What brand mig do you prefer?

[70 Chevelle]

Time for a new mig. Considering HTP, Miller and Esab. Who's happy with theirs reliabality wise? Am I missing a good alternative? What do you think? Looking in the 200 amp range.

[WideLowandFast]

I use a Millermatic 212. Works great for what I use it for. I'm not building battleships or anything like that. I spent several years as a hull welder for Ranger Boats. I was pretty much sold then on the reliability and quality of a Miller. I bought it at cyberweld.com Got a smokin' deal on it too!

[Rick D]

Miller all the way, I used to sell them I have a miller 210 as it has been replaced by the 212. I see your in Chicago If you want a great deal go to Terrace Supply in Villa Park they have been a Miller dealer for 50 years, in house service to. Full service welding store and auto paint supplies too. 630-530-100 talk to Keith.

[80proZ]

Hobart here.Exact same machine as a comparable miller.Even comes with a miller whip.And cheaper to boot.

[eville]

Millermatic 212

[oestek]

We've been using an HTP Mig200 for several years and really like it a lot. Puts out a ton of heat, high duty cycle, lots of cool accessories (12 foot torch hose, flexible nozzles, spotweld tips, etc.) and great service. They're also in the Chicago area - in Arlington Heights I believe.

[mikey]

:dunno: They make other welders besides miller? It's Miller all the way easy to repair if they ever break parts easy to get (consumables). My needed repairs have just been minor maint. type repairs the biggest being gas valve stuck open.

[70 Chevelle]

Thanks for taking the time guys. Anyone else?

[absintheisfun]

When I was shopping for my "introductory welder," I was told that all mig welding machines share and use the same 2 patents. The internals are all the same, only a few tweaks here and there.

They are kind of like the happy birthday song of the tool box. The same patent is used by all companies.

Now, how much of that is true, I couldn't say.

I ended up buying a clarke welder at Northern Tool--a year and a half later, I've had no problems. I want to upgrade, but I figure I'll keep using this till it goes out on me. I've run about 10lbs of wire through it with no problems. Becuase I used this to "learn" to weld, I know I went way past the duty cycle a few times and ran it incorrectly really many, many, many, many times.

It was cheap, and a great starter kit--I haven't run gas on it yet, but I will here soon...

This is my machine...Northern Tool doesn't sell it anymore, and the price Amazon has it at is 200% of what I paid..3-400!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HT4CYO?smid=A2IY3YALOGHWI&tag=dealtime-tools-20&linkCode=asn

[hotrdblder]

my dad had lincoln, and never had an issue, so i got all lincoln in my shop, a 200 tig welder, 255 power mig and 175plus 220 smaller welder, never had one issue other then liners/consumables.
jake

[redfire69]

I've heard Miller's quality is better hence the price. I've got a Lincoln Pro 140. Great welder for the price for everything up to 5/16s. Paid about $450 2 years ago (came w/gauges, no bottle). No complaints, I'm sure I've gone over the duty cycle also...

[amx2334]

Miller for 14 years without a single problem.this is from another thread. http://myworld.ebay.com/weldfabulous/

I have a hobart plasma. it looks like miller took the exact same machine and painted it blue and put their label on it. are they doing that with the welders also? not that I have a problem with hobart.

[Samckitt]

I have a Lincoln Power Mig 200. When I bought it, Miller didn't have one comparable & the guy at the shop told me the electronics were better on the Lincoln. Never had a problem with it.

[MarkM66]

I use a Hobart, which is made my Miller. Works fine for me.

[molyorange 77]

Miller TIME for me!!!:attn:

[69keith]

I have a Lincoln 175 and i think it is a great unit for the money... It all depends on the use of your welder, basically what are you going to welding.

[Zedzag]

I have a Lincoln 140 and so far so good.

[ahowudoin]

miller 250 for me

[qwik1320]

Love my Millermatic 175 - easy to use and no problems.

[ls1 nova]

Have read a couple bad threads about my Lincoln SP250 but have had it since 1995. Has been a great welder(have welded tin up to 3/4 plus aluminum.). It is basicly welding for idiots. Type in wire size and what you are welding and it sets itself up. Would love to here other opinions. Have only changed liner and consumables.

[SSTuner]

I have a Lincoln Electric Power Mig 140T and it works flawlessly. Last week I finally converted it over to gas (75%/25%) so I can get a cleaner weld.

[01somta]

I'm using a Lincoln 180 with 75/25 and no problems.

[martZ]

Miller 210, no problems.

[rsk68]

I have a Miller 200 in my garage, Miller is all I have ever used for the last 30 yrs and I never have had a problem.

[gt1guy]

I have a Miller 251. I think they call it the 252 now. Works great. The only thing I want to change is the gun. Not because it's a bad gun, it's fine. I just want a smaller Bernard Q-gun for getting into tighter places. And as someone else stated, I too bought it through Cyberweld. Saved some coin and had it at the house in a week. It actually shipped from Miller.

