What mig Welder to buy

[Farmer09]

What is a good mig Welder that uses 220 an that will weld with 0.45 wire I’m looking for a used welder but what would I be looking for size wise what welder number. Thanks

 

[sberry]

What has you fixated on 045? For most guys with a real need for bigger wire a new machine might be an option. You wanting this wire with C25? A big wire will make thinner work more difficult.
You need a 251 class macine to run it well.

 

[sberry]

If I was looking for a one wire one gas setup for a small garage and wanted a full size unit a Hobart IM 230 would be on my short list.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I love my little Hobart 140.

 

[plinker]

A Miller 200 or 250 would be a good machine that will handle .045" wire. Last place I work had a couple older ones and that's what they were set up with (co2 & flux core).

You could do 1/8 mild steel with them easy enough, heavier bead though. Anything thinner is better done with, .030" IMO. We were using mostly 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 steel. Plate, bar & angle.

 

[anndel]

I love my little Hobart 140.

Ditto, I use both 0.30 and 0.35 flux wire.

 

[MoonRise]

Like sberry said, why are you seemingly fixated on 0.045 solid wire?

What do you need/want to weld? What thickness metal and what metal (steel only, or do you want/need to weld aluminum too?)

GMAW short-circuit or spray, FCAW-S, FCAW-G?

Up to 8" diameter spools, or do you also want/need the machine to handle 12" spools too?

A 200/210 class machine can do most of what a 'home' guy needs to do. A 250 class machine can usually run almost any wire type in any transfer mode, but can't run the 'bigger ' wire sizes.

Or, in full GJ overkill mode, you can get a 500 amp diesel engine air-pac engine drive welder and a suitcase wire feeder.

 

[dr_clyde]

Millermatic 255. Inverter based, will run pulsed spray. I plan to get one to replace my Millermatic 250.

Pulsed spray is the way to go, id have a really hard time going back to short circuit mig now.

 

[Kenskip1]

Asking a question like this but no information as to what he will be welding!220 yes but what is it going to be used on? Pipe, car frame,heavy equipment?Could he simply want the biggest baddest welder for bragging rights?I hope not.

try this site https://weldingweb.com/forumdisplay.php?2-MIG-TIG-Stick-And-Oxy-Fuel-Welding

 

[BD1]

What do you plan on using it for ?? That makes a difference and what's your budget ??

 

[sberry]

I wouldn't mind trying pulse. Being an inverter should allow for some more top end from the same circuit. My use is so minimal all this Is moot at this point.
But,, I have ran 251 which is a heavy machine. Will melt the factory gun off, they really need a 400A gun for spray,, I believe they will spray 045,,, but it's been a while, that's back when it was a new model.
As for the 140,,,, this Is a different story and it is really a 023 solid machine and 030 for flux. 035 flux for 200 class. The machines we mention here are 5 times the power for longer time.

 

[eschoendorff]

Ditto, I use both 0.30 and 0.35 flux wire.

Same here. That little 140 is the cat’s ***.

 

[BajaScout]

I have the Miller 211. Having the 2201/110V option is real nice. I do not always have access to 220V when I leave the garage.

 

[Ign]

What is a good mig Welder that uses 220 an that will weld with 0.45 wire I’m looking for a used welder but what would I be looking for size wise what welder number. Thanks

You'd be looking for a Miller 250, 251 or 252
Hobart IM 230
Lincoln 255, 256, 260

Those are just the few I'm familiar with, there's more models of those brands and more brands, too

.045 keeps coming up cheap on my local CL and even though my Lincoln 256 will push it I can't for the life of me figure out WTH I'd ever do with it.

Anymore I try to avoid **** that big or heavy LOL. Kinda like how my buddy said, "I've never seen a job that paid well enough to pick up a 9" grinder."

 

[sberry]

I am not sure what the top end poop is on the IM230, it might be similar to some of the 250 models. Not all of those are as good as the 251-252 either. It one point I was more familiar with most of these machines but its been a while and there are sooooo many of them that if a guy isn't working sales or with them every day its tuff to member it all.

Danny who hangs on the Miller/Hobart forums and is about as good a tester there is says the IM is a super 030 machine. A bigger wire gives it a little more on the top but the intensity and wet out with the smaller was really good I guess,,, best as I remember, it was when they released it.

