Smallest 220V Mig

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Azrocks

Azrocks

Joined
Dec 27, 2005
Threads
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Location
Tucson / Vail, AZ
Website
kartchcustoms.com
OK, I'm getting ready to pull the trigger (hahahaha) and buy a new mig welder. I had a 110V Miller but want to step up to a 220V unit.

1. What is the best unit for the money in either a Miller or Lincoln?
2. I want to be able to weld 3/8" not necessarily in a single pass. Will these units do that effectively.
3. I will be running straight CO2. Not flexible on this. My tanks will serve dual purpose for OBA.

Any suggestions / recommendations would be greatly appreciated! :D
 
I just went through this. Miller and Lincoln both make a quality machine, and guys will fight over them like ford and chevy... it turns into a pissing match quickly ;)

I went with the Lincoln SP-175T, Lowes is carrying the new model Power 180 for a good price. If we weld both sides each of these machines are more than capable to weld 3/8" but not in a single pass without flux core wire.

I am running straight CO2 too, it burns a bit hotter and you get better penitration, but a bit more spatter, but no big deal.

If you can find a Lowes with the old 175 on the shelf, the one here in my town is going for $495 now that the new one has come out. Just an FYI.

Have fun.

Rezarf <><
 
I really don't mind either. I'm not looking into which is better than the other. I would be happy with either brand. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll see what I can find locally.

What wire did you end up using?
 
I run only Lincoln wire through my Lincoln welder, for my $0.02 worth.
 
IMHO, the best 180 amp class welder is the HH187. More power and better quality arc than what Lincoln offers. MM180 is a good welder, but pretty expensive, but not any better quality arc than the HH187.

You can get a great deal on the HH187 refurb from Toolking. $519 + 8 shipping.

HH210 is the same size as the HH140 and HH187, but will output 210 amps.
$850.00 delivered at B & R Welding supply. HH210 has a great arc too since it shares the same choke design as the HH187.

I'd run some Hobart HB-28 .030 wire for the above welders. 10# roll is of .030 is $28.00 delivered from Cyberweld.com
 
Azrocks said:
I really don't mind either. I'm not looking into which is better than the other. I would be happy with either brand. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll see what I can find locally.

What wire did you end up using?
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I am using mig wire, not flux core, and I am using Hobart Wire .030, my welding supply house recommended it so, that is what I got.

In case you didn't know the Hobart Handler is made by Miller and is mostly the same machine, I think it is a great unit for the price.

Rezarf <><
 
You can get a new small miller 220 for under $700. I love mine. I also like the lincoln although around here they are more money for a comparable model.
 
lowenbrau said:
X2 on the HH210 It'll run an aluminum spool gun and Harbor freight is selling it delivered in the lower 48 for $899. Great value for a small but powerful machine
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The specs state that this unit will do 3/8". Is that in one pass I assume?? If so, that seems to be the welder that can handle the largest steel for the money from what I can tell.
 
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Azrocks said:
The specs state that this unit will do 3/8". Is that in one pass I assume?? If so, that seems to be the welder that can handle the largest steel for the money from what I can tell.
Click to expand...


Spec sheet has the output at 210 amps and around 18% duty cycle. 210 amps should be enough to do 3/8" in a single pass. I know my old MM210 was rated for 3/8" in a single pass and it has 210 amps max output.

$850 shipped from B & R Welding Supply. They're cheaper if you buy directly from them instead of buying from flea bay.

http://www.brweldingsupplies.com/parts/Hobart/product_details.cfm?category_id=4&product_id=881
 
ajfriz said:
You can get a new small miller 220 for under $700. I love mine. I also like the lincoln although around here they are more money for a comparable model.
Click to expand...
link??
 
I just got my Hobart handler 187 a week or two ago and did a quick test weld and I liked it, seems to be a good welder for the money with a lot of positive reviews
 
i know you said smallest, but i prefer the full size welders with built in tank holder and wheels and storage and capacity for large wire spool,,,,,, the lincoln 200 or miller 210.
 
RHINO said:
i know you said smallest, but i prefer the full size welders with built in tank holder and wheels and storage and capacity for large wire spool,,,,,, the lincoln 200 or miller 210.
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I would agree. Most people get smaller welders (physical size) because they don't want a large welder (physical size), but by the time you build/buy a cart and mount the shielding gas cylinder, you're probably close to the size of the larger welder.

If you need lots of portability, then the smaller 230v welder would come in real handy.
 
Suprised no one has mentioned the Miller Passport...

110v/230v, built in gas tank, or capability for external.

The size of a large briefcase.

A buddy just picked one up. Neat package. Not for me.

millermaticpassport.jpg
 
RHINO said:
i know you said smallest, but i prefer the full size welders with built in tank holder and wheels and storage and capacity for large wire spool,,,,,, the lincoln 200 or miller 210.
Click to expand...

I think more than size I was looking for the best <$1000 welder and those are usually the smaller ones.
 
I bought a Lincoln pro-mig 175 off fleabay awhile ago..haven't used it much, but for what I have it works great. The pro-mig has the same specs as the Lincoln SP175 but it also comes with the fluxcore stuff (but all the MIG stuff is there too). Brand new in box, for $470 shipped...hard to beat that price. (look up the specs for the Lincoln 175 -vs- Miller 175 -vs- Hobart 180...all are exactly the same...same amp outputs at the same duty cycle, etc...atleast they were when I was looking...some people prefer one over the other, feel it's smoother, or whatnot...alot of personal preference, discussion can degrade all the way down to whether blue (Miller) is superior over red (Lincoln) choosing purely on color, yeah arguments get that dumb at times)

Just looked on ebay and mine was a listing similar to this...new in box, etc..

http://cgi.ebay.com/LINCOLN-ELECTRI...ryZ46413QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Good Luck...
-Mark
 
Azrocks said:
I think more than size I was looking for the best <$1000 welder and those are usually the smaller ones.
Click to expand...

in that case, and i know its not exactly your Q, but have you looked at hobart?? top quality machine made for less than full time industrial usage (perfect for the garage) you can get a little more user features for a little less coin.
 
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