Buying a new MIG welder

[Delton]

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

No that's the metal bender I've had for couple years now. Haven't used it much in the past. That may change in the future though. It's great for making mounting brackets lol.

 

[JTW]

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 don't disagree with that!!

 

[joeymt33]

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.

I'm still waiting on you to get real good with that TIG so you can teach me! And don't forget that I'll probably have a few aluminum projects once you get good at welding aluminum.

 

[GlockMeister]

I'm still waiting on you to get real good with that TIG so you can teach me! And don't forget that I'll probably have a few aluminum projects once you get good at welding aluminum.

I can see where tig has its advantages. But I don't think I have the patience to learn

 

[Delton]

I can see where tig has its advantages. But I don't think I have the patience to learn

I've already ran into a few instances where removing splatter is almost impossible. Sometimes finesse is better. Looking forward to the learning part. I enjoy welding as much as riding (seriously). Guess I should've chosen a different career path huh?

 

[Delton]

I'm still waiting on you to get real good with that TIG so you can teach me! And don't forget that I'll probably have a few aluminum projects once you get good at welding aluminum.

Aluminum is gonna open up some more opportunities as far as mods go. Don't think I've ever been so impatient waiting on a paycheck lmao.

 

[Corona1]

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

I have the Miller 211 auto set. Can't say enough good about it. Hobart was my other choice as well. I went Miller because I have other Miller products and have never had a problem and the local dealer was able to get the price within reason with some promo's that were available.
Either way you can't go wrong. Good products from reputable companies.

 

[Tflynn]

Of your two choices I'd say be honest with yourself about how much use they'll get. If it's just light use on weekends a few times a year the Hobart is probably fine. If it's going to be significantly more than that go with the Miller.

Personally I've never seen a Hobart used in a commercial setting.

Get a machine that offers the most adjustability. I would never buy a mig welder that I couldn't adjust wire speed and amperage independently, and some Hobarts are that way (only one knob).

I own a Hobart engine driven stick welder and I'm happy with it. I also have two Lincoln's at home and two at work (one small 110/220, and one full size 220 only) and what I've learned is the full size welders give me no trouble at all and the small ones need a little attention occasionally. Something to consider if it's in your budget to just go with a full size machine.

Also @GlockMeister, how thick of metal are you wanting to weld?

Lastly, plasma cutters were brought up so I just have to give my opinion there too! Hypertherm has been the best forever and personally that is what I own. However a close second is Thermal Dynamics by Victor (what I use at work). With the price difference you get a lot more machine with Victor. From what I've always heard every other plasma machine is junk!

 

[snuffnwhisky]

Of your two choices I'd say be honest with yourself about how much use they'll get. If it's just light use on weekends a few times a year the Hobart is probably fine. If it's going to be significantly more than that go with the Miller.

Personally I've never seen a Hobart used in a commercial setting.

Get a machine that offers the most adjustability. I would never buy a mig welder that I couldn't adjust wire speed and amperage independently, and some Hobarts are that way (only one knob).

I own a Hobart engine driven stick welder and I'm happy with it. I also have two Lincoln's at home and two at work (one small 110/220, and one full size 220 only) and what I've learned is the full size welders give me no trouble at all and the small ones need a little attention occasionally. Something to consider if it's in your budget to just go with a full size machine.

Also @GlockMeister, how thick of metal are you wanting to weld?

Lastly, plasma cutters were brought up so I just have to give my opinion there too! Hypertherm has been the best forever and personally that is what I own. However a close second is Thermal Dynamics by Victor (what I use at work). With the price difference you get a lot more machine with Victor. From what I've always heard every other plasma machine is junk!

I agree with all of above. I used to have a smaller Hobart 110v about 15 years ago for 6 months or so. The main thing I remember was the wire feed motor was weak and finicky. You had to the the gun cable straight, tension set right and a good tip. My father had a small Miller like it that was similar but not as bad. Sold the Hobart and got a slightly used Miller 250 with no problems for 15 years now. 15 year old Thermal Dynamics at home that works fine. Newer Hypertherm machines are better. Just bought a Hypertherm Powermax85 at work and is bad a**. Consumable life is a lot better and consumables are expensive.

 

[Gator]

I've used both machines. The miller has the smoothest feed rate of any and the most adjustability.

You can get the machine a lot cheaper. I found it for $1078. That's only $150 more than the Hobart.

Does that help?

Millermatic 211 Mig Welder [HASHTAG]#907614[/HASHTAG] | Miller Welder [HASHTAG]#907422[/HASHTAG] | Millermatic 211 | MIG Welder | Miller 211 | Welding Machine | Welder | Welders Supply Company Beloit-Big Bend-Burlington Wisconsin and Rockford & Crystal Lake, Illinois

 

[Corona1]

I've used both machines. The miller has the smoothest feed rate of any and the most adjustability.

You can get the machine a lot cheaper. I found it for $1078. That's only $150 more than the Hobart.

Does that help?

