Dream welder?

[tcianci]

I just read a glowing article about the new Millermatic 211 with Advanced Autoset. It sounds like one heck of a welder. I have been welding since the early 70's, mostly hobby welding and until about 18 tears ago, mostly all stick. I graduated to a Century 120 v MIG and more recently to a box store Lincoln 240v MIG I got the Lincoln for free (long story). Now I'm wondering if I should sell my Antique C'man arc welder and my Lincoln MIG and spring for this Miller. Do any of you guys have first hand experience with this machine?

 

[sberry]

The 211 is basically the same class as the Linc you have. These are the workhorses in small shops. The auto set is just that, it doesnt make the machine weld better. The box store unit you have is tuned for C25 and 030 wire and is almost perfect and they make that macine for a long time.
The 211 has more features but once it's out it's the same and the Linc has world class arc.

 

[beakie]

I'm currently looking for a new mig machine.
hobby/home use also.

my criteria is;
dual voltage

bonus if;
multi process, (arc, mig & DC tig, not that I can tig but if it has it great)

ya that's it.


I want to be able to use it in my shop, buddies farm, off the genny, etc.

not sure if the new Miller 211 fits that bill, but the Lincoln 210MP does.
could also go for the RazorWeld units that Princess Auto (our version of Harbor Freight) sells.



if what you have does 95% of what you need, why are you wanting to replace it? just $$ burning hole in your pocket?

 

[sberry]

If a guy works on macinery stick has a place, in that case it is usually all position. The move to a DC unit is well worth the effort. A general hobby type can usually do the work with wire.
If I wanted to do portable fixes a macine that I would consider adding is inverter stick with dual v, Everlast or similar.

 

[Alchymist]

Always wanted a Miller Bobcat 250. Oh well, not in my financial world....

 

[readhead]

I'll start by saying that I am a red guy. One of my installers recently got a 211. I had a chance to use it recently and found it to run very well and got the job done. But, I found the gun to be very stiff and very unwieldy especially out of position.

 

[sberry]

The box store version of the red is the originial with a jacket for that market. Absolutely no reason to replace it. I actually like the T version vs the infinate V.

 

[readhead]

The "T"'s seem more durable. I have never had to replace a switch in a T.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Personally I wouldn't get rid of the arc welder. It's been paid for for many years I'd guess. I'd keep it for that rare occasion that you just might need it. . . .dirty, nasty, rusty, thick steel.

 

[theoldwizard1]

With modern microprocessor controls and electronics, I am surprised that more combination MIG/TIG units don't exist. Maybe there is just no need from the marketplace.

 

[zkling]

Dream welder, no; but it is a darn nice hobby/garage welder machine. As well as a portable work machine. The new style packaging of their compact mig units makes them looks a bit cheesy almost toyish IMHO.

With modern microprocessor controls and electronics, I am surprised that more combination MIG/TIG units don't exist. Maybe there is just no need from the marketplace.

There is a HUGE need for a ~$1500 ~180amp compact mig with DC and AC HF tig unit. However the challenge is the AC side of the machine, that is where the costs come in when it gets rectified back to AC, especially when you modify the waveform and want to modulate the frequency IIRC. :

 

[kesslerbmw]

My brother recently picked one up, just happened to see it last weekend while over at his place. He said he loves it, he prefers going TIG, but he said it gave the best results for a MIG he's ever had.

 

[blazemaster83]

I'd love a synchrowave

 

[Jbullfrog]

I have a Miller 251x wire welder and a 275 Trailblazer. I grew up stick welding with a wooden box welder in the farm shop.

 

[Ironhorse74]

not sure if the new Miller 211 fits that bill, but the Lincoln 210MP does.
could also go for the RazorWeld units that Princess Auto (our version of Harbor Freight) sells.
/QUOTE]

Another vote for the Lincoln 210 MP. I love mine.

Brad

 

[LXCam]

I had a Lincoln 185 and moved to a miller 252. What a drastic improvement,?i couldn't believe how much nicer the miller was.

 

[bczygan]

So what's the conclusion?

Use would be general around the house fabrication and maybe some trailer building or modification.

