250A mig welder (Lincoln 216). Worth the money?

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I just want a bigger machine than my power mig 140c.  The slightly bigger power mig 180c seems to make me giggle because it appears to only be slightly better than the 110V model.  If I have the money, should I spend it on the power mig 216????  I don't care to get a stick welder and a TIG welder doesn't excite me either.  Albeit the TIG welds look nice, but i get more excited looking at a perfect MIG weld by those welding "artists" out there.  Plus, I don't have the patience for a TIG welder.    I just want a 240V MIG welder that is "hotter" than what I currently have for doing home projects & fabricating stuff etc...  One last thing, is the  Power Mig 216 or ANY 250 amp model a good machine to weld something like a trailer frame?????  I really don't want to spend money on a 300 amp model, due to the price is getting too steep for me and i don't think the need would ever be there.  250Amps seems plenty for my line of hobby welding. Thanks for your opinions....Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:The difference in output power between the PM 140C and PM 180C is actually pretty significant. However, if you are wanting a unit for 1/4" and thicker solid wire usage, I'd definitely consider the PM 180C undersized for the application.The PM 216 is going to give you a little over 200 amps @ around 21 to 22 load volts  with a solid wire which is definitely plenty of power for 1/4" applications.I haven't ran a PM 216; however, one unit I have ran that I'd have to consider possibly going with over a PM 216 would be Hobart's NEW Ironman 230. One of the big reasons being the Ironman 230 offers 12 output (voltage) ranges to choose from were as the PM 216 only offers 7.ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:Gotta agree with Dan.  Take a look at the Hobart Ironman 230.  Do a search on this site and you will find good reports on this unit.  One poster stated he paid less than $1400.00 out the door for a brand new unit.  I also like the idea of 12 taps vs. 7.Happy hunting.
Reply:Since you like Lincolns, consider selling your other machine for the price difference if money is an issue and getting a 255C or 255XT. You can't turn up amps you don't have, and they are great machines.There is also the new incarnation of the classic Migmaster 250 that has been proven for many years, and the price is right:http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.co...COMPACT/Detail
Reply:Thermal Arc also has a very good tapped transformer player in the fabricator models.I like Lincoln too but have a little of everything (I'm not one who thinks drinking any one beer is going to do my liver any favors).You may also look around at local welding stores for the Panasonic Gunslinger 260, this machine is an amazing mig and gives you CC (stick/tig) to boot. They are also the quietest running mig I've ever been around. I had one, and wish sometimes I had it back.Matt
Reply:I have welded with the hobart 230 and it is a great machine.  I really like the miller 185, 210, and the 212.  A friend of mine who owns the 185 has pushed the limits of sanity with it and the machine just keeps pushing wire...incredible machine.  Another friend had the 210 and I helped him build his shop with it.  He just upgraded to the 212.  He has to keep up with the new.  Both of them are cadillacs.  I don't recall having welded with a lincoln 215.  I know I haven't welded with a 216.  I have welded with a lincoln 175 and 180.  They are good machines, but are not in the same class as the floor models above.With proper prep your 180 can weld the typical trailer as most members aren't over 1/4.  Most trailers I have seen under 16 foot are built with 3/16 members.Last edited by Scott Young; 05-15-2010 at 11:11 AM.