Millermatic 211 Mig Welder [HASHTAG]#907614[/HASHTAG] | Miller Welder [HASHTAG]#907422[/HASHTAG] | Millermatic 211 | MIG Welder | Miller 211 | Welding Machine | Welder | Welders Supply Company Beloit-Big Bend-Burlington Wisconsin and Rockford & Crystal Lake, Illinois

Gator has a good point. If you shop and work with your local Miller dealer you can get within a couple hundred or less of the Hobart.
Have fun and make cool stuff with which ever one you decide on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GlockMeister]

Thanks for all the great feed back guys. This is why I love this place.@Tflynn I'm looking to weld at least 3/8. I have an old Lincoln buzz box for anything thicker. I have a few odd jobs some people are wanting me to do..One is a trailer mounted smoker made from a 500 gal propane tank. And I can't let @Delton be the only one to have his own cool custom bumpers. I'm by no means a professional welder and other than the occasional project here and there I don't need a professional grade welder. I am leaning towards the miller though.

 

[GlockMeister]

I've used both machines. The miller has the smoothest feed rate of any and the most adjustability.

You can get the machine a lot cheaper. I found it for $1078. That's only $150 more than the Hobart.

Does that help?

Millermatic 211 Mig Welder [HASHTAG]#907614[/HASHTAG] | Miller Welder [HASHTAG]#907422[/HASHTAG] | Millermatic 211 | MIG Welder | Miller 211 | Welding Machine | Welder | Welders Supply Company Beloit-Big Bend-Burlington Wisconsin and Rockford & Crystal Lake, Illinois

Thanks for the link @Gator I have found some cheaper as well. I just posted those for examples.

 

[Delton]

Thanks for all the great feed back guys. This is why I love this place.@Tflynn I'm looking to weld at least 3/8. I have an old Lincoln buzz box for anything thicker. I have a few odd jobs some people are wanting me to do..One is a trailer mounted smoker made from a 500 gal propane tank. And I can't let @Delton be the only one to have his own cool custom bumpers. I'm by no means a professional welder and other than the occasional project here and there I don't need a professional grade welder. I am leaning towards the miller though.

That 211 will make anyone a good welder. It's very forgiving when setting the wire speed and heat.

 

[GlockMeister]

That 211 will make anyone a good welder. It's very forgiving when setting the wire speed and heat.

That's what I'm leaning towards. Gonna try to check out that used one on c-list this weekend.

 

[Tflynn]

Thanks for all the great feed back guys. This is why I love this place.@Tflynn I'm looking to weld at least 3/8. I have an old Lincoln buzz box for anything thicker. I have a few odd jobs some people are wanting me to do..One is a trailer mounted smoker made from a 500 gal propane tank. And I can't let @Delton be the only one to have his own cool custom bumpers. I'm by no means a professional welder and other than the occasional project here and there I don't need a professional grade welder. I am leaning towards the miller though.

Only reason I ask is sometimes when they give ratings on the smaller machines they give them based off of using inner shield wire, not mig wire. Inner shield burns hotter but leaves slag like a stick welder. Because innershield burns so much hotter they can rate the machine higher, as in, claim it will weld up to 5/16 thick steel, which it will with innershield, but actually it can only weld 1/8 steel with mig. I much prefer mig over innershield, as I think most do. sorry if I'm telling you a bunch of stuff you already know, just trying to help you avoid any unpleasant surprises.

So guys with those two welders, how thick can you go?

 

[JTW]

Only reason I ask is sometimes when they give ratings on the smaller machines they give them based off of using inner shield wire, not mig wire. Inner shield burns hotter but leaves slag like a stick welder. Because innershield burns so much hotter they can rate the machine higher, as in, claim it will weld up to 5/16 thick steel, which it will with innershield, but actually it can only weld 1/8 steel with mig. I much prefer mig over innershield, as I think most do. sorry if I'm telling you a bunch of stuff you already know, just trying to help you avoid any unpleasant surprises.

So guys with those two welders, how thick can you go?

3/8th on the Hobart..

 

[Gator]

Both claim 3/8". I've used the miller to weld 1/2". Don't plan to do much of that.
Miller rated the 211 for 150 amps at 30% duty cycle. 3/8" is a strain but it hasn't puked yet.

 

[Rocket]

I've used both machines. The miller has the smoothest feed rate of any and the most adjustability.

You can get the machine a lot cheaper. I found it for $1078. That's only $150 more than the Hobart.

Does that help?

Millermatic 211 Mig Welder [HASHTAG]#907614[/HASHTAG] | Miller Welder [HASHTAG]#907422[/HASHTAG] | Millermatic 211 | MIG Welder | Miller 211 | Welding Machine | Welder | Welders Supply Company Beloit-Big Bend-Burlington Wisconsin and Rockford & Crystal Lake, Illinois

thanks I’m also in the market

 

[Delton]

thanks I’m also in the market

That 211 is hard to beat. I finally had to replace liner in mine few months ago. Original was in there well over 5 years lol.