MIG welder suggestions

HGM · Jul 16, 2005

Hey guys,
I'm looking for a few opinions. I'm in the market for a MIG welder. My buddie who is a profesional welder suggests the Hobart 210 Ironman or the Lincoln equivelant. I dont have a welder at all right now, so I would like to have one that can prety much do it all. I am a mechanic by trade and dont see myself welding anything heavier than a truck frame, but you never know. Also, after the new wears off, I dont know how much I will use it, it's mainly a convenience for me. My biggest question is, do you think I could justify the 210 or whould I be better off with the 180 at about half the price? The 210 is rated for 3/8" and the 180 is for 5/16". Other than that I dont see a whole lot of difference, though I would have to add a cart to the 180. I would hate to get one thats too small. Anyone been there? Thanks for your input.
Greg

MadReferee · Jul 16, 2005

If you can afford the 210 go for it. Besides having a little more power, it is much more versitle.

I have the MM175 (the Miller brother to the Hobart) and if I can find a buyer for it, a new MM210 will be in my shop as soon as the check clears.

You should go to the Hobart welding forums and check out comments there. You will get much more info and opinions there.

Hobart welder forums

bdog · Jul 16, 2005

Not familiar with the models you are talking about but look real hard at the duty cycles. We have a lincoln (unsure of model) and it always overheats and cuts out on us. Many of the smaller migs have a 30% duty cycle which translates to 3 minutes of welding out of 10. You would be surprised how easy it is to go over this and overwork the unit. On ours when it gets hot and cuts off it must sit for 20 minutes or so until you can weld again. It is a major pain in the butt and as a result I mainly just use the arc welder instead.

JasonL · Jul 16, 2005

I just bought a Millermatic DVI. It will run on either 110v or 220v. So far I have only used it on 110 because I haven't got my wiring set up yet for 220. Besides the duty cycles, as someone already mentioned, some units are somewhat misleading because they say they will weld certain thicknesses but it requires multiple passes to do it. I am by no means an expert or anything more than a novice, but I have done extensive research. I paid $1000 for my unit plus $160 for the bottle. I started out thinking of getting the HH140, and look where I ended up! I almost bought a MM210, but decided I just couldn't spend the extra $275 and give up some portability. Everything I read highly recommended that unit though. Jason

rswyan · Jul 16, 2005

( We have a lincoln (unsure of model) and it always overheats and cuts out on us )

I have a Lincoln PowerMIG 210 and have used it to weld up to 1" (multiple passes) but mostly alot of 1/4" - 3/8" ..... no problems with it - works great - plenty of duty cycle for my needs. If you are looking at this class machine really compare Lincoln's tach-driven wire feed to the competition's.

ScottV · Jul 16, 2005

Stay away from the Hobart 210. Buy the Miller 210 instead.
The gun is better, duty-cycle, volt amp curves are better, two drive rolls are geared in the Miller. They sold way more 210 machines
then the Hobart 210 also. It's a way better value.
I would have no problem with the Lincoln 215 either.
The MM-210 is due for a upgrade with meters and the
MM-350p case style. The MM-175 is being revamped
too, and I would only buy the Lincoln SP175 plus in that range.
At this point in time the 210 Miller and the SP175 plus is about
the best deal. The DVI would fall somewhere in between those two depending on need.

HGM · Jul 16, 2005

Thanks guys, good info... I think I'll check out the forums as well as the duty cycle and compettition. I'll also,more than likely go with a 210, it seems to be a popular choice.

boomer4snow · Jul 17, 2005

I have a MM210, and I love it. I can crank it down and fab up custom exhaust pipes, and I can turn it up and make a big nasty toothbar out of 3/8 and 1" shanks with single passes. Duty cycle is 60% and it hasnt ran out of breath yet. It is just a bit picky with wanting a perfect clean welding surface (used to flux core and stick) but you give it a shiny spot to weld on, and it will run all day long.

Bob_Skurka · Jul 17, 2005

I looked at and recently purchased a small welder. The main recommendations I received were the Millermatic DVI, the 210 and the Passport.

Here is what I see.

The 210 is the heaviest duty, best duty cycle, most capacity.
The DVI and PASSPORT both are dual voltage units.
The PASSPORT is portable.
The PASSPORT is priced at a premium due to its portablity.

All 3 would weld a truck frame which is what you said is your heaviest task.

- So if you want flexibility in voltage, the DVI or PASSPORT are better options.
- If you only have 110/120 available, then the DVI or PASSPORT are your best options. Both are high quality and capable.
- If you intend to weld in one location and have 230 volts, the 210 is the beast of the bunch and priced competitively.
- If you value portability, the PASSPORT is an amazing welder that you can carry to a job site without breaking your back or needing a cart.

