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View Full Version : Millermatic 180 or 212?



79_EFI_Z
11-02-2008, 11:40 PM
So I'm in the market for either the 180 or the 212. The Miller website says that the 180 is good for up to 5/16" in a sigle pass whereas the 212 will do up to 3/8" in a single pass. The largest I have ever welded was 3/16". I do understand that the duty cycle on the 212 would be better but I don't weld that often and it would be for personal use... not industrial. I just can't imagine what I would need the 212 for given the approx. $700 difference between the two.

So the question to everyone is: which would you get? Theoretically, could I build a whole car and do everything from sheetmetal repair to roll cage fabrication with just the 180? Or will I regret not spending the extra $$$?

79_EFI_Z
11-03-2008, 02:56 PM
:dunno:

Rhino
11-03-2008, 08:34 PM
I had the same dilemma. I ended up going with the 180 and haven't regretted it yet. I've built a few bumpers and skids for my Jeep and just finished the sheet metal replacement on my Camaro. I haven't found a single instance in which I need more power. I would honestly doubt my ability before I doubted the welder. If something is too big for this 180, I need to take it to a professional.

I do also like the 180 being a little smaller than the 212 since I'm working in a 2 car garage with limited space.

scherp69
11-04-2008, 01:33 PM
I don't have any experience with the 212, but I have the 180 and I'm very happy with it. I've done all the sheetmetal work on my car as well as welding up a cheap Taiwan made umbrella for a patio set that broke. I've also built a rotisserie with it. The thickest I used on the rotisserie was 1/2" and it had no problem going deep enough into that to hold the weight of my car on it. I would say save the $700 and get the 180.

79_EFI_Z
11-05-2008, 12:18 AM
Thanks for the responses, I'll just get the 180 and save some coin.

Otto-813
11-05-2008, 02:26 PM
I have a 210 (older version) and love it. I really dont do much light sheetmetal work mostly frame, tube and such. But its kinda the better to have it and not need it thing you know?

gto406
03-30-2009, 12:43 PM
I second what Otto-813 says. I picked up a 210, and don't regret it at all. You may even luck out (like I did) and find a welding shop clearing them out for the newer 212's.

It gives you peace of mind knowing you can 'step up' to thicker metal and not need to farm out or go buying another machine.

I also hope to pick up a spool-gun and try the aluminum welding capabilities of the 210.

Best of luck.

wingman
04-27-2009, 11:50 AM
I bought a 180 about a year ago. It has welded everything that we've used it for. I don't think there is anything on any of our cars that's more than 5/16" thick - unless you're building a tank.
I was going to buy the 212 and a friend that's a line welder in a refinery talked me out of it. He told me the 180 is all I'd ever need and he was right.

edog1
04-27-2009, 04:24 PM
I also bought the 180 and I have been very happy with it.

arai
05-10-2009, 10:56 PM
Love my 180 also

demonpixel
05-11-2009, 07:45 PM
Theoretically, could I build a whole car and do everything from sheetmetal repair to roll cage fabrication with just the 180?

x2, Would love to know if anyone has successfully fabbed a roll cage with the Millermatic 180 also.

fred1971
05-12-2009, 08:49 AM
I was in the same boat a couple months back… Have you checked out the Millermatic 211? Miller had a trailer setup at the Detroit autorama and you could try out just about everything they have. They had mig, tig and plasma cutters setup for anyone to try. I played with the 211 a little and really liked it so I bought one, they had a great show special, $904 for just the welder. Haven’t got to use it yet and its been killing me. I am in the process of setting up my garage. But anyways its just a a little more than a 180, plus it will weld with 110v or 220 by just switching the plug end. I believe it will weld up to 3/16 on 110v and it welds up to 3/8 on 220 and Its spool gun ready. I didn’t think I would like the autoset feature but it is kindof neat or you can turn it off and adjust everything manually. Check it out i think you will like it...