which welder would you buy first?

[jiriki87]

I'm looking to buy the best welder for the buck. I'm torn between a miller 210, miller 251, with the the spoolmate on both or an ESAB. The majority of use will be up to 1/2 inch for trucks and trailers, with the occasional steel/AL sheetmetal. What/Where/when/how much have you guys paid for these units. I am finding them on Ebay new for anywhere from 1400 to 3000 dollars with all options.

Thanks,
Peter

[Hackfabricaton]

Miller is 'introducing' the MM212 and MM252 as replacements for the 210 and 251. They have a different (upgraded?) drive roll system and some cosmetic changes.

If you can find a MM252 with a spoolgun on eBay for $3000 that's probably a good deal...I've never seen new ones listed for that price.

[Yadranco]

If you are buying Miller, that’s good choice .I own MM 210 with spool gun for aluminum .Spool gun for aluminum IMHO is good only for thicker stuff , minimum 1/8 and thicker.
Less than that , spool gun is not good enough .That’s why I am looking for TIG .I intend to keep 210 also .What can I tell you about Esab , that is good choice also .At work we have contractor who use Esab Multimaster 260 .This is multi process machine ,TIG MIG and Stick .Often I check his welds , they are flawless ,spark is crisp and pepy.Prices on the eBay are very reasonable for this machine(~2500$) .TIG on Esab is DC only so you can’t use it for aluminum ,that's only minus that I can see but there is spool gun available for this machine .

[jmhinescj]

My first real welder (and my only real welder at this point) is the MM210, I would say get it unless you do alot of 1/2". I thought about getting the spoolgun but decided to forgo it and just put that money towards a TIG.

[jptbay]

You can get a spoolgun for the Esab Multimaster 260.

Spool gun remote control module PN - 0558002606

Use either the MT-250SG or ST-23A spool guns.

Great machine. DC only TIG as mentioned.

John.

[Hackfabricaton]

...I don't see enough difference between MM210 and MM212 to justify buying MM212 over the MM210.

Unfortunately, Miller isn't marketing the 210 as of today. It's the 212...Same welder, different drive rollers, new handle design. I actually like the handle on the 210. Wish they hadn't changed that, as now unless I can find someone that has a 210 'on the shelf', I'll have to get the 212.

[jiriki87]

Thanks for the input. I've only used the mm210 when the 40 was built, plenty capable for 95 percent of the things I'll need it for. My only thoughts for the bigger mm251 is when I need to weld on my peterbilt dumnp truck. IT has the AR400 hardened steel demo box which is 3/8 of an inch thick on the floor. I hope to make a purchase in the next several weeks. Where did you guys purchase your welders?

Any thoughts on the comparable lincoln welders?

I like the idea of a seperate tig and mig machine. Syncrowave miller?

Peter

[PAToyota]

My MM250X does pretty much anything I need of it. Anything heavier and I just break out the rods and use the Syncrowave 250DX as an arc welder... Picked them both up used for about $3K.

[ironworker378]

my mm210 does all my fab great

[69CJ]

Love my MM210; it's had a lot of wire pushed through it and has been a real workhorse.

Also bought the spoolgun at the same time and other than piddling with scrap, have never had a need to use it.

[Jeepnford]

I bought my Miller 251 about 2 years ago with a 75/25 tank for about $2000.00. I bought it from a local guy that is a small dealer for one of the big welding supply chains. You might find a good price here www.cyberweld.com
if you like to buy from the web. There was a thread on here awhile back about cyberweld and it seems like everyone had good dealings with them. I bought my auto hood and odds and ends from them,always prompt service.

[JESSE_at_TLT]

Here's a link to a review of the 251 (http://tool.off-road.com/tool/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=311847) I wrote for off-road.com a while ago. I freakin' love that machine.

[scout4bta]

Screw it, get the MM350P (http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_350_350p/)
I got to use one at a open house at ASU Polytechnic. It makes my MM210 seem so underwhelming.

[BMB]

There is a good bit of discussion over on the Hobart Weld Talk forum on the new Miller models.

Some of the guys over there get into some good discussion of arc characteristics, etc. on the different machines.

Might take alook over there.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/index.php?

BMB