed there is little sense in getting a welder.    In the case of either welder and its usage on steel, you will be making pretty much the same adjustments just the knobs end up looking different.If you want somebody to come out and say directly which machine to get I'd say go with the Lincoln.   I say that for a number of reasons.    One is the perception that they make for the most part better all in one MIG welders.    Another is Lincolns web site which to some may not mean much to some, but I think it does indicate what the quality of support is like.   Third I generally like the layout of the controls on the Lincolns and the lack of tweaky features.    Besides Red is the color of action and involment, Blue is cool and chilling.All that being said I think you would be much happier making your own decision based on experience.   A good deallership ought to have one or two machines set up for testing and training.   Check them out yourself.Dave
Reply:Originally Posted by yohinanEither way I go neither will match my box. It is black. .
Reply:At last...we recognize the importance of fashion in the welding world.  However, my concern is that welders often come in primary colors and rarely in earth tones...I feel the need for a greater array of colors, patterns, and textures.  A welder should be comforting...I think that someone should make either a faded denim or a brown corduroy welder...maybe instead of square-wave there could be plaid-wave If arc-zone made/marketed those, they could be called the "comfort zone" welders.  Always just right for any job.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:lol something in a PASTEL'''' or flower power
Reply:AHHHHH CAMO----cool
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