I need some welder input from you guys.

[Roastchestnuts]

I am in the market for a new mig machine. My eastwood 140 is starting to s*** the bucket. its gotten me through 2.5 car builds My fj40, suzuki samurai, half of the rocker rebuild on my fj55 and various repairs of things. I am planning on doing more builds with lots of welding too.

Some of the things I have always hated on the eastwood were the power switch on the back of the machine and the scales for wire speed and voltage always seemed to vague in that the values were always in between numbers by alot making tuning everything in a tedious guessing game. I know thats the case for alot of mig machines though. Anyways I am looking to upgrade/ get a better quality welder. I really want it to last 10+ years ideally. I was fine with what my 140 could weld in terms of thickness. I was really only doing body panels or something as thick as a frame rail. I might want to move to a bigger 220 machine for more serious paid work in the future but I am unsure yet on that until i get more confident and proficient . I was looking at 3 different machines. I have rulled out chineesium machines like yeswelder and primeweld. please dont recommend those to me. and I am kinda set on three brands Hobart, Miller, or ESAB. One of the things I really want in a welder is this autoset feature that I have seen. Its pretty cool. just set the machine to the wire size and the metal gage and its good to go. The machines I am looking at are: 1. the newer hobart 140ez (I really like that it has the "autoset" feature from the millermatic line), 2. The millermatic 142 (also has the autoset feature), Or 3 the Esab 190 rogue or the rogue em 140. I could also move up to the miller 211 (stretching my budget a little though). Budget is about 1k

whats you all's opinion?

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Miller 211 autoset does most of what you are doing and it does it well. Extra $ is worth it.

 

[Jdc1]

Miller 211 autoset does most of what you are doing and it does it well. Extra $ is worth it.

Second this one.

 

[pb4ugo]

Have you seen this thread in the Tools and Fabrication section? They go into several types of machines. There are other threads on this subject in this section too. I run an older much larger machine. If I were in the market I'd be looking at a 220v or a unit that works with both 110 and 220.

Thread 'Multiprocess Welding Machines. Purchase advice needed.'

Dec 11, 2025

My son has chosen welding as his career path. He is a sophomore in High School currently. DHS has a good welding program and he is in his 2nd year with the potential to graduate with all his basic certificates.

I currently own a Millermatic 211 MIG machine. Thinking about investing into a multiprocess machine so that he has the ability to practice at home with Stick/TIG/MIG.

The Miller Multimatic 235 looks appealing to me but I don't know anything about them. Multimatic 235 | MillerWelds -...

• Corbet
• Replies: 44
• Forum: Tools and Fabrication

 

[rlong]

I bought the ESAB 215 (bigger than you mention, similar to the Miller 215), and I love it compared to my old tech Hobart. These newer auto set, inverter machines are smooth and easy to weld with; especially for a hobby welder who is not running miles of wire. Generally just select my thickness run a bead, maybe tweek a little and it lays down as good a bead as my skills allow. The ESAB (and probably the Miller) has a memory setting so when you get it set “perfect” for welding 1960’s Japanese steel to your new patch panels you can save your settings and then just call that setting up each patch (have not started patch panels myself yet tho). I’m 100 percent satisfied with the ESAB, I hear similar about the Millers as well (It’s the improved tech more than brand).

 

[SC-Cruiser]

If my Eastwood 180 craps the bed I will go for something like a Miller 215. It has everything you want dual voltage input, mig,tig….

I have a friend with a miller and the auto set feature is well worth the $

 

[Malleus]

HTP America/USAWeld is the only non–industrial welder manufactuer not making welders in China. They are built in Italy, using Taiwanese chips, and supported in the US by HTP.

I have an older 120VAC MiG model and I can't say enough good things about it. Tony loves them too.

 

[mdsims]

I have an Esab Caddy Mig 200 I bought new many years ago. Works great. The duty cycle is awesome, the auto Mig features are super helpful. I’ve been eyeing the newer multiprocess rig with AC tig, maybe I’ll upgrade in a few years.

Anyway, can you find a used Caddy? I see them pop up occasionally for $400-500. Otherwise, the Rogue 140 seems like a great unit for the money (Bakers Gas seems to have the best pricing, that’s where I got mine in 2010ish)

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Miller 211 autoset does most of what you are doing and it does it well. Extra $ is worth it.

The hobart I listed has the autoset too. Hobart calls it something else. It just came out and I have not seen alot of input on it yet. its only a 140 machine but its a new one. I think its a transformer and the Miller is a inverter? how much of a difference does that make? I know with the miller you can use it on a generator where I dont think you can on the hobart. Not that I will ever do that but you never know. The power goes out here on Hurricanes here often for days. I think the miller 211 would be ideal. I gotta see if I can scrounge up enough cash for one.

I bought the ESAB 215 (bigger than you mention, similar to the Miller 215), and I love it compared to my old tech Hobart. These newer auto set, inverter machines are smooth and easy to weld with; especially for a hobby welder who is not running miles of wire. Generally just select my thickness run a bead, maybe tweek a little and it lays down as good a bead as my skills allow. The ESAB (and probably the Miller) has a memory setting so when you get it set “perfect” for welding 1960’s Japanese steel to your new patch panels you can save your settings and then just call that setting up each patch (have not started patch panels myself yet tho). I’m 100 percent satisfied with the ESAB, I hear similar about the Millers as well (It’s the improved tech more than brand).

