Choosing a welder

[Terry D]

I know this will start a whole new discussion here but, what do you guys prefer, Lincoln or Miller

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[Downwindtracker 2]

When I worked in maintenance, my preferred machines had Miller on them. So when I went to buy a MIG, I ended up choosing a Miller over a Lincoln . While, I ended up with the second worst welder Miller ever made, a MM250x, the 250 was worse. By the 252, they have sorted it out.

 

[lis2323]

I have Thermal Arc , Lincoln and Miller.

No real preference.

 

[86turbodsl]

My perspective, as a very serious hobbyist: If you have a bit of room, i've never been disatisfied with purchasing older larger quality welders. I have 6 (a bit of overkill) but there are two types - constant current and constant voltage. constant voltage is your basic MIG. that's all it does. constant current is stick and TIG. I have a Miller 330A/BP and a syncrowave for that. For Mig i have a CP-200 converted to single phase. Both were *cheap* to purchase and work great. That said, the multifunction welders can work good if you have the cash to spend and want to save space and aren't super into your performance.

 

[86turbodsl]

On the welding forums, there are long threads about the problems with getting bottles filled or exchanged , besides the cost.

This is very dependent on your supplier. Mine have never been a problem. I own all my bottles, i swap them out without hassle always.

 

[Aaron_W]

On the welding forums, there are long threads about the problems with getting bottles filled or exchanged , besides the cost.

The more I read about experiences with local welding shops, the more I appreciate the shop I have. I know my purchases are peanuts for them compared to their commercial accounts but they always treat me well, like they actually care about keeping my business. Nice because its not like I have a lot of options.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I'm lucky, too. I have four bottles, three of them oxygen, acetylene and MIG mix are company branded bottles I purchased, they are simply exchanged. My argon was part of a package deal and it's mine. It gets refilled. I have had it for 5 years, so in 5 years ,it's going to have to be recertified. The purchased company, Air Liquide, bottles are a better deal. They are all small industrial sized, I can move them.

 

[sberry]

If your interest is really welding and it's a hobby you don't care a lot about cost you can get anything but if you have stuff you want to get done, projects and stuff you need to fab or fix is the goal then you are a poster child for a 180/210 class mig. IF the goal is to do shat then that's for you.
There is a "right" machine for you,,, this is a bit different than "favorites", different than a lot of people's experience which can influence advice.

 

[BD1]

On the welding forums, there are long threads about the problems with getting bottles filled or exchanged , besides the cost.

Each supplier is different and each has their own policies. Before buying a used cylinder call a supplier and see if they will exchange it. One local supplier will only exchange his tanks. I go to a mom and pop shop and drive 35 miles one way. No issues at all and they will exchange my large 330 oxygen. I take a bunch in so it's worth it .

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Also make sure the used bottles are not merely leased or even stolen. They have serial numbers. My son was given an tall Linde oxygen bottle. Our neighbor, a city worker, had picked it off the side of a road. When my son moved out, he left it behind. I took it in to a local welding shop that dealt in that brand ,hoping to exchange the bottle for small Tri-Mix. When he looked it up it was "Sorry, it's a missing one" "Well can I leave it here with you to look after?" "Sure" At least I got rid of it.

 

[xman_charl]

purchased my 2 bottles, ar, c02, from welders supply,
napa, california

bottles were rentals, still had some gas, expiration in couple years

said, they would re certify them

think price was $150...

very satisfied

Charl

 

[tlmartin84]

EVERLAST

I have used a Millermatic (think it was 140). I have owned a Hobart 140, upgraded to a 210MVP, and most recently purchased an EVERLAST 221STI Multiprocess. IT IS GREAT AT EVERYTHING! MIG - TIG AC and DC.

The only downfall is the size, it is about 70 lbs, and switching back and forth. However once I put a quick connect on the back, its just switching a few cables...


DON'T LET ANYONE STEER YOU AWAY FROM A MULTIPROCESS.


The 221 has some features in the MIG I was looking for, inductance control and burnback, preflow and post flow. It is night and day difference doing spot welds and fine tuning it for thin sheet metal over the 210 MVP. If I wasn't looking for those settings, I would have kept my Hobart 210 and just added a nice everlast TIG.

https://www.everlastgenerators.com/product/mig/powermts-221-sti-tig-package

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[Terry D]

Thank you everyone for all the input. I will keep everyone posted on what route I take. Thanks again

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

If you chose the Lincoln 200 ac/dc TIG, get the extended warranty. They heat sink glue the guts together. It's repaired by replacement.