Welder choice..Just between two machines

[Shefron]

I'll give you a little background first of what I have used and what we are doing for projects. Currently we are using a crappy mig machine from HD that just isn't cutting it anymore. Before we started building a flat bed kit for a 4x4 it was fine but now we find ourselves welding for about 2-3 hours straight. Its fine during the tacking of tubes but the duty cycle isn't high enough for the full welding. Not even close. Didn't expect it to be but its reached the point of ****ing me off. Right now the tubing is only .120 wall but we want nice looking welds and pentration for when we weld the DOM 1 3/4 .120 wall tubing to the flat bed for the exo cage. So time has come to buy a new welder.

I was torn between two different welders. Do it once and do it right the first time.

Millermatic 212 $1500
or
Millermatic 252 $2000

At this current time I wouldn't be purchasing a spool gun for the machines since I still have my precission 225 tig machine w/o water torch and would love to do the exo in tig but not good enough yet and figure I would get more uses out of a good mig. does seem like Miller is more favored in town so parts maybe a little easier to get also.

We have a few big projects coming down the line for the next 4 months that I know of right now. 2 exo/flatbed, 1 solid axle conversions and what ever else pops up. My links for the spring will be 1/2in DOM tubing.

Really torn between which one to get.

[CJHeap]

Go ahead and ger the 250 class machine and dont look back. BTW, you should be able to get one for 1500. Watch Craigs list and you can them for under 1000.

[fj40charles]

I'll give you a little background first of what I have used and what we are doing for projects. Currently we are using a crappy mig machine from HD that just isn't cutting it anymore. Before we started building a flat bed kit for a 4x4 it was fine but now we find ourselves welding for about 2-3 hours straight. Its fine during the tacking of tubes but the duty cycle isn't high enough for the full welding. Not even close. Didn't expect it to be but its reached the point of ****ing me off. Right now the tubing is only .120 wall but we want nice looking welds and pentration for when we weld the DOM 1 3/4 .120 wall tubing to the flat bed for the exo cage. So time has come to buy a new welder.

I was torn between two different welders. Do it once and do it right the first time.

Millermatic 212 $1500
or
Millermatic 252 $2000

At this current time I wouldn't be purchasing a spool gun for the machines since I still have my precission 225 tig machine w/o water torch and would love to do the exo in tig but not good enough yet and figure I would get more uses out of a good mig. does seem like Miller is more favored in town so parts maybe a little easier to get also.

We have a few big projects coming down the line for the next 4 months that I know of right now. 2 exo/flatbed, 1 solid axle conversions and what ever else pops up. My links for the spring will be 1/2in DOM tubing.

Really torn between which one to get.

Both are very good welders. Miller will have better customer service than Lincoln. I used to own a MM210 and it is a very good welder.

What is the max thickness you plan on welding? If you plan on doing 3/8" or less all day long, then a MM210/212 will be just fine. If you need to do 1/2" or thicker and plan on doing some spray transfer welding, then you'd need to buy a 250AMP class machine such as the MM251/252

MM210/212 will have 7 voltage taps, MM251/252 will have infinite voltage. It comes down to personal preference on what you like.

Last option... Look for a used MM251 or MM200 and buy it for $1500 or less depending on condition and accessories. Nothing wrong with "old" welders. I use a 1991 Millermatic 200 which may appear to be old, but it welds very well.

$500 difference over several years of ownership makes it a non issue IMHO.

[Shefron]

Go ahead and ger the 250 class machine and dont look back. BTW, you should be able to get one for 1500. Watch Craigs list and you can them for under 1000.

Been looking on Craigslist in town but nothing as popped up. Do you happen to have a website that I can get the 252 from for 1500.

Both are very good welders. Miller will have better customer service than Lincoln. I used to own a MM210 and it is a very good welder.

What is the max thickness you plan on welding? If you plan on doing 3/8" or less all day long, then a MM210/212 will be just fine. If you need to do 1/2" or thicker and plan on doing some spray transfer welding, then you'd need to buy a 250AMP class machine such as the MM251/252

MM210/212 will have 7 voltage taps, MM251/252 will have infinite voltage. It comes down to personal preference on what you like.

Last option... Look for a used MM251 or MM200 and buy it for $1500 or less depending on condition and accessories. Nothing wrong with "old" welders. I use a 1991 Millermatic 200 which may appear to be old, but it welds very well.

$500 difference over several years of ownership makes it a non issue IMHO..

Right now I'm only doing 3/8 or less but I am looking to have a high duty cycle and figure this will last for a very long time for ownership. Not really sure what size of metal I may get into later on. Never thought I would out grow the HD welder.

[fuggit]

I have am currently using miller 185. I was told it is the same as the new 212. It works fine up to 1/4" but after that I feel the duty cycle is not there. I will soon be picking up a 252. I would highly recomend the bigger welder.

[fj40charles]

I have am currently using miller 185. I was told it is the same as the new 212. It works fine up to 1/4" but after that I feel the duty cycle is not there. I will soon be picking up a 252. I would highly recomend the bigger welder.

MM210 replaced the MM185. MM210 has more top end and a better duty cycle and a better drive roll mechanism than the MM185.

[jmhinescj]

to me it all comes down to capasity. if you are gonna be doing much 1/2" then go with the 250 class machine, if not then the 210 class machine should work fine. Iv'e got a mm210 that I love...I can't see myself ever needing anything more.

[THachiya]

...Do it once and do it right the first time.

...Really torn between which one to get.

When you need the 250, you'll kick yourself. Assuming you're going to keep the machine and keep it in good shape, I'm not sure what the question is.

The advantage of variable control over taps is probably worth the $ differential, and the additional amperage is a bonus. I have the Lincoln 255C with the timers for run-in, burn-back, and timed spot welds and it is a kick to use. (I'm not trying to talk you out of the the Miller, both Miller and Lincoln have comparable 21x/25x feature sets.)

Or, you can always stay on the porch. :smokin:

Good luck.

[fj40charles]

The advantage of variable control over taps is probably worth the $ differential, and the additional amperage is a bonus.

I disagree. Variable voltage are nice for people that like them. I prefer voltage taps on my mig welders.

Most people will find it easier to dial in the heat settings since you're only having to deal with the wire speed setting. Set the voltage tap and adjust the wire speed settings to your liking.

[ROXROES]

Buying fab equipment is just like starting to play a sport. You can start off cheap, and pay double to upgrade later, or just fork out the dough and get the good stuff to start.

I love my 251, which the 252 replaced. So I'd say go with that, its always better to have more than you need.

I'd suggest getting your welder off an ebay store called weldfabulous, I got mine for I think $1820 shipped free, plus a whole bunch of other goodies. And I personally called Miller since the local dealer said ebay units weren't warrantied and they said bull, thats why they have serial numbers.

[CJHeap]

Been looking on Craigslist in town but nothing as popped up. Do you happen to have a website that I can get the 252 from for 1500.



.

When I look on Craigs list. I look all over my state, not just my city. FOr instance, I just picked up my 1 year old MM175 with bottle and its first roll of wire for $400 in San Antonio.

You may not find a 252 so look for a MM200, 250, 251 . Also look at the older Hobarts. One was on my local list for $700 with a big bottle full.

They also go on ebay all the time for decent prices ( especially in California) if you can get the seller to palletize it so Freightquote.com can pick it up.