Millermatic 251 vs. Lincoln Powermig 255c

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Howdy All,I'm new to your forums, and new to welding.  Just about to finish up my class I'm taking at the local vo-tech and have been having a ball.I've have narrowed my choice of welding machines down to two, and would like to ask you all for your guidance as to which of the two is the better choice.I'm looking at buying either a Millermatic 251, or a Lincoln Powermig 255c.What I've been able to gather just talking to people and lurking around is:*Lincoln's wire feed may be better because its angled where it comes out of the case*Millers guns are better*Lincoln has "Diamond Core" arc, not sure if that's a big deal or not*Miller has adjustable run in (seems like a good thing to me)*Millers warranty is better (5 years on transformer vs. Lincoln's 3)*Millers setup for spool gun and mig gun at same time is better*Lincoln has longer gun cable*Lincoln has 120v outlet*Miller has arc stabilizerI've read all I could online, and about 10:1 guys seem to go with the Miller, although its generally because they know a guy who has one and loves it.  The guys I read that bought the Lincoln say they like their's too.So, what do you all think?  Which way should this novice go; red or blue?Thanks!Jim
Reply:Well Jim, I can't comment on the red one, but I picked up a 251/spoolgun combo a few months ago and all I can say with 100% certainty, is that I am a happy camper with this machine. If you don't plan on working with thicker aluminum, than the spoolgun is not an issue. I use it mostly 14ga-3/8" MS and does it all very nicely with .035" wire.Mac
Reply:Wait for the new Miller 251 at the start of the new year. I like the Lincolnor Esab better then the 251 at this point. Miller is making it look like the MM-350p and adding a inductance control. Many people really like the251 but I am not one of them. I do like there new shopmate DX 300way better because of the inductance control. Attached Images
Reply:Scott V 2: Any idea if the revamped MM251 will use encoder wheel input(instead of pots) for Volts and Wire speed setting? I don't like the "touchiness"of the existing MM251's pots for making adjustments. What I would like tosee is microprocessor-based, click-stop setting of machine parametersvia an encoder or encoders instead of analog setting/digital readout.
Reply:Thanks for the replies.  Scott, that certainly adds some complexity to the mix.  I'm not in a super hurry...when will the new models come out?  January?  So far, I've done most of my mig welding in class with a Lincoln 350MP and have been very happy with the way it performs.  The only other welder I've got much experience with is an old Lincoln stick machine my dad has. I've been happy with Lincoln thus far, but have heard many guys say blue is better.  I just want to make sure I get the best for my money, as its taken me a long while to amass enough to buy one of these. Thanks,Jim
Reply:Jim, I heard the first of the year on the west coast and then other parts of the country later. I only know about the look of the (MM-350p) machines and a few details likeinductance on the 251 only. I know both machines  will run a push/pull gunlike the MM-350p.  I would wait to see what shakes out.I am interested to see what they do with the MM-210 machine. It'spretty dang nice as is. It like the way that machine runs overall.The last one I used was the best of the bunch. I have used about 5 or 6 of them.
Reply:This is the welder Im saving for http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...et.asp?p=19969
Reply:Thanks guys.  I'm itching to get one, but I can wait a couple more months.That Lincoln certainly looks nice, but it's way beyond my price range
Reply:miller has the best customer service there is, and every one has ben happy with the 251's and if the new one is going to be even nicer, with an extra 2 years of warenty i would opt for the blue. most all my stuff is blue and it has treated me verry well. i dont think you can realy go wrong with eather but the miller dose seem to have the edje with the extended warenty. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:Originally Posted by JimGoldenThanks guys.  I'm itching to get one, but I can wait a couple more months.That Lincoln certainly looks nice, but it's way beyond my price range