Mig or multi process welder

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Greetings,This is my first post. I have been lurking and trying to absorb as much info as I can for a little while now. I used to own a small 110v mig but it broke several years ago and parts and motivation to fix it where not available. I am self taught which really means I don't know much and what I think I know probably should be scrutinized. Any way I am looking to purchase a new machine.I am looking at two machines. The Millermatic 211 and the Miller Multimatic 200. Currently I am employed as an antique auto restoration mechanic. My favorite hobby is building and racing amateur level road race cars. The multi voltage machines appeal to me due to their portability. I have never Tig or stick welded but I would like to learn, making the Multimatic quite appealing. What concerns me however is that 99% of any potential welding I may do will most likely be Mig. I don't want to buy the Multimatic if it means I will be compromising the Mig welding functions. I also think that if I learn and do any tig welding it would most likely be with aluminum which if I understand correctly, the Multimatic will not do. Is the Multimatic a machine that is "the jack of all trades and master of none"?I tried to do my due dillegence with research. I went to my local welding supply store and even though I was the only person in the store besides the clerk he didn't seem to want to give me the time of day. I will not be purchasing the machine from this particular store. There is another supply house sort of near me but I haven't been able to get there to check it out yet.My budget is in the $2000.00 range and I will need some additional gear, (tank, hood, gloves, etc) I already own several grinders and such but I am trying to keep in that range with a machine that is ready to go.If the Miller Multimatic is a really good mig machine that's probably the way I'll go but I'd like some input from some folks that actually know what they're doing.Any input would be appreciatedRegardsCraig
Reply:I don't have any experience with that machine but I have been told that you don't want a tig/stick combo something with amperages and frequencies make it a no go. That's all I got though best of luck
Reply:I have not used the multimatic 200, however, I feel your pain!  I ended up with a Tweco 211i(much like the multimatic   200).  I love the dual voltage and versatility. If miller is your game, I would go multi process.  I feel that it would allow you to grow into new processes, and then update your machine needs based on uses.
Reply:Originally Posted by b00mhowerI don't have any experience with that machine but I have been told that you don't want a tig/stick combo something with amperages and frequencies make it a no go. That's all I got though best of luck
Reply:I wouldn't worry too much about the Multimatics performance on mig. It's based off Millers Passport Plus which was a solid mig machine. You give up a small bit in duty cycle with the Multimatic over the MM211 using 230v power, but gain a bit  in duty cycle using 110v power because it's an inverter machine. I've always thought the old Passports were an exceptional dual voltage portable mig, though very pricy. I was a little disappointed when the Multimatic came out that it didn't have the stick tig range my Maxstar 200 does combined with the mig ability of the Passport's. Instead Miller went with the output of the smaller Maxstar 150's to keep the price down. That put them behind the ball compared to other manufacturers output ratings.To be honest, Lincolns new MP210 looks like a better multi function machine, and I'm a die hard Miller fan. Output on all 3 process is 200 + amps, where the Miller is only 200 amps in mig and 150 amps in tig/stick. Price is also about 1/2 what the Miller is, but weight isn't all that much more than the Multimatic is. The Tweeco is also a nice choice, but again the Lincoln wins in both weight and price, and performance looks to match that of the Lincoln. I think looking last week at pricing the Lincoln MP210 was about $1000 roughly without the tig parts. That would still leave you a fair bit of cash to sock away towards eventually getting an AC/Dc dedicated tig machine doing alum tig. $1000 is on the low end for a nice used AC rated tig, but they are out there. $1500-2000 is a better starting range and I've seen plenty of nice machines in our area in that range.I'm guessing one of the places you are looking at would be Praxair ( used to be MG industies)  on 309 up in Quakertown based on your location. I've only dealt once or twice with that location, but I've dealt with their Warminster location for years. Staff at most of the Praxair locations I've dealt with has been spotty. Most of the "regular" staff has been decent. However they often put in "subs" when they call the main staff in for meetings and so on, and those guys have never been great. Most are sales reps that usually just take phone orders and don't work the floor, so seldom know what they have on hand, or much about that stuff.Upper Bucks is supposed to have a good night program for welding, but I've never dealt with them myself. Middle Buck's night program is pretty decent. I dealt with them a bunch years ago, but haven't looked at their program in the last two or three years. They aren't all that far from where you probably are located, though Upper Bucks is probably closer. I'd recommend either program when you get to the point you want to learn AC tig..