The bigger wire is nice for speed, same gas and time for more weld. If a guy was building several trailers etc then it makes a difference especially if there is someone paying by the hour or waiting on welding.

 

[Brand X]

Pulse spray is nice,and can do some fantastic things. Dual shield, short circuit,spray-arc will do about 99.9 % of what a average guy will do with Mild steel. It's strong enough to put bridges together, and will weld .030 steel together too. I had many pulse welders, super nice, but kind of esoteric for most peoples needs.. I started out with a MK Products pulse unit, and they caught most of the big boys flat footed in the area of pulse.. Pulse spray can make for some fast work on putting together water tight trays, etc.. So will a cheap DC tig, for that matter, with even higher quality welds..Just not as fast in general..

My vote is for a Lincoln 260..

 

[bczygan]

The Miller XMT 350 CC/CV at school has pulse.

All this talk.........I'm going to have to try it out Monday during stick class, before I do my stick assignments.

Bill

 

[Farmer09]

I’m useingbit on farm equipment I like how it makes a big puddle an covers more. I have a millermatic 150 220 power source it just want hardly burn the 0.35 wire as good but I’m also used to the Lincoln dc600 at my work that’s burns really hot but it’s also a 3 phase Welder. Just trying to find a good shop welder that will weld what ever I wanna weld when I wanna weld it an not have to worry will it hole I also have a pipe liner lincoln sa200 for my feild work but a good mig is hard to beat thanks for ur opinions guys I like to no what other ppl think about it. Thanks

 

[dr_clyde]

I’m useingbit on farm equipment I like how it makes a big puddle an covers more. I have a millermatic 150 220 power source it just want hardly burn the 0.35 wire as good but I’m also used to the Lincoln dc600 at my work that’s burns really hot but it’s also a 3 phase Welder. Just trying to find a good shop welder that will weld what ever I wanna weld when I wanna weld it an not have to worry will it hole I also have a pipe liner lincoln sa200 for my feild work but a good mig is hard to beat thanks for ur opinions guys I like to no what other ppl think about it. Thanks

In that case I would look at a Millermatic 350p or a Lincoln 350MP. They are the top tier of the light industrial lines and are perfect for your application.

 

[sk farmer]

I’m useingbit on farm equipment I like how it makes a big puddle an covers more. I have a millermatic 150 220 power source it just want hardly burn the 0.35 wire as good but I’m also used to the Lincoln dc600 at my work that’s burns really hot but it’s also a 3 phase Welder. Just trying to find a good shop welder that will weld what ever I wanna weld when I wanna weld it an not have to worry will it hole I also have a pipe liner lincoln sa200 for my feild work but a good mig is hard to beat thanks for ur opinions guys I like to no what other ppl think about it. Thanks

i am still thinking you are going over the top here. i have a big old forney arc welder (300 or so amps)as a backup but have never used it since getting a millermatic 211 about 5 years ago. i have used it on everything from cattle feeders to truck frames and anything else you can think of.

my buddy is way more of welder than i am and runs a 212 with no issues. if i had to do it all over tomorrow i would go with the new miller 215 multi process and call it a day. mig, stick and tig, all in one unit.

 

[Farmall450]

I love my little Hobart 140.

Not to run heavy wire you don't.

 

[lis2323]

The Miller XMT 350 CC/CV at school has pulse.

All this talk.........I'm going to have to try it out Monday during stick class, before I do my stick assignments.

Bill

That XMT will need the Optima pendant to run pulse with a wire feeder.

 

[scooby074]

Miller 252 or Lincoln Powermig 256. Both are the last gen versions. Both are well established with a solid reputation. Not only are they well established but there are some real good deals to be had on whatever stock is left to make room for the new models. Ive seen promotions of over $400 off on Millers if Im remembering right.

Im a Miller guy (own a 252) and Im not sold on the new 255 yet. We'll have to see how they hold up in 5 yrs.

I run 045 Dual Shield Flux core (ESAB X Series) on my 252 without problems. Gun will overheat if youre not careful though, as mentioned these machines should really come with an industrial gun.

 

[Brand X]

I had one of these for a few years and the first model Powermig 300.. Pretty much the same Chopper machine that the PM-350 is.. Used quite a few MM-350p machines too..

