Help me decide on a welder

[mercdv]

To be honest, I bought the original transformer based Millermatic 211 as my first welder and I do like the machine a lot. If I had to do it all over again, I would have done it differently. I still have the 211 but I also own a ac/dc stick/tig machine. I regret not buying the stick/tig machine the first time around. I don't find myself doing very many really long welds. Most of the things I weld on tend to be 5 inch weld beads or shorter and the tig/stick machine handles all that without any problems. Changing out a stick or grabbing a new filler wire is so much faster than switching out a wire spool when welding on different material types or thickness. Plus, spool guns are a pain in the butt with aluminum and tend to be sloppy but that is just my opinion. I feel like I learned a lot more about welding when I got the tig/stick machine than when I was only using the mig. Don't get me wrong, I love my 211 but I don't use it much anymore. I tend to only use the 211 now when I'm in a super big hurry and it is already loaded with the right wire or when I need to run a really long bead which is super rare for me. I'm just an average self taught welder so the people with more experience can probably speak better about it than me.

 

[Msamt]

I'm a complete amatuer and after a six week welding class picked up a Lincoln 210mp since they had a 250$ rebate. So far it's been absolutely flawless and sticks the stuff I tear off my tractor implements without issue, it runs pretty hot at 230v, and that seems to be the key for me.

 

[MatHaas]

this topic has come up a lot lately. and i've commented similarly on other posts.

I've owner a Millermatic 211 for 5 years. The versatility of the machine is great. The new inverter design makes it even more compact and portable. Plus the fan on demand (like on my Dynasty 210DX) is yet another new addition.
Great arc characteristics, 110v and 240v screw on plugs are quick and convenient, good amount of power at 230 amps. (Super Arc's famous pic is at 224 amps, no beveling). Build with Blue rebates and free accessory is another plus.

If you get in to heavy material, proper joint beveling, pre-heat, 0.030 wire, slow travel speed, and hot welds will ensure proper fusion. And if you are really worried, run another pass or two on top of it. Can't see you welding anything that heavy though. But there are options if you ever go down that road.

In those situations, a smart fabricator makes all of the difference. Technique is everything.

Read up, watch a few videos, and good luck with your purchase!

 

[MatHaas]

And here's a link to my real world use of the 211. refabbing a backhoe subframe.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/393884-bradco-509-tractor-sub-frame.html

 

[PILOON]

Oh shucks, for most every thing tractor related you really need a good old fashioned stick welder, like something in about the 200 amp range, be it whatever brand.
You then need to learn techniques, like rod types, rod sizes and amperage ranges.
I'm no expert but I weld (thick tin, LOL) using short welds with 3/32 rods.
For big stuff I use 1/8 or 3/32 rods.
So far nothing has failed.

For all 'farm' chores any good AC/DC buzz box will suffice. (and ac only being the most affordable)

One secret is what rods you use,
6013 is forgives , a bit of rust and good to go.
When I weld something and see a nice hot (red) on both parts I know that I did a good 'penetration job'.
So far over some 30 years nothing I have 'glued together' has failed.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Oh shucks, for most every thing tractor related you really need a good old fashioned stick welder, like something in about the 200 amp range, be it whatever brand.
You then need to learn techniques, like rod types, rod sizes and amperage ranges.
I'm no expert but I weld (thick tin, LOL) using short welds with 3/32 rods.
For big stuff I use 1/8 or 3/32 rods.
So far nothing has failed.

For all 'farm' chores any good AC/DC buzz box will suffice. (and ac only being the most affordable)

One secret is what rods you use,
6013 is forgives , a bit of rust and good to go.
When I weld something and see a nice hot (red) on both parts I know that I did a good 'penetration job'.
So far over some 30 years nothing I have 'glued together' has failed.

I’ve done a bunch of welding. If I can avoid stick I will at all cost. I hate it and it takes much longer to prep, chip slag and change rods. Unless you do a lot of outdoor welding in high wind I’d suggest mig every day and twice on Sunday. Much more enjoyable and easier to have a nice looking weld

Brett

 

[downsizingnow48]

I got a M211 two or three years ago and haven't touched my old Thunderbolt AC/DC since.

 

[MatHaas]

I’ve done a bunch of welding. If I can avoid stick I will at all cost. I hate it and it takes much longer to prep, chip slag and change rods. Unless you do a lot of outdoor welding in high wind I’d suggest mig every day and twice on Sunday. Much more enjoyable and easier to have a nice looking weld

Brett

I personally couldn't agree with this more. Most stick welds I see look like **** to me, and I think you can progress much faster with skill level on a MIG. I think there are probably a lot of "older" guys on this forum who grew up with mostly stick. It's the old school way and a ton of field guys, farmers, etc always had stick. (Millers new pulse MIG and RMD MIG claims significant productivity improvements over traditional stick on pipeline work.)

I don't switch out spools of wire regularly. A spool of ER70S-6 and you'll weld 90% of the stuff you come across. I keep a roll of stainless on hand in case when I do very rare cast work (and welding cast is just that... welding cast; its finicky and high maintenance.) It takes me less than 5 minutes to swap out spools and get the wire through the gun. Aluminum work is very uncommon. But I do have a spool gun (used it twice). Everything else aluminum I TIG. And TIG is way less efficient than MIG.

But my opinions are probably biased so.. haha.

 

[Jeepnford]

There you have it. You need two or three different machines.:laughing: After owning my 251 for a few years I bought an inverter powered Maxstar 161STL. A couple of weeks ago I saw a Dialarc 250 on CL I thought I couldn't live without. I like all of them. It's an addiction.

 

[MatHaas]

Here's a little mfg reading on the topic
Buying Your First Welder: A Practical, Informative Guide for Do-It-Yourselfers - MillerWelds