Bought a Miller Multimatic 200

Sodo · Jan 19, 2014

Before I unbox it and crank it up?. Does anybody have experience with this machine? Should I go ahead and make it a "used" machine or return it, and in that case what is a better portable?

I've been using a 120v Miller 135 for 8 years and it suits about 90% of my needs. When it's windy outside I need a stick welder. Sometimes I have to weld thicker than 1/4". I do not weld commercially, only for personal projects. 30% Duty cycle is more than adequate. Portability is important. I have no useful TIG experience except screwing around once with no instruction. I bought the spoolgun too but haven't bought anything else for Aluminum yet.

Would be great to hear from anyone who is UNHAPPY with this machine as a MIG or a stick, NOT just by reading the specs or reading on the internet but actual use.

Genuine experience SPECIFICALLY with regard to the MultiMatic 200 on steel projects (less than 3/8" steel) will help the most.

Arc weld · Jan 20, 2014

I think only you can answer that question. Try it out and see if it does what you want and if you like how it works. Did you buy it at a discount or something? It seems odd to be asking about it after the fact.

Sodo · Jan 20, 2014

Not a big discount, just the Buy Blue 10% rebate. Its odd that the universe has conspired to allow no time to even unbox it but does allow time for internet access

.

During this time I have come across a lot of negative comments about the Multimatic 200 but its not apparent that these comments are based on experience with the machine. Just need some truth.

Mark @ Everlast · Jan 20, 2014

I tested one. It's a nice machine although it steps way outside of the "usual" Miller MIG product line. It's a lot more complicated with a lot more features. As far as negative comments, I believe I've seen a couple of other people here buy one but have no negative things to say or report back yet. What "negative" I have seen have been related to people hearing that its largely imported instead of built here.

There won't be too many things you can't do, especially if you have the spool gun. The DC TIG won't allow aluminum welding but the spool gun will for all but thinner gauges of material.

yomax4 · Jan 20, 2014

The Multimatic was a hurry up welder sourced quickly to get market share due to multiple brands of Mig Tig Stick welders overwhelming sales. I ran one. for 1/2 hour and thought it was fine. The only thing I wasn't so fond of was that they hurried up and crammed it in that plastic box. Very small controls.. Some don't seem to mind. The big concern to most potential buyers is that it's a little overpriced. All in all i'm sure it's a good unit. Not much junk out there anymore. ( excluding HF ).

Mark @ Everlast · Jan 20, 2014

yomax4 said:
The Multimatic was a hurry up welder sourced quickly to get market share due to multiple brands of Mig Tig Stick welders overwhelming sales. I ran one. for 1/2 hour and thought it was fine. The only thing I wasn't so fond of was that they hurried up and crammed it in that plastic box. Very small controls.. Some don't seem to mind. The big concern to most potential buyers is that it's a little overpriced. All in all i'm sure it's a good unit. Not much junk out there anymore. ( excluding HF ).

That was my first opinion too of the case, though I had to remind myself a lot of people like that case on the wire feeders, so I figured that's why they settled for it. I'm not sure if that's a negative or not. I could see where it might be a little flimsy, but then in flexibility there is strength in a manner of speaking.

jgayman · Jan 20, 2014

For those of you that have used the MM200, can you switch back and forth from MIG to Stick without pulling all the wire out of the gun liner? For occasional Stick work it would appear that you could leave the wire loaded, disconnect the MIG wire hot lead, attach your Stick electrodes, select SMAW and go.

Sodo · Jan 20, 2014

yomax4 said:
The Multimatic was a hurry up welder sourced quickly to get market share due to multiple brands of Mig Tig Stick welders overwhelming sales.

I saw that Lincoln has a mig tig stick combo welder but couldn't find any of the other big names.
What other brands are Miller competing against for the mig-tig-stick combo market?

