Miller 211 or 350P... which to choose?

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Hey all, I'm just kind of looking for opinions here. While checking craigslist I came across a guy selling a Miller 211 autoset for $1000; he says it's never even been used and comes with a bottle, hose, gauges and several rolls of wire.  Seems like a good deal but there's also a Miller 350P for $3000 at a pawnshop.  I've got a lincoln.sp-125 at the moment, it's just a 120 volt job but works well for sheet metal.  On one hand if I bought the 350p I probably wouldn't need to buy another welder for the rest of my life but not sure I need that much welder for the additional cost.  I plan on doing some frame building in the future and am not sure it the 211 would be up to the task?If you could offer any pros or cons about either one it would be greatly appreciated.Thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by ArtVandelayHey all, I'm just kind of looking for opinions here.  if I bought the 350p I probably wouldn't need to buy another welder for the rest of my life but not sure I need that much welder for the additional cost.  I plan on doing some frame building in the future and am not sure it the 211 would be up to the task?If you could offer any pros or cons about either one it would be greatly appreciated.Thanks
Reply:Yeah sorry about the lack of specifics.  I plan on building a hot rod so it would be automotive frame stuff; welding in cross-members, motor, tranny and shock mounts.  I don't think the frames are much thicker than 1/4 inch; I'm talking early Ford stuff, model A or T.  I just want to make sure I'm getting adequate penetration; I know the 350 would do it but if the 211 will handle it I could save $2000.00Just looking for the best bang for my buck without going broke.
Reply:The 211 is more than enough for your needs, and its a multivoltage machine, and another plus is its portable. I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Gun size is also a thing to consider.  Welding in hard to reach places sometimes needs a smaller gun.Larger machine-more amps-larger gun.
Reply:Thanks for the info, I kinda figured the 211 would be enough for my needs.  Of course after checking ebay I see that I can get the 212 for an additional $700 and it's got twice the duty cycle, seems like a better machine.  Hmm, have to think this one over a bit more I guess.  Hadn't considered buying a welder on ebay.Well thanks again.
Reply:212 big machine, not portable, and I dont think duty cycle would be an issue for you. Remember multivoltage and portability go a long way. I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Yeah I get the portability thing, if I keep my lincoln that would cover me there and I've got room in my shop for the bigger welder.  As long as the 211 is powerful enough I might as well save the extra dough I guess.  I think sometimes the smaller machines seem too small after using our three phase welders at work, like coming off the freeway and 35 suddenly seems sooooo slow.  Anyway since I can get a new 211 on ebay for about the same as this guy is asking I think I'll take my time and do some more research.  I don't need a new one today, just got some birthday money burnin a hole in my pocket and saw those two on CL and thought I should jump on one of them.  I have a small impulse purchase problem.
Reply:I wouldn't even want the 211. You could offer a couple thousand and your little Lincoln for the 350P. They probably got the machine cheap, may be worth a try. You should be able to do "everything" with the 350, do it in style, and maybe never need another welder. I would much rather have the big machine in my shop. If you're going to build cars, may as well look like a pro doing it. Not too long ago I saw a 252 for only $1400. There are deals out there, you just have to be patient and watch.
Reply:Originally Posted by BradTNI wouldn't even want the 211. You could offer a couple thousand and your little Lincoln for the 350P. They probably got the machine cheap, may be worth a try. You should be able to do "everything" with the 350, do it in style, and maybe never need another welder. I would much rather have the big machine in my shop. If you're going to build cars, may as well look like a pro doing it. Not too long ago I saw a 252 for only $1400. There are deals out there, you just have to be patient and watch.
Reply:Research all the 350P crappy welding threads online. I'd never buy they machine based on all the problems I read about. Especially without a warranty. Look at cyber weld dot com or weldfabulous and your LWS to price out a Lincoln PM 216. plenty machine for automotive.
Reply:I own a 211 machine and its awesome.........i have welded in 4x2 3/16" wall tubing for a track bar drop down mount on my dodge 2500......penetration was no problem at all, i also built a fab table out of 3x3 1/4" wall tubing, you can weld all day long, i also built a gokart buggy for the boys with 11 gage 1 1/4 " tubing, welded for hrs never had to worry about its duty cycle. And the thickest tubing youd be using would be 1/4", most likely .120" wall for tube chassis's. You have to remember to be realistic with yourself, you are never going to weld anything on a tube chassis frame for 30 mins straight. Even if it was just tacked all together and you finish weld it later you have to start and stop start and stop. You wont come close to its duty cycle.Plus if you did it has an auto shutoff feature for overheating. Plus its an auto set witch puts you in the right ball park when it comes to the proper settings for the material you are welding. On mine the auto set feature seems to be a little to hot for me so I have to dial it in.You also can weld aluminum with it but, you have to buy a spool gun.And the only downside is if you ever intend to start tig welding......Oh, and you can buy a brand new one for $1075 with running gear. Ask him if hell take 800. and spend 2200 on your chassis steel.My 2 cents.P.S. If you buy it from that guy look to make sure the bottle doesnt need to be recertified.Last edited by cymbilant; 04-26-2012 at 11:06 PM.
Reply:I am patiently waiting on my new 212 with spoolgun to arrive as a replacement for my MM185 which will go to my son.  I considered the 211 but have concerns about the portable machines and long term usage.  Not a knock on the portable machines and wish i could have two of everything however the smaller units tend to have more circuit boards than even the fullsize digital boxes.  And there are some really good buys out there right now but they are all way to many miles away or gone i find the add so i had to go new.TimJust some stuff in my shop.
Reply:"This welder is the best that i have used. I got 4 of them running 10 hours a day and have little to no problems. Leaves a great bead with next to zero cleanup. easy to set and operate. Welder can make any novice look good. will weld anywhere fromm 22 ga to 1/2 but it does perfer thicker. Can always switch to straight mig mode at any time to but pulse is the way to go . I would recomend it any day "This is referring to the 350P. Some others do seem to have problems with the circuit boards. The 211,140 and 180 have boards also..."autoset"...time will tell how that holds up. Maybe you should wait for an older transformer machine manufactured with some USA components to show up on Craig's at a good price. Art, I hope you find a great machine at a good price.
Reply:Thanks for the advice fellas.  I'm not really in a big hurry so I think I'll keep an eye out for the best deal.  I'm leaning towards the 211 though, think it suits my needs more than the 350p.
Reply:Originally Posted by BradTN"This welder is the best that i have used. I got 4 of them running 10 hours a day and have little to no problems. Leaves a great bead with next to zero cleanup. easy to set and operate. Welder can make any novice look good. will weld anywhere fromm 22 ga to 1/2 but it does perfer thicker. Can always switch to straight mig mode at any time to but pulse is the way to go . I would recomend it any day "This is referring to the 350P. Some others do seem to have problems with the circuit boards. The 211,140 and 180 have boards also..."autoset"...time will tell how that holds up. Maybe you should wait for an older transformer machine manufactured with some USA components to show up on Craig's at a good price. Art, I hope you find a great machine at a good price.
Reply:Thats an insult to anybody that does this for a living. That would be like saying SNAP ON tools could fix anything! Hit the road man!I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys