Welder opinion

[packratt]

I know we have a bunch of welders on here.

Time has come to replace my wire feed.

I'm looking at a
https://www.millerwelds.com/equipment/welders/multiprocess/multimatic-215-multiprocess-welder-m30090

Or

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/Equipment/Pages/product.aspx?product=K4195-2(LincolnElectric)

Both are similar features and within $100 of each other.

Both are a big step up from the 30 year old century they would be replacing.

 

[missed]

It's hard to go wrong with Miller. I have a rack full of Miller gear. I have never used that particular machine. But it seems like it's a scaled down multiprocess machine.

 

[kindabitey]

I'd go with the Lincoln, but it's mostly personal preference. I've used mostly Lincoln for most of my welding career, but it's like choosing a vehicle. Both are really good choices, both with a great warranty.

 

[Rthur]

Have a 185 and a 250.
Been great so far.

R

 

[bab029]

If you want to stick weld pipe in the field, go Lincoln. If you want to do anything else, go miller.

 

[Duc]

Have run one of these for 4 years now .
https://www.millerwelds.com/equipment/welders/multiprocess/multimatic-200-multiprocess-welder-m00361
Mobile and tough. Can do it all, but at a higher price point

 

[PusherX11]

As the old saying goes ”miller in the shop, Lincoln in the field”. But these days I don’t think it really matters anymore. I don’t have any time on any of the new smaller multiprocess units, countless hours on miller 350p and Lincoln 350mp. I’ve come to like Lincoln more, I have a cross country on my truck at the moment and love it. If this machine is for home shop use you will be more then happy with either choice. I did like the soft start that miller has while mig welding.

 

[flyer]

For a used welder, I would look for a cheap Miller, they seem indestructible.

For a new welder, both should provide good service.

That's my personal preference only because I haven't seen any 30 year old beat to hell Lincoln's going strong. Maybe they are out there, I don't know.

 

[packratt]

I'm leaning a little more towards the Miller, the specs are slightly better. Have no major brand love except want one of the 2 major brands. Never had a complaint about my old Century until the output dropped severely.

It's going to be used in my farm shop and possibly will snag it for repairs at work.

 

[101stinfantry]

We've always used Millers, even for our mobile units. I haven't heard anything bad about the Lincoln mobile units though.

 

[packratt]

Need to get the real shop built so I can set up my Dialarc

 

[packratt]

Is anyone making one of the large lense autodarkening helmets with a replaceable battery? The power cells in the cheap helmets die too quickly

 

[Black max]

Is anyone making one of the large lense autodarkening helmets with a replaceable battery? The power cells in the cheap helmets die too quickly

Jackson nex gen. I've used them all and it's the best hands down.

 

[Wingnut00]

If you want to stick weld pipe in the field, go Lincoln. If you want to do anything else, go miller.

This right here.

 

[bab029]

Need to get the real shop built so I can set up my Dialarc

We had a 3 phase dialarc at the school farm that was a total sweetheart. Great machines.

 

[EGwhisper]

I prefer lincoln wire feeding machines in my shop, miller tig. What are you trying to do? Neither will tig aluminum. Look at the ESAB fabricator, used to be tweco, owned by Thermal Dynamics.

 

[packratt]

Never had to do any aluminum

 

[demolitionman]

Go blue or red, just get the one that is backed by your local dealer so you can get service and parts support.Welders always work fine until your in a SHTF situation and you need a drive roller, roller tensioner, liner, gun, tips nozzles etc board etc etc.

 

[bogeybrown]

What a great and timely thread. I just started welding school and am already looking ahead to a diesel powered machine. My only experience has been with Millers so I was leaning that way, but a buddy of mine said that the new Miller machines aren't nearly what the old ones were.

Any of y'all have a similar experience with the new Millers? Specifically he said that they'd replaced some of the heavy copper components with cheaper materials and if you had to crank it to max output the machine would never be the same.

 

[EGwhisper]

What a great and timely thread. I just started welding school and am already looking ahead to a diesel powered machine. My only experience has been with Millers so I was leaning that way, but a buddy of mine said that the new Miller machines aren't nearly what the old ones were.

Any of y'all have a similar experience with the new Millers? Specifically he said that they'd replaced some of the heavy copper components with cheaper materials and if you had to crank it to max output the machine would never be the same.

I don't know if it's still the case but 4-5 years ago when I purchased my last welder both were "assembled in USA with global materials", but Lincoln was supposed to have more of the important parts made in the USA than Miller.

 

[demolitionman]

The only POS welder I’ve ever used from Lincoln was a Power MiG 216. Pure junk.

 

[Black max]

What a great and timely thread. I just started welding school and am already looking ahead to a diesel powered machine. My only experience has been with Millers so I was leaning that way, but a buddy of mine said that the new Miller machines aren't nearly what the old ones were.

Any of y'all have a similar experience with the new Millers? Specifically he said that they'd replaced some of the heavy copper components with cheaper materials and if you had to crank it to max output the machine would never be the same.

Been a union Boilermaker for going on 15 years. I've used everthing and the ONLY field power supply to own is a Lincoln. I personally have a 1948 sae aka pipeliner and a new 305 Ranger, nothing compares to them. If you want a tig machine for your shop there isn't anything better than a Miller Dynasty. Lincoln for the generator welders and Miller if your plugging it in.

 

[oneshot86]

dudes there is a big blue 40 around that needs a injecter pump rebuilt, selling for 1200.00

 

[packratt]

I went with the miller Multimatic 215

 

[SubOptimal]

I'm with the majority here, if there really is one..
Red in the field and blue in the shop. I had always just used buzz boxes for most of my shop work. I had a pro come buy one day to do a welded repair on a boiler. I was drawn to the lovely crisp sizzle his machine made and got out my helmet to watch him work. When the job was done, I asked him if I could run a couple of tokens using his machine. I got my eyes opened that day, quality of welds produced far exceeds my previous efforts, it was damn near automatic.
My skills have since improved as I'm 50 years older now but I have never gone back to cheap ass welders.