Millermatic 250

[PAToyota]

I have a line on a Millermatic 250 for about half the price of a new 251. Have been on Miller's site trying to figure out the differences between the various generations of the 250 -- the 250, 250MP, 250X, 250X w/ meters, and 251.

I had been looking at the 210, did not really have the extra money for a 251. But told myself that if I could find a used 25x series I'd go for that.

Obviously, the 251 and the 250X w/ meters have the bling bling meters. How useful are they? What other differences are there between the models?

And the BIG question -- Would I be better off with a brand new 210 or an older (but well maintained) 250?

[rusted]

I have a MM200, the predecessor to the 250.

I have NOT heard good things about the 250 at all! In fact, Miller stopped the 250 production and re-released the 200 while they worked out the bugs and came out with what we know as the 251.

I don't know the specifics because I forgot them when I got a line on a 200, but definitely know what those issues were before you decide.

[CJeep77]

My friend has a 210 and he uses it for his business. He couldn't be happier with it! We have a new 251 at work, and IMO it is not worth the extra money. For one thing, are you going to use a 251 at full power..... probably not. I have heard that the digital readout boards are known to go bad, and just how accurate do you need to be on your settings? Also, with voltages over 20-22, you really need to change your shielding gas mixture to reduce the heavy splatter you will get. Just my thoughts on the situation!

[PAToyota]

Thanks for the replies. With the four versions to the 250 series, it was obvious that there were upgrades. Sort of wish that the Miller website gave some indication of the years that each model was available. If you saw that they went through a bunch of models over a couple months it would be pretty obvious that there were some issues there. Maybe why they don't have the information on their website, huh?

In reality, I don't see myself needing the extra power of the 250 over the 210. Just figured that I'd check out used equipment before buying new and this one came up.

[PAToyota]

I've been trying to search for any problems with the 250 models. Haven't turned anything up on Pirate or quite a few other sources. Actually, a lot of people are singing their praises. Anything specific that you can remember about what sort of problem, Rusted?

As I said, it is not exactly that I need the extra power of the 250. However, the price would save me a bit over the 210 new. I'd also gain duty cycle at the lower power settings I would be using, gain variable voltage control instead of just seven taps, and more suited to aluminum use if I get into that. May have to check on how I'd handle the increased input voltage, though...

Guy seems legit and says that he has had it about eight years and has been using it for metal sculpture. Has not used it with any consistancy for about the past three years, though. He's going to send me a picture of it tomorrow.

[jasonmt]

If you have the model and serial # both Millers website ofr phone support can tell you exactly what it is. Keep in mind some early 250 models need a extra module or a seperate control box to run a spool gun, they are not a direct hookup like later models (250X or later, the 250X has a certain serial number the machine must be past).

Unlike Rusted I cannot recall any well known problems with any 250 models and seem to recall a progression of incremental improvements with some model overlap.

[rusted]

Damn I don't know if it was a foot stuck in my mouth now. :emb: Shit let me look around...

[rusted]

The best I can tell you is that if you do a search at the Hobart board, there is a bit of negative press about the MM250 (not the X). I wanted to find the product history about where mine fit in, but I can't find that, I can't confirm whether it was brought back out while Miller developed the 250x and 251 or not.

What seems to center around the 250 is that it wasnt' as smooth as the 200 and definitely wasn't up to what the 251 turned out to be. Also, there was some talk about 'cold starts' which really meant there was an electronic adjustment that needed to be tweaked frequently. Finally, there was some talk about reliability. What *I* know about the machine came from my uncle, my local welding shop and a couple of my friends up in MI.

If you want to, PM me and I will give you some links, but be aware that most of the research I did knowing about the 250 wasn't done on the internet, and was quickly forgotten because I wasn't buying that machine. I just remember some negativity about it, and I can at least get you in contact with some people on the net who had something to say about the machine.

[PAToyota]

Many thanks for all the replies. I checked out the links you sent, Rusted.

What it comes down to is that I would save a couple hundred over the cost of a new 210, would gain the infinitely variable control, and have a higher duty cycle. Offsetting these gains would be the fact that I would have an eight year old machine with no warranty.

Might just keep my eyes out for a used 210...

[TRed]

I searched the word Miller on ebay for several weeks looking for either of the two, and finally came into a local MM251 for the price of a 200. It was only just bought months ago and has very low hours. I have to say the infinate controls are the shit, and being able to crank up the amps for thick stuff is a plus. I say save a little more money up, and buy a late model 200 or 251, just take your time you'll find one. :smokin:

[jasonmt]

I think Rusted is talking about the run in drift on the early 250's which had to be taken apart somewhat to adjust. As well the 200 was a tapped machine and the 250/251 are not and thus have different arc characteristics.

If the 250 you are looking at is 8 years old it is likely a late model 250 and it sounds like he wants $1000-1100 which is overpriced if it has no spool gun & module, I wouldn’t consider it until it drops below $750.

[PAToyota]

Nope, no spool gun. He wants $900 for it and seems that he has been trying to sell it for awhile. Not sure that he would take $750, but maybe I could get him down to $800.

[larryboy]

i have a 6 year old 250 at work that has been beat on,heavy use. i've been having problems with birds nesting the wire after the rollers. tried a new liner with no change in performance. so i went and got a new torch assembly off a 251 on the showroom floor. i don't know if things are different in the gun or not,but it works great now. i have one of the big miller ac/dc stick welders also and use it for all my thicker steel(1/2" and up) fab and hard facing. i'm a better welder out of postion with a stick welder. i don't have time to be fiddling with wire speed. i have a 210 at home and prefer it over the 250. i say to buy the new 210 and keep your eyes open for a cheap ac/dc stick machine to have on hand for the thick stuff.

[PAToyota]

I already have a Lincoln AC-225C for stick welding, so I do sort of have the thick stuff covered. I was thinking that if I got the 250 I'd probably end up selling the Lincoln.

[TonYJ]

I choose to buy the 251 for a couple of reasons. I am making some mods to a JP aluminum body and the spool gun "30A" that goes with the 251 is a good step up from the one they match with the 210. Also I have a syncrowave 250 and it just had to have matching digital meters. I have welded a lot with 210s in the past and the 251 doesn't offer anything additional when welding mildsteel. In short, I would get the 210 unless there is a GOOD reason to justify the 251.

[SHERPA]

how many guys look at guages WHILE they weld-?

I have a mm200, been run hard, still works excellent.
also have a newer 251 machine........ no digi guages.

--Sherpa

[Hardtop]

I bought a MM251 about a year ago and love it. The digital display is nice and helps to fine tune the welds. Bought that over the 210 because it was only a $300 difference and I like the extra duty cycle. Just my .02.