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Hello Everyone,Thanks for the advice in my earlier post. I have a question that I hope does not stir up controversy so please don't flame me or others. I am looking at buying a MIG machine to go with my TIG and I have read and read and read every brochure and marketing piece on everyone's unit. Is there a true "pecking order" or tier of quality amongst the manufacturers. For example (remember just an example) you might rate cars like: Honda and Toyota the best, Ford & Buick next followed by GM and Hyundai (remember just an example not my opinion). Does that carry to welders as well like Miller, Lincoln, Hobart, ESAB, Clarke, Century etc. Sometimes being the most expensive doesn't always mean the best. I would imagine on this board just about every welder is represented. I'd hate to just focus on Miller and Lincoln if others are just as good if not better. I am looking for one about the size of the Millermatic 210, I just can't justify anything bigger though I want a decent duty cycle because I am about to build a steel fence around my property.ThanksMichael
Reply:was using a hobart 180 mig welder for 3 years. that thing never missed a beat. i was running mild, ss and some small ali stuff with it. but mainly i ran mild, it kinda struggled with hardfacing but thats the nature of hardsurface. needs alotta heat. i would still be using that puppy, but someone stole my service truck. so i had to resort to a used lincoln 170. she welds good with good wire control."Retreat hell, were just fighting in the other direction"Miller Trailblazer 302, Extreme 12 VS, Dimension 400, Spectrum 375, HF 251D-1, Milermatic 251 w/ spoolgun Hypertherm 1000Lincoln sp 1702000 F-450 to haul it
Reply:Miller, Lincoln, Hobart, ESAB are generally considered among the best, though the price will usually dictate features, not quality. I've used welders from each of these companies.I have no experience with other newer brands that are gaining excellent reputations, like Thermal Arc and HTP.
Reply:You ask a difficult question as the are so many depends in the answer that one can't respond with usefull comment.For example both Lincoln and Miller make good Mig welders but many people consider Lincolns top end 350MP to completely out class the the similar all in one from Miller. In the 210 units it could be argued that they are very similar in quality.As far as building your fence goes don't expect to be running the welder continously, yuo may do very well with a cheaper 175 amp unit. Not that I'd reccomend it as you already have set your sights higher but the point is that unless you have some good fixturing it will be hard to hit the duty cycle on any welder.I'm assuming here that you aren't a professional and don't have a welding table set up to deal with fence building. In any event you are likely to be better off with the larger unit especially if you have other things planned.Dave |
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发表于 2021-9-1 00:15:58