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Eastern Nebraska | I am planning on buying a wire welder soon, (I have never used one before). So far I have looked at Miller 212 and Miller 252, the salesman does not like the 252, he said it has bad welding characteristics. He likes the 212 but I am concerned it is not big enough, it is only rated to weld 3/8" steel and the 252 is rated to weld 1/2". I have also looked at a Lincoln 216 and priced a Lincoln 255, at the welding store the salesman said the 216 would do 1/2" steel but the Lincoln literature says 5/16" max, so I am concerned it is not big enough. I am kind ot interested in the Lincoln 255 but do not know much about them, it seems everyone around here has Miller. Any thoughts on the best size and brand would be appreciated. |
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La Salle, CO | I wouldn't be afraid of any of those models. I've used them all (except the Lincoln 216) and they can all work well.
Things you'll want to take into consideration if you've never used a wire welder before.
1. They will not work in the wind. The wind will blow the shielding gas away and it won't lay down good welds.
2. The penetration from solid core wire from these models won't equal what a stick welder with 6010 or 6011 will give you. I would be hesitant to weld anything that HAD to be strong with them. If you set it up for gas shielded flux core wire, then you'll get good penetration. The rated welding thickness is the maximum that it can weld in one pass. You can make multiple passes, but I would not, for example, weld 1/2" steel with one of these in one pass.
3. The steel needs to be clean to get good welds. they don't have a lot of capability to burn through rust, paint, grease, etc.
4. Getting the welder set is quite a bit harder than a stick, but the welds are a little easier to do.
I think Miller and Lincoln both have some educational resources available on their websites. It will help a lot to look them over - you'll start making quality welds with a lot less frustration if you take the time to do this.
Oh, and once you learn the ins and outs of using MIG welders, you won't want to use your stick welder again! |
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| Have had a 255 for 10+ yrs. Love it! Miller is good also. Don't think you'll regret the bigger machine, no matter which brand.
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S.C. Wisconsin | Bought a Lincoln mig welder from a fellow from Iowa who is on ag talk. I very seldom use my stick welder now. Some say the mig welds are weaker but it's easier to make a good weld and a good mig bead is still stronger than a poor bead from a stick welder. Sometimes you have to make a couple more passes with mig welder. So far I am very happy with the mig welds. My is an inverter 300 so I have plenty of heat to weld just about anything. By the way I would like to hear from the person who sold that to me as I forgot your handle. |
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SC Montana where General Custer should've stopped | I have a Miller 215 and brother ha 252, we both like mine better. If you dont use his real often it has infinite settings and is to hard to dial in. The 215/ 216 is a welding machine. Get the 25%/75% Argon gas bottle and .030 wire and your set, no queations asked. |
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Eastern Oklahoma | A lot of guys around here use the Miller machines. All we've ever ran was Lincoln dad was a welder for 20 years won't let anything else on the place. |
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| I will say only one phrase, "Spool gun compatible" |
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Rocky Comfort, MO | Man i have had my 255c for a while now and have not one single complaint about it. It is spool gun ready and have the gun. We have the gun loaded for aluminum in the case we have to weld irrigation pipe. I dont think you will go wrong with it. |
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N.E. MO | I sold welding equipment for 13 years and currently run my own welding business. Probably sold 10 to 1 Millers to Lincoln. That being said, all but one of my machines are Lincolns. Think you'd be pleased with either, but I wouldn't even consider the MM 215 or PM 216. Get the biggest machine you have power for and can afford. Whoever didn't like the 252 either got a bad one or doesn't know how to run it. I don't have any machines in that size range, but have welded with a 252 quite a bit and they are leaps and bounds better than the 251 they replaced. Nothing wrong with a 255c either. |
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Wallis, TX | My son has welded with both red and blue welders. We currently have a Miller 350P, but he still says the old 252 was the best ever. He does not like the red wire feeds. He says Lincoln are the best stick machines though. |
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Eastern Nebraska | Miller does not have a model 215, do you mean model 212 ? |
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central mississippi | We have a miller 251 and are happy with it. You will love that mig over your stick welder i guarantee it!! |
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Miller or Lincoln MIG Welder
