GregCO

Member
Hi guys, need some help on a MIG welder. My 30 year old MIG has run it's last I think. I lost the control board the other day and I honestly don't think it's worth fixing assuming I can even find a board. It is an old 225 amp Century machine I bought off of the Matco truck back when I was working commission repair shops. I know Century was not the best to start with, but this thing lasted me for what is probably more than average for what it is.It also needs a new leash and gun as it is getting pretty worn out and I can't hardly find parts for it any more. I am just assuming the board is probably made from unobtainium and will be tough to find and super pricy if I do find one. So, looking at new or good used machines. I really don't need 225 amps. I seldom get over .040 wire. Most of the time I use .028, .030, and .035. I do want shielding gas and not flux core. What do you think would be a good machine? I don't do much heavy or continuous welding anymore. Mostly just small projects. I have tried some of the 110 V machines and so far I haven't found one I like. Just not enough control on thin material and not enough guts on heavier stuff. I saw a Hobart at Tractor Supply the other day that is a 250 amp machine with a 60% duty cycle @ 175 amps for $1,500. Think it is any good? For a little more they have one with a spool gun. Kind of always wanted a spool gun for real thin stuff and aluminum.

Other ideas?

Thanks,

Greg
 
I got a 190 handler 220v hobart onsale for $630 last year Hobart and Miller are both made by Illinois Tool Works (ITW), which makes a multitude of brands and products for the construction industry.
 
Check out some of the welding forums and I think you will find the a miller 210, (I think it is the 212 now) is one of the most popular machines. It also sounds like it is just what you are looking for. A little more pricey than the Hobart but I think you get what you pay for. I love mine. Check out cyberweld.com
 
For the same money you would spend on the Hobart you could get a Miller 211 with a spool gun and cart. It's a less powerful welder than the Hobart, and it has a lower duty cycle than the 212 that Pitalplace recommended, but it runs on either 120 or 230 volts. Of course, that feature doesn't mean much if the welder will be used only in the shop.

From reading your posting, I get the feeling that you haven't zeroed in on just what you want. You start by saying that you don't need a 225 amp machine, but you certainly do if you plan to weld aluminum. You think a 120 volt machine would handle most of your needs if the quality was higher, but you are looking at a 250 amp Hobart.

All high quality welders have strengths and weaknesses. (Unless your budget is unlimited, high cost would be a weakness of a machine that might have all the features you need.) You can make a case in favor of almost any good welder if you don't set some guidelines based on what you want to use it for. Figure out just what features are most important to you and it will be much easier to narrow it down to the right welder.

Stan
Miller 211 on sale
 
I think "36 coupe" that is on this forum could repair your board. I might even be able to repair it if its a simple board.
 
Stan, you make some good points. I really had not considered the fact that aluminum is going to need a bigger machine. I have never had the ability to weld aluminum at home so I won't miss not being able to, but it would be nice. How often would I use it? Hard telling. It may never come up. A spool gun is one of those toys that I always wanted, but never had. I honestly have only ever had the need but a hand full of times. I just send it out or take it to work and use a TIG machine there. The other expense is the Argon. Having an Argon bottle sitting around for use some day would be a waste. I generally just run co2 because I am a tight wad.

Greg F.
 
mmidlam, I will pull the board and send some pics for review. If it could be fixed reasonably I'm up for that.I just figured it wasn't worth it due to it's age. I had this board reworked many years ago and it worked out fine.

Greg F.
 
Checked out the 211 and the 212. Both look like nice machines. I like the small size too. My old machine is like having a school bus parked in the shop compared to them.

Greg F.
 

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