Time to upgrade wirefeed welder, would like some advice.

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Hello all,I currently have a Lincoln WeldPak 100HD that I bought from Home Depot 7 or so years ago.  I have been using flux core wire in it, never converted it to MIG.I am ready to upgrade, I use the welder mostly for fixing stuff the kids break on their 'toys'.  However, recently I have been working on the 88 Cherokee that I bought my son as well as the snowmobile, and on some of the projects I have been having the neighbor weld up with his Millermatic 212.  While that is an awesome machine, much more that I need or can afford.I would like buy something that I will not have to replace.So, my question to the group is, do I pop for the Millermatic 211? or save the $200 and settle for the Hobart?  I know the companies are owned by the same people, but they are produced in 2 separate mills.  I like the Miller the neighbor has and I like the infinite voltage on the 211, but the Hobart price is attractive.Thoughts?
Reply:Hobart. I don't mind the tapped machines.Although my list is all Miller :0 That is only because we buy through our business and get to write off the purchase. ( I don't really like the MM211 anyway, just personal choice- I know lots of people love it)You can use the 200.00 for a bottle of shielding gasEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:The Handler 210 MVP is a very good unit, so I wouldn't consider it a lesser unit then the MM 211. Based on the feed back I've read on the MM 211 arc characteristics, weld puddle wet out, and spatter level,  I have a feeling I'd prefer the 210 MVP over the 211.My attachment is the wire drive used on a recently built Handler 210 MVP. An older stock unit that that has been sitting on the shelf for a year or slightly less won't have this wire drive. Nothing wrong with the old wire drive it worked perfectly fine for 10+ years. Attached ImagesLast edited by Dan; 11-08-2013 at 10:09 PM.ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:OK, the Miller 211 just got a bit harder to justify as I saw at Blain's Farm and Fleet the Hobart 210 MVP at $794 on sale.  So if you could humor me for just a couple more questions:  Other than the Autoset feature of the miller, are all other performance statistics the same?  Is there any advantage to the infinite voltage ability of the Miller that begin a guy that can just stick stuff togeter will miss if I purchase the Hobart?
Reply:Technically there's an "advantage" to continuous voltage because you can finely adjust it.  For me and a lot of other folks, a tapped machine is quick to set up because it's easy to set and you're not monkeying with tiny adjustments.Everything I've read is that the Hobart's 7 taps are plenty of adjustment for 99% of welders in your and my shoes.  Consider for example that the voltage range at 100 amp output on a 230volt input is from about 13 volts (tap 1) to 25 volts (tap 7).  That's about 1.5 volt jump per tap.  My little HH 140 has 4 taps which is all you get on the MVP when it's on 115v - taps 4 - 7.  Not a problem so far on my HH140 and I had the same concern as you but now I kind of like the system.The 210 MVP is the machine I'm getting when I grow up.Last edited by RodJ; 11-09-2013 at 01:54 PM.
Reply:If I were buying a small 240V MIG right now, the Hobart 190 or the 210 MVP would be right at the top of the list.  Good product, great support."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Try to find a good used Millermatic 210.
Reply:The tapped machine is a benefit over variable adjustment, known to weld better  and less chance of a circuit card failure. The auto set is a gimmick far as I can tell from the ones I tried.Briggs weldnpower 225/210/cvLn-25 suitcaseMillermatic 130
Reply:What's your location ? Check craig's list for a used one. The 211 is great and MILLER still has a rebate on it too. Pricing varies by location too. I would check with local suppliers for a package deal. The machine and a 125 / 150 bottle of 75 / 25 plus whatever else you may need.
Reply:All the Millers and Hobarts are good welders I have used a lot of them. I kind of like the lincoln smaller migs one because if I run out of tips or need a new nozzle I can go to Lowes,Homedepot, Walmat and some hardwere stores and get what I need to keep working on a weekend or later at night. And I don't care what you try to keep in stock when your welding up the body mounts on your jeep for the next days run you will run out of something at the wrong time. Buy new and get a warranty. Buy used save some money but no warranty. Thats my take on it. Good luckwww.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Originally Posted by WinmacThe tapped machine is a benefit over variable adjustment, known to weld better  and less chance of a circuit card failure. The auto set is a gimmick far as I can tell from the ones I tried.
Reply:If you can get the 210mvp for $800, I would jump all over it.. I dont know of a better deal right now for a 210amp class machine..  That is a lot of machine for $800..Last edited by brucer; 11-09-2013 at 09:56 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Ive had both the Hobart 210 and the Miller 211 and I prefer the Miller. The quality of the welds are much better. I don't know if the infinite adjustment is what helped the most or not.FWIW,....I had an older Hobart 175 prior to the 210 and the 175 was a much better welder.So who knows, maybe the 210 was a lemon.Sent from my SCH-I545L using Tapatalk
Reply:My wife surprised me at the family christmas party with the Hobart Handler 210 MVP, just hooked up the gas this morning and ran my first bead, very nice, I like it!  I did get the one with the new upgraded drive, so that was nice as well.  Thanks everyone!
Reply:Congrats on the new machine. That's a good women to get a guy a welder for Christmas. I have a mm 252 at home shop and it is great but I have been whooping the **** out of a Hobart Handler 180 for years at the auto shop and that thing still welds sweet. I would actually pic it over my 252 for some smaller stuff. Hobart make a greats machine enjoy and happy holidays.
Reply:One question, if I want to run .24 wire thru it, do I need a different liner? or just the tip, wire and drive wheel?
Reply:AWESOME wife you have there. I sure hope you give her something.   Maybe get her a larger tank  ? Something you can use.
Reply:Originally Posted by CorporateOffRoaderOne question, if I want to run .24 wire thru it, do I need a different liner? or just the tip, wire and drive wheel?