Get you one of these babies. You will not be disappointed.
Hello,
I’ve been thinking of buying a small, portable stick machine to compliment my mm210. Ive been mostly considering the maxstar 161 and the esab miniarc 161. I like the fact that the Miller is American and it has the nice digital readout, fan on demand, and it’s not yellow but I worry about the lifespan of these little guys and the esab seems simpler with less to go wrong. Also it is significantly cheaper. What do you guys think about these?
Also after reading on here a bit I feel like maybe I would be disappointed with any of them. Most of my stick welding experience has been with a couple different round top 250amp idealarcs. Comments like those below make me question buying one of these at all.
“maxstars are good tig, but my maxstars arcstart on stick isn't anything to brag about, even when new, and it gets worse/wears out after use. just pud out in stick welding the older/more use they get, cant fight off molten slag in puddle, poor arc start that worsens w/ use.”
“newer inverters to me are somewhat difficult to assess. take a miller maxstar 150 for example: carried on the back of every welder i know but, not for stick-welding. it can, but for real-world use, that is a TIG welder. the new replacement (maxstar 161) is supposed to be better at stick, but i still dont think anyone would use it as a stick welder effectively. if miller cant do it, i dont see how any "off-brand" could make a small stick-welder run right.”
Get you one of these babies. You will not be disappointed.
I have a Miller Maxstar 140STR that really impresses me. I also have a Idealarc 250 and a Lincoln SA200 so I think I know a good arc when I see it. Lol. The little Miller inverter runs 1/8” 7018 beautifully. It’s the size of a 4 slice toaster and weighs 10lbs. I’m sure many small inverters have the same quality. Well they run for 50 years? Who knows, just enjoy and when it quits, get another
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Steve
Miller Dialarc 250 (1990)
Miller Maxstar 140 STR (2003)
Lincoln SA200 Redface Pipeliner (1966)
Lincoln MP210 (2015)
Victor and MECO torches
ESAB Miniarc 161 LTS is a great little machine. Dual voltage 110/220, runs 6010 like a champ.
Miller makes a great product. But for the price of the ESAB You cannot go wrong with the yellow machine. Not only will it run 7018 but it will run 6010. At that price point I don't see anything better IMHO. One thing to note, on 120 V You can run into some problems with duty cycle but on 220 the machine just runs and runs. You can run 1/8 7018 without a problem.
On any machine with a transformer, be aware of duty cycle. When you are welding something up, it's very very hard to keep yourself to a 20% duty cycle. So most small buzzbox machines get used until they are too hot and then the varnish on the transformer winding wires starts to cook off. This leads to problems as described above.
I see lots and lots of used industrial welders in serviceable condition going for peanuts. I bought a clean Airco Heliwelder AC/DC which came with a ton of extras. I paid less for it than Home Depot wants for one of their cheapo aluminum wound Lincoln tombstones. And you can run 1/8" 7018 rod until you drop dead from fatigue and you won't even warm this guy up.
Of course, it weighs 800 pounds and thus isn't portable. But the old transformer welders have the benefit of simplicity, which means fewer parts to break. In a couple years when all these Italian and Chinese electronic welders start breaking down and people realize they have to buy boards to fix them that cost more than the welder did, a lot of people won't be as thriilled with them.
metalmagpie
The esab is a nice machine, can't speak on the Miller, but if it's as good as the 150 you can't go wrong. I have ran 5/32" 7018 with the esab, but it's pushing it. Typically 1/8" and 3/32" in 7018 and 6010-11 for me. It also does a nice job with stainless electrode as well. It's also ok for Tig but the lift arc is more like scratch start. I've had mine for 5 years or so and have burnt a lot of rod with no issues.
Miller xmt304, Miller S22 p12, Miier Maxstar SD, Miller 252 w 30A, Miller super32p12, Lincoln Ranger 9, Thermal Arc 181I with spoolgun, Hypertherm 10000 ,Smith torches. Esab 161lts miniarc.
One more vote for the Esab 161lts miniarc. I'm happy with mine.
1/8" 7018 is a lot of rod, why not burn 3/32" ? We weld 6" schedule 40 pipe with 3/32".
