Welder advice needed

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2fpower

2fpower

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lenexa, ks
Looking to finally upgrade from the Hobart 150 up to something a little bigger.

Was planning on used, but not finding much out there. Went down to Welds and looked at the Lincoln 256 which we had at the old shop and I liked the way it welded.

Any ideas of where to find a used one, or what welder you recommend, thoughts?
 
I picked up my Lincoln 180 at a pawn shop new in the box for $450. It sells for $700 + anywhere else. Owner of the pawn shop said that most likely someone bought it on a credit card and then pawned it to get the cash. I almost bought a Miller there but dragged my feet to long.

If you haven't checked them out, Airgas on Foxridge Drive has some decent deals. The couple of times I have been in there they have negotiated a little on their prices. They have a pretty big selection of brands there too.

Sent from my SPH-P600 using IH8MUD
 
Depends on your budget and how much power you think you'll need at some point in the future. I was in the same boat several years ago and narrowed my search to two-ish specific Miller machines because they don't have PC boards and both have as much power as I'll ever need in a MIG machine (MM35, MM200). I ended up with a Spoolmate 200 with an S-54 wire feeder which has the functionality and power supply of a MM200 but in two-piece setup.

Here's a couple to look at:
http://ksu.craigslist.org/tls/4183663145.html

No idea what size but I can take a look if you're interested
http://wichita.craigslist.org/bar/4161405392.html

Here's a site to help search multiple cities in a couple clicks rather than screw around visiting each specific city.
http://www.themccumbers.com/States.htm
 
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When mine passes away.. I will be purchasing a MM200 MM212 or equivalent the next day on the way to the recycler. Luckily I only paid about $400 for my welder about 15 years ago.. I'd wait till they have the special with the spool gun if possible if buying new. OR.. try to find one with the spool gun..
Only thing I see that's changed on the newer MM212 is you don't have the Infinte control of wire speed and heat. I basically learned on an older MM200. If you buy known entity you can add a spool gun easily. I know Rech has had that old Lincoln used HARD for over a decade..

THen i'd keep your old welder with smaller wire for sheet metal and tack welds.
 
Thanks for the advice. the thought of no PC boards is to avoid future board issues. Is that a huge concern?

On search engines, try searchtempest. Searches out from your zip code, so covers multiple states.
 
2fpower said:
Thanks for the advice. the thought of no PC boards is to avoid future board issues. Is that a huge concern?
Click to expand...

No PC cards = no PC card obsolescence issues 10+ years from now. There's something to say for the late 70's unit I have in my garage. Is that to say Miller and the aftermarket will stop supporting rollers and such no, but the power supply and wire feeder can be repaired with readily available electronics components.

I'm also not a fan of the machines that use soft buttons for the same reason. I'm aware of a Lincoln model (# escapes me) that has them but it wouldn't surprise me if all the major brands have a few years of models with them.


2fpower said:
On search engines, try searchtempest. Searches out from your zip code, so covers multiple states.
Click to expand...

I'll give that one a try.
 
i've used a MM252 auto set is very nice but my thought is 20 years plus from 6 years ago when I picked it up, I wanted hard wired components not chips. they are very nice though. Hobart is the older miller design. my Hobart 250 uses miller components and gun.

If I did it again I would get the 180 or 210 which ever has the dual voltage feature easier to move and such. I also would really like to have a second small 120-140 unit with small wire. I have mine set up with .035 and it really doesn't like thinner than 14 gauge. my dad has an old hobart 110 and only lives 2 miles away but I still fight my gorilla instead of using his.

Have a co-worker is picking up a northern tool unit should be here at the end of the week. he researched the crud out of it and basically it's Lincoln copy the 140 and up use metal drive and "higher" quality internals. he is welding horse stalls and such and been using a very old sears flux core that he has added capacitors and voltage regulators to help control it better. so it should be a step up.
 
also I looked for some time for a used one. welders are like toyota's they don't loose much coming off the lot and they hold there value. I would find one that wasn't the same cost as new and they just didn't feel right condition and history just didn't seem to match. I just lost trust on a used one.

figure out what you want and the features and buy what you want and to have it for a long time.

I'm happy with my choice. working on my 3rd 44 lb spool of wire and still looks new and works like new.
 
2fpower said:
This appears to be a much smaller rig. Seen many for same price on ebay. AM I missing something?
Click to expand...

Sorry I had my wires crossed looking at 212 prices and thinking 172/175/180.
 
I agree. Way too much.... but I am patient. Will wait to find what is best. I learned on miller, then went to college classes on Lincoln and used them at work, so I am good with either one.
 
I scored my Spoolmate200 w/ S-54 on fleabay for ~$700 + the ride from IND. I got tired of waiting but it wasn't a bad deal and I had a local buddy check it out so I felt better about it. If I could find a MM200 in good working order I'd consider purchasing one and seeling off my current setup. Hell, I occasionally keep an eye out for the MM35, it doesn't have all the adjustments but it's a solid machine. For that $2k I'd find a used a AC/DC TIG.
 
Well, it was a long journey; however, patience paid off. Just got a Millermatic 210 with a spool gun. Need to find an extra gas tank now, but man does this things weld nice! Got pics on my phone, but waiting on app to let me get to our club site. Yes, I am that lazy.

Even makes my welding look nice!!

Thanks to Erik for listening to me moan through this process, and Mike for helping me with shipping. If anyone needs things shipped for you company, Mike was amazing to work with.
 
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