My Power wave was so new that they did not load all the software. Had to do that myself after they put it online. It's got tons more programing then the run of the mill MM-350p/PM-350/imvertec 350 pro Like uphill pulse etc..

https://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/lincoln-power-wave-c300-multi-process-welder-k2675-2 Lincoln's Advanced Process guys are some of the best to deal with on issues.. I had a few Esab pulse units too..

Like I said before, the 260 Lincoln is where I would go for a decent shop unit.. Has things like slope control for spray, dual shield welding/short-arc....

 

[lis2323]

I run .045 Dual Shield with my Miller XMT350.

 

[WittHay]

The older Millermatic 200 large frame welders were a quality unit that could run .045 and be used for fabricating farm equipment. The minimum I would recommend is the 250 to 260 class if you plan on building stuff and not just quick repairs.

Even small equipment uses heavy plate. Had a rear blade scraper rated for up to 80 hp tractor. Weld broke on the pin. The pin was welded to 1/2" thick boxed steel frame. Not something you would want to weld with the portable 210 size welders

 

[scooby074]

We really got to know the OPs budget!!!

I posted about a 252, which is a welder that meets his requirements, but is also $2500. $2500 is a lot of money for a welder for a lot of guys!

Then we get into the XMTs and feeders and the Advanced Process machines etc. I doubt the OP is wanting to dump $7000 into a high end multi process when based on his question it sounds like hes a beginner? Or maybe he does?

 

[Brand X]

I picked this up cheap (NOS). Great short arc also... Kind of blows away them 350 amp machine on single phase.. Running .065 wire..(55 pound machine running on a 60 amp breaker) I have a lowly LM-200 now, and it will run .045 perfect.. Output is about 335 amps peak,and the duty-cycle of most 250 migs..stable 28 volts at max output.. That's a 200 too..

Personally I like Millers Chopper machine much better then the Lincoln Esab's was excellent too I do kind of miss that Big old lump of Blue Hybrid machine,,(Shopmate 300 DX/74 DX feeder)) Best Arc starts of any Miller ever made..Lovely short arc too..

 

[strength_and_power]

That XMT will need the Optima pendant to run pulse with a wire feeder.

And 90/10 gas


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[sberry]

I realize it's a ********* but I am with the guys say that this isn't a candidate for a 7000$ machine. Likely doesn't need it either. That kind of thing is amateur advice from professional welder.

 

[lis2323]

I realize it's a ********* but I am with the guys say that this isn't a candidate for a 7000$ machine. Likely doesn't need it either. That kind of thing is amateur advice from professional welder.

The OP didn’t state his budget or his ultimate plan(s). Just a used 220v machine that would run .045.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. I am just a retired farmer and definitely NOT a pro welder.




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[Ign]

With careful shopping you should be able to get a MM252 or L256 for right at or under $2k. More reasonable than a 350P LOL

I love the arc quality on my Lincoln 256, and a 252 is just as good or better

 

[dr_clyde]

With careful shopping you should be able to get a MM252 or L256 for right at or under $2k. More reasonable than a 350P LOL

I love the arc quality on my Lincoln 256, and a 252 is just as good or better

Just saw a 350p go for $1800 at auction here locally. 252s went higher, as they are more known to the home shop guys. Industrial grade machines are very reasonable used if you are patient and know what they are worth.

 

[Ign]

Just saw a 350p go for $1800 at auction here locally. 252s went higher, as they are more known to the home shop guys. Industrial grade machines are very reasonable used if you are patient and know what they are worth.

I didn't even think about used but that's just not an option here. I don't even bother.

People think the used welder market is like the used trailer market here, ask within $100 of retail. Most recent was an MM210 asking $2k. Um, I paid $1860 for my L256 new

I listed my Ironman 210 at $500 and sold it almost immediately after getting my 256. Guy even said your price is so reasonable I'm not gonna try to offer less.

But I'd take a used 350P all day long at $1800. Still, around here that's like hoping for that $50 Dana 60 front or $25 C2 Wilton....the stuff of fairy tales. I'm more likely to literally find a unicorn shitting rainbows

 

[trackwelder]

You should be able to pick up a nice used mm200 for under a grand. I have one set up with 0.45 and co2. Will weld 1/2 plate all day and never skip a beat.

 

[bczygan]

That XMT will need the Optima pendant to run pulse with a wire feeder.

Yes, I realized that later, and I doubt school has one.

Would be fun to try though.


Bill

 

[1979transam]

Hobart 210mpv