Buying a new MIG welder

[GlockMeister]

Ok..So I'm in the market for a new MIG welder. Got a few projects I wanna tackle and a few some other people want done. I've narrowed the field down to two and just wanted some input. I know we have some welders and fabricators here. So any thoughts or suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Here's the two looking at: I like that they both are dual use for 110v and 220v

Hobart 500553 Handler 210 MVP For Use with SpoolRunner 100 - Arc Welding Equipment - Amazon.com

Millermatic 211 MIG Welder With Advanced Auto-Set And Cart 951603 - - Amazon.com

 

[PioneerPete]

Ok..So I'm in the market for a new MIG welder. Got a few projects I wanna tackle and a few some other people want done. I've narrowed the field down to two and just wanted some input. I know we have some welders and fabricators here. So any thoughts or suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Here's the two looking at: I like that they both are dual use for 110v and 220v

Hobart 500553 Handler 210 MVP For Use with SpoolRunner 100 - Arc Welding Equipment - Amazon.com

Millermatic 211 MIG Welder With Advanced Auto-Set And Cart 951603 - - Amazon.com

can't help but notice the price difference... all things equal, I'd go with the cheaper one...

 

[JTW]

For Christmas I got the Hobart 210mvp and I bought the spool gun for aluminum... I haven't used it yet. But it looks nice. Should do all I'll ever need and more.

 

[GlockMeister]

For Christmas I got the Hobart 210mvp and I bought the spool gun for aluminum... I haven't used it yet. But it looks nice. Should do all I'll ever need and more.

View attachment 30203

Well bring it on over I'll try it out and let you know if it's worth keeping.

 

[JTW]

Well bring it on over I'll try it out and let you know if it's worth keeping.

It's in the shop and you are welcome to it!!

 

[tjoreo]

My boss bought the Miller 211 for home and seems to enjoy it. The auto set feature is pretty nice. Miller in my opinion is top quality above the Hobart but top price too. We picked up a miller multimatic 200 that does everything but tig aluminum for the shop and it has been very handy. It only weighs about 25 lbs so with a generator it's nice and portable. Whatever you get enjoy making your new projects.

 

[Delton]

I got a 211. Wish I'd known you was in the market I would've let you try her out. I absolutely love it. Lays the prettiest beads. I've blown through 3/8" stock like butter, so it's plenty strong. I also have the spool gun. It does surprisingly well on aluminum. I know it's quite a drive, but you're more than welcome to come play with it all you want. Money very well spent.

 

[JTW]

One of the reasons I went with the Hobart when researching was the avalibility of parts close by. I'm not aware of any Miller dealers close. I basically got the impression it was a very similar machine to the equivalent Miller 211. They're both owned by the same parent company and I read nothing but good reviews of the Hobart and Miller. In the class machine we're in.. it's a Chevy vs Ford thing.

 

[Delton]

Personally I've found the autoset is a little stingy with the wire but just my opinion.

 

[GlockMeister]

I got a 211. Wish I'd known you was in the market I would've let you try her out. I absolutely love it. Lays the prettiest beads. I've blown through 3/8" stock like butter, so it's plenty strong. I also have the spool gun. It does surprisingly well on aluminum. I know it's quite a drive, but you're more than welcome to come play with it all you want. Money very well spent.

I knew you liked yours. I found a lightly used 211 full setup,cart,bottle,and spool gun for 1000 on c-list.

One of the reasons I went with the Hobart when researching was the avalibility of parts close by. I'm not aware of any Miller dealers close. I basically got the impression it was a very similar machine to the equivalent Miller 211. They're both owned by the same parent company and I read nothing but good reviews of the Hobart and Miller. In the class machine we're in.. it's a Chevy vs Ford thing.

I have a miller dealer about 45 min away. Have done some research on both and they seem to be close in comparison. Either should do what I need.

 

[Delton]

I've never heard anything bad about Hobart. My old company did business with local welding supply company that gave me a great deal on my 211. It was still more than the Hobart lol. I'm the last person to preach about only buying name brand equipment. Friday I'm ordering an Eastwood tig and plasma cutter lol.

 

[GlockMeister]

I've never heard anything bad about Hobart. My old company did business with local welding supply company that gave me a great deal on my 211. It was still more than the Hobart lol. I'm the last person to preach about only buying name brand equipment. Friday I'm ordering an Eastwood tig and plasma cutter lol.

They just opened a harbor freight store 30min south of me the other day. Finally got to go in it. Pretty awesome store. I know you like your harbor freight stuff.

 

[JTW]

I knew you liked yours. I found a lightly used 211 full setup,cart,bottle,and spool gun for 1000 on c-list.

I have a miller dealer about 45 min away. Have done some research on both and they seem to be close in comparison. Either should do what I need.

That's basically where I was.. 20 miles away for Hobart and probably 45 or more for the Miller. It very well may be a better machine but it would make zero difference to me and my projects.

 

[JTW]

I've never heard anything bad about Hobart. My old company did business with local welding supply company that gave me a great deal on my 211. It was still more than the Hobart lol. I'm the last person to preach about only buying name brand equipment. Friday I'm ordering an Eastwood tig and plasma cutter lol.

Plasma cutter is next on my list!

 

[JTW]

That's basically where I was.. 20 miles away for Hobart and probably 45 or more for the Miller. It very well may be a better machine but it would make zero difference to me and my projects.

Just be careful about what you buy there.. some stuff is fine others are junk. I've had one of their hole saw blades rip apart cutting thin aluminum and then have other tools last with vigorous abuse.

 

[Delton]

Just be careful about what you buy there.. some stuff is fine others are junk. I've had one of their hole saw blades rip apart cutting thin aluminum and then have other tools last with vigorous abuse.

That's the truth. Gotta say the vast majority has been good stuff. My Chicago Electric 1/2" impact is 7 or 8 years old. And their sawzall is good quality too. It ripped right through that S10 bumper and that's no easy task. They had them on sale for 19.99.

 

[GlockMeister]

Just be careful about what you buy there.. some stuff is fine others are junk. I've had one of their hole saw blades rip apart cutting thin aluminum and then have other tools last with vigorous abuse.

If it's something I know will be used quite often I usually by quality. But that doesn't always mean it's better

 

[Delton]

I knew you liked yours. I found a lightly used 211 full setup,cart,bottle,and spool gun for 1000 on c-list.

I have a miller dealer about 45 min away. Have done some research on both and they seem to be close in comparison. Either should do what I need.

1000 bucks is a good deal for all that. I didn't like any carts that I seen so I did what I always do....Make my own lol. DOT date has expired on my big bottle so I'm using my smaller one.

 

[GlockMeister]

I thought it was a decent price. I'll have to try it in person though.Is that a new pipe bender I see? @Delton

 

[Delton]

If it's something I know will be used quite often I usually by quality. But that doesn't always mean it's better

I used Joey's Eastwood couple weeks ago. Couldn't tell any difference between it and the 3K dollar Millers we have at work. Plus they have a 3yr warranty compared to 1 yr for the Miller.