Buying first mig, which one??

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I am looking to purchase a new mig. I am not partial to any brands. My budget is adjustable, I do not mind spending the money if it is justified. I do a little of everything from sheet metal up to 3/8". Anyone know about the dual voltage miller, DVI2? I like the fact that it can used with regular power as well as 220. Any help would be appreciated.ThanksRon
Reply:If you want the ability to do 3/8" material in one pass, you'll need at least 200 amps - the Miller 210, now the 212, Lincoln 215 or Hobart Ironman 210 will do the job. Look to spend at least $1,000 for these units. Also check out ZTfabs very nice Lincoln - a great unit at a steal of a price, here: http://www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=12427John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Thanks for the response John. 3/8 welding would be at the extreme for me. So one pass is not critical. At the same time I want the ability if it arrives. Dollar amount is not a problem. I am just trying to make one (correct) purchase, but at the same time not go overboard. Buying new equipment is always a challenge, there are a lot of nice products available. Input and recomendations from fellow trades people greatly help me make a decision.Ron
Reply:Hey you  might check the miller mm180  great machine for what you might be doing....budget savyAlso Lincoln makes a think its a 175plus?  Anyway its another great machine too.   I would stick to a "name brand" thats just my thoughts anyway weld it like you own it
Reply:Hobart has a brand new machine that I tested and own.  The Handler 210.  It's smaller than a MM or IM210 with a smaller duty cycle, but has the same capabilities and is even smoother with aluminum if you get the optional spoolgun later.It sells for $850 from some places, and is the best deal out there, IMO.As mentioned, you need this class of machine if you want realistic 3/8" capability from a MIG.  Even if that top end is rare, you will really appreciate it's duty cycle at the more common thicknesses, and with 7 taps, you get all the ranges you need for excellent welding at all thicknesses.If you decide that's too much, than get the next one down, the new HH187, for the same great welding with a shorter top end.  But you'll also lose the easy upgrade to the spoolgun that comes with the HH210.You can read some great reviews of this unit at www.hobartwelders.com/mboard
Reply:Originally Posted by rgatesI do a little of everything from sheet metal up to 3/8". Anyone know about the dual voltage miller, DVI2?
Reply:Originally Posted by Carl26I own a DVI, not a DVI2. I'm not sure what Miller changed on the new one other than the front panel. I think its a great machine. A lot of guys will tell you to buy a MM210 or MM212 for a just a little more than the DVI. And you will be able to weld thicker steel in one pass. I agree with them to a point.If you are constantly going to be welding thicker than 3/8" on a regular basis then go for a bigger machine. But if its for general maintenance and light fabrication, the DVI is a good choice. And if you think you can benefit from a 110/220V welder, it's even better. I work in a 30,000 sq. ft. shop with a lot of heavy machinery. If something needs to be fixed on a machine and I don't have 220V readily available and it isn't practical to bring the work to the welder, I will pull the DVI over, plug it into a 110 socket and make the repair.For thicker stuff, I'll use the Lincoln AC/DC stick. In the future, if I ever have the need to weld thicker material I might go with a MM251 or Lincoln PowerMIG 255.Good luck with your purchase!
Reply:I must admit I am a relatively new welder. This is my first MIG, so I have nothing to compare it to. That being said, it has worked fine for me. I have only run .030 solid wire on it so far. I actually did weld a 3/4" non-structural part with it. However I did chamfer the edges and pre-heat. I mostly purchased it to weld auto body sheet metal with. I haven't had a chance to use it for that yet. I have no complaints.Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 Stick Linde HDA-300 MillerMatic DVI MIG Miller Dynasty 200DX Hypertherm Powermax 1000
Reply:Originally Posted by Carl26I must admit I am a relatively new welder. This is my first MIG, so I have nothing to compare it to. That being said, it has worked fine for me. I have only run .030 solid wire on it so far. I actually did weld a 3/4" non-structural part with it. However I did chamfer the edges and pre-heat. I mostly purchased it to weld auto body sheet metal with. I haven't had a chance to use it for that yet. I have no complaints.
