I havent used dvi, its the one with dual vvoltage input right? Ok, I beleive its on par with the 175. Probelm here is if you have trouble getting 230V its good, except it wont run the upper end. So you still need the 230V if you want the thicker stuff. inother words its good for somone who would do work with a 175 in the shop, and a 135 outside on thinner stuff. the 210 is definately the way to go...

 

A friend of mine purchased a DVI. It is a decent machine, took it out of the crate, put some wire in it and a bottle and set it per the specs on the case for 1/8" steel and laid down a perfect bead. He has run it on 110 and also gotten good results, but, it doesnt have a particularly high amp output and it doesnt have the duty cycle of a 210 as far as I know. If you are planning on doing a lot of welding I would suggest the 210.

 

Is this a good compromise machine for the auto hobbiest (sheet metal, hitches, brackets, bumpers, etc...)? I would think the flexibility (portability) offered by having either 115v or 230v options would be a plus. Looking at the specs in the '06 Miller book, the DVI and 210 are capable of the same single pass (3/8") performance. The one thing it doesn't touch is the 60% duty cycle of the 210. Any other thoughts?

 

Chris, I think you are right for a someone who is a hobbiest you could make a go with DVI and like i said its handy when you cant get to 220, say you take machine to dads house, or to your friends. Duty cycle I am not as worried about when your on the 220v as I am on hte 115, but you wont be welding bumpers with 115. Some might try, but its foolish. I think it depends, do you want to do a lot of the thicker or a little?

 

Right now, I'm in the middle of an old WW-II Jeep trailer restification. After that, I'll be moving on to my '71 CJ-5. After that... For my uses, up to 3/8 inch steel would be enough for about anything I would want/ need. However, I recognize the industrial qualities offered by the MM210. As a hobbiest, I know I won't be using it every day, but do want a machine that is up to the task when called upon. I'm just not sure if I need a MM210...

 

Right now, I'm in the middle of an old WW-II Jeep trailer restification. After that, I'll be moving on to my '71 CJ-5. After that... For my uses, up to 3/8 inch steel would be enough for about anything I would want/ need. However, I recognize the industrial qualities offered by the MM210. As a hobbiest, I know I won't be using it every day, but do want a machine that is up to the task when called upon. I'm just not sure if I need a MM210...

Not that I know, but I can recongnize a point that needs verifying----------------does the low end change on the DVI between the 230 mode and 120 mode? What I mean is minimum amps lower in the 120 mode than it is in the 230 mode?

If so then that would make the 120 mode nicer for auto body. If not then it is no better suited for auto body than the 210. That alone would reduce the positive aspects by one value leaving only the versatility of the 120/230.

There are probably more considerations but that would be one I'd check into.

One of you guys researching these machines know the answer on the low end?

 

That is a good point. The amp ranges are as follows: 115VAC= 30-135A range, 230VAC= 30-175A range. To me, it looks like a MM135 and MM175 (with higher rated output and thicker single pass performance) combined into one machine. So maybe the question could be reworded to ask: are folks satisfied with their MM135 and MM175 machines in a auto hobbiest setting?

 

The amp ranges are as follows: 115VAC= 30-135A range, 230VAC= 30-175A range. To me, it looks like a MM135 and MM175 (with higher rated output and thicker single pass performance) combined into one machine.

Thanks chris, good info. The bottom end is the same 120 or 230 but you would have a nice machine that can go anywhere with a few cord adapters. Weight could be an issue for some. Not for me, someone wants something welded it comes here. I think the 210 is no doubt heavier than the DVI ??

For your applications and what you posted earlier

Looking at the specs in the '06 Miller book, the DVI and 210 are capable of the same single pass (3/8") performance. The one thing it doesn't touch is the 60% duty cycle of the 210. Any other thoughts?

I'd really think about the 210 if I were you.

Somewhere I posted a little blurb on my experiences with the 175 but long story short, if you are going to do any substantial work with materials in the 3/8ths range a 210 might save some frustrations. More money was my hold back originally but I wished I'd made that less of a priority now. Not that there is anything wrong with the 175 but the stats on a 210 are better and the low end is still down there with the 135, DVI and 175.

Anyone can take two coupons of 1/2 inch stock and turn out a pretty fillet weld with a wide class range of machines and proclaim that as its capabilities. It's quite another to butt two honking pieces of iron together (spelled heat sink) and start burning them in. I've bogged the 175 down on a few occassions and the scary part is that that is NOT a clear cut line as if it just shut off at some certain point. Manufacturers and salesmen can say what they want but I really don't believe any machine just runs up to a point then cuts off. They, at least mine, starts giving erratic performance that isn't all that recognizable well before it reaches the thermal cut-off point.

So food for thought==if you are just going to do an occasional 3/8ths plate onto a piece of 3/16ths and run a 4 inch bead==you're good to go. If you are going to go out there and try and fish plate up an oily painted backhoe boom==you're gonna get in trouble.

