Help me choose a new welder!

[Colonel Monk]

Howdy ALL

I'm not a professional. I have been welding here and there for 20 years though, starting with stick, to a high end MIG belonging to the farm where I worked, and many little projects on borrowed 120v buzz boxes.

I've done enough of the latter to know that I don't want to rely on 120V for my projects, though it is nice to have a welder that can do small repairs off 120V. So because there are 120/240 welders I plan to go that route.

I'm looking at welders from both Miller and Lincoln. I don't have any tig experience, but would like to learn eventually. I'm not sure that figures in here, except for some of the multiprocess welders can do tig.

Main use will be fabricating implements for tractor and other hobby projects, though with my job right now I might also be doing some prototyping of my designs. I'd say that I'll never (and I never say never) be welding 1/2", 3/8 unlikely, but alot of 1/4" and below.

Millermaticï½® 211 Auto-Set Millermatic 211 Auto-Set with MVP - MIG Wire Welder - GMAW - Miller Welding $1160
Multimatic 200 Multimatic 200 - Multiprocess Welder - Portable Welder - Miller Welding $2000

POWER MIGï½® 210 MP POWER MIG® 210 MP Multi-Process Welder $1000
POWER MIGï½® 180 DUAL POWER MIG® 180 Dual MIG Welder $959 ($100 Rebate available too)

I'm thinking the Multimatic 200 is out of my price range, but thought I'd consider it anyway.

What do you all think of these?

Is the multiprocess thing a gimmick or is it the real deal?

I don't want to start a "Ford vs Chevy" argument here, but what about the overall difference between Miller and Lincoln? Everywhere I've worked that does fab uses Miller.

I have used alot of Lincoln 120V squirt guns, they seem built well-enough but probably bad comparison since 120V isn't ideal, and it's even less ideal without the right extension cords for power (current problems).

Been waiting many years to finally get one of these so I can do my own thing, help me figure it out!!

Thanks

CM

 

[big bubba]

might consider Hobart as well... this source is competitively priced good luck
Hobart Handler 210MVP MIG Welder at Blain's Farm & Fleet
btw: just purchased a hobart stick welder from them, great. copper not al windings. not sure on the mig model. notice shipping is additional for your comparative pricing. hobart makes a quality welder... having the infinite voltage control on the miller model could be helpful vs incremental of hobart model.

 

[Colonel Monk]

I probably should also include Hobart in my search. I don't know much about them but I do know they've been around for a long time.

Does anyone have experience with quality of MIG products? I'm thinking of wire-feeding mechanism....

Thanks

 

[Big Barn]

In your case I think I would wait for some reviews on the Lincoln 210MP inverter or the equivalent Everlast model from Mark.

Terry

 

[Clay45]

I really enjoyed welding with my Hobart Handler 187 and now regret parting with it. My understanding is the current HH190 is the same welder but spoolgun ready should you decide to fiddle with aluminum. I can certainly suggest one of those based upon your criteria.

 

[Wolfy]

We had a Miller 251 that got burned in a garage fire, then found a 250 to replace it. They were both great units. The only trouble I had, is sometimes the self feeding wheel gets hung up.

 

[Big Barn]

I really enjoyed welding with my Hobart Handler 187 and now regret parting with it. My understanding is the current HH190 is the same welder but spoolgun ready should you decide to fiddle with aluminum. I can certainly suggest one of those based upon your criteria.

A friend sold me his unused Hobart Handler 187. It welded real nice but adding a spool gun was cost prohibitive. Considered a spool gun readyHH190 but ended up with a Thermal Arc 181i. $950 for the machine and $200 (Cdn funds ) for the spool gun from LWS. MIG/stick/DCtig This is it mounted on top of my TA210 Fabricator Terry

 

[Cpjlube]

The Handler 190 goes on sale at TSC occasionally. Great machine.

 

[Nightforce]

The Handler 190 goes on sale at TSC occasionally. Great machine.

I have this model and have been very pleased with it's performance.

 

[mikehaugen]

My vote would be for the miller 211 or the hobart 210, depending on if you care about infinite voltage control. The reason I personally choose those is because they are made in the USA. The new Lincoln sounds good on paper but doesn't give me much a warm fuzzy feeling. It's assembled in Mexico, but for the price I'm guessing it's nearly entirely Chinese parts. I've only heard one first-hand review, the guy claimed it didn't do well with 6010 and was having feeding problems with it. It's too new and too cheap for me to trust it right away. I've heard of dozens of people with both the Miller and the Hobart and all seem more than pleased.

Someone also mentioned everlast, they also seem to get pretty good reviews, but I personally can't bring myself to consider one, though not for performance or reputation reasons. They do stand behind their stuff it seems.