What to buy

admin

You guys have probablyheard this question a million times,  I am in the market for a welder.  I just ran 220 to my garage along with 110.  I am tired of other people doing the fun body work and frame work for my cars.  Going to start off with small things like carts and trash cans till my welds are good enough to build a frame for my roadster body.  I am looking for a good mig welder. Have a fair share of money to spend just sold one of my cars.  Want a mig that will do the job and be reliable.  Thanks for the input.LIVE BETTER WORK UNION! BUY AMERICAN!
Reply:I think the millermatic 211 will give you the most bang for your buck.  I have a Lincoln 110 Mig welder and wish I had the Millermatic.  Anyhoooo..... I have looked at other models, and you start to pay a lot more $$$ for just a little bit more amperage.It is also aluminum spool gun ready.That is my 2 bits.... I plan on getting one some day.
Reply:My buddies were talking about the millermatic 180/ hobart 187/ hobart 210?  Any ideas on those?LIVE BETTER WORK UNION! BUY AMERICAN!
Reply:I have a Millermatic Passport with Portable MIG Welder. I've used it for about 6 months and welded 2 35' trailers and restored two more.Midwest Metal ProductsMetal Wire Forming Fan Guards Delta-Larm
Reply:I just got a millermatic 211 and I got the spool gun...it will weld from 24 gauge up to 3/8..I don't think you will go wrong with it.
Reply:First thing to decide is do you need a smaller portable machine, or do you want a bigger shop machine on it's own wheels with built-in bottle rack?Next thing you need to decide is do you need 110v power capability or will a 220v-only machine be good for you?I'm mostly blue, so I think in terms of Miller.  Lincoln makes very nice machines too, but I'm not as familiar with them, so here's info on the Miller migs...If you're only using it in the shop on 220v, I would look at the Millermatic 212, 252 or 350/350P shop migs.   If you want something smaller that you can put on your own cart or use without a cart, look at the Millermatic 180.  If you want a shop mig that can run on both 110v or 220v, look at the Millermatic DVI-2 or 211.If you're intending to take it out to locations where there may only be 110v power available but still want to use it on 220v in the shop, then I would look at the Millermatic 211.   If you intend to do alot of on-site work with it and will be carrying it around alot, look at the Millermatic Passport.Finally, if you want to go all out and have a very versatile, upgradeable and expensive set-up, look at a seperate multi-process power supply, like the XMT 304 or XMT 350 (which can do all three processes, mig, stick and dc tig), and a seperate wire feeder, like the portable Suitcase series, or XR feeder with push-pull torch for aluminum.Yeah, I sound like a Miller rep don't I ?  LOL.  I just love using their machines!  Last edited by DesertRider33; 08-19-2009 at 05:39 AM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:To have an image of what the machines are like in real life and comparison of sizes, the pic below shows my Millermatic 350P on the left, XMT304 CC/CV in the middle, and Millermatic Passport on the right.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I am a big fan of both Lincoln and Miller. You may want to wander over to both the Lincoln and Miller Internet sites. Both also offer great training as I see in the INTRO Forum you said you were a beginner.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Thanks alot for the info.  I have both 110 and 220 in my garage.  It's a toss up between the 211 and 212.  I am with u on the going " Blue" without a doubt.  Been looking at cyberweld for prices.  u guys recommend them.  Oh yeah the machine is pretty much going to only stay in my garage.  My buddies can come to my house for work ha ha.LIVE BETTER WORK UNION! BUY AMERICAN!
Reply:Well you think it might stay in your garage. Ah Huh I nwould plan for the occassional roadtrip with it. That is where having a machine that operates between 110 & 220 is nice.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33To have an image of what the machines are like in real life and comparison of sizes, the pic below shows my Millermatic 350P on the left, XMT304 CC/CV in the middle, and Millermatic Passport on the right.
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749If ya got it...... YOU GOT IT!!!I would show it off too......
Reply:Does $1470 sound right for the millermatic 211, cart, 10lb spool of wire, and full tank of gas?LIVE BETTER WORK UNION! BUY AMERICAN!
Reply:i own a red tig machine and love it  (idealarc)have used a blue mig and they are sweet  (MM 350) go for the 211and happy sparking
Reply:Keep Looking online. If your dead set on that Millermatic 211 do plenty of searches for not only the best price but also from a company thhat will be there to provide support & service should it be needed.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:I have alway believed that you should buy a bigger machine than need. An MM 252 or MM 350P would last you a loooooong time. Just food for thought.I.B.E.W Electrician and Damn Proud of It !!!! .Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/
Reply:Originally Posted by tikiboi13Does $1470 sound right for the millermatic 211, cart, 10lb spool of wire, and full tank of gas?
Reply:Originally Posted by jdh239I can get the same for 200+ cheaper than that.
Reply:Originally Posted by tikiboi13Does $1470 sound right for the millermatic 211, cart, 10lb spool of wire, and full tank of gas?
Reply:Originally Posted by Sparky#1I have alway believed that you should buy a bigger machine than need. An MM 252 or MM 350P would last you a loooooong time. Just food for thought.
Reply:Originally Posted by specterKeep Looking online. If your dead set on that Millermatic 211 do plenty of searches for not only the best price but also from a company thhat will be there to provide support & service should it be needed.
Reply:Originally Posted by Sparky#1Yeah I guess I would too.
Reply:I would recommend the 212 or 252 if you intend to use it solely in the shop on 220v.  The 212/252 have a bigger duty cycle and better wire drive mechanism than the 211, come on their own very stable chassis with bottle rack that can hold a full size bottle safely, even 2 if you order it with the optional double bottle rack, and can take a full 12" spool of wire.   Both the 212 and 252 are compatible with the much higher quality Spoolmatic 15/30A spool guns, if you want to weld aluminum.   The 252 has the digital volt/amp/wirespeed meters, which are very handy for setting up the machine and teaches you to use actual volts and inches per minute instead of arbitrary dial numbers that don't mean anything.  That was one of the great things about upgrading from my HTP and Millermatic 175 to my 350P.  The 252 is also  compatible with the XRA push-pull guns, which are great for welding aluminum.If you want to to big and get the 350-class machine, the 350P is well worth it for the built-in pulse.  I love mine.  Last edited by DesertRider33; 08-19-2009 at 07:35 PM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I guess I'll chime in here too.  Based on your stated role for the welder, I would say that if you think the 211 is enough machine for you, then go with the 252.  If you can afford it, you will not regret it.  Another thing, I prefer to support my local welding supply when making a big purchase like that.  It's pretty hard to put a price on being able to walk into the place and talk to someone face to face when you have  a question or a problem.  I buy some accessories and consumables online... but I've had too many negative experiences with online or telephone customer service over the years.  I learned that lesson the hard way.  Sometimes that great deal you think you're getting isn't so great.  Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I value that old-school face to face customer service.Keep us posted on what you decide.  Work HARDER, not smarter! ------------------------ Miller Bobcat 250Millermatic 251Lincoln Precision TIG 185Hypertherm PM 600Hobart 135 HandlerOxweld 400 FlameMaster
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Where? saying you can get it cheaper means nothing unless ya tell the guy where to buy it cheaper.Wow prices do vary with different shops and internet companies.  Cash or credit too.  Will keep looking for the right price now.LIVE BETTER WORK UNION! BUY AMERICAN!
Reply:Haven't been on in awhile been messing with my new welder.  Ended up getting the Millermatic 212.  It is a bad *** machine, for me that is.  Just wanted to thank everyone for their input on all my questions.LIVE BETTER WORK UNION! BUY AMERICAN!
Reply:Congrats!  Enjoy the new machine!  MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op