Miller 211 212 or 252?

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So I need a bigger shop MIG, obviously, the 252 is the best machine, but I don't really have the money for that right now, those go for about $2,300.  From what I understand about 211 and 212 machines is that the only difference is really the duty cycles? I heard that the output on both is essentially the same.  If that's the case im wondering if a 211 will serve my purposes, or should I spend an extra $300-400 to get a 212?.  Also I don't want to buy a 212 only to realize that I need a bigger welder in 6 months, and end up spending a whole lot of money.  What is the Max voltage output for the 212? Reading the specs it says 24.5v. I used to use a 252 at work, but I never really welded over 24-25v with it.  If the 212 weld at 24.5v then I think it will be enough power for me.So im leaning towards the 212, but im open to suggestions... http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:What do you need a bigger welder for? The 211 is a god home/hobbyist welder. If you are working on cars, items for the house, garden art types of things it would be a great welder for you, the 212 has a bit higher duty cycle, but at the cost of weight, and less portability. Two things I have not heard of yet are unhappy owners of the 211 or the 212.
Reply:The only mig I have now is a miller 140, its not big enough to do any real welding,  I make fences and railings, and the 140 ain't cutting it.  I have s mobile welding unit on my truck so portability is not really an issue. http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:MM211 : Lower Duty cycle only a 10' GUN  BUT MVP = $1074.00MM212: Higher duty Cycle 15' Gun, No MVP = $1,701.00Cyberweld PricesHobart Ironman 230: 250amp machine 15' Gun same great service as Miller, Tapped machine but not a big deal really- the Mm210 was/is a great tapped machine$1,549.00https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...ct_47864_47864Im230 reviewshttp://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtal...ht=ironman+230Ed 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:Originally Posted by MetalMan23The only mig I have now is a miller 140, its not big enough to do any real welding,  I make fences and railings, and the 140 ain't cutting it.  I have s mobile welding unit on my truck so portability is not really an issue.
Reply:I have bought "small" several times with welders and was sorry for it.  I wasted money.I now have a MM 252!!!
Reply:Honestly if I was looking to shell out $1500+ for a mig, I'd look hard for a nice used XMT 304 and a feeder, just to muddy the waters a bit more. $1500-1800 is roughly the range I usually see XMT's with feeders running, but you have to be a bit patient. The up side of this whole rig is you also end up with a power source that's an excellent DC stick and tig machine as part of the bargain. The down side is that you will need to add a controller if you want to add a spoolgun at some point in the future, but that's not that big a deal honestly..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 went through the same delema and ended up with a MM252. It was to hard for me to speculate what all my jobs would be like over the life of the machine.
Reply:Thermal Arc 211i mig/dc-tig liftstart/stick/spoolgun. also dual voltage, and free auto darkening helmet.. $1133 Indiana Oxygen.. http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...or-211i/DetailThermal Arc 252i for $1975 from Indiana Oxygen with free auto darkening helmet. made in USA alsohttp://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...or-252i/DetailLast edited by brucer; 08-17-2012 at 10:01 PM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:I had a MM250 and now have 212. Duty cycles are the same (211 is half that)Both have connections ready for 30A Aluminum gun (211 will only take smaller spool gun)212 Has Autoset, 252 does not. Not that it is a big deal but,  it is a cool feature for a hobby welder. I didn't think I would ever use it but I do all the time.One reason I stick with Miller is, I have a LWS that gives good service on Miller products and wanted that peace of mind.BTW: I sold my 250 and don't miss it at all.MillerMatic 212, Lincoln Precision TIG 225, Hypertherm 45XP
Reply:I like my MM250!
Reply:Another option, is while I was at a welder repair shop the guy was selling an old airco 200, (I think that's what it was) for $1200. Im not opposed to getting a tapped machine, im using a mm200 right now, and I really like it.  So buying a used machine might be the way to go for me. http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:I was in the same boat as you. I built my business with a millermatic 135. After 6 years, I bought a Lincoln Powermig 216. It's a great machine. I would have liked a 250 amp machine but I'm not welding 10-15' of 5/8" plate at a time. The 216 is plenty hot.  I bought a 20' Bernard gun too. I was always a Miller guy but this Lincoln is soo nice. I'll keep Millers as TIG and Lincoln for mig. I really liked that it does not need a cart, real Migs dont need carts. Atleast get the 212. Price compare the Lincoln models.
