miller 185 or 212? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

lumpy85 · 12-29-2008, 10:08 PM

i know i want a miller, the 185 says it will handle all i want, but a part of me thinks overkill is good. the 212 is twice the price, any reason to get it? is the 185 plenty for tubing and jeep fab?

silveradoreb · 12-29-2008, 10:12 PM

I bought a 212 about a month ago and love it. Before I got by with a 110 lincoln and it never failed for anything I welded, so I figured I would never need a 212, but with this kind of investment I wanted to have a big enough machine "in case" Sure enough I was burning through 1/2" plate on the second to highest setting on the machine

Get the 212, I paid 1475 new at my local welding shop. You will not be dissapointed!

darkstar · 12-29-2008, 10:34 PM

I have a 175 (basically the same as today's 185). when I bought it something bigger wasn't in the budget, but I have found myself wanting more welder more than once recently. I rarely need to weld materials thick enough that I need to bevel and do multiple passes with this machine, but I have run into the duty cycle plenty. Also, the arc on the bigger machines is more stable, and they're capable of spray transfer welding, which the smaller machines cannnot do.

So yeah, go for the bigger machine. As a matter of fact, get a 252 if you can swing it.

lumpy85 · 12-29-2008, 11:06 PM

i am pretty sure my wife would kick my A$$ if i spent over 2k on the 252. ill be doing good to get the 212. thanks for the tip on the more stable arc, nver thought about that, i knew the duty cycle would be iffy.

Shefron · 12-30-2008, 05:08 AM

Some welding shops may be willing to match internet pricing if your willing to buy other things from them. I was able to swing 1900 for the 252 thru a shop but I made sure to buy a bottle, wire, jacket, and welding blanket from them.

Boogerking · 12-30-2008, 05:17 AM

I have the miller 210 .... I feel it is the perfect welder for the garage/shop... It has just the right power to do all the jobs I throw at it. I would not like anything less... I do love my welder

sjdiesel · 12-30-2008, 05:40 AM

I am in the same boat here. I am leaning towards the miller 180 though. I just cannot swing double the money on the 212 when I am in college. I have welded with the 180 MANY times and have never run into duty cycle issues and the machine welded identical to the miller 250X we have at work. IMHO I think the 180 is perfect for the garage guy. You will have no problems welding to axles and such. Personally I am going with the 180 because the price is perfect and the quality is great.

Then again if I had the extra dough, I would go bigger.

coilcj · 12-30-2008, 06:47 AM

I have a Lincoln 175 (which I believe is "comparable" to the Miller 185) and then purchased a 212 as I was doing more work and wanted something bigger. Now that I have the 212 I really don't know that I will ever use the 175 again, maybe for real light duty sheet metal work, but it has been collecting dust for the past 12 months. Spend the extra coin and get the 212, I know it is double the cost but it is 10x the machine

Rockrunner86 · 12-30-2008, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coilcj

I have a Lincoln 175 (which I believe is "comparable" to the Miller 185) and then purchased a 212 as I was doing more work and wanted something bigger. Now that I have the 212 I really don't know that I will ever use the 175 again, maybe for real light duty sheet metal work, but it has been collecting dust for the past 12 months. Spend the extra coin and get the 212, I know it is double the cost but it is 10x the machine

Isn't the Lincoln 175 a little red suitcase? If so its doesn't compare with the Miller 185. Not even close to the same machine..

coilcj · 12-30-2008, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockrunner86

Isn't the Lincoln 175 a little red suitcase? If so its doesn't compare with the Miller 185. Not even close to the same machine..

No, it is a 220 amp about the same in dimension size to the 185. I think you are thinking of the 135. The 175 is rated for 3/8 however duty cycle had it struggling for .120 for any period of time. Great for sheet metal but not for tube work imo.

SIKJEEP · 12-30-2008, 08:39 AM

I have a miller 210 and love it, ive welded all kinds of stuff and did some big jobs.

fj40charles · 12-30-2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumpy85

i know i want a miller, the 185 says it will handle all i want, but a part of me thinks overkill is good. the 212 is twice the price, any reason to get it? is the 185 plenty for tubing and jeep fab?

