Getting a new welder, worth it to get the miller?

[own6volvos]

Sold my older Hobart 140 as I jsut got 220v installed into my garage this summer for my air compressor, and plan on taking advantage of it.

Now I am looking at both the Hobart 210 and Miller 210. It seems both have the exact same features and capabilitys, but there is like a 40-50lb difference between the 2. Does the miller have a better duty cycle with better parts? What makes up that weight difference, and is it worth the extra 200 or so to spend for the miller?

[boilerman79]

Never have used either,but have never heard a negative comment about the miller 210,If it was me i would go with the miller.The 210 is 1 of those machines that was done right.

[MillerMatic]

$1200 is a lot of money for most people. If you’re a hobbyist, I recommend getting the MillerMatic 175. It supports gas shield and a spool gun. I picked one up on sale for $665 with a cart last year.

[PAToyota]

I was getting pretty close to buying a MM210 myself. Then found a deal on a used MM250X and love it.

[own6volvos]

Originally Posted by MillerMatic

$1200 is a lot of money for most people. If you’re a hobbyist, I recommend getting the MillerMatic 175. It supports gas shield and a spool gun. I picked one up on sale for $665 with a cart last year.

Well, I need the extra amps for the various projects I am working on.

[Dan]

First of all, lets make sure you have the circuit that will handle a MM 210 or IM 210. So, what is the amperage rating on the circuit breaker on the 230 V circuit?

On to the welders. Between the MM 210 and the IM 210, the MM 210 is most definitely the heavier duty unit. For one acrossed quite a bit of the 210 amperage range that these two units are rated at, the MM 210 has about twice the duty cycle of the IM 210. This basically translates into meaning heavier duty internal component. Such as a larger transformer. The MM 210 also come with a 200+ amp rated gun, where as the IM 210 comes with a lighter duty 100 amp gun, which is the same gun that Hobart uses on the HH 140/180 and that Miller uses on there MM 135/175. The price difference between these two guns is around $100. Then there is the drive roll systems. The MM 210 comes with a dual driven drive roll set up , where as the IM 210 comes with a single driven roll , and an idler pressure roll. Im attaching a sample picture of both drive roll assemblies. The MM 210 assemble will be the aluminum assembly , and the IM 210 will be the one that is mostly plastic. One more difference worth mentioning, is the fact that the MM 210 has 7 voltage taps to choose from where as the IM 210 has 6 taps. The 7th tap on the MM 210 give the unit the ability to output more top end power then the IM 210, which translates into a higher energy arc for thick material, or simplier put, a hotter weld that will penetrate better into thicker material. With the proper shielding gas the 7th tap on the MM 210 also allows you to use the unit in spray transfer mode.

In my book , the MM 210 is the clear winner between the two. BTW, performance wise across the entire range that the unit covers, the arc quality is very good. With an .030 solid wire and C-25, I actually rate the bottom 3 taps as excellent.

BTW, if the MM 210 is realistically in your budget range, I d most definitely go with it over a MM 175. The 175 is an OK unit at best. The arc starts on the MM 210 are much better. The arc quality on the 210 is better too. Plus the 210 is a much easier unit to dial a high quality short circuit transfer in on. Of course there are also the obvious differences such as a much better duty cycle and quite a bit more top end output power.

[boilerman79]

I knew Dan would post after he saw the Miller 210. Listen to his advice he is The 210 man.Also you can get a spoolgun set up for it,if you do much alum.

[own6volvos]

Originally Posted by Dan

Cool welding stuff

The circuit I have can fully support the amp draw from the MM210. Rated spec listed is 31/200 and 27/230. I have a perfect 239-240 out of the wall, so I am looking at 26 amps or so draw. I have a 10 gauge line running to it with a 35 amp fuse in the basement, and a 30 amp breaker in the garage.


I never saw the difference in taps before until now, so that is even more reason for me to push for the miller unit. The 60% duty cycle is also nice over the 40% that the Hobart one has.

Right now almost any MIG is in my price range after looking at the Miller Dynasty for TIG welding Now THAT thing was expensive

[KELLY]

Miller is the bomb i put a new roll on usually every 6 days and have done that for the last 5 years on the same machine. my shop portible is a trial blazer and i love it i can run my compressor and lights with out a flicker in my arc stabbility. miller takes a lickin and keeps on tickin stay away from the wind em ups go digital.