Kevin

[slyck68]

I went with the Hobart for the same reason others listed. It's basically a Miller, even uses a Miller gun, but a fraction of the price. I would definitely suggest getting one that allows you to run gas, that's the only way to go! Most importantly, make sure you get one with the ability to really fine tune the output. Even on the lowest setting, my Hobart is a little too "hot" and will blow through thin sheet metal with a simple tack weld. That's my only complaint and I'm sure there are ways to avoid that as I learn more. I'm just a beginner.

[BRIAN]

I have a couple welders and for thin sheetmetal my HTP 160 is untouchable. It gave me problems when I first bought it but now 10years later it is still going strong. It comes with a smaller gun that gets in anywhere when doing sheetmetal work.


To repsect guys who weld all day I am no pro welder but with the HTP I can weld tin can gauge window trim better than with my tig.

For whatever my opinion is worth the Miller I feel has the easiest initial arc and it is very stable.

Buy the biggest you can fford if you plan on doing more than one car. If you are doing one sheetmetal resto simply buy a 140 or 110 machine as it will be better suited.

[eldogg]

I like the Miller. The Power Of Blue!!!

[BADVELLE]

Miller 210, I have also had a Lincoln, had no problems with it though, just made the change to a bigger rig.

[Gordz32]

I only Use Blue welders! haha

[jerome]

gordz...harbor freight??? haha

I use a lincoln, but between lincoln and miller I don't think you can go wrong.

[Gordz32]

Miller Welders are my choice. Lincoln's are okay, I just find that I never have any problems with miller

[NEokcTERROR]

I've had Lincolns and Millers. I prefer Millers out of these 2.

[flynbrian]

I have a little Lincoln Weldpack 100 runs off 110 volt electric...Its like 15 years old+ and works great. I can weld nicely to about 1/4" I bought the gas conversion and a cart. I use it for body work and exhaust work. I love that little unit.
I also have a Hobart baby plasma cutter, Works so-so....Made by Miller in Appleton Wisconson, Good for sheetmetal but sucks on aluminum.

[scherp69]

I've got the Miller 180...first welder I've ever had. This thing is great. It's 110 or 220v. Very user friendly. I've welded very thing sheet metal with it and also have built a rotisserie with some places I used 1/2 steel and it make some good penetration. Would highly recommend it.

[skybu]

I bought a new Miller 130 at a swap meet with cart and gas about 10 years ago. At the time I thought i might regret buying a 120v unit. I have not regreted it. Great welder.

[Steve1968LS2]

I've only used my new Miller Passport Plus a couple of times but I really like it so far and thier little portable Plasma is very bad-ass.

[Otto-813]

Millermatic 210 and 135. I dont like red machines ;)

[gto406]

Picked up a Miller 210, and so far it is really good. A welder, definitely 'beyond' my skill level (having not welded in close to 10 years) - but after a couple of weld-sessions it is getting better 8^)

[D Impala95]

I got my used Hobart 175 complete with bottle and regulator for $700.
Shop around and check your local welding supply store for used units.

[tankhunter]

miller 250x

[itsals1]

I've been lucky enough to use Miller,Lincoln,Esab, and HTP. When I bought my welder I got a HTP 160. This welder made me a much better welder, no matter what the project was. They are all good units but my choice is HTP.
Travis

[Rallye455]

I love my Miller. Had it several years and never any problems.

[rrstroker71]

Miller all the way!

[1red68]

I've been useing my old Lincon for 15 years. never had a big proplem with it. But if i was to go out a get a newer one i think i would get a Miller. they seem to hold thier value more.

[DynoDon]

I have had Lincolns and Miller's. I currently use a Miller 251 in my shop that replaced a Lincoln 250 that was nothing but trouble.
I have 2 Lincoln's at work, a 200 and a 255 and I don't like either as well as my Miller.
As for Hobart, I have a Hobart TIG at work and it is not as good as my Miller TIG.
I asked the guys at the welder repair shop that does all our repairs and maintenance about Hobart and they said that even though the same company owns both Hobart and Miller, they are NOT the same machines internally. They use different parts and the Miller's are superior in their opinion. They should know since they service most of the welders in So Cal.

[ssealeycpa]

Miller all the way! I mainly use a Millermatic 175 that I have had for ~10 years that works perfectly (i have used up to .035 wire but mainly I use .024 wire and don't have the need to ever weld anything over 1/4") I also have a Miller Syncrowave 200 tig machine that is a TIG/Stick machine. The stick arcs and ignites effortlessly and the TIG....I'm still trying to get "decent" results but a buddy of mine can come over and make some welds that look like a stack of dimes with my machine. Never any problems at all.