I think these types of unknowns and variables are what scares off guys like txredneck and others when we ask "will this work for 1/4 inch?" :waving:

 

For your applications and what you posted earlier I'd really think about the 210 if I were you.
More money was my hold back originally but I wished I'd made that less of a priority now. Not that there is anything wrong with the 175 but the stats on a 210 are better and the low end is still down there with the 135, DVI and 175.

Sandy,
Sounds to me the 210 is the right way to go. Cost wise, it's about $400 more than the 175 and $220 above the DVI. Cost is a consideration, but I'd rather pay a bit more up front and not be looking to replace it in a year or two when I've outgrown it's capabilities. The biggest advantage to the DVI is the 115/ 230V ability, period. Which boils down to increased flexibility, but also boils down to a compromise... Yes it may be rated to weld up to 3/8ths, but may not be as easy to do. I garantee that since I've got my shop set-up for 220, I'll never use the 115V option UNLESS, I was helping someone at their place with only 115V. In that case, they would just need to get it to me...

 

Sounds to me the 210 is the right way to go. Cost wise, it's about $400 more than the 175 and $220 above the DVI. Cost is a consideration, but I'd rather pay a bit more up front and not be looking to replace it in a year or two when I've outgrown it's capabilities.

I'm really cautious about making comments that have impacts on folks's billfold because I know just how precious a few bucks can be one way or the other. But in this case where I suspect that you might soon move on to bigger and better things-------------. Here's some more food for thought, it would be special situtation to hear someone say they wished they had bought a smaller machine. Maybe if they bought a 300 amp machine with a 40 amp bottom end, but that's not the case here. And it would be even more rare to hear of someone who wasn't very satisfied with the MM210. A lot of folks have put down their 140's and 175's to pick up the 210 and never gone back.

Wait and see how many come in and check me on this.

 

210

I am really impressed with my new millermatic passport.If you are still undecided you should check the specs on the passport at the miller web site.It is my first mig done alot of stick years ago and wanted to try mig.I am very impressed with this machine it is 115 or 230 and goes from 30-180 it is an inverter type and far better flame characteristics than the dvi more like the 251.It weighs only 55lbs. with a full 8"spool of 030 wire in it.It also has a small internal tank of co2 inside good for about 25 feet of weld.Also hase soft arc button for stainless welding.

 

That passport really doing well...thats great to hear. Im not in the market for a mig right now but thats a good thing to keep in mind.
Right now I think its the only one like it so I think its going to be a littl ehile before we can see any change in price...thats if it ever does. This technoology thing lately been bigger better and more expensive...more bang for your buck, still more expensive....oh well the price we pay for our tools I guess

 

If theres one thing I can add about the decision process for a new welder wanting a MIG it this: If youre really serious about learning to MIG weld,and you want to actually make stuff thats "usefull" <meaning you can sit on/work with/drive or pull down the road @ 60MPH> at some point youre going to wish you had bought a bigger machine. 220v is the way to go IMHO.

 

Decision made...

... and I went with the DVI and am glad I did!!! I've burned everything from 16 gauge to 3/16ths (so far) and it works flawlessly. With the dual voltage capability, it's somewhat portable even though it weighs about 170 pounds. As a hobbiest, it will provide me with more than enough power to work on anything automotive, from sheet metal to frame repairs. Best part is I just watched my 9yo son run his first bead...:cool2: Now it's time to start some projects!!:

 

Chris, It's called contributing to the deliquency of a minor...and it's against the law.

 

Isnt it amazing how we preach to them about NOT playing with fire then we say "Here son, make some sparks!!" And then we grin like a crazy man when they do it correctly.

 

Cracker, I know what you mean.

I can't tell you how proud I was when my son (as a 6 year old) let out a perfect string of profanity at what was exactly an appropriate time, or when my daughter exicuted a perfect right cross on my son (who was acting like a jerk). On both occasions, the pride of fatherhood was amost more than I could supress.

 

Chris, It's called contributing to the deliquency of a minor...and it's against the law.

Just did it again tonite when he helped me build the overhead hangers for my 24' extension ladder. Pretty cool...

 

I have the dvi and it has so far exceeded my expectations. I like it's a good little garage machine. The only thing I did that I'm glad i did was upgrade the whip right away.

 

I bought a DVI when it first came out and I didn't have 220 yet. It welds fine on 110 but it performs better with the higher voltage. I haven't upgraded my gun but I plan to.
All I can say about duty cycle is this. Most people will never exceed 60%. Even when I am all tacked and set up, I won't come close to the 40%. And I weld alot. So, the difference between 40 and 60 is only your peace of mind. This is an excellent machine for the money, and I notice alot of people on this site are welding with a 110 welder. This allows you to go to the heavier material when you need to. Some go to the hardware store and make an extention that will run from your dryer outlet to where ever you are welding.
My two cents
B