Lincoln power mig 200 vs power mig 215

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I've been looking for a good deal on a mm 210 or similar for a bit now.  Lost out on a couple ebay auctions.  I let a nice MM 185 go which sold for about $800.I think I might have located a Lincoln Power Mig 200 for $1000 CDN (which is a good deal given used welder prices here).  Looks almost new.  I've done some research on the Power Mig 215 and I don't think I would hesitate to get one.Any one know how the PM 200 compares to the 215 vs. the MM 210?I'm primarily looking at 1/8 to 3/8" stuff. I'd appreciate any advice.
Reply:I have a Power MIG 200 and love it. I don't think you'll find much difference between the 200 and 215.IMO, the Lincoln MIGs run cleaner...by that I mean that I feel that the arc is smoother and provides a cleaner weld. I used to have a MM250 and couldn't seem to get as clean of a weld with the same parameters, consumables, etc..I sold the Miller and bought another Lincoln 200. ...and for those that want to start the Miller vs Lincoln debate, I weld with Miller TIG welders exclusively. I used to use Lincoln's at a previous job but once I tried a Syncrowave and then a Dynasty, I only use red for MIG.Here's a couple of pics of some work that I've done with my Power MIG 200...http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Nice!  But you missed the topside on one tube in pic 2.canoetrpr - can't help here as I only have a MM200. Originally Posted by ZTFabI have a Power MIG 200 and love it. I don't think you'll find much difference between the 200 and 215.IMO, the Lincoln MIGs run cleaner...by that I mean that I feel that the arc is smoother and provides a cleaner weld. I used to have a MM250 and couldn't seem to get as clean of a weld with the same parameters, consumables, etc..I sold the Miller and bought another Lincoln 200. ...and for those that want to start the Miller vs Lincoln debate, I weld with Miller TIG welders exclusively. I used to use Lincoln's at a previous job but once I tried a Syncrowave and then a Dynasty, I only use red for MIG.Here's a couple of pics of some work that I've done with my Power MIG 200...
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Nice!  But you missed the topside on one tube in pic 2.
Reply:Wow!.  Those are some incredible looking pictures!  Would you run 0.035 solid wire in your Power Mig 200 or stick to 0.030?
Reply:I run .030" with a C25 gas but I typically weld .125" - .250" material.If you're gonna do .375" fairly regularly, you might wanna go with .035 and straight CO2 but that also depends on your preferences, welding style, fit-up, etc...http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:ZTfabVery nice,  I have never been able to get that consistancy!  (got me inspired to buy a bigger Mig machine)  Curiousity is killing me, what kind of rig did you build that "tank" armor around???Can I come work for you?  I am retired from Commercial construction and in my second life learning metal fab, tig welding and now inspired to do more SQ and Tube  (I work for free and shear drops) TimDuane,  you have a sharp eye!A rich man is not the one who has the most but instead one who needs theleast. Retired IUEC local 19AK Bush pilot,  Chaplain  CMA Chapt 26victor torchesMiller110v migDynasty 200dx (new in Dec 08)Hypertherm PM-45MM-252 (new 2/09)
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabI have a Power MIG 200 and love it. I don't think you'll find much difference between the 200 and 215.IMO, the Lincoln MIGs run cleaner...by that I mean that I feel that the arc is smoother and provides a cleaner weld. I used to have a MM250 and couldn't seem to get as clean of a weld with the same parameters, consumables, etc..I sold the Miller and bought another Lincoln 200.
Reply:Crawler,I am wanting to get a "new technology" mig welder to compliment the New Dynasty 200dx I recently purchased (and learning the process)I have been looking in the 200-250amp capacity.  Seems like in every process there is the Red/blue /Chevy/Ford camps.  I am retired and don't see myself in 8-10hr day production, that said I am looking to do enough work from my home shop to "stay unemployed" and enjoy the next 15-20 years of productivity.I my only real experiece with  mig has been Short circuit transfer.  (the above doesn't look like anything) I have been able to accomplish with mig?Do you have experience with the MM 210, 212, 252 and comparable Lincoln machinesAny help would be appreciated.Thanks,TimA rich man is not the one who has the most but instead one who needs theleast. Retired IUEC local 19AK Bush pilot,  Chaplain  CMA Chapt 26victor torchesMiller110v migDynasty 200dx (new in Dec 08)Hypertherm PM-45MM-252 (new 2/09)
Reply:Originally Posted by UltrachopDo you have experience with the MM 210, 212, 252 and comparable Lincoln machinesAny help would be appreciated.Thanks,Tim
Reply:Originally Posted by crawlerVery nice welds.  I don't think comparing any welder to a MM250 is a fair comparison.  I would consider the MM250 a lemon due to difficult arc starts and less than desirable arc quality.
