Looking for a small case mig welder.

[i6pwr]

So I'm stuck on a welder decision and would like to naturally save some $$ on this purchase. I cannot see needing more than 1/4" capacity, maybe a rare occasion, as well as needing to weld more than 3 linear feet at once, so duty cycle should not be much of a problem.

I have a 20A 220 outlet in the garage for the compressor, but also like the flexibility of 110V.

With Miller having a $500 rebate on the 211 brings it down to $1500, and this would suit all my needs for sure. That being said, I want to speculate a used 140 size welder for 1/3 the price would also check the boxes.

If I could spend $500 on a used welder, I would surely take that route, unless the 211 is worth the $$. So my thinking is a Hobart or Lincoln 140-180 would be all I need, but I haven't used a smaller welder so I am not well versed in transformer vs inverter performance and how the Hobart/Lincoln/ and Miller compare in regards to bead quality all things being equal, mainly prep.

I had access to a larger case Miller mig on occasion which spoiled me, but now I have to find a smaller one for personal use. I'm not a welder by trade, only smaller DIY stuff, I don't have a ton of experience with them. Would be mainly for steel, the option of a spool gun would be nice.

All input appreciated.

 

[Trav]

I have the Miller 211 inverter mig, it is without a doubt the gold standard for small mig welders and IMO worth every dime.

 

[Fitter30]

Buy name brand good possibility there will be parts available 15-20 out if needed. On a construction job the machine works with all kinds of various voltages. Gets taken in and out of a gang box every day. Dirt, dropped and dragged around. Buy a China $500 machine amps might change as machine heats up a wire feed might change a little. Welding is practice and someone points out what your doing wrong. Never have welded 5 days a week but when i got my certs for 6" stick spent 3-4 nights a week for a winter at night school and if i was on a construction job burn some rod for 20 minutes at lunch. There was no way 6 weeks after getting my certs not welding could i pass.

 

[i6pwr]

Buy a China $500 machine amps might change as machine heats up a wire feed might change a little.

To clarify, I would like to spend $500 on a used Hobart, Lincoln, or a Miller, not a cheap chinese welder....instead of a brand new 211. Just my dillema, but I agree the 211 new would be worth it, just exploring options based on my needs.

 

[D60]

I've got a Hobart 210MVP and bead quality is surprisingly good, but it's absurdly heavy (transformer)

I mention only should you stumble on a used one.

Looks like Blain's is selling them new for a grand, so that's dead in the middle of your $500 used desire and $1500 Miller.

Honestly I'd seriously consider the extra $500 to get the ~35lb weight of the inverter Miller. But otherwise my 210MVP has been a trooper, although anymore I keep it loaded w .023 for exhaust work and my Lincoln 256 does the heavy lifting

 

[facility1]

Lincoln/century are good for the money (best bang for the buck) ,, Hobart& Miller are also great industrial grade welding equip.,,,,Harbor Freight if you want a just a OK low cost welder that may not be as good in the long run as durability (duty cycle) , weld quality, parts etc., depending how much you use it and what you are welding,

 

[i6pwr]

Real world duty-cycle of a 140 with 3/16-1/4" on 110V is one area of concern. I agree once I start looking into a used 180, may as well splurge for the new 211, or even a used one. Many good deals come along with the smaller ones, cart, bottle, etc.

 

[Trav]

Another one to consider is esab, they have a inverter welder that is compact and light weight. I never owned one but have used one on occasion and found it very decent. They make some expensive ones but also some that are more budget friendly without getting too cheap on the materials.

https://store.cyberweld.com/product...WJQBrG666ajLLulSKgNuR82KmstxAqj3GgAe9pZVYz6ww

 

[sw99]

https://primeweld.com/products/mig180-mig-welder-with-spool-gun

I'm sold on Prime Weld machines. I have the larger 185 Mig and the 225 Tig. I don't even use my Everlast machine anymore. The PW machines are built tough, and their customer service is top notch if you ever need anything. The way they ship these machines is impressive. They even have metal corners in the packaging to ensure safety of the welder making to the destination. The one I posted is under $600 and you won't be disappointed. Weld quality is fantastic.

 

[D60]

Another one to consider is esab, they have a inverter welder that is compact and light weight. I never owned one but have used one on occasion and found it very decent. They make some expensive ones but also some that are more budget friendly without getting too cheap on the materials.

https://store.cyberweld.com/product...WJQBrG666ajLLulSKgNuR82KmstxAqj3GgAe9pZVYz6ww

I've got an ESAB plasma that is a tank. But consumables have always been a bit tricky and it's getting worse as this machine is now approaching collector-plate status

Supposedly later ESABs (plasmas at least) were less reliable, but I've never owned anything else from them

 

[i6pwr]

https://primeweld.com/products/mig180-mig-welder-with-spool-gun

I'm sold on Prime Weld machines. I have the larger 185 Mig and the 225 Tig. I don't even use my Everlast machine anymore. The PW machines are built tough, and their customer service is top notch if you ever need anything. The way they ship these machines is impressive. They even have metal corners in the packaging to ensure safety of the welder making to the destination. The one I posted is under $600 and you won't be disappointed. Weld quality is fantastic.

That is alot of welder for the price, reviews look very good also. I'll check it out, thanks.

 

[i6pwr]

I talked to a buddy who welds alot and he thinks Miller might be upgrading the 211 to a digital readout, unsure of the release date....which would be a nice upgrade.

@sw99 I wonder if the 180 has a serviceable wire feed mechanism? Not a deal breaker but just curious. I like the fact they are in the U.S. and you can actually speak to a human..

 

[D60]

FWIW Hobart has great tech support. Miller, eh so so (despite ITW the tech support is -- or was -- separate) . I've never called Lincoln.

 

[sw99]

I talked to a buddy who welds alot and he thinks Miller might be upgrading the 211 to a digital readout, unsure of the release date....which would be a nice upgrade.

@sw99 I wonder if the 180 has a serviceable wire feed mechanism? Not a deal breaker but just curious. I like the fact they are in the U.S. and you can actually speak to a human..

Sorry, I can't answer that one. Give them a call, I'm sure they can answer your questions. You won't be disappointed. Sold my Hobart 210 MVP and the other shop welders also. These are such good quality machines for the money.