Are you comparing the Millermatic 185 with the Millermatic 212?

MM 185 is nearly a full size welder. Millermatic 180 is a smaller sized with less amperage than the Millermatic 185.

lumpy85 · 12-30-2008, 11:02 AM

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...c_180_autoset/

and

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...llermatic_212/

rock mafia · 12-30-2008, 08:57 PM

If you're not in a hurry, keep an eye on CL/ebay for a used one close buy. I just picked up a 251 with bottle for a friend today for $900, bought one for myself a few weeks ago for $1100.

I've never used the newer 180, but I've used a 175 and it was a POS compared to the 210/251's. There is more to the bigger welders than just a higher duty cycle. They have bigger running gear, bigger/longer guns, hold bigger (cheaper buy the lb) spools of wire.

There is also talk of a miller 211 that is miller's answer to the hobart handler 210

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...ighlight=mm211

lumpy85 · 12-30-2008, 09:03 PM

thanks for all the replies, ill hold out for a 212, maybe a 252 if i can find one.

are there any older models that might show up on CL that i should look at too? i want to stick with miller, but i know some of the previous models should be somewhat comparable to the newer ones. i have 220 single phase. so i cant get a 3 phase welder.

rock mafia · 12-30-2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumpy85

thanks for all the replies, ill hold out for a 212, maybe a 252 if i can find one.

are there any older models that might show up on CL that i should look at too? i want to stick with miller, but i know some of the previous models should be somewhat comparable to the newer ones. i have 220 single phase. so i cant get a 3 phase welder.

212 replaced the 210. 252 replaced the 251 which replaced the 250x/250. Alot of people don't like the 250 and really don't like the 250x.

You can see all the models here, and download the manual.

http://www.millerwelds.com/service/ownersmanuals.php

Lots of welding info here:

http://weldingweb.com/

Proeliator · 12-30-2008, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boogerking

I have the miller 210 .... I feel it is the perfect welder for the garage/shop... It has just the right power to do all the jobs I throw at it. I would not like anything less... I do love my welder

X 2. Sure, go bigger if you can afford it; but I wouldn't go any smaller. Personally, I am very happy with my 210.

uglyscout · 12-31-2008, 07:20 AM

I've got a MM175 -- I love it and and as slow as I fab I have only hit the duty cycle 2-3 times over the last 3 years. It put my lil' 110V welder out of business in a hurry - I sold it a week after I got the 175.

And I have yet to build/weld/fix anything that needed more power than the 175 could lay down, sure I might need 2 passes once in a while but not too often.

Loose07 · 12-31-2008, 04:17 PM

I got a mm 185 and my buddy has a mm210 and the 210 seems to weld better arc more stable i think.

If you dont want to spend money on a new one keep your eyes open for a used one i got mine for 450 bucks hardly used

FrkyMnky1487 · 12-31-2008, 04:59 PM

You should keep your eye out for a miller 200. There was one on ebay that went for just over $500 and it is a 250 amp machine. I almost bought it, but Christmas was a little more important.

lumpy85 · 01-01-2009, 01:03 AM

damn i would love to get a good machine for 500 bucks, that would mean a plasma that much faster.

Dustin · 01-01-2009, 09:34 AM

I have a miller 175. Its been a nice machine. I bought it about 8 years ago. They were on sale then for around $650 with a cart. At the same time they were selling the miller 210 for $1050 and were including a free spool gun. I couldn't really afford the 210 then but have regretted not doing it anyway ever since.

Wyoming9 · 01-01-2009, 12:07 PM

Depending where you live in the country Miller has recon units that we service and they go back to there whare house to be sold like that.

Ask your local Miller dealer if any are to be had in your area. It is hit and miss as to what is on hand at any given time. Can`t hurt to ask.

If they are clueless the Miller area rep can set them straight.

People can be so careless with forks these days.

In any case unless you just do light work bigger is better in welders.