Does the ESAB machine have an "autoset" feature? I like the idea of the memory setting.

Have you seen this thread in the Tools and Fabrication section? They go into several types of machines. There are other threads on this subject in this section too. I run an older much larger machine. If I were in the market I'd be looking at a 220v or a unit that works with both 110 and 220.

Thread 'Multiprocess Welding Machines. Purchase advice needed.'

Dec 11, 2025

My son has chosen welding as his career path. He is a sophomore in High School currently. DHS has a good welding program and he is in his 2nd year with the potential to graduate with all his basic certificates.

I currently own a Millermatic 211 MIG machine. Thinking about investing into a multiprocess machine so that he has the ability to practice at home with Stick/TIG/MIG.

The Miller Multimatic 235 looks appealing to me but I don't know anything about them. Multimatic 235 | MillerWelds -...

• Corbet
• Replies: 44
• Forum: Tools and Fabrication

I have a couple 220 outlets in my shed one for my compressor and an extra. But I normally weld out in the yard as I don't have a garage. Id have to get a 220 welding extension

If my Eastwood 180 craps the bed I will go for something like a Miller 215. It has everything you want dual voltage input, mig,tig….

I have a friend with a miller and the auto set feature is well worth the $

I wish I had saved a little more and gotten a Miller when I was originally looking. I think the east wood is just a primeweld rehoused. It has not been terrible but as soon as the warranty was up it started having problems.
cord too. I have a welding extention cord for my eastwood welder.

 

[Will615]

I’ve had my Hobart 140 for 16/17 years or so and it’s never let me down with just occasional use. A couple of times I’ve wished I had a 220 machine, but for the price point and flexibility of being able to move it around without needing 220 I’ve been happy with it.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I have an Esab Caddy Mig 200 I bought new many years ago. Works great. The duty cycle is awesome, the auto Mig features are super helpful. I’ve been eyeing the newer multiprocess rig with AC tig, maybe I’ll upgrade in a few years.

Anyway, can you find a used Caddy? I see them pop up occasionally for $400-500. Otherwise, the Rogue 140 seems like a great unit for the money (Bakers Gas seems to have the best pricing, that’s where I got mine in 2010ish)

Ciberweld has the ESAB Rogue 140 for pretty cheep too. I am struggling with weather to upgrade or replace with a more quality machine. I really didnt feel limited with what I do with my eastwood 140, I just want somthing more reliable and built to last. The autoset feature would be a happy bonus.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I’ve had my Hobart 140 for 16/17 years or so and it’s never let me down with just occasional use. A couple of times I’ve wished I had a 220 machine, but for the price point and flexibility of being able to move it around without needing 220 I’ve been happy with it.

I really like the price of the Hobart 140 EZ. thats what I keep coming back to.

 

[brian]

Had an early miller 211, and that thing was a monster.
Upgraded to 215 and have been equally pleased.
The only time I've not been happy with what the autoset has given me, has been with overhead work.

 

[pb4ugo]

Decades ago I started with a Lincoln tombstone arch welder and made my own extension cord. I used my dryer outlet for power and adapted the appropriate plug ends and ran the cord from the basement to the outside.. I knew i would be limited on amperage. Later I upgraded a lightly used large Miller mig. I've since moved and use a dedicated reciprocal for the welder. I periodically still use that extension cord when the project is out of reach. Outside mig welding can be challenging with a breeze.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Decades ago I started with a Lincoln tombstone arch welder and made my own extension cord. I used my dryer plug for power and adapted the appropriate plug ends and ran the cord from the basement to the outside.. I knew i would be limited on amperage. Later I upgraded a lightly used large Miller mig. I've since moved and use a dedicated reciprocal for the welder. I periodically still use that extension cord when the project is out of reach. Outside mig welding can be challenging with a breeze.

I bought a nice extension for welding from eastwood after I got my mig 140. before I had power hooked up to my "autoshop shed" I dropped the extention out of the window and plugged it in the house haha. that extension cord made things a lot easier. On the wind: I have learned to pause when I hear the trees haha. Its not so bad. Usually if its too windy to weld here its not a day I really want to be working on the projects anyway.

 

[brian]

Flux core for outdoors, breeze become almost a nonissue.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Flux core for outdoors, breeze become almost a nonissue.

Pretty difficult to weld body panels with flux core though.

 

[brian]

Pretty difficult to weld body panels with flux core though.

Negative ghost rider.

 

[rlong]

Does the ESAB machine have an "autoset" feature? I like the idea of the memory setting.

Yes their auto set is “Smart MIG” (sMIG), has worked well for me.. (confirms wire size when you start it up)

You can save four memorized setups..

 

[peesalot]

FWIW I run the HZXVOGEN Mig185 on 240v and for the price, size, it does a dam fine job. It does stick & TIG as well.
I don't use it alot so the small, chineseo unit has worked out well for me. i run gas at 14 psi, forgot to mention that, wind is a killer & dont weld if it isnt silver.