What MIG?

[TWG67]

I have been keeping up with this forum for a while and reading all the great info from you all and now would like to get some of your opinions.
I currently own a Hobart Stickmate ac/dc and a Lincoln sp-135 but have decided I want a bigger mig I have narrowed my choices down to either the MM 251 or the PM 255.There are several dealers in my area that sell one or both machines. I have looked hard and still can't make up my mind. Any thoughts or experiences with either machine would be of great help.

[TWG67]

Thanks for the reply, I have tried them both and thats where my problem comes in. I really like the way both machines perform. But I am comparing them to my sp-135(with wich I am only average)I guess what I am realy after is any experiences, good or bad with either one. Any Problems? Likes or Dislikes? Also would like to eventually ad a spool gun and learn alum. but that will be another post.

[maddmatt]

if u are going to add a spool gun then u might like the mm251 because of the gun on demand , u can keep both guns hooked up all the time and it remembers the setting u left each gun at. i just bought a mm251 and that was the determining factor. so far i really like it alot.
well that's my 2 cents,
matt

[Dan]

Probably the best way, to help you make a decision, that will make you feel confident that you chose the right machine is to actually go to the welding supply store, and have them set the machines up, so that you can give both machines a good test drive. My personal choice would be the MM 251. However, this is based strictly on customer service experiences that I ve had with both companies. Miller/Hobart customer service has been great, and Lincolns was quite poor in my opinion.

Now, are you certain that your welding needs require such a large machine? The reason I ask is because most hobbiest welding will never begin to even push a machine this size. The reality is that most hobbiest welding can easily be accomplished with a machine like a MM 210. So, because of this I suggest that you also try a MM 210 along with the other two machines. Im just making this suggestion to maybe possibly help save you so money. If you do a search on this site for spray transfer you should come across some pictures of spray transfer welds that I produced on my MM 210. Also, this machine is capable of running an all position gas shielded fluxcore wire too. Both of these that I have mentioned are going to be for welding thicker material. The MM 251 will obviously out perform the MM 210 but if your going to be welding 5/16" and thinner material that you want sound welds on the MM 210 would perform the task with no problems. It would also have no problem multi pass welding thicker material. An issue in all this though would be what kind of duty cycle do you really need on thicker material. At its maximum output of 210 amp the MM 210 has a 30% duty cycle. Now this 30% is actually a conservative rating because Miller tests there machines at an extreme temperature, 104 degrees F if I remember right. Now, to produce sound welds on 1/4" thick steel you need around 180 to 190 amps, at this output the MM210 has a 40% to 45% duty cycle. However,since most people (hobbiest) very seldom weld in 104 degree F temperatures, I can imagine that at this amperage out put the the duty cycle could reach 60% depending on the temperature in the area were the machine is being used.

Well, I ve rambled on long enough about the MM 210. I hope you are not upset with me. Im just trying to be helpful.

[rangerod]

What MIG

Dan

Does the MM210 have gun on demand also?

[Scott V]

My pick in the 250 class is the Esab 250 plus.Yes I own three Lincolns,but you said 250 class.The Esab has been out longer than all the rest put together.My favorite 250 mig.It is proven,and I know that machine,and it has a great low end,and all sorts of voltage on top.The plus has a few things done to it over the standard model.Copper transformer also,just like dans 210,but with 24 steps instead of seven.

[Dan]

Re: What MIG

Originally posted by rangerod
Dan

Does the MM210 have gun on demand also?

Yes, the MM 210 has the gun-on-demand feature. I got my machine when Miller was offering it with a free spool gun. The Spoolmate 3035 is a nice light weight spool gun too. Very Compact too. I have to admit though that 1/8" and thinner aluminum is a challenge with a basic MIG machine. I m getting better on the 1/8" though. A few more practice sessions and I think I ll have it down. I still prefer to TIG the 1/8" aluminum. My intention for the MM 210 is actually for 1/4" and thicker aluminum, because I cannot afford the TIG machine reqiured for this thickness.

[Dan]

Originally posted by Scott V
My pick in the 250 class is the Esab 250 plus.Yes I own three Lincolns,but you said 250 class.The Esab has been out longer than all the rest put together.My favorite 250 mig.It is proven,and I know that machine,and it has a great low end,and all sorts of voltage on top.The plus has a few things done to it over the standard model.Copper transformer also,just like dans 210,but with 24 steps instead of seven.

Scott

In the past when I looked at the spec sheet on this machine. I was amazed to see that the maximum OCV is 55 volts. Thats amazing. Tap 24 must be close to 40 volts at the high end of the amperage output on the machine. I wonder why they went with such a high output potential for the voltage on the machine? And no, I am not being negative toward this machine. Ive never ran an ESAB machine or dealt with there customer service. So, at this point I am neutral on there machines.

[Scott V]

Dan,I asked my friend about how many volts that thing has,and he said about that.He also said of all the machines he has sold of those,only about one person has bought the meter for it.The reason I asked about the voltage is I was doing some spray arc test with my MK 2000a 50 volt inverter,and I could not believe how much power the 250 migmaster had when comparing them side by side. The guy I sold mine to had the inverter esab in the 250 case,and he loves the 250 much better,one reason is it was easier to weld than his setup.This guy is the guy for airgas that does all their demo stuff.Yes he was the one that I got the powermig from,and he has his pick of any welder he wants.

Dan,I don't care if you pick on one welder or not,but I know one Machine I am not neutral about,and thats the 250 Migmaster.They are my favorate 250 amp machine out there.One other thing it doesn't have gun on demand,but a switch to throw,and both gun can still be hooked up at the same time.Flipping a simple swicth is really not really that hard of a thing to do since you are over at the machine anyway to change the voltage from the different wire types.It really seems like another thing you do not need at all.It falls in the bells,and whistles thing.

[Sberry]

I know you guys are way over my head on these machines. For myself I have a smaller machine, an SP 130 T that I keep 030 in for exhaust work and I do adjust that one sometimes but my 255 I almost never adjust. Most times I just dont bother, I just release finger on trigger for a sec if I have to. I do like the idea of the 210 's and such for the cost for the average guy and small farm or shop stuff. They should handle 035 well enough. I guess I am just not that fussy,, if it makes good sparks I cant tell what kind of machine is on the other end of the cable.