12-29-2008, 10:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
lumpy85 Wheeler Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14395 Location: kansas city MO Posts: 134	miller 185 or 212? i know i want a miller, the 185 says it will handle all i want, but a part of me thinks overkill is good. the 212 is twice the price, any reason to get it? is the 185 plenty for tubing and jeep fab? __________________ Definition of disappointment: Running into a wall with a boner and breaking your nose first.

12-29-2008, 10:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
darkstar Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Aug 2002 Member # 13047 Location: Libertyville, IL Posts: 2,572	I have a 175 (basically the same as today's 185). when I bought it something bigger wasn't in the budget, but I have found myself wanting more welder more than once recently. I rarely need to weld materials thick enough that I need to bevel and do multiple passes with this machine, but I have run into the duty cycle plenty. Also, the arc on the bigger machines is more stable, and they're capable of spray transfer welding, which the smaller machines cannnot do. So yeah, go for the bigger machine. As a matter of fact, get a 252 if you can swing it. __________________ Surplus industrial supplies for sale. Lots of good stuff for your rig, cheap: fasteners, automotive electrical supplies, etc: CLICK HERE. Last edited by darkstar; 12-29-2008 at 10:35 PM.

12-29-2008, 11:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
lumpy85 Wheeler Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14395 Location: kansas city MO Posts: 134	i am pretty sure my wife would kick my A$$ if i spent over 2k on the 252. ill be doing good to get the 212. thanks for the tip on the more stable arc, nver thought about that, i knew the duty cycle would be iffy. __________________ Definition of disappointment: Running into a wall with a boner and breaking your nose first.

12-30-2008, 05:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
Shefron Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Member # 80692 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,112	Some welding shops may be willing to match internet pricing if your willing to buy other things from them. I was able to swing 1900 for the 252 thru a shop but I made sure to buy a bottle, wire, jacket, and welding blanket from them. __________________ Steel Shooting Targets Custom cutouts on request AR500 plate for shooting targets Now cutting 80% tomahawk for the DIYer

12-30-2008, 05:40 AM	#7 (permalink)
sjdiesel Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Member # 99934 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 384	I am in the same boat here. I am leaning towards the miller 180 though. I just cannot swing double the money on the 212 when I am in college. I have welded with the 180 MANY times and have never run into duty cycle issues and the machine welded identical to the miller 250X we have at work. IMHO I think the 180 is perfect for the garage guy. You will have no problems welding to axles and such. Personally I am going with the 180 because the price is perfect and the quality is great. Then again if I had the extra dough, I would go bigger. Last edited by sjdiesel; 12-30-2008 at 05:41 AM.

12-29-2008, 10:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
silveradoreb Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Member # 37431 Location: Boone, NC Posts: 603	I bought a 212 about a month ago and love it. Before I got by with a 110 lincoln and it never failed for anything I welded, so I figured I would never need a 212, but with this kind of investment I wanted to have a big enough machine "in case" Sure enough I was burning through 1/2" plate on the second to highest setting on the machine Get the 212, I paid 1475 new at my local welding shop. You will not be dissapointed!

12-30-2008, 05:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
Boogerking Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Member # 123536 Posts: 214	I have the miller 210 .... I feel it is the perfect welder for the garage/shop... It has just the right power to do all the jobs I throw at it. I would not like anything less... I do love my welder

12-30-2008, 06:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
coilcj Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Member # 13460 Location: NJ Posts: 1,027	I have a Lincoln 175 (which I believe is "comparable" to the Miller 185) and then purchased a 212 as I was doing more work and wanted something bigger. Now that I have the 212 I really don't know that I will ever use the 175 again, maybe for real light duty sheet metal work, but it has been collecting dust for the past 12 months. Spend the extra coin and get the 212, I know it is double the cost but it is 10x the machine

12-30-2008, 08:39 AM	#11 (permalink)
SIKJEEP Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Member # 104850 Location: Lodi, CA Posts: 738	I have a miller 210 and love it, ive welded all kinds of stuff and did some big jobs. __________________ [B][COLOR="Yellow"]1987 YJ 60/14 on 40" ltb's [/COLOR][/B] :flipoff2:

12-30-2008, 11:02 AM	#13 (permalink)
lumpy85 Wheeler Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14395 Location: kansas city MO Posts: 134	http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...c_180_autoset/ and http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...llermatic_212/ __________________ Definition of disappointment: Running into a wall with a boner and breaking your nose first.