What exact model is the best bang for the buck? High end machines out of the running due to cost.

Single vs dual voltage?

MIG or?

And when and where is it on sale for the cheapest?

Bill

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Does the ESAB Rebel welding machine fall into this category?

 

[morgaj1]

I would keep your current setup, as I don't see a big payoff for the money you'll spend.

 

[beakie]

Does the ESAB Rebel welding machine fall into this category?

should be, but much more $$, atleast when I was looking.

local welding supply (who sells white, blue and red... and yellow) said for a multiprocesa machine, they would advise Red, and sell 2:1 against the others combined.

Price isn't only reason, but is a factor.
I will have to save up a bit longer before I can justify the 210MP... but I'm looking forward to that day.

 

[Bobcat753]

I already have my two dream machines.The odd thing is that dream was when I was 17. I'm now 19.

Miller Trailblazer 325 EFI With Excel Power
Lincoln Power Mig 210MP - Just Bought

 

[sberry]

This would be a different question if he already didn't own one of the best welding migs ever made.
I oiled the fan and did replace the V switch but,,,,, the thing has 1000's of hours on it, ran way past its rated cycle and was way too small when I bought it. I should have bought another full size the same day. For the hobby gang its great, its one of the cheapest with the only draw back of not hooking up with a spool gun.
There is a lot of focus on the new multi process, they have their place and tig gets a lot of attn. but really ranks up there with things most people don't need.
This is different than want, like the fuggin holes in the table. A spool gun is really the *** saver and most of the fabrication in a common life support/small biz is steel. I havnt torch welded since mig.
The 200 isn't huge but it can do the work. Its slow but the world is a lighter place than it was. A home place has so much sheet, equipment like mower decks and tractors, the 200 gives enough punch to do limited trailer and bumper work.
I remember pricing welders 25 yrs ago, some of these are nearly the same in todays dollars. I bought an spt and it was 650 from a dealer in 92, not much over 700 today and some of that is very recent.
I bought a 255 in 94 maybe and it was 300 more than a Hobart 230 is today which is a better welding machine.

 

[sberry]

I got 2 others, this little deal with the 5 speed in it is really good. It would be sufficient for roll cage work.
If it was full time it would be a different matter but we used one to build a piece of equipment of similar thickness. All about like a pickup bumper, the thing really eats 3/16, takes a bit more driver to get it to look great on 1/4 but do able.
A bit better metal prep would help a little.

 

[sberry]

Bobcat. You are probably built to be a contractor. I got a plumma bud wont stop long enough to be a welder. He invests in a ton of other stuff.
There are occasions we get questions about certs. If a guy has passed a real test it says he fundamentally knows how to do it. He probably can get as good as he wants from there.
Back to your MP. The place I might find it useful was as a stick welder on occasion. You have an engine drive so do I but my Maxstar has made it lonely. We had the battery and all out, had to put one in to take a call from a logger.
You could plug a Max in your TB and have 2 machines for running 1engine for fit up or light work, could probably do 2 or 3.

 

[sberry]

I like stick for portable, have a welder and a torch and a grinder on my service truck. I have other tools but that's what I really use on a service call. I never take a feeder from the shop, tig either.
I know a guy is the journeyman for a pretty good carney outfit. They had a new TB and he said, great but at the time got a suitcase and its been an expensive space waster. If a guy is welding then they are great bit if a guy is fixing a stick is the deal for a real welder.

 

[sberry]

I havnt used a fuelie but bet the nature of it all could be tailored. All my machines are old simple junk but 3$ or more fuel is a deal and adds up if a guy is working. A machine I really have interest in trying is a a green one whose name escapes but they have a clone of a Maxstar now for 220$. Everlast and I suspect Longevity has one, dual voltage 140.
My Maxstar will run 3/32 lo hi and 1/8 6011 a hundred feet from a panel on a 120V circuit. Run it toasty. Mobile home frames. pallet racks etc all from 120, all from customer power.