Mark @ Everlast · Jan 20, 2014

Multi process capability though has been available a long time in the larger classes by many companies. But this smaller market is where Miller was late to the game....Let's see:
ESAB had their multimaster 160 for several years, as far back as the early 2000's??? Can't remember when exactly. Have had the multi masters for years. They discontiued it...but I heard good things about it.
Everlast came out with their first small MTS in mid 2010.
TA came out with theirs a year or so later in the US with theirs. Longevity's is roughly the same unit with a little later release.
HTP has had one for a while, not sure the exact time it came out, but their MTS160 has been around.

Lincoln as far as I know doesn't have a 'suitcase' size MTS yet.

dragoneggs · Jan 20, 2014

Yeah, been eyeing the Multimatic 200 for homeowner/hobbyist use. What other MTS are out there for less money? I am not as concerned about the portability especially if it comes with a much higher price tag for similar features/rating.

Mark @ Everlast · Jan 20, 2014

dragoneggs said:
Yeah, been eyeing the Multimatic 200 for homeowner/hobbyist use. What other MTS are out there for less money? I am not as concerned about the portability especially if it comes with a much higher price tag for similar features/rating.

There are some really good deals out there on the net on TA units.

We're running a special for tbn'ers on our MTS 200 for 950.00 including all torches and pedal.
The MTS250S is 1250.00. With spool gun 1500.00
prices include shipping to lower 48.

dragoneggs · Jan 20, 2014

Mark @ Everlast said:
There are some really good deals out there on the net on TA units.

We're running a special for tbn'ers on our MTS 200 for 950.00 including all torches and pedal.
The MTS250S is 1250.00. With spool gun 1500.00
prices include shipping to lower 48.

Thanks Mark... I will investigate.

Shield Arc · Jan 20, 2014

dragoneggs said:
Thanks Mark... I will investigate.

If you buy an Everlast Mig machine can I come over and play with it? :drool:

dragoneggs · Jan 20, 2014

Shield Arc said:
If you buy an Everlast Mig machine can I come over and play with it? :drool:

Absolutely... I will take that as free personal training! :cool2: I hope you are close to Seabeck, WA! But somehow, I don't think I should be so lucky.

Arc weld · Jan 21, 2014

Personally if I was close enough, I'd leave my crap at home and head over to Shield Arcs playhouse!:cool2: He'd probably have to get a restraining order to get rid of me.

dragoneggs · Jan 21, 2014

This whole MTS welder thing has got me going... wanted a welder forever but the occasional task just couldn't justify it... but also the little project just didn't get done. Just knew that if I got a stick welder, I would want a MIG, and then there is aluminum. Now that I have reached the wise side of 50, I want to continue to explore and learn and do things that will end up costing me more than hiring it out. My only 'saving' grace is that I think that I will only live once and the pleasures I seek are not so bad... are they?

Is $1500 what you need to spend to get to play with most all the methods and have enough power so that you won't kick yourself in a couple years because you are lacking? :confused3:

Arc weld · Jan 21, 2014

You don't really need to have every type of machine. Start off with something decent and go from there. Shouldn't cost anywhere near $1500.

dragoneggs · Jan 21, 2014

Arc weld said:
You don't really need to have every type of machine. Start off with something decent and go from there. Shouldn't cost anywhere near $1500.

I hear you... believe me. I have access to a small MIG Lincoln but it's 40 miles away and I hate to be on someone else's schedule. What do you consider as decent? I already have projects lined up involving aluminum. I am all ears. :chihuahua:

Shield Arc · Jan 21, 2014

dragoneggs said:
Absolutely... I will take that as free personal training! :cool2: I hope you are close to Seabeck, WA! But somehow, I don't think I should be so lucky.

I'm about 20-miles south of you, on the hill above Stokes Auction.

tkappeler · Jan 21, 2014

Arc weld said:
Personally if I was close enough, I'd leave my crap at home and head over to Shield Arcs playhouse!:cool2: He'd probably have to get a restraining order to get rid of me.

I thought the same. Step son is in SF, a visit to see him might be extended to move in with ... I mean visit ... Shield Arc.