I need a new welder, advice wanted !

Super-H-Mike · Feb 25, 2017

I am convinced that I need to invest in a new welder. I currently have 3 welders which are not serving me very well. I have a Hobart Handler 120 wire feed mig which is fine for sheet metal but little else so it just sits around a lot. I have a 40+ year old Century 5 in 1 arc welder which has been my main unit for a long time, it is well used and will no longer keep an arc going very well. I also have an old Montgomery Wards AC stick welder which works good but is really only good for flat work. I keep that in a seperate building for the occasional repair but it really isnt worth having around. I weld things from as small as exhaust tubing all the way up to farm equipment repair type items . I am thinking a mig from Miller, maybe the 252. What do you guys use, good and bad ? Thanks , Mike

Janicholson · Feb 25, 2017

The Miller is a great choice. Jim

Bob · Feb 25, 2017

You could also take a look inside the welder that's worked well for you, might be a problem as simple as a failed capacitor causing an unstable arc.

kcm.MN · Feb 25, 2017

Mike, if you plan on buying from Amazon, beware! There has been a rash of scammers on there for some time now claiming to sell new equipment for a dirt-cheap price. Only thing is, you have to contact them first before buying. Amazon keeps pulling the ads as fast as anyone can flag them, but for some reason won't stop these scammers from posting the ads in the first place. Here's an example of what I'm talking about. Again, DO NOT CONSIDER CONTACTING THIS SELLER!! Your Miller 252 for $499 and free shipping:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001VXU71W/ref=olp_f_used?ie=UTF8&f_used=true&f_usedAcceptable=true&f_usedGood=true&f_usedLikeNew=true&f_usedVeryGood=true&qid=1488054845&sr=1-1

300jk · Feb 25, 2017

I would also like to buy a new to me welder for my garage/shop. I have an OLD Lincoln 180k ac stick welder I love but would also like a MIG. We have a bunch of welders at work. Miller migs not sure on the model 251 I think. We also have a miller 350 p. That does pulse welding too. Worst of the bunch is an esab MIG. Have had nothing but problems with it. All the service trucks have miller bobcats on them and they seem good too. The company has a certified welder for bridges and road work. He just got a new truck and was allowed to buy any welder he wanted and he chose a Lincoln ranger. I know it's not a MIG but maybe the Lincoln's are better ? I am not sure. I would not be afraid of any Lincoln or miller if they were in good shape. I spent over a month this winter working on one our concrete crushers at work with a miller 251 I think that's the model and it was great. All 1/2 inch plate and some thinner stuff too. If we are welding real thin stuff like exhaust we have a memco Tig we use.

Butch(OH) · Feb 25, 2017

I have a 252 and like it a lot. It's a nice step up from a 211/212 in features and performance. Also have a Dialarc, they handle all my needs in style.

JD Seller · Feb 25, 2017

I have a Miller 252 welder. It is a very good welder. I have had to replace a circuit board in it once. This welder has done heavy welding too. I gave around $2000 for it ten years ago. I think they are around $2500 now. Beware of any ads showing new ones cheaper than that.

buickanddeere · Feb 25, 2017

Something that offers DC welding

MikeinKy · Feb 25, 2017

I have a Miller 251, which was replaced by the 252. It has been a great welder. I also have a Lincoln 225 ac/dc that is now over 40 years old, but still works good.

RobCons · Feb 25, 2017

I think in that class of machine either a Miller or Lincoln will do fine. I have used both and for some reason prefer Lincoln. Don't know why, it just feels better. I say get pricing for both and decide.

jon f mn · Feb 25, 2017

Both Miller and Lincoln are good welders, but if you use them both side by side I think you will like the Lincoln better. Consumables for the Miller will likely cost less but you will likely use more of them. If Miller still makes the Vintage model or you can find one used you will have the best of both worlds.

Stan in Oly, WA · Feb 25, 2017

The Miller 252 is a great MIG welder. You would probably be totally satisfied with it. An alternative you might consider is the Miller 211. It has a lower maximum amperage output, a higher minimum amperage output, and a significantly lower duty cycle than the 252. On the plus side, the 211 weighs less than a quarter as much as the 252, and it runs on either 120 or 240 volt power. The low weight comes from it using inverter technology rather than a transformer like the 252 does. Whether you view this as an advantage or a disadvantage depends on your point of view. Transformer welders are typically robust, so they don't often require repairs, and if they do, the repairs are usually not as expensive. Inverter welders are generally more fragile, and since the 211 is so light, you'll probably move it around more, giving you more chances to damage it. But if you're careful, being able to take the welder with you easily can be a huge plus. The 211 is less than half the price of the 252.

Stan

rick n ohio · Feb 25, 2017

i have a miller bobcat it has a 11000 watt generator on it i can run my whole house with it central air included nice piece of equipment.
RICK

charlie n · Feb 25, 2017

We've had a 252 for 3 years. Great machine. Solid wire, Inner Shield, and aluminum all in one. You won't regret it. Good Luck.

Texasmark1 · Feb 25, 2017

I enrolled in Hard Knocks U. Welding school back in about 1978, when I moved from urbania to the real life. I started with a Miller 240V AC stick. Later I upgraded to another Miller AC/DC 240v stick. And later yet went to the local community college book store and bought the (used) text for their welding classes.....minus the classes.

A few years ago I got a MIG with gas. Most of my welding is ?" or less and my .030 MIG does what I need done in an expedient manner. Yes you can get great welds on thicker material and easily make the joints glow bright orange. So my stick just sits.

kcm.MN · Feb 25, 2017

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but has anyone ever tried the Zena welders? How might they compare to these others?

504 · Feb 25, 2017

Buy local, and you can t go wrong with a Miller or Lincoln. I have one customer who bought semi trailer load of Lincolns last year, and another who will only buy Millers. (the ones that need repair the most it seams, is small 140-180 size.

ztr mowers · Feb 26, 2017

i ran a simple miller thunderbolt welder for years when i played that game, do not own welder as of now let buddy do it. your lungs will let you know few years how much welding you did!!!!!!!!!!

David G · Feb 26, 2017

I like using the DC welder most of the time, seems to weld better than AC.

grandpa Love · Feb 26, 2017

Guy in town retired this month. Selling truck ready to go to work. 8 grand my wife says I don't need it.

bjr · Feb 26, 2017

My neighbor just bought 211 stick/mig from Everlast. I helped him order and he received it like in 5 days over the xmas holidays, I thought that was pretty good service. It has a 5 year warranty and had pretty good reviews and cost way less than Lincoln or Miller. He's using the tri-gas with the mig to weld stainless. He's making outside cooking grills and tables. The salesman was pretty sharp and helpful, we talked to a fellow named Mark. I don't work for Everlast, just seem to have a good buying experience, though. Study the different feed mechanisms (2 roller or 4 roller) for the wire and some take bigger spools of wire than other models, just know what your buying. The Everlast machines are those IGBT not the heavy older style transformer machine some of are used to. Again do your homework and Know what you want. bjr

BarnyardEngineering · Feb 28, 2017

I bought a Lincoln MP 210 last summer and I really like it. Has a "hot start" feature for stick welding that makes it easier to strike an arc. Also does flux core, MIG and TIG (with the right accessories).

I mostly use the flux core and stick modes. I've gone through almost a 10lb roll of flux core wire building things because it's so much fun to use.

I need a new welder, advice wanted !

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