In the market for a welder

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Greetings to all!

I'm in the market to buy a new welder ... I want to get rid of the ole arc welder and buy a mig welder ... I'm looking at Miller, Lincoln and Hobart.

With all the wealth of knowledge out there... any suggestions in which route I should take? Looking to spend between 1. 5 and 2K.

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'95 2500 Stretch 4X4, Auto, 3. 54, 265/75/16, white. TST #5 250/635 plate, 215/230 injectors, Pschotty Air, Cummins chrome, BD Valve Body, Pro-torque LS convertor, BD pressure-loc, mystery switch, JRE 4" turbo to tailpipe w/ monster tip, BD exhaust brake, ISSPRO boost and pyro, Grover air horns, Pioneer CD system, Galaxy 99 CB w/ 400 linear, nerf bars, Rancho 9000's, 8K tag-a-long RV ... Life is Good!

 

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We have a Miller 250 and love all of it. It has made us very happy. The gun was not right with it when we got it and we spoke to a Miller Rep and they sent a better one for no cost! I know Hobart and Lincoln would not do that... It has very good adjustability and can be tuned to what ever you want. I LOVE IT.

 

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I have a Miller 225 (predecesor to the 250) and am very pleased. I highly recommend it - and not because it is made a few miles from were I live!

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'94 3500 4x4, 196,000 miles, Auto w/shift kit,3. 54 Gears, TST #5 plate, 235-85-16s, Rancho 9000s w/remote, Isspro gauges inplace of cupholder & Amsoil Bumper to Bumper. NRA member.

 

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I also have a miller 250 with a spool gun. Had it for around 1 1/2 years and use it at least once a week and had'nt had any trouble with it. The spool gun is kinda hard ( for me ) to use,i just don't use it often enough. If i had to do over again i would not have got it. I do like the mig part.
Cam

 

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I have a Snap-on Mig Welder. It works ok. My friends all have Miller Mig Welders. I have used them and if I was in the market for a new one I would buy nothing else but a Miller model. Just my quarter's worth.


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2000 3500 5spd, 4:10 posi, std cab, 4x2, Bright White, Agate, all options except leather and sport package. Dawson 24ft hauling a 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger drag car; 360cid auto; runs 10:00 in 1/4 mile. I wish my truck ran this quick!

[This message has been edited by mopars1 (edited 08-30-2000). ]

 

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I have a Lincoln SP170T. It's 240v. primary and it's the hottest home shop model I've used. It will do 1/4"(20% duty cycle on high). I prefer it over the big machines if not welding huge stuff. I paid $1050 for the complete package. I don't think you can get a 250 amp(complete package) for 2k anymore. Craig

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97 3/4Ton, 2WD, 5SP, #11 Plate, 14 Housing, AF942M Air filter, Gutted Cat, 4"From Turbo, Airlift, Shortened Frame, Custom Bed, HEY FORDBOY POWERSTROKE THIS!

 

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Hiya Rammin On, Depends on what your welding. I've been welding for 30 years and I personally like the Miller. I've welded from 18 ga. to 1/2 inch (multiple passes) with a 1974 Millermatic 175. I've been looking at the new 180s or 185, I forget the number offhand. It has spoolgun capabilities for aluminum and a 60% duty cycle. I priced one in Shawnee, Okla. for 985 bucks about 3 months ago.

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99,2500,QC,6speed,3. 54 LSD,long bed,Line-X
A-Pillar Isspro Boost and Pyro Gauges, VA box,Grover air horns

 

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Thanks for the tips! I think I've settled on the Millermatic 185 ... now to find a good price on one ... Thanks again to all who replied! #ad

 

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Rammin,keep your eye on graingerauction.com ,they have them every once in a while. They are also a good source for hand and power tools at very good prices. I won a Milwalkee 18v cordless 1/2 in
ch drill there a few weeks ago-$62.
Bill

 

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Rammin, good choice on the Miller welder. I bought a 250X a year or two ago and it was around $1600. I THINK a 185 was only a few hundred difference at that time. I personally would spend a couple hundred to for the infinte adjustability, new digital readouts, greater duty cycle, and easy spool gun hookup. The best thing, in my opinion about the bigger welder is the longer duty cycle. Even though you may not need 250 amps you can run 150 amps almost continuously vs. 150 @ 60%.

If you find a good deal on a new Hobart of the same size then get it because they roll off the same line now.

Brian

[This message has been edited by bholcomb (edited 08-30-2000). ]

 

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I have a Miller 250 and love it. If you are going to spend the money anyway get one bigger than what you need. I just got mine but I have ran one for a few years. I also looked at the Lincoln, it has the best wire feed system. There are some guys who even run aluminum wire through them without a spoolgun. The ESAB machine is a good one also. I think my Miller was around 1,600 with tank and all.

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99, 4x4, slt, 3500,5spd,
3. 54 gears, black,hoswel bale bed, blue box, Pac-
Brake, 5in. sraightpipe, K&N, silencer ring removed, 5 star aluminum wheels,brushguard, Westin nerf bars, blackouts, eclipse stereo, matrix headlight bulbs, blue neon fog lights, KC Daylighter, Dodge splash guards, Lund Cold Fronts

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