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Thank you folks for the replies,DSW, yes you nailed it. I did go to the store in Quakertown. Apparently I was interrupting the sports page. I went in the early afternoon, after lunch figuring the place wouldn't be busy with real welders trying to make a living. I am going to try Scully Supply in Hatfeild next as they are closer to my work. Driving to Warminster during the day is usually a royal PITA.I really didn't even consider Lincoln. It seems that I have a bit of prejudice against a lot of brand names that get sold in the big box stores. Stuff always seems to be built to a price that looks good in the Sunday paper. I checked the machine out on Lincoln's website and it does look like it would fit my criteria. It is now on the list. I had considered the Tweeco / Thermal Arc but was watching a YouTube video from"welding tips and tricks". The episode was experimenting with different and purposely less than optimal machine settings.  The host ( can't remember his name) made a very subtle comment that the Tweeco had a narrower range of settings that would still produce an acceptable weld. Probably not a good thing for someone with my skill set?I had to reread my post to see if I had mentioned my intention of getting some professional instruction at my local tech school. I didn't but it is planned for next falls semester. I'll probably use the Middle Bucks location as its not that much further than the Upper Bucks location and their faculties are pretty nice. Any way that's the planThanks again
Reply:Scully's is a bit far from me on average. 90% of the time I use Praxair in Warminster, and occasionally Airgas in Horsham. Guys over at Eastern in Montco where I help teach welding at night, refer a lot of their students to Scully and I think that's who delivers the gas for the school. It might pay to check with them and see if they give a student discount and keep that in mind if you go to use them.Hobart is pretty much Miller box store line, though there's nothing wrong with that. Lincoln usually has multiple similar models, one they sell in the box store, and one they sell at welding suppliers. Typically the "pro" stuff is infinitely adjustable compared to the box store stuff. For whatever reason Lincoln doesn't seem as popular around us. Maybe it's because Miller managed to get their stuff in all the tech schools.I figured I'd put in my two cents worth since you are relatively close to me and I'm some what familiar with the schools around here, just in case. A number of years back, Middle Bucks got pretty much a whole new weld shop. They'd just gotten all new Dynasty 350's and XMT's when they did the refurb. I know the instructor who took over the night program temporarily back when the old instructor had a stroke, but don't know any of the guys who replaced him.  I saw they had gotten a Plasmacam CNC plasma in the weld shop when I took their evening machining courses a year or so ago before they made changes to the machine shop..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I had a TA 211i and now the MM200.  The TA 211i was a better stick welder for sure. I am not so great at tig so I cannot help much there.  In terms of Mig, the MM200 is better hands down.  It is stupid simple to operate, especially with auto set.  The 210MP looks nice, but I havent welded with one.They are all going to have their up sides and down sides, but there is not a bad choice in the group. MM200 + portability +great mig arc +mvp plug -duty cycle -costTweeco/TA 211i: +duty cycle and max output + on sale right now +larger wire spool -no tig solenoid -heavy and big -door chart way off -no mig consumables locally210MP. +cost and duty cycle +fairly portable  -i dont know enough to sayI went with the MM200 for maximum portability.  I hope the 210MP turns out nice.  With the price being so low, they had to cut cost somewhere.  I just dont know where that is.Multimatic 200Ellis 1800Haberle S225 9" cold sawMM 300;  Spoolmate 30A w/ WC-24TB 302GDynasty 280 DX Tigrunner
Reply:Droopy, most people think of the MM200 as the Millermatic 200 as Miller has used the "MM" designation for years to denote their Millermatic mig welders. The Multimatic 200 is a completely different machine. Just something to think about to help avoid confusion. From your description I assume you are talking about the Multimatic vs the older Millermatic 200..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Greetings again, Just wanted to update this thread. I was finally able to get to Scully Welding Supply on Friday. What a difference! The folks working there are super friendly. I was there for a little over an hour. I ended up buying the Lincoln MP 210. I did some research on both this forum and a few other sources and most reviews were pretty positive. I was able to fire the machine up last night and it's definitly the nicest welder I have ever used. I don't really know why but my perception is that both the wire feed and arc are very consistent. Any way I'm going to keep playing with it and I'm sure I'm going to have some pretty basic questions. I just wanted to say THANKS!!Regards Craig
Reply:I hope the machine works out well for you.  It looks like a heck of a machine for the money.  You running mig or stick?Sorry for confusion DSW. I was using MM200 to refer to the multimatic.  I forget about the Millermatic 200s.Multimatic 200Ellis 1800Haberle S225 9" cold sawMM 300;  Spoolmate 30A w/ WC-24TB 302GDynasty 280 DX Tigrunner
Reply:Glad you got your new machine. I've heard they can be a bit hard to get a hold of right now due to demand. If you have any trouble getting it set up or need a hand, let me know. I'd love the opportunity to get a chance to run one and I'll be happy to give you some pointers on mig and stick. Shoot me a PM and I'll give you my cell number..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:So what I bought at Scully was the machine, some gloves, a new helmet, 2lbs of flux core, 2 lbs of "standard" .030"" wire, and 10 lbs of 7018 stick. So far I have only played with the .030". I have some really crappy scrap steel that I'm just practicing laying down some metal. I hope tonight I'll be able to strike my first arc with the stick and flux core. (Kids soccer practice, swimming lessons, etc,etc).DSW: THANK YOU for the offer of some tips. It would be awesome if we could get together. Check your inbox as I'll send you all my contact info.Thanks againCraig