Reply:So does $1200 sound good for a airco 200? http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:That sounds about double what its worth in good condition but its also location dependant... the local LWS here has a TA fabricator 251 with spot/stitch and burnback for $1850.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:One thing I have learned is buy the big on one time. Or you will buy the little one then the big one.. go bigMiller Pro 300 SS w/ cat Miller Bobcat 250Miller Diversion 165 Miller 211Miller Xtreme 375Miller 12vsMiller Dynasty 200 DX Miller Passport Plus w/ Spool GunMiller 30a spoolmaticLincoln AC225 Buzz Box VictorMathey Dearman - H&M
Reply:Originally Posted by grindelOne thing I have learned is buy the big on one time. Or you will buy the little one then the big one.. go big
Reply:Good choice. Let us know how it runs!Miller Pro 300 SS w/ cat Miller Bobcat 250Miller Diversion 165 Miller 211Miller Xtreme 375Miller 12vsMiller Dynasty 200 DX Miller Passport Plus w/ Spool GunMiller 30a spoolmaticLincoln AC225 Buzz Box VictorMathey Dearman - H&M
Reply:Personally i would think before buying any miller welders. i order my millermatic 212 with spool mate at the begining of august. then got called to go work offshore. it sat in the garage for three weeks before i used it. the day i used it i took it out of the crate and notice the wheels did not have a lock so i ended buying "E" clips to secure them. then after 20mins. of running the welder the voltage started getting really hot and was unable to adjust it. i called miller and talk to a tech and said to take it to the service center. its been little over two weeks now and i still dont have the welder. its a shame that i paid almost $2400 at cyberweld for something that does not work. Miller wants me to talk to cyberwelds and cyberwelds wants me to talk to miller. its very frustrating for me that its been almost six weeks and they wont solve my problem them knowing its a BRAND NEW WELDER. but if you do decide to buy one GOOD LUCK. ill post any updates                        David
Reply:Originally Posted by almeraz83 Personally i would think before buying any miller welders. i order my millermatic 212 with spool mate at the begining of august. then got called to go work offshore. it sat in the garage for three weeks before i used it. the day i used it i took it out of the crate and notice the wheels did not have a lock so i ended buying "E" clips to secure them. then after 20mins. of running the welder the voltage started getting really hot and was unable to adjust it. i called miller and talk to a tech and said to take it to the service center. its been little over two weeks now and i still dont have the welder. its a shame that i paid almost $2400 at cyberweld for something that does not work. Miller wants me to talk to cyberwelds and cyberwelds wants me to talk to miller. its very frustrating for me that its been almost six weeks and they wont solve my problem them knowing its a BRAND NEW WELDER. but if you do decide to buy one GOOD LUCK. ill post any updates                        David
Reply:Originally Posted by almeraz83 Personally i would think before buying any miller welders. i order my millermatic 212 with spool mate at the begining of august. then got called to go work offshore. it sat in the garage for three weeks before i used it. the day i used it i took it out of the crate and notice the wheels did not have a lock so i ended buying "E" clips to secure them. then after 20mins. of running the welder the voltage started getting really hot and was unable to adjust it. i called miller and talk to a tech and said to take it to the service center. its been little over two weeks now and i still dont have the welder. its a shame that i paid almost $2400 at cyberweld for something that does not work. Miller wants me to talk to cyberwelds and cyberwelds wants me to talk to miller. its very frustrating for me that its been almost six weeks and they wont solve my problem them knowing its a BRAND NEW WELDER. but if you do decide to buy one GOOD LUCK. ill post any updates                        David
Reply:This is not the first time poor customer service or defective new Miller issues have been posted...  I Think its an issue of we r so big and have such great brand recognition we bont have to sweat the little guy.    Wheras ESAB really has to earn every sale away from Miller or Lincoln or Hypertherm.   So they put a priority on customer service.   I. Rarely buy new stuff but have not been impressed with Lincoln's customer service either.  Just got told "oh its old we don't support that anymore". Yet VWGuy here was able to get the lincoln ROM update for welder that lincoln corporate claimed was not available...  however I had a excellent experience recently with Broco Goweld customer service who paid shipping both ways without being asked and repaired my machine for only the cost of parts on the older one and the newer on the covered under warranty..Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Quote:Originally Posted by almeraz83Last edited by almeraz83; 09-07-2012 at 12:54 AM.Reason: doble posting
Reply:Originally Posted by almeraz83Quote:Originally Posted by almeraz83   Personally i would think before buying any miller welders. i order my millermatic 212 with spool mate at the begining of august. then got called to go work offshore. it sat in the garage for three weeks before i used it. the day i used it i took it out of the crate and notice the wheels did not have a lock so i ended buying "E" clips to secure them. then after 20mins. of running the welder the voltage started getting really hot and was unable to adjust it. i called miller and talk to a tech and said to take it to the service center. its been little over two weeks now and i still dont have the welder. its a shame that i paid almost $2400 at cyberweld for something that does not work. Miller wants me to talk to cyberwelds and cyberwelds wants me to talk to miller. its very frustrating for me that its been almost six weeks and they wont solve my problem them knowing its a BRAND NEW WELDER. but if you do decide to buy one GOOD LUCK. ill post any updatesDavid
Reply:why cant it be like Thermal Dynamics i bought a plasma from a online welding supply. it stop working after 1 week i took it to a local dealer and they gave me a new one. i have used for over a year now and no problemsI thought most of the Miller welders purchased online were simply drop-shipped by the factory to the customer.  I know my MM252 was.  That's why the online guys offer free shipping.  If that's the case, why would Miller insist that you deal with Cyberweld if Cyberweld never had possession of the welder?  I think you should call Miller again and demand to speak to a supervisor.Miller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig  Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma
Reply:ps look under reviews mine is the first one.http://store.cyberweld.com/millermat...pdItemDataTabs.....I am a verified buyer