Help with welding machine

[Ffphil]

I am new to welding and looking to get the most bang for my buck. I was looking at a Lincoln Mig 210 MP $1400. Then I saw this online review of an Alpha Mig250 $1100. Then saw the Eastwood Mig250i $1100. The Alpa and Eastwood look identical accept for color and length/tips. I like the 15' length/tips of the Eastwood. However I don't need the Tig capability. Really just want a Mig/Stick unit at a decent price. If any of you have first hand use of these machines will you give me your opinion? Or if you know of another I should look at? Thanks all.

 

[Raspy]

Take a look at the Everlast sticky at the top of the welding page. Very nice welders. I have two of them.

 

[Hiptfarms]

I'd check into the Miller 215 Multiprocess. For 1600 you can get a machine that is very versatile- does stick, mig and later you can add dc tig functions if you want. Or, a Miller 211 mig can be had for 1300 or so. You can get a free Miller helmet with either at most places. I recently bought the 215 and am very satisfied. Just me 2 cents.

 

[Raspy]

Here's the one I recently bought. The Everlast 211si. About $1,100. or less if ordered through this site (Send Mark@ Everlast a PM and ask about it). It does DC tig, stick and mig. All with very high quality equipment. All equipment, mig gun, tig torch, regulator and stick stinger are included and very well made. Nothing to add except tungsten and shield gas.

It will get you welding with automatic adjustments, and memory functions. Runs on 120 or 240 volts.

PowerMTS 211Si With TIG Package | Everlast Generators

 

[rangerfredbob]

I have the Titanium Unlimited 200 from Harbor Freight, runs off of 110V or 220V and does MIG, TIG and stick and has had a coupon for $650 since it came out in November. Comes with a regulator, a spool of both solid wire and flux core so it can be used out of the box and comes with the MIG gun, TIG torch (minus tungsten), ground clamp and ARC lead.

Haven't used it much and don't have a bottle yet but have done some playing with flux core, welds pretty good and the settings are pretty easy to deal with.

 

[Ffphil]

I have the Titanium Unlimited 200 from Harbor Freight, runs off of 110V or 220V and does MIG, TIG and stick and has had a coupon for $650 since it came out in November. Comes with a regulator, a spool of both solid wire and flux core so it can be used out of the box and comes with the MIG gun, TIG torch (minus tungsten), ground clamp and ARC lead.

Haven't used it much and don't have a bottle yet but have done some playing with flux core, welds pretty good and the settings are pretty easy to deal with.

So are the welding leads the same? Can you buy any Mig/Tig/stick lead and plug it into any machine or are they proprietary?

 

[rangerfredbob]

I haven't played with anything else but apparently they are some type of standard... The ground and power lead to switch polarity on the front are twist lock, the electrical connector for the gun and spool gun are different than the Vulcan line of welders even at HFT for some reason... If you were determined I'm sure you could make anything work. The lead for the MIG gun is pretty flexible so is the ground clamp wire, power cord is around 10' long I think and comes with a ~3' cord that plugs into it to convert to 110V.

 

[pgk]

I would stick with the Lincoln Mig 210 MP hands down, it may cost a little more but it has a excellent track record. It will handily run dual shield flux core if needed, and has what the others don't, is local service if ever needed. I have a few friends that bought the Lincoln 210 MP and they love that machine. If I didn't have a old Miller Passport setting in my garage I would spring for the 210 MP no questions asked. Not saying that the other machines mentioned aren't good machines they just don't have the local support that Lincolns offers. I bought a off brand tig machine to have up at our cabin for odd jobs and it works ok, but I know when it fails it will more than likely be thrown in the dumpster..

Pete

 

[CPTKILLER]

Lincoln is hard to beat. They have some of the best technical support in the business.

I was a manufacturing engineering manager in several welding heavy businesses. I would suggest that you take a moment and seriously review your requirements. Then pick a welder. For most farm and ranch repair work or typical small fabrication jobs a AC/DC Stick Welder is adequate.

I'd call the regional Lincoln office in your area and talk with them before buying a welder.

The Lincoln Welding Guides are generally great.

I personally would buy a Lincoln Welder.

 

[john reeder]

I bought both a Lincoln 210 MP and a Square Wave 200 tig about a year and a half ago and really like both of them. This after using cheap Sears crackerbox and mig welders for thirty years or so. I really considered the Harbor Freight Vulcan equivalent machines at, then, about half the price but went with the red machines instead. There is a fellow on the welding wed forums who owns a welding business in Ventura, Ca. and he beta tested the HF Vulcan machines for a year before they were introduced on the market. He says they are good machines and are basically knock offs of the two Lincoln machines I bought.