Mig Welders
- Thread starter DanMcG
- Start date
DanMcG
Promoted Users
I've got the 220, and an infinite voltage setting would be nice, if they make such a thing.
Dean Jenkins
Promoted Users
I have the Lincoln Power MIG 210MP and like it a lot.
Can plug into 120V or 230V and can be used for MIG or stick welding.
It checks the "bells and whistles" box as it has a touch screen interface where you select the type of welding, wire and metal gauge and then it automatically sets the voltage and wire speed, which you can then fine tune.
Really like it!
www.weldingstore.com
Can plug into 120V or 230V and can be used for MIG or stick welding.
It checks the "bells and whistles" box as it has a touch screen interface where you select the type of welding, wire and metal gauge and then it automatically sets the voltage and wire speed, which you can then fine tune.
Really like it!
Lincoln Power MIG 210MP Multiprocess Welder - (K3963-1)
CLEARANCE SALE *LIMITED INVENTORY* Lincoln Power MIG 210MP Multiprocess Welder - (K3963-1) Features ONE POWERFUL MACHINE Take it Everywhere, Plug in Anywhere.™ Lightweight and portable - just 40 lbs.! Dual Voltage Inputs (120V or 230V) means you can plug into any common power supply Ready. Set...
www.weldingstore.com
Chris_Hamilton
Trying to be the best me, I can be
Don't know what your budget is but this is a very nice machine for a lot less than what Miller or Lincoln would charge. Synergic pulsed MIG. It will do a lot of things conventional MIG's can't. I plan to get one when I can afford it.
Pro Pulse™ 220 MTS
We are currently including the Optrel Neo P550 Panther helmet and a pair of gloves with the purchase of any welder (while supplies last). Please make sure to indicate your preferred size M, L, or XL in the notes/comments section at check out. If you do not specify a size we will include size...
usaweld.com
DanMcG
Promoted Users
Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll do some research.
No kiddin, I bought my Lincoln 200 square wave tig about 6 years ago and now they're $1000 more.
Worn Out Welder
Promoted Users
It’s like buying oats…good clean oats are available at a fair price. The ones that have been passed through the horse are cheaper.
I’ve run all the top names.
I can’t say anyone is best, but the big names have support, and on some models it’s important.
All my stuff is old, and analog.
I don’t dig the digital stuff, it’s not as robust as I’d expect from the manufacturers that built the previous century.
I’d say there’s much to be said for procedures
This is everything from pre cleaning to grinding
Process selection, backing gas, but mostly
Experience and practice…
I own 3 Miller machines…..I’d say go with your gut.
I’m just an old worn out welder….that hoped to achieve what you guys are doing.
Cheers!
I’ve run all the top names.
I can’t say anyone is best, but the big names have support, and on some models it’s important.
All my stuff is old, and analog.
I don’t dig the digital stuff, it’s not as robust as I’d expect from the manufacturers that built the previous century.
I’d say there’s much to be said for procedures
This is everything from pre cleaning to grinding
Process selection, backing gas, but mostly
Experience and practice…
I own 3 Miller machines…..I’d say go with your gut.
I’m just an old worn out welder….that hoped to achieve what you guys are doing.
Cheers!
'68 Coronet R/T
Oldtimer
I have a Century 250 MIG Gas welder. It has served me well for many years.
Spot weld timer, stitch weld option and welds pretty much everything from sheet metal to 1/4" steel plate with ease.
Spot weld timer, stitch weld option and welds pretty much everything from sheet metal to 1/4" steel plate with ease.
metalman
Oldtimer
Broad question, highly dependent on what you expect to do with it.
No suggestion on a welder as I have an old Snap-On YA-205 that pre-dates the inverter machines so mine is heavy with a massive Copper transformer in the bottom that must weigh at least 100lbs all by itself! Has spot and pulse modes plus it's a 220V machine. It also has a purge mode and an inch mode. So you can release gas without moving the wire and you can move the wire without triggering the gas.
But old as in the early 1990's. Still works great so I have not looked very hard at the newer and more improved welders.
But from the pictures posted I will add two things that bit me and caused a lot of bad welds?
First throw away those crappy sheet metal grounding clamps! Get a solid bronze one as you simply can't have too good of a ground!
Next I always want a ball flow meter. I started with the cheaper air regulator or pinch valve style and I just was not getting the proper gas flow. Had a welder buddy suggest these changes and they were not very expensive either.
