Esab, Lincoln or Miller

[Code54]

Been looking at a small multiprocess welder for the house. 110/220 Mig, Tig and stick. Mainly going to use the Mig but think I will play with the Tig some. Almost 100% mild steel so I am not concerned with Alum. Can always get a spool gun if needed.
Main question is about the welder itself.

I really like the Lincoln 210MP but am also really thinking hard about the Esab Rebel (EMP - 215). I have looked at the Miller but for some reason I am not really sold on it (I know it is a NICE machine and good quality but....)
Does anyone have any thoughts, feeling, first hand knowledge of any of these machines. Any thoughts on Esab? Their smart Arc system looks and seems great -any thoughts ?

 

[swines]

You really can't go wrong with any of the machines you've mentioned. It comes down to features and price. My ESAB equipment is 25 years old and still works just fine. But, that's "old" technology and really not applicable to what you're looking at today. I would have no hesitation buying Miller, Lincoln, or ESAB. I've owned welders made by each of the manufacturers and have never had a complaint. At some point, you'll need support in the form of parts whether that's a new liner, tips, etc. I'd see what brands the local welding stores carry and go with whatever brand is most popular in your area. While you can order parts over the Internet, if you're in the middle of project it's a lot handier to be able to simply drive to store and get what you need rather than waiting for a delivery.

 

[metalbender]

Have a 210 MP. Very happy with it. Started the mig route with a 135 Plus, next a 180c and now the 210 with spool gun option. Runs wire good, but will stick the wire in the tip an burn off occasionally. Have used the stick function quite a bit building big stuff. Land plane, forks with a vertical lift function and a grapple. Easy set up on basics and a good range of variable adjustments for fine tuning for conditions.

 

[Code54]

Thanks for the info and thoughts! Please keep it coming.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

The two times when I've called Miller for support, a real person answered on the second ring and within one minute on both calls, I was talking to a tech about my Miller welder.

That's money in the bank insofar as I'm concerned. My Miller will be out making money repairing aluminum docks on location again next week.

 

[yomax4]

All are fairly good machines. I think ESAB has most of the bugs worked out of the Rebel machines finally. The downside to ESAB is like stated above. Customer Service. They can't find their Azz with both hands.

 

[johncanfield]

Hobart is good, not as expensive as Miller but basically the same features and reliability. I have a Hobart Ironman 230, been a great welder. My little Esab DC inverter stick machine is a great little box. I think it's the 161LTS or something like that.

 

[newbury]

Hobart is good, not as expensive as Miller but basically the same features and reliability. I have a Hobart Ironman 230, been a great welder. My little Esab DC inverter stick machine is a great little box. I think it's the 161LTS or something like that.

And check out Reconditioned Welders & Plasma Cutters - Hobart Welding Products

 

[BigNuge]

I own the ESAB 215, fantastic machine. I used to own a Miller 211, great machine too, but not all-process.

I also had an AHP Alpha Tig, did a good job for a budget machine.

The ESAB replaces both of them in a nice small package, love it!

 

[Code54]

I spoke with Lincoln a bunch and while I think they have a great machine, man was it hard to good information. There was a lot of confusion between people there when I was getting pricing and had some questions on the machine.

Esab seems to be getting a lot better over the years as I looked up "issues". Miller is always good but a bit expensive and man if something breaks the parts must be made of gold - LOL

It really seems all three are excellent machines, about the same on reliability and ability. Right now the ESAB has some discounts and comes with the TIG torch so it is the best value. I seem to have good dealer support for all 3 so that is not an issues.

I am leaning toward the Smart MIG after watching some videos where it really does seem to work... .Oh the decisions.....

 

[dragoneggs]

At this point in my life, I figure I am going to buy a tool once, probably more capability than I need, and buy quality. I'm blessed to be able to splurge a bit so Miller and Hypertherm have gotten my dollars. Yes expensive but no regrets. Someday I will buy a TIG before/when I retire and when I have time to play with that process. Everlast is on my list.

