Multiprocess or just get a better mig machine

[Shield Arc]

I am not sure if the inverter is going to have the life span of a transformer machine.

That is a very serious concern. I have well over $12,000.00 invested in inverter welders!

 

[bdog]

Get the MIG. I have been stick welding since the early nineties and anymore I use wire feed for everything unless I have no choice. I recently bought a LN-25 wire feeder to run off my engine drive with flux core so I can even use wire on portable jobs. I have a fancy invertec 350 stick welder in my shop but all I have used it for lately is powering my LN-25 or tinkering with TIG.

 

[C4Ranch]

Thank you so much, you guys are giving me great feedback. Sounds like it is going to be more of a personal preference on if I want to continue with both or if I want to just use MIG. Other than special cases it looks like stick can be replaced with MIG. I really don't want two machines and I am OK with cleaning up welds so I don't have to cut through the rust. I really like the Lincoln 210 but I am not sure if the inverter is going to have the life span of a transformer machine. I will be honest and I do worry that in 15 years from now I might be dead in the water with parts if it dies where the simpler transformer machines seems like there are less things to go wrong, though maybe that only counts with the old buzz boxes where there are no moving parts.

Fair enough. I might be worried too but that's why you go with blue, red or yellow. Just my opinion.

 

[sixdogs]

Thank you so much, you guys are giving me great feedback. Sounds like it is going to be more of a personal preference on if I want to continue with both or if I want to just use MIG. Other than special cases it looks like stick can be replaced with MIG. I really don't want two machines and I am OK with cleaning up welds so I don't have to cut through the rust. I really like the Lincoln 210 but I am not sure if the inverter is going to have the life span of a transformer machine. I will be honest and I do worry that in 15 years from now I might be dead in the water with parts if it dies where the simpler transformer machines seems like there are less things to go wrong, though maybe that only counts with the old buzz boxes where there are no moving parts.

In 15 years that machine will likely be long gone and traded up for something else. I used to worry about long term things like this until it hit me that I could well not outlive my machine. Use it, have fun and forget it. Things will sort themselves out.

 

[Big Barn]

Use it, have fun and forget it. Things will sort themselves out.

^^^ thumbs up to that!^^

Terry

 

[Ed of all trades]

You can get stuck with any machine. I have a Lincoln buzz box that I can't get parts for. The part is the plastic shaft for the amp selector. Lincoln has a part that they say will fit but it is not even close. It was bought new in 1967. Just buy what you want-need and enjoy. Ed

 

[sixdogs]

Besides, they're making so many of those MP210 machines I can't imagine a problem for a very long time. Probably decades, if that. This welder has a cult following of users.

 

[arkydog]

stick with a name brand. you will be happier. they may cost a little more but you get what you pay for. research for problems on the mane brand cause some of the big brans do have their quirks. i would stay away from ones that have a lot of electronics in them.

 

[C4Ranch]

I'm sure inverters have more electronics that could fail but look at the types of things you get in return.... A reasonably priced multi process with features like:
Inductance
Spot welding time
Run in adjustment
Arc force
Hot start

I use all of these with my 210mp...

 

[C4Ranch]

It also totally depends on your use... If it will all be in shop use with nice clean material, I would go just MIG... I chose a MP because it's portable and I can run off my generator. If I'm out building/reparing fence with old drilling pipe, give me a 6011.

80-90% of time it's dedicated in shop and barn but I do transport between the two..