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Thread: Welding Machines

  1. #1
    Come and Take it BroncoJo's Avatar
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    Welding Machines

    I think I am quickly out growing my welding machine and am starting to look for another one. Being that I'm not very experience I'm interested in everyones opinions.

    Right now I have a 180 amp Lincoln and welding 1/4 inch is one the edge for single pass and multi-passes with the lower duty cycle gets annoying.

    Of course I'm on a budget and want something that will last, the two I've looked at so far are:


    Hobart 230 ironman ~$1600
    http://www.tractorsupply.com/welders...welder-1024544


    Millermatic 252 ~2100
    http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M00218


    I'm thinking the Hobart would be more than enough, however I like really like how the millers power settings are more adjustable. Any thoughts? Also if anybody is interested in buying my machine shoot me a pm.
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  2. #2
    Like my rock crawler? KrazyKarl02's Avatar
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    Doesn't Miller make a 212 that is in between those? That is what we have at work and we have only hit the duty cycle one time when we were making some pretty large weldments.

    I have a Hobart 187, and in doing my axle swap, it sucks, I hit the duty cycle a lot welding with it.... Up until now, just doing things like cage, driveshafts, etc... it has never been a problem.
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  3. #3
    Come and Take it BroncoJo's Avatar
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    The miller 212 would be about the same price as the Hobart 230, I'm not sure how they compare though. My initial thought was to go with a miller 212 because I have used them before.
    Born to Kill

    Quote Originally Posted by RCcola55 View Post
    I just watched a spider dominate a fly on the wall outside, i thought would would travis do? and i did the opposite, spider lives!

  4. #4
    ill be your pickup man
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    I need a welder too. Looking for 110 and to not spend anywhere close to the two you posted.

    If I was looking for under $1000, simple, basic, reliable...what might I look for? I really dont want to even spend that much really. $500-800 would be better, butImight be out of touch.
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  5. #5
    Come and Take it BroncoJo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JB View Post
    I need a welder too. Looking for 110 and to not spend anywhere close to the two you posted.

    If I was looking for under $1000, simple, basic, reliable...what might I look for? I really dont want to even spend that much really. $500-800 would be better, butImight be out of touch.

    Buy my machine lincoln 180 hd pro mig (or something like that). Works great, but it's not 110.


    If you just have to have 110 now I would seriously look at the millermatic 211 because 110 sucks. The 211 will work with 110 and 230 and could probably be had for under a grand
    http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...p?model=M00245
    Born to Kill

    Quote Originally Posted by RCcola55 View Post
    I just watched a spider dominate a fly on the wall outside, i thought would would travis do? and i did the opposite, spider lives!

  6. #6
    ill be your pickup man
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    give me a number. I can add 220 to my panel
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  7. #7
    Rawr TexTJ209's Avatar
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    The newer Millers have some cool features, like a Multi-voltage plug that'll work in 110, 220, etc. Kinda neat.

    Cyberweld.com has pretty good prices from what I've been told.
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  8. #8
    sam_hodnett's Avatar
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    I have used just about every brand of welder there is, and Personally I would go with Miller every time. My dad's welding shop uses Millermatic 251s and they do everything we need, and we do some pretty heavy duty stuff, I have never used a bigger hobart, just the smaller ones, but I have heard that they dont live up to Lincoln or Miller... Oh and we traded all our lincolns in for millers, My dad said he doesnt regret it one bit

    Edit: Where did you get 2100 for the 252? the website says 2700 but if it was between the 252 and the 212, you are going to lay down a hefty investment, so i would go with the bigger one. It will do thicker stuff, and is more adjustable
    Last edited by sam_hodnett; 05-23-2011 at 07:18 PM.
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  9. #9
    Come and Take it BroncoJo's Avatar
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    Online store and one in town have the 252 for $2100-2200


    JB you have a pm coming
    Born to Kill

    Quote Originally Posted by RCcola55 View Post
    I just watched a spider dominate a fly on the wall outside, i thought would would travis do? and i did the opposite, spider lives!

  10. #10
    Sand Man Shaggy's Avatar
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    Jb why not start with a cheap arc welder?
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  11. #11
    Like my rock crawler? KrazyKarl02's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shaggy View Post
    Jb why not start with a cheap arc welder?
    Because arc welders suck my ass.

    JB, most 110 volt welders are going to have a very low duty cycle, so welding anything with them will suck ass.

    If you could get a 110 volt stick welder and would be a double suction on ass situation....
    -Karl
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  12. #12
    Sand Man Shaggy's Avatar
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    I like my portable arc welder. I wouldn't mind getting a mig but won't until I can get a big one.
    Jonathan Tate
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    2010 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 6.7 MegaCab
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  13. #13
    sam_hodnett's Avatar
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    Ok, my vote is still the 252
    "Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

    "It's not cheating if you pay for it"

  14. #14
    Come and Take it BroncoJo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sam_hodnett View Post
    Ok, my vote is still the 252
    Will your vote help me pay for the 252?
    Born to Kill

    Quote Originally Posted by RCcola55 View Post
    I just watched a spider dominate a fly on the wall outside, i thought would would travis do? and i did the opposite, spider lives!

  15. #15
    sam_hodnett's Avatar
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    no, but there is no way i would buy a hobart if i could have a bigger, better miller for 500 bucks more, I think of it as an investment... BTW, how is my bender working? im guessing it is giving yall a workout
    "Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

    "It's not cheating if you pay for it"

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