Reply:ZTFab,Thought that was a Toyota motor, just amazed me the strength of the tube frame! Your mig welding is the best I have seen!  I ran quite a bit of short circuit mig but mine never looked that consistant (for sure your starts and stops) topped mine by miles!!Have us run the new 255 lincoln??  Your comments? I bought a 96 Toyota PU for the kids when the first got his licence, he got t-boned, and wrecked once himself, the next one was my middle Son and he ran the crap out of it (never wrecked it)  Thennnnnnnnn  my Daughter started driving and she rear ended a van and totalled the van, (putting makeup on) I bought a Dodge 1 ton diesel for me self so when she graduated I gave it to her!  (she drove it three years through college and now married and still has it!!!  (I think) last she told me it had over 200k on it and the only engine work was when I put a waterpump, timing belt and 3 clutches!!!  Still running fine!(I should buy it back and build a crawler out of it?  Thanks for sharing the photos!TimA rich man is not the one who has the most but instead one who needs theleast. Retired IUEC local 19AK Bush pilot,  Chaplain  CMA Chapt 26victor torchesMiller110v migDynasty 200dx (new in Dec 08)Hypertherm PM-45MM-252 (new 2/09)
Reply:Thanks Tim.Wow, sounds like the kids are kinda harsh on the trucks! You sure have gotten your money's worth outta the Dodge.There are some more pics of that Toyota and a few others in this thread. http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=6038Thanks again! - Paulhttp://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Not half as hard as I was on my vehicles when I was there age!  They all have done well, my oldest just graduated College with Bio Chem degree  (Forensic science) my youngest Is "the" IT department for a big law firm, married and making Grandson's!!!  My daughter graduated with degree in Journalism and married a fianance major working for Microsoft!  (As for Me I have 15 years of schooling (3 in the 9th grade) twisted wrenches all my life and married a good Godly woman that has put up with my Flying Bush planes in AK, scuba diving, Hunting, fishing, and building memories (most good)Dang, I would come sweep the floors in your shop just to learn 1/10th of what you know about Fab and welding!!  PM shop info, I get down your way maybe in a couple weeks in the MH (Harley on the back)TimA rich man is not the one who has the most but instead one who needs theleast. Retired IUEC local 19AK Bush pilot,  Chaplain  CMA Chapt 26victor torchesMiller110v migDynasty 200dx (new in Dec 08)Hypertherm PM-45MM-252 (new 2/09)
Reply:Originally Posted by UltrachopNot half as hard as I was on my vehicles when I was there age!  They all have done well, my oldest just graduated College with Bio Chem degree  (Forensic science) my youngest Is "the" IT department for a big law firm, married and making Grandson's!!!  My daughter graduated with degree in Journalism and married a fianance major working for Microsoft!  (As for Me I have 15 years of schooling (3 in the 9th grade) twisted wrenches all my life and married a good Godly woman that has put up with my Flying Bush planes in AK, scuba diving, Hunting, fishing, and building memories (most good)Dang, I would come sweep the floors in your shop just to learn 1/10th of what you know about Fab and welding!!  PM shop info, I get down your way maybe in a couple weeks in the MH (Harley on the back)Tim
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabWell in all Fairness I have used many Miller MIG welders...we currently have a few MM210's at work and they still don't weld as clean as a Lincoln. I will say that they are better than my MM250 was (by far) but I will always prefer Lincoln MIG's.
Reply:Crawler,It has just been the last few years have I started to realize how blessed I have been in the past 56 years!  during my "career years" I worked way to many hours and didn't participate as much as I should  raising the kids, however I did whatever it took to be sure they had a safe, comfortable home, a car that ran and was safe,  Now that they are grown, we get to see if we did it right (help them make adjustments (with our Grandkids) NOW THAT IS FUN!  I am finding the more time/money we spend on others and their needs the less need we have ourselves.  (All laid out in the "Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth manual)Live is good!TimPS: I was at a friends house today that had a Lincoln PowerMig 215.  I ran a few beads on thick and thin and it was definetly better then anything I had run in ",my day"  I am going to try to set up a demo with the LWS on a PM-255 this next weekA rich man is not the one who has the most but instead one who needs theleast. Retired IUEC local 19AK Bush pilot,  Chaplain  CMA Chapt 26victor torchesMiller110v migDynasty 200dx (new in Dec 08)Hypertherm PM-45MM-252 (new 2/09)
Reply:A Lincoln Power MIG 200 for $1000 sounds like rather a good deal to be honest especially if its almost brand new but yeah its only a good deal if it is very much rather new.Which one would you say is better betwen the MIG 200 and the MIG 215??Thanks