I looked at other brands, I felt Miller was a good overall value, had features I wanted and ended up buying a PASSPORT. That unit is not for everyone, but it is a great little welder that can be picked up and taken just about anywhere. My second choice would have been the DVI, largely because I don't always have 230volt available where repairs need to be made. If I had no need to transport, and had 230, I would choose the Miller 210.

davesisk · Jul 17, 2005

I would second (or third) the suggestion to go with a Millermatic 210 versus the Hobart 210. Both are actually made by Miller, but the MM 210 is more of an industrial-grade machine (better duty cycle) than the HI 210, and for maybe $100 more. The Lincoln PowerMIG's are also quite nice, but a little higher priced I believe (or they were when I bought my MM210). That MM210 can weld 3/8" material for longer than most welders can without taking a break! If you encounter anything thicker than 3/8", you can easily do multiple passes.

If you expect to do heavier and thicker material (like truck frames you mentioned), I'd say go with one of these larger 200 amp machines versus one of the smaller machines. There's a reason these guys are physically large and heavy: big copper transformer windings. This translates into extended duty cycle, which is not a theorical necessity for doing thick material BUT it's about as close to necessary in practice as you can get without being "required". Trying to weld thicker material with a smaller welder would just be too frustrating. You'd start with limited duty cycle (meaning the machine will take lots of non-productive cooling time), then having to do multiple passes on thicker material will just compound the wait time and frustration.

Dave

GeneD14 · Jul 18, 2005

( Stay away from the Hobart 210. Buy the Miller 210 instead.
The gun is better, duty-cycle, volt amp curves are better, two drive rolls are geared in the Miller. )

When I bought mine this was the deciding factor. My local dealer sells Miller, Lincoln, and Hobart. Compare the specs side by side and Miller 210 wins. I got to demo a machine before buying. I have used dozens of different MIG welders in the past and in it's size range the Miller is hands down the best from a quality of weld.

SkyPup · Jul 18, 2005

I just purchased a Miller 210 MIG and a Miller 375 Spectrum Plasma Cutter about two months ago after getting sick and tired of the stinking buzzbox I had.

Needless to say, they are both totally awesome and worth every cent. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

AntrimMan · Jul 20, 2005

Get the MM210, you will be happy for a very long time. I researched it to death and have procrastinated for about two years. The MM210 is heavy comparitively speaking. Heavy equalls better duty cycle and generally longer lasting.
Yesterday was my birthday. I have been doing a favor for my BIL for the last six or seven weeks and he left this in the middle of my garage bay as a surprise. Welder, helmet, wire and gas. I will be happy for a very long time.
Do your BIL a favor, get the MM210. Your offspring will inherit it.
All the best,
Smiling Martin

HGM · Jul 20, 2005

You sound like me, I've been procrastinating for a while too. It looks like I'll be getting one next month, unfortunatly my BIL is a cheap sob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif..... I'd be lucky to get a welding rod from him, he's a welder too.. Maybe I need another one.. Thanks for the replies guys, I think you've helped me make up my mind.

SkyPup · Jul 20, 2005

I got the Miller 210 and the Spectrum 375 so I could handle everything from 3/8"down without a problem.

It was a great investment, both machines are absolutely superb. The plasma cutter is unreal dynomite and the MIG lays perfect welds!

bobodu · Jul 20, 2005

Hey AntrimMan....
Your wife got any more sisters??
I'm sure Tami would understand.....

AntrimMan · Jul 20, 2005

Yeah sure, she has a handfull of sisters, all lookers too.
You would especially like the one that wears the one piece white swimsuit that becomes transparent when wet, no kidding. Her return from a swing on the rope had all of our chins on the ground. "what?, what are you all staring at?, were you talking about me?"
I can post a few pics that were taken 25 YEARS AGO, but you wouldn't recognize anyone today. We all eat pretty good now. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Martin

GeneD14 · Jul 20, 2005

Congradulations on the new Miller 210! I'm positive that you'll like it.

AntrimMan · Jul 21, 2005

Yeah, me too. Wicked nice welda.
The power went out on Tues at 6

m and came back on at 5:am Wed. It's still untouched. Backhoe work Wed night. Still untouched. Backhoe work tonight. Backhoe work tomorrow night. Move the tractor Saturday. I will have to quit my full time day job to get some welding done without interfering with tractor seat time at night.
Have I got my priorities all wrong? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Thanks for the kind words.
All the best,
Martin

grwoolf · Jul 21, 2005

I've had a Miller 185 (the 210's predesessor) for about 4 years and it has been great, no problems. One tip that I figured out after about a year:

Turn off your home AC units and don't run high amp appliances like dryers and ovens when you are welding at the higher settings.

It may just be the way my house is wired or something, but there is a noticable drop in weld quality when both AC units kick on.

My 185 welds 3/8 plate no problem with single pass and I can get by welding 1/2. The duty cycle is good enough that I need a break before the welder. I would guess that the 210 is significantly better.

You will love the 210, Miller makes a great welder.