 

[metalbender]

Bought my Dynasty 200dx before I retired. Good thing too, sure as heXX wouldn't be able to on pension.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Why not look at Everlast...seeing that we pioneered the compact multi-process MIG TIG Stick unit back in 2009? And we are far ahead of anyone else still in the game. And we offer a 5 year warranty to boot. No one else has HF start for TIG or comes with a complete MIG, TIG and Stick setup with a foot pedal and all plumbing (with a built in gas control solenoid valve and even pulse).

 

[tommy49]

I have a Miller 180 Auto-set mig and a Miller Diversion 180 tig and the tig expanded my capabilities 10 fold. You might not be interested in welding aluminum now, but having that capability at hand is great. :thumbsup:

 

[johncanfield]

I have a Miller 180 Auto-set mig and a Miller Diversion 180 tig and the tig expanded my capabilities 10 fold. You might not be interested in welding aluminum now, but having that capability at hand is great. :thumbsup:...

As someone previously mentioned, I'm at a point in life where I can afford to buy high quality stuff. Anyway, I wanted give a thumb's up for the Miller Diversion 180 as a good entry level very easy to use TIG box. For my hobby and ranch use it's completely suitable and there's no fiddling with six or eight settings. It does a good all around job and the fan only runs when it needs to run. (My only issue with it is the torch lineset isn't removable but people have hacked it to make it removable.)

I also spent the bucks on a Hypertherm 45 plasma torch after a bad experience with an inexpensive Northern Tool plasma torch. The Hypertherm 45 is a really great product - it's an "earn a living with" tool. I've had mine for maybe five years.

Whatever you buy, make sure you can get it easily serviced.

 

[Cat_Driver]

I went with the Miller lunchbox size welder that does mig, stick, tig. WOW a lot of welder in a tiny box.

But let me digress. When I called Miller when I was"searching" they spend an enormous amount of time helping me select what I needed. The second time I called for service one of my workers destroyed the Spool Gun I use for aluminum. He told me which wires went where and I was back up and running in no time.

Lastly, I paid for the unit in three days of welding and actually put a few K in my pocket. I was quoted all over town and out of town 8K for an Aluminum welding job. I bought all the metal, PLUS THE WELDER and materials, and still charged my customer the 8K I was quoted for the job, but I did it myself. Never welded a day in my life before that day.

 

[dragoneggs]

I went with the Miller lunchbox size welder that does mig, stick, tig. WOW a lot of welder in a tiny box.

But let me digress. When I called Miller when I was"searching" they spend an enormous amount of time helping me select what I needed. The second time I called for service one of my workers destroyed the Spool Gun I use for aluminum. He told me which wires went where and I was back up and running in no time.

Lastly, I paid for the unit in three days of welding and actually put a few K in my pocket. I was quoted all over town and out of town 8K for an Aluminum welding job. I bought all the metal, PLUS THE WELDER and materials, and still charged my customer the 8K I was quoted for the job, but I did it myself. Never welded a day in my life before that day.

Were you the end customer? :confused3: And you never welded anything before this first aluminum job? Any pics?

 

[Code54]

I agree on buying once and getting something of quality. I think all 3 are pretty equal in terms of reliability and quality from my research. I also checked a Local welding supply and they said pick a color, they are all good and just get the features you want.

I ended up ordering a Esab EMP 215 Rebel - should be here tomorrow so I look forward to trying it out his weekend. With the TIG included I was able to get some extra discounts that made it the same as the Lincoln without the TIG and 100 cheaper than the Miller. Guess time will tell but most people seem to say the SmartMig is a great feature not offered by the others.

 

[tommy49]

My Diversion came with 3/32" tungsten, but it was too big for the small steel parts work I mainly do. I invested in 1/16" and .040" tungsten kits and what an improvement! I'm able to control the weld better and by using .030" mig wire, I have less clean-up to do.

 

[john reeder]

In the fall of 2017 I bought both a Lincoln 210MP and a Squarewave Tig 200. This was was after thirty five years of using a cheap Sears cracker box and twenty five years of using a cheap Sears flux core mig. Both of the new Lincoln machines are wonders to behold compared to the old Sears rigs. However I have used only the mig function on the 210mp and both dc and ac/dc tig on the squarewave 200, and used them on both 110 and 220 volts. I cannot comment on the Miller or Esab machines but can recommend both Lincolns.