Reply:If money is no object then I recommend the new miller 252 with 30a spool-gun package deal. Probably for the rest of your life you will never need any other MIG outfit. The 252 has some new features that I really need. I bought a 251 in December and if I had known about the 252 I would have waited. The new 252 has a low level cylinder rack, my 251 requires me to lift the cylinders about 6 inches. A 20 lb co2 is no problem my 340 cf argon cylinder is. The 252 lets you set several more welding parameters than the 251. I saw a 252 with spool-gun package for about $2900. I don't have room in my shop for more than 1 MIG welder. What I really like about my 251 is that I can weld 1/2 inch schedule 40 steel pipe without burn-through. It was extraordinarily difficult to do that with my stick machine.
Reply:Ok If your going to purchase one with (wheels) under it   Get the mm252 and be done case closed. weld it like you own it
Reply:I also have had a DVI for several years now. I bought one when my local rep didn't know they existed. Its very nice and does 3/8 nicely. The 251 will do 3/8 easier but if you are looking for the most bang for your buck and versatility then the DVI is the way to go. I have put plenty of miles on that machine and love it. Bill
Reply:There are really a TON of machines that will do what you are looking for.   Pick a quality name-brand machine of 160 - 250 amps and 220v, or, if you feel you will really need to use it on 110v, then choose a dual-voltage 110/220v machine and you should be able to weld all that you need to.   In my opinion, for most general fabrication and repair welding you're likely to encounter at your home-shop, if you stick with a Miller, Lincoln, HTP or Hobart, any machine you choose in that 160 amps and above category will be a good machine.  The ones that can be used with a spool gun are a plus.  If you decide to get into aluminum later on then you can add the spool gun as needed without having to buy a whole new machine.  We got a little Millermatic 175 that I am very impressed with.   Nice machine and it's small and doesn't need a fat 220v circuit to do it's thing.  20 amps is all it needs.  I enjoy welding with this machine and it hasn't given any problems so far.     I have an HTP MIG200 that I've been using for about 15 years and it has served me quite well on thin and thick and all in between.   I plan to keep it for several more years.   At the time I bought that machine, I toyed with the idea of buying their dual-voltage machine, I think it is the MIG160DV, or something like that.   It is probly similar to the Millermatic DVI.  I don't regret going with the 220-only machine though.  If I was going to buy another mig machine to replace the MIG200, I would probly go bigger and be looking at the Millermatic 252.   I like the idea that a spoolgun is a direct connection, as is a push-pull gun, as well as the increased duty cycle of the bigger machine and it's higher-amp torch.   If money were no object, MY choice is the Millermatic 350P.   I use that machine every day at work on aluminum and I like it alot.   If my job ever decides to sell one of their 350P's, I will be first in line to buy one!Here is the link to HTP's website, if you want to check out what they have to offer:  www.htpweld.comLast edited by DesertRider33; 07-05-2007 at 11:27 PM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:no point in starting a new thread, so what would be the best mig to get if i'm welding thin aluminum, like this:
Reply:So "thin" is a half-inch?
Reply:I don't see anything thin there....I believe any of the newer Millermatics will accept a spool gun for MIG welding aluminum.   You'll need 100% argon sheilding gas.  I understand the Millermatic 210, 212, 251 and 252 will take the spool gun as a direct plug-in.   The Millermatic 175 and 180 need the SGA100 control box (about $250) to operate the Spoolmate spoolguns.  Spoolmates are about $500-600.  Not sure if the DVI and DVI2 are plug-and-play or need a control box.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Dvi will use a spool gun. I have said in past posts though, if you are using a 10 or 15 foot gun and aluminum wire harder than 4043, you don't need a spool gun. Keep your lead as straight as possible. I have pushed .030 wire 25 feet in a straight line.Bill