Quick Miller choice

[braincrater]

So I took advantage of zoro tools cyber Monday and ordered a few things, one of which was a miller 212. It was delivered today but the welder was damaged during shipment so it is on its way back.... I already checked with zoro to make sure I could do this, I can either have a replacement 212 sent to me or I can jump up to the 252 with an additional cost. I keep getting the feeling that I should jump up to the 252 to get more bells and whistles instead of basically a larger 211. Opinions? I am not doing any production work by the way, just hobby stuff and side jobs.

 

[lukedwag]

252. More power. More options. Can never go wrong with more power.

 

[sberry]

This is a tuffy to some extent. The big advantage of the 212 over the 211 is that it can use a larger spool of wire. It doesn't have to be real "production" to save a little with a bigger machine and larger wire. I would say if you are charging for work, working on any equipment the 252 would be worth it. Even on light work a 252 is twice as fast as a 211, wire can be had 50% and possibly a larger bottle?? But gas rate is the same for small wire as big, anywhere time is money. Even a few hrs a month would pay quick.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Now is your chance to swap out. Imagine if you wanted to return the 212. There would probably be return shipping, if you even can return it, plus the non cyber Monday price and shipping again for the 252. Now is your best chance to correct buyers remorse, esp if they honor the cyber Monday price on the 252 and you only pay the difference.

 

[braincrater]

I refused shipment on the 212 today because it was damaged in shipping, thats when I called Zoro and asked them if I could bump up to the 252 (with the cyber monday price) and they agreed. So I am only looking at roughly a $450 difference between the two.

 

[71goldss]

I have a 211 and I'm very happy with it. I'm just a home DIY'er, so it fits my needs just fine. When Zoro was having their 30% off sale, I was reading about member's orders for the 212, so I decided to research it. Everything I was reading said that it was a small improvement over the 211, but at nearly double the price. On the other hand, they stated that the 252 was double the welder over the 211, but at a cost at not that much more than the 212 in comparison. After researching this, I'm surprised anyone would settle for the 212, when for about $500 more you could have a 252. I'm far from an expert on this subject, but I've researched enough to know that the 252 is the way to go.

 

[chevy2]

I've got the 252. I love it very tunable to your needs ie pre flow post flow wire run in. You better jump on this deal.

 

[kazlx]

For the deal and something you will have for a long time, the 252 is a no-brainer to me.

 

[BD1]

Yep , 252 UPGRADE for sure. $ 450 more is a great deal. You made a wise choice either way, but a few dollars more it's a no brainer for sure.

 

[kazlx]

I wish I would have bought a 252

 

[kwb]

if for nothing else the 252 with the fan that doesn't run 100% of the time is a big plus.

 

[zkling]

I personally wouldn't, I highly doubt that you will ever top out your machine (212) let alone need a 252. That is $450 towards a tig or a spool gun for the 212. But your $ your choice.

The 212 is ~2x the machine the 211 is. The 212 is the modern equivalent of the MM210 a beloved workhorse by many. A true small industrial machine.

if for nothing else the 252 with the fan that doesn't run 100% of the time is a big plus.

Both the 212 and the 252 should have fan on demand.

 

[BigMike782]

Jump! jump like stink on a monkey on a 252!

 

[BD1]

What was the outcome ?? Did you decide ?

 

[sberry]

As I eluded to, the bigger machines can do more but also the cost of consumables may factor. A 10# spool in a 211 will go a long way, long way until you start building a trailer. Its as fast for little widget jobs on the bench, I got a 250 but make about 95% of the welds with the small machine.

I built 7 trailers a while back, they were light and did a lot of the proto with the little machine, just kind of started gathering and about half way thru before completing welding I said,, oh ****. Saved me a hundred on material and due to speed could complete a lot of welding as we went and reduced the nose picking for 2 men, direct 10 hrs over 3 weeks and indirect by allowing other work from the same men. It would have paid the difference on this one minor job in a month. A lot of the savings could have been gained with a 212 vs the 211 also but the 035 was perfect and if it was more production and attn. to fit would have went bigger. Hand build we hit the limit as a practical concern. It let us do a bit better job.

But, I really like the 030 units for general work, I can go a long time between the real need for a larger machine

 

[sberry]

These are like pickups, ranger is a 140, a 211 a 6 cyl 150, a 212 is a better 150 with bigger engine and a little overload spring, a 250 a 250 Sometimes you would have to make 2 trips to haul a load with a light 150 that a 250 could easily pull/haul.

 

[braincrater]

Going with the 252 can't wait!

 

[sharkytm]

I've got the old 210. Couldn't imagine using a teeny machine anymore. Big spools, controls more convenient without a cart, and nice, high duty cycle. Plus, it fits a T-sized cylinder nicely.

 

[theknurl]

me, I'd always go for the larger machine like most of the folks said


zkling;
I hate the noise of the fan on my Lincoln, BUT I don't have to worry about some POS microprocessor NOT turning it on and frying something

so I wear ear plugs.....like when I ride motorcycles, run chainsaws etc