Need info on mig

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I have a Bob Cat 250 gas machine and was wondering what kind of Mig machine would be a good one to purchase for general use.  I have never Mig welded before but everyone I talk to tells me once you Tig weld I will never stick weld again.  Just wondering if its worth the time and money  to get involved in this process.  I have no idea what I need or what kind of money we are talking about.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Reply:You mention Mig and Tig- which one ya wanna talk about?How much $$ ya gotEd 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:Sorry about that I am thinking about getting into Mig
Reply:Define "general use"Your general material thickness will dictate what size Mig machine to purchase.Definitely a 240v machine so here goesHH187HH210Lincoln PowerMig 180CLincoln 216MM211MM212MM252Ed 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:As Broccoli said you need to define the parameters better. Do you want a separate machine, or are you looking to add a feeder to the Bobcat?It is possible to just use a voltage sensing feeder and run it off the bobcat. They have some disadvantages vs a regular remote feeder in some situations, but it is simple to add to the Bobcat. I believe you can add a spoolgun or RC type feeder to the Bobcat, but you need adapters that add a contactor to the machine. Not generally an inexpensive way to go, but you never know what you might find used.Another  option would just be running a standard mig machine off the 220V outlet on the trail blazer.Essentially you are just using the Bobcat as a big genset. That might be the most cost effective solution possibly.Again, let us know what you are thinking and why, and we can make recommendations..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:Originally Posted by T-BoneI have a Bob Cat 250 gas machine and was wondering what kind of Mig machine would be a good one to purchase for general use.  I have never Mig welded before but everyone I talk to tells me once you Tig weld I will never stick weld again.  Just wondering if its worth the time and money  to get involved in this process.  I have no idea what I need or what kind of money we are talking about.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Reply:Well a buddy of mine that has moved away had a little Miller stand alone 110V unit that I used to take thin stuff to for welding.  I don't know what it was but he had a bottle of gas,  I think hooked up to the wire feed or the machine.  It made beautiful welds and now he has moved out state.  I would weld 1/8" and maybe 1/4 at the most.  Probably at the most maybe 2 or 3 times a month if that much.  The stand alone Miller he has was on a little cart maybe 14" wide and 18" long and 10" tall but don't remember and Numbers on the Miller.
Reply:Ok a 110v mig will do 1/8" usually at best. You would really need to go to a 220v mig to do 1/4" thick.There are some machines that can do both 110v and 220v so you get the bast of both worlds, the portability of a 110v unit and the power to do thicker stuff when you plug it in to 220v power. Miller has several units that fit this the MM211, Miller DVI2 and the Passport plus.I would personally get the MM 211, its small and light compared to the DVI2 and is a bit more powerful than the Passport Plus. The MM211 and DVI2 will use standard C25 gas or C02, the Passport uses CO2 only IIRC..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:Originally Posted by DSWI would personally get the MM 211, its small and light compared to the DVI2 and is a bit more powerful than the Passport Plus.
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in DenverI'd like to have a 211. From the 2009 Miller Catalog on the Passport Plus:"Excellent arc characteristics. Unit offers positive arc starts and an extremely stable arc with minimal spatter on both mixed gases and straight CO2".