12-30-2008, 08:57 PM	#14 (permalink)
rock mafia Rock God Join Date: Apr 2006 Member # 70555 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,605	If you're not in a hurry, keep an eye on CL/ebay for a used one close buy. I just picked up a 251 with bottle for a friend today for $900, bought one for myself a few weeks ago for $1100. I've never used the newer 180, but I've used a 175 and it was a POS compared to the 210/251's. There is more to the bigger welders than just a higher duty cycle. They have bigger running gear, bigger/longer guns, hold bigger (cheaper buy the lb) spools of wire. There is also talk of a miller 211 that is miller's answer to the hobart handler 210 http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...ighlight=mm211 __________________ clicky---> Facebook Jim's Garage http://www.mandmfab.com/

12-30-2008, 09:03 PM	#15 (permalink)
lumpy85 Wheeler Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14395 Location: kansas city MO Posts: 134	thanks for all the replies, ill hold out for a 212, maybe a 252 if i can find one. are there any older models that might show up on CL that i should look at too? i want to stick with miller, but i know some of the previous models should be somewhat comparable to the newer ones. i have 220 single phase. so i cant get a 3 phase welder. __________________ Definition of disappointment: Running into a wall with a boner and breaking your nose first.

12-31-2008, 07:20 AM	#18 (permalink)
uglyscout Dana 44 Polisher Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 13731 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 3,295	I've got a MM175 -- I love it and and as slow as I fab I have only hit the duty cycle 2-3 times over the last 3 years. It put my lil' 110V welder out of business in a hurry - I sold it a week after I got the 175. And I have yet to build/weld/fix anything that needed more power than the 175 could lay down, sure I might need 2 passes once in a while but not too often. __________________ Buy my stuff!!! High Pinion Dana 44 for an Early Bronco Almost brand new 39.5x13.5x15 IROKS

12-31-2008, 04:17 PM	#19 (permalink)
Loose07 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Member # 123597 Posts: 47	I got a mm 185 and my buddy has a mm210 and the 210 seems to weld better arc more stable i think. If you dont want to spend money on a new one keep your eyes open for a used one i got mine for 450 bucks hardly used

12-31-2008, 04:59 PM	#20 (permalink)
FrkyMnky1487 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Member # 62686 Location: Abilene, tx Posts: 806	You should keep your eye out for a miller 200. There was one on ebay that went for just over $500 and it is a 250 amp machine. I almost bought it, but Christmas was a little more important.

01-01-2009, 01:03 AM	#21 (permalink)
lumpy85 Wheeler Join Date: Oct 2002 Member # 14395 Location: kansas city MO Posts: 134	damn i would love to get a good machine for 500 bucks, that would mean a plasma that much faster. __________________ Definition of disappointment: Running into a wall with a boner and breaking your nose first.

01-01-2009, 09:34 AM	#22 (permalink)
Dustin Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Member # 2395 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,608	I have a miller 175. Its been a nice machine. I bought it about 8 years ago. They were on sale then for around $650 with a cart. At the same time they were selling the miller 210 for $1050 and were including a free spool gun. I couldn't really afford the 210 then but have regretted not doing it anyway ever since. __________________ 2010 CalROCS Supermod Champions Concept Wraps PRP Seats Raceline Wheels CKRC Crawlers Bulldog Winch 12 Volt Guy Ruffstuff Specialties CTM Racing

01-01-2009, 12:07 PM	#23 (permalink)
Wyoming9 Rock God Join Date: May 2008 Member # 113418 Location: New Tripoli Pa Posts: 1,468	Depending where you live in the country Miller has recon units that we service and they go back to there whare house to be sold like that. Ask your local Miller dealer if any are to be had in your area. It is hit and miss as to what is on hand at any given time. Can`t hurt to ask. If they are clueless the Miller area rep can set them straight. People can be so careless with forks these days. In any case unless you just do light work bigger is better in welders.

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