[own6volvos]

Just saw another type of welder, being the thermal arc 251 unit. Same price as the Miller 210. How do these units rate?

[boilerman79]

You are not going to find a better welder for the money than the miller210,if you were getting a120 volt mig i would say go with Lincoln,but in the 210 and 251 class machines Miller is the way to go.As far as Thermal arc goes the only machine i have heard people rave about is the little inverter unit the 185.

[own6volvos]

Ordered the MM210 yesterday. Hopefully it arrives this week

[Xtreme Fabrication]

The miller 210 is the only way to go. I also have the spool gun on mine.

[TxRedneck]

Boilerman, what would you recommend for the upper end for a MM175? Can you comment on the smaller MM135? I am primarily a stick man, but wouldnt mind having a wire machine for those occasional thinner stuff. Exhaust parts require a bit more patience and attention with stick than mig so would be nice to have that. I know there are also some smaller products on the market but I am definately afraid to sell myself short. Just looking for some info. I have personally used a MM210. I really was impressed with this machine as I've also used the MM250X, MM251 and powermig 350MP. In addition Ive used a few older power supply and feeder style machines. Of all the machines Ive used, I liked the MM210 the best, but that may partially have been because I used it in a shop where I was the only operator of the machine. Settings never were changed except when I changed them. It run like a gem and purred like a kitten. I loved that machine. However, I cant see the cost being worth it to me for what I need it for. I just dont want to sell myself short. Anyway, thanks for your time and consideration. And if anyone else has comments to this please answer away. Thanks
CHRIS

[boilerman79]

I have nver used the mm175 machine,have used a mm135.You can put all the 110 volt units in a bag [miller,lincoln,hobart] and pull one out and you couldnt go wrong.But you would be limited to 1/8 inch or less mig welding,a little thicker using flux-core.I have used the lincoln 170[175 now]. and really like this machine,i welded 1/4 plate with it [mig] with no problems[had it running on highest heat setting],but later changed to flux-core ,and got decent fusion on 3/8 plate.was welding on farm equipment[havent had a weld faliures [YET].I hate to see people try to use these little machines like they are a 300 amp trailblazer,cause they aint.if you are expericened and know how to prep. your metal they lincoln 175 can weld car body panels up to 1/4 mild steel with no problems.I to stick weld 75% of the time,but it is nice to have one of these little machines around,they are handy.I would stick withLincoln or Hobart for this size of machine.

[boilerman79]

The reason i would stay away from the mm175 is ,it has some type of funky wire speed tracking and it has gotten several negative comments from experienced welders on the boards,now some of the people that have them will swear by them .i have used lincolns 170 machine and it is a good machine.hobarts 180 also is a simple tapped machine so it should be fine also,cost is a little cheaper with the hobart.on previous post,i meant to say if you know how to prep.your metal and fit it up right,the 175-180 machines will mig up to 1/4 inch steel.at max.heat output.

[TxRedneck]

thanks boiler, i heard about the wire tracking, but knew nothing of it..im happy with completely manual controls myself thanks
chris

[smawgmaw]

TxRedneck, boilerman79 is right on. Although I dont own the Lincoln 175 I have used it and like what it can do in its size and output range. They come in two flavors, the 175T with tapped output ( 5 amp range selections ) and the 175plus ( continuous amp range selection for fine tuning in between ). Naturally the plus version costs a bit more. I have seen the 175T on line for about $609 at www.weldingsupplies.com and I believe Lowes has the ProMig 175 for about $595 which is basically the same machine just marketed for Lowes. Matter of fact, been eyeing the one at Lowes awful hard, I may see a little overtime in my work schedule in the near future, lol.

[TxRedneck]

thanks guys...i have a bobcat, i love it. Even my bro law with an old, well were really not sure the actual model but its like the lincoln sa200 but its a 400 ampere machine. Anyway, despite his arc control he prefers my machine. The gas consumption is also a bit less. Well thanks

[Sparkeee24]

Howdy folks! Perhaps this has allready ben adressed, but here's a lil extra on the weight differences... I have been told bye the miller/hobart rep that most of the Hobart machines are now using alluminum windings for they're transformer coils to cut down on the costs. This truly surprised me, as being an electrician, I know what happens to the various connections in "the real world" in respect to alluminum and electricity. I would think a much shorter lifespan for the Hobarts as well as the hobbyist duty cycle they have. Not a bad machine, but definately more economy level. Happy Welding! Brian Lee, Sparkeee24