SnapOn Welder Questions?

[jebdrup]

My dad gave me a SnapOn VA205 Mig welder that he had around his shop. He got in some trades and does not use it and said I could have it. It works and it looks rough on the outside and I am not a experience welder but I know the basics.

This would be my first welder. Does anyone use this welder or have any experience? I will mainly use it for small projects and to learn on. I will post some pics in a couple days.

[lorenzo]

I have a Snap-On YA212A /230 amp machine, I bought it as my first welder, ran it for years with minimal problems.... replaced the torch once, a relay, the on/off circuit... and now I'll need to be replacing the fan (ran it the other day to test because I'm going to sell it). I haven't use it much over the last several years but it worked very well for me. I even have a spool gun attachment for mine.

[lorenzo]

Just so you know Snap-On doesn't manufacture their own welders, at least they didn't when I purchased mine. I'm pretty sure the same company still makes the units for them. So parts should be available. The other thing about these machines is that the duty cycle was and is still higher than say a millermatic 251.... the 251 is a 300 amp machine with a 60% duty cycle @ 200 amps...... My YA212 is 60% @ 230 amps, some people may not think much of a "Snap-On" welder but I can't knock them.

[kdc3]

I have a snap on mig muscle, I bought it primarly because of the high duty cycle and its 110v. I use it for all my house projects, auto work, etc. I have the tig attachment for it to, its a scratch start, w/ no foot pedel, but I can produce pretty good results with it too. I weld stainless every now and then for exhaust and other ordimental projects.

[LuzRD]

my snap-on dealer told me that their welders are made by miller. look like nice machines, i just dont like the snap-on price

[kdc3]

most are made by skematics (something like that)

[LuzRD]

ill have my dealer check when i see him on friday, maybe he was wrong, or maybe the newer ones are made by miller. i dunno, but ill get to the bottom of it

[jebdrup]

I am going to get more info tomorrow and pictures. Thanks for the replies.

[Dieseltwotone]

I have a Muscle Mig 250 from Snap-On. It's made by Systematics. Blue-Point welders are made in Italy. Look at www.daytonamig.com The Boss 250 is identical to the Snap-On welders and it cost $1749. They also sale parts that fit Snap-on Machines.