Which upgrade?

[kenc]

Guys,
I am thinking of upgrading my HH175. Most often it's sheetmetal that I'm welding, but more often lately I've been welding 1/4" sq tube and some 1/2" T welds for various "machines" I'm constructing.

I can afford to spend a thousand bucks and am thinking of either the message board favorite - HH210 or a used Miller such as an MM200 or a MM Vintage. For example I've seen a Vintage come up locally, looks almost unused with tank for under a grand.
I'd certainly never be wanting for power with an MM200/vintage, but would the HH210 make more sense for a weekend warrior?

[Dan]

Ken,

Even at the hobbyist level, if I was looking for a wire unit for 1/2" and thinner, a HH 210 wouldn't be at the top of my list. I like the HH 210 when the usage will mostly be 1/4" and thinner.


The age of a MM 200 would more than likely make me shy away from one of them.

For 1/2" and thinner, on a $1000 budget, used unit like the MM Vintage, a Migmaster 250, or even a MM 210 would be ahead of a HH 210 on my list.

[kenc]

Dan,

1/2" would be once in a blue moon. I only mention it I suppose to justify even mentioning the 250amp machines. And I can't ever see me needing the joint to be structural - just a T-fillet. However, I do see more 1/4" wall sq tube in my future though - framing for various tools. Sheetmetal is still the most important usage.

I guess I'm really asking - is the HH210 a real solid upgrade over the HH175 for 1/4" steel.

And - are 250amp machines like the Vintage as capable on sheetmetal as the HH210?

When I originally bought the HH175, I paid the extra over the 110v unit thinking I would avoid under buying, yet here I am!

[Dan]

Ken,

Compared to the HH 175, the HH 210 is a far better 1/4" unit.

On sheet metal, A 250 amp machine can be just as good or even better then a smaller machine. It just depends on how well the unit is designed.

[Ray C.]

If you could swing a 250 amp class machine you would be set and never need to upgrade.

[kenc]

Guys,

Of the various 250 amp class machines, I know the MM250 has a bad reputation. The MM200, vintage, MM251 have good general reputations.
As I mentioned, there is a Vintage locally for less than $1000 - looks in great shape, might be able to get it a bit cheaper - maybe $750? No regulator,/flowmeter but they seem available on ebay for $50 or less. I have the tank from my HH175 so no problem there.
Also, the HH210 is available for about $720 delivered.
I'm torn between getting something that would never need to be upgraded versus something that is rated as superb on sheetmetal thru 1/4" where 99% of what I'll ever need to do is.

Any idea, specifically, if the Vintage is a good machine on 18-20ga steel?

[Brand X]

I have never welded with a Vintage, just the MM-200. My brother-in law has a Vintage and it's been a good machine for him. My friend that sold them still prefers the MM-200 over the Vintage for some reason in the area of arc quality. Same basic transformer as the MM-200? I would buy a MM-200 if it was in really good shape. They are still out there too. I would also gamble on a Vintage at that price. You could try it out and if you don't like it, sell it at a profit. The HH-210 is not a gamble at all. It will just work right out of the box. Pretty good picks and you won't get hurt. I would still lean for a Vintage at that price.

[cope]

I agree with Dan and Brand X, get the Vintage. Some specs:

Rated Output
200 A at 28 VDC,
60% Duty Cycle
250 A at 28 VDC,
40% Duty Cycle
Max. Open-
Circuit Voltage
42
Amperage
Range
40 – 300
Amps Input at Rated Output, 60% Duty Cycle, 60 Hz
200 V 230 V KVA KW
46 40 9.5 8.3
Wire Feed Speed
Low: 90– 670 IPM
(2.3 –17 m/min)
Full: 150– 1030 IPM
(3.9 – 26 m/min)
Dimensions
H: 32 in (813 mm)
W: 19 in (483 mm)
D: 39 in (991 mm)
Net
Weight
225 lb
(102 kg

[kenc]

The Vintage is gone....bummer.

Two options. Carry on with my HH175 - although I have quite a bit of 1/4" wall tube to weld and wait for a used 250 class machine or

Go for the HH210 knowing that 99% of my usage is sheetmetal to 1/4" and forget about the larger machine.

Not a bad option I guess.....