 

[sberry]

I tested a little Forney cost 100$. It might make it thru a rod on a 30A but on a normal circuit its limited to use as a 3/32 6011 machine compared to the Max that runs 1/8 without a trip.
Today a Max S is around a grand or so, it would be earned back in collateral savings with regular use, the price wouldnt scare me. But for Joe home it could work well at 220$ and it may even for me, never tried one to see.

 

[Finky198]

Id love to pick up a miller XMT 350/450 w accs for shop use and scrap our older/worn out units...


I also thought it'd be really cool to have one of those miller multimatic 200 machine in my basement to futz around with just seems really cool...

 

[sberry]

I got one, my neighbor grabbed it up and said, I dont care how good it welds but how much power does it have. The advent of the inverter has allowed for stick welding wasn't even a ********* when I was a kid.
Mr Bobcat was like I was at 19, maybe better, I bought an SA 200 was never anything but an anchor.
If a guy has work there is no way around it and well worth investment to save money. When copper and fuel were higher it drove some improvements. The complete inverter welder today powered by a number 12 cord cost a grand, that used to be the cost of the remote alone and had to have 4/0 copper lead.

 

[sberry]

With a325 you can do real welding. For the home/biz hobby today the equipment is better than ever. The only reason to separate the 210MP is weight I believe? A stick is about 13# A multi would give stick in the same space from the same circuit in a shop.

 

[Farmall450]

I have a Miller 251x wire welder and a 275 Trailblazer. I grew up stick welding with a wooden box welder in the farm shop.

Please tell me you have a picture.

 

[sberry]

I was going to mention about the SPT. I did replace a switch but it had a hard life, it worked a lot. My neighbor has a 175, he is a professional, hasn't been down to weld a steel since he got it in his hobby/home garage, he built small atv log stuff, band saw extensions, did everything a home guy could, aint seen 1/10 the wear mine has and mine still works good.
Where I placed it all had changed a couple times and I actually had it right with the shopping cart. I tired of it and played musical stuff and it fit a niche so well that it looked like a natural storage spot and was great for use with the vise but a guy had to use a cord to get far out on the shop floor. It also added to the navigation of getting it to the hoist for auto work.
I have since modified the circuit and am going to do it once more to simply unwind enough cord. Its way better though.

 

[HAP]

252 is it...

 

[sberry]

I moved it from storage at the wall to the island, I been walking over one cord or another all along till I got it back, the power comes overhead and can move the machine anywhere in the area or come to the bench right or left hand.

 

[jeepboy4life]

This is the welder I have at work. The auto set feature is really nice, Its nice in my shop beacuse it has the option to run off of 110V or 220V this means I can take it almost anywhere into my shop and use it, a big plus for a Machine Maintenance Tech

 

[bczygan]

Sberry,
So I'm going to ask your advice here.

For the little home shop, what welder would you suggest?

That SP-130T looks like a good option, but isn't it a very old model? Wouldn't any used ones be clapped out? Is there a more recent alternative that would fill the bill?

I already have a HF ARC-180 240V stick. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwjYo8T7_I7LAhUDVD4KHeKZCucQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpdfstream.manualsonline.com%2F5%2F52e92f38-6fd7-43cc-9fb2-92937e3fd196.pdf&usg=AFQjCNH9vDv6Uasxabb6WASVSaHXC_Kg2w&sig2=FTUV-jlv7h7NSuZkUFsF5w

Bill

 

[Monkey Milk]

Tried the autoset on a 211 and didn't like it, I guess I'm old school. I think any of the new MP's are going to be a great machine but the cost!

 

[sberry]

Bill, its so old they now label it a 180. Its the 240v version sold in the box stores. if i was cost concious would be a toss between it and one of the Hobart models. As one just said above he found he didnt care for auto set. I havnt used one but a guy could ask on Hobart, they got a couple real sensitive types test machines.

 

[sberry]

This market is so competitive that the only way they can raise prices is to offer new features. A simple plain model is 300, maybe more cheaper than a 211, same arc, same power, many of the same parts.

 

[My Old Tools]

I have the earlier 211 before the inverter. The autoset only works for .030 with gas. For anything else use the table inside the door. In my experience the table is spot on.