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But old as in the early 1990's. Still works great so I have not looked very hard at the newer and more improved welders.
But from the pictures posted I will add two things that bit me and caused a lot of bad welds?
First throw away those crappy sheet metal grounding clamps! Get a solid bronze one as you simply can't have too good of a ground!
Next I always want a ball flow meter. I started with the cheaper air regulator or pinch valve style and I just was not getting the proper gas flow. Had a welder buddy suggest these changes and they were not very expensive either.
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Worn Out Welder
Promoted Users
Jody is very good. No nonsense drama.
Straight forward ,solid information
metalman
Oldtimer
I bought that PP220MTS last winter. I have a Millermatic 250 with a spool gun but I wanted to experiment with the pulse MIG. It takes some getting used to and is different from short circuit that most of us are used to. Also to take advantage of the pulse and spray you need C-8 or C-10 gas mix instead of the C-25 most of have used for years with short circuit. The PP220 does have short circuit programs and all the programs are highly adjustable. The HTP will TIG (DC only) if you buy the TIG torch set up and foot pedal. I don't plan to do that because I have 2 other AC/DC TIG machines. The HTP is good quality, heavy duty (24) MIG torch, nice work lead with a heavy duty ground clamp.Don't know what your budget is but this is a very nice machine for a lot less than what Miller or Lincoln would charge. Synergic pulsed MIG. It will do a lot of things conventional MIG's can't. I plan to get one when I can afford it.
Pro Pulse™ 220 MTS
We are currently including the Optrel Neo P550 Panther helmet and a pair of gloves with the purchase of any welder (while supplies last). Please make sure to indicate your preferred size M, L, or XL in the notes/comments section at check out. If you do not specify a size we will include size...usaweld.com
Another nice unit I have the occasion to use is the Millermatic 211. The synergic system is dead simple and easy to use. It has a nice smooth arc.
I think it is well suited for auto body but can also handle some thick steel. The short comings are price, kind of light duty MiG torch/hose and a minimum gage (No. 4 I think) work lead wire with a so so clamp. It is dual voltage, the HTP is 220 only.
All that said I really don't use the MIG process very much, 99% of what I weld is with AC/DC TIG.
metalman
Oldtimer
That Hobart was the choice of a friend of mine until I pointed out the difference was the synergic Autoset function of the Miller 211. More money but he liked that the machine would set wire speed according to metal thickness (voltage). He doesn't weld often and that function is super easy. If it's too cold or hot raising or lowering the thickness knob changes the wire speed with it. More money for the Miller though.
Nothing wrong with the Hobart, made by Miller. And nothing wrong with the 7 voltage taps and infinite wire speed. Some prefer the taps over infinite voltage, makes it a bit easier to get back into a zone for a particular weld.
Another machine I considered before purchasing the HTP was a Lincoln 211. Never tested one but I think it competes with Miller 211 and costs considerably less. I believe it has the synergic function and dual voltage(120-240) as well. It wasn't on the market when my friend bought the Miller last year because that would have been the one to get.
In the end choose a machine that can be serviced locally if needed. Miller, Hobart, Lincoln and Esab are usually standard for most repair facilities.
Even the HTP equipment might need to be shipped back to the one USAweld place if something went wrong. And today's inverters although far better than when they first came out can still have circuit board problems and need service. If they are going to have a problem hopefully it shows up soon within the warrantee. All of the machines I mentioned have decent warrantees.
DanMcG
Promoted Users
I was looking at the Lincoln 211i and the only real negative that turned me off that I read about was it didn't have a slow wire feed till an arc is struck. Miller calls it smooth start I think or maybe run-in. That's the biggest complaint I have with my hobart is way to many times I'll attempt to start an arc and it just pushes wire out. Granted it's something on my end, but it seems to be something people like.
I'm looking at the Lincoln 215 now which is tig capable. If I get one I could sell my 200 square wave tig that I don't use as ,much as I thought I would and offset the cost. And I say could, cause I rarely sell anything.
I need to hit the dealer this week and check them out closer.
I'm looking at the Lincoln 215 now which is tig capable. If I get one I could sell my 200 square wave tig that I don't use as ,much as I thought I would and offset the cost. And I say could, cause I rarely sell anything.
I need to hit the dealer this week and check them out closer.