Guys - My small Mig welder finally went up in flames last week, literally! Had to scramble for a phillips to get the side panel off and get the flames out! Selector switch melted down, can't complain, between me, my dad and my uncle, must be a dozen cars worth of welding done with it. Need a single phase 220v unit, hoping to step up to something that will do aluminum (already have the tanks for both steel and aluminum). Looking around and came across one by Eastwood, it's a 175 and comes with a spool gun for aluminum. Anyone have any experience with this unit or any usefull advise in general? Collecting funds at the moment.... Thanks Rick Janesville, WI
Can't do better than getting the best...Miller. A used Miller is worth more than almost any of the new units by lesser manufacturers. Just my opinion....shared by many.
I have a miller 211AS and could not be happier....I cut my mig teeth on a Milermatic 200...and I am not dissapointed in the 211...spool gun for it is around 200 bucks on line...Shawn
I say go to the local welding supply store and talk to them. I have a Lincoln SP 170 which seems to work real well.
bought a new 212 miller for home. couldnt be any better for me. i believe millers units are under rated. have not used it on aluminum. but ive heard its works great.cant go wrong for the money. my 2cents.
Bought my first mig welder in March, taking advice from folks on the H.A.M.B. It's a Hobart Handler 190, made by Miller, and just what I needed for my budget and lack of skill. Sounds like you have the skill level far above me, so going with that Miller and the spool gun should solve your aluminum welding needs.
I have a Miller 211. Great machine backed by a great company. Spend the extra dough for a reputable machine.
Has anyone tried the Miller Multimatic 200 or the Thermal Arc Fabricator 181i (half the price of the miller)? Good set up of accessories including spool guns for each (I still prefer a square wave or high freq for Alum but for the occasional jobs I guess a spool gun works). Let us know, Rhys.
Miller Time!! We have a 210 and 212 and they are great. The 210 has laid down a zillion welds for years and is still fantastic. Don
We used Millers for years where I worked. So when it was time for a home welder I got the Miller 211. Couldn't be happier, works as well as the big machines and haven't had any problems with it. -Pat
We have a Miller 211 at the shop, we don't do a lot of mig welding so I opted for a small econo machine when my big 30+ year old Airco finally gave it up. Have to admit I'm preety impressed with it. Having a duel 110/220 feature is nice since it's small enough to be portable but it doesn't like heavy stuff on 110, 1/8 is marginal, nothing thicker. On 220 it will burn as well as my old Airco 10 times it size! It would be a killer welder for a home shop (with 220 availible) IMHO.
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