As for longevity, my shop still use the first generation Miller XMT 304. They have to be over 16 years old.
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Steve
Miller Dialarc 250 (1990)
Miller Maxstar 140 STR (2003)
Lincoln SA200 Redface Pipeliner (1966)
Lincoln MP210 (2015)
Victor and MECO torches
I wanted to stick weld some 3/32 316 SS for some brackets, so looked on Craig list, didn't see anything interesting. I have a severe shortage of floor space in my workshop, so the big used industrial Millers were out. Like the ones I've been using 35 years at work. Then I saw a Wave 200 inverter on sale for $1000 CDN , think Esab 186i. I got a DC stick machine and a DC/ AC TIG. With enough power to burn 1/8 7018 .sweet. I still haven't made those brackets, but I have TIG welded aluminum for some boat launching wheel brackets for my tinny. Think seriously about the TIG capabilities, I'm glad I blundered into some.
Man of foolish pursuits
Millermatic 250x MIG
Magnum (Hugong) Wave 200KD AC DC TIG
Liquid Air O/A
metal lathe, mill/drill, surface grinder, metal shaper
sawdust makers
most 150-200 amp inverters from good brands are great for 7018 these days.
ESAB, Kemppi, Lorch, Fronius, all make excellent machines that are good enough for coded work.
Ok, So you want a small stick welder. I purchased the Alpha 160ST. It is dual voltage and the amps go to 160. I have used it now for almost a year with no issues. It is a better machine than I am a welder. Anyway I watched this video and I liked it. It runs 6011 and 7018 3/32 with ease.
Don't be scared of the electronics in the modern day stick inverters unless it's a cheap chinees POS.
I've owned and used a Kemppi minarc 150 inverter for 10+ years now and it hasn't struck a arc wrong. I know a guy who dropped his in the water while welding on a boat. Opend it up, dried it on the heating at home and it's still going strong years after. Of course there is crap on the market, and of course there is less to go wrong with an old transformer welder, but i can lift the inverter with my pinky and it welds like a dream.
Fronius Transpocket 180
Kemppi minarc 150
Esab powercut 400
Ah heck here are a couple old Lincolns that will take care of most any duty cycle or amp output needs...
old 3 phase motor/ generators (SAF 600's) 600 amps output??
Need 3 phase input power to run them- but WoW
https://spokane.craigslist.org/tls/d...892285411.html
maybe a bit larger than a lunchbox inverter
Last edited by 455dan; 05-24-2019 at 08:22 PM.
HTP Pro Pulse 220 MTS (Anniversary Edition)
1962 Idealarc TIG 300 300
1974 Idealarc TIG 300 300
1988 HF Power MIG 150
2015 Lotos Ltpdc2000d plasma/Stick/TIG
Victor 100 torch, 200- 210 Oxy/Acet gauges
I scrapped out a 1944 Lincoln SAE400 motor generator welder. It was in an old machine shop. It ran perfect when I picked it up. Lots of copper and I made some yard art from what was left
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Steve
Miller Dialarc 250 (1990)
Miller Maxstar 140 STR (2003)
Lincoln SA200 Redface Pipeliner (1966)
Lincoln MP210 (2015)
Victor and MECO torches
That is great re-purposing to art. and bet the Kids get a kick out of him.
HTP Pro Pulse 220 MTS (Anniversary Edition)
1962 Idealarc TIG 300 300
1974 Idealarc TIG 300 300
1988 HF Power MIG 150
2015 Lotos Ltpdc2000d plasma/Stick/TIG
Victor 100 torch, 200- 210 Oxy/Acet gauges
Had several stop to take pictures and want to buy him
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Steve
Miller Dialarc 250 (1990)
Miller Maxstar 140 STR (2003)
Lincoln SA200 Redface Pipeliner (1966)
Lincoln MP210 (2015)
Victor and MECO torches
Last time I had to buy a machine I went Fronius. Transpocket 180. Great machine!
My little Maxstar 140STR was made by Fronius for Miller. They are great machines.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Steve
Miller Dialarc 250 (1990)
Miller Maxstar 140 STR (2003)
Lincoln SA200 Redface Pipeliner (1966)
Lincoln MP210 (2015)
Victor and MECO torches