Which Import Mig welder do you have?

[wierdscience]

My old Lincoln 175 died and can't be revived, so I am Mig welder shopping. It looks like everything in the 180-210 amp 220vac range is import. Don't get me started on Linc/Miller service, it doesn't really exist at this price point. Also there are no used machines in my area, period, full stop.

I cannot complain about the 175, it was one of the cheaper machines when I got it 15 years ago and it's been rode hard and put up wet most of its life.

What I want-
Must be 220v 1~ input.
Must be shield gas capable out of the box.
Just a straight Mig welder, no multi-process machines allowed.
Knob and Dials preferred, digital this or that not so much.
Homeshop machine, but needs to be capable of single pass welds in 1/4" mild steel with at least a 20-25% duty cycle.
Portability,this will run solid wire and C25 in the shop and flux core outdoors.


What I have found so far-
Millermatic 211 All China components , assembled/boxed in the US. $1300 3yr warranty.
Everlast Power i-Mig 200 E China with some Taiwanese/Korean components $590 5yr warranty.
Lincoln 180C Mexico with I am assuming Chinese components $750 3yr warranty.
Vulcan(Harbor Freight) China $700 1yr warranty.
Hobart 190 Assembled in US $700 2yr warranty.
Hobart 210 MVP $950 Assembled in US 2yr warranty.

Anybody that owns any of the above I would like to hear your experiences. I am also open to suggestions in the $700-1300 range, possibly more if there is a quality jump.
Don't need any process advice, I've been welding almost daily for a few decades

[Doozer]

One thing on a MIG that is important to me,
is to be able to weld sheet metal thickness
as well as 1/4 to 3/8" thickness equally well.
I have seen some videos, and high frequency
pulse MIG seems to be really nice to accomplish
this.
I have a Linde 200 amp MIG and it rocks for 3/16
to 1/2" thickness, but even with .032" wire, it
sucks at sheet metal thickness.

-Doozer

[Ed ke6bnl]

I like my miller 211 for home use and it is a little older model. I talked to a guy that used his in production environment and had all kinds of issues. Mine I got used and has been perfect and easy to use. with great results

[no704]

I’ve got one branded Clark. Got it off jc Whitney years back. 220v has 5 voltage settings + hi/lo. Variable feed. Can run gas, valve in gun Been a great little welder for the $400 I paid.

[wierdscience]

One thing on a MIG that is important to me,
is to be able to weld sheet metal thickness
as well as 1/4 to 3/8" thickness equally well.
I have seen some videos, and high frequency
pulse MIG seems to be really nice to accomplish
this.
I have a Linde 200 amp MIG and it rocks for 3/16
to 1/2" thickness, but even with .032" wire, it
sucks at sheet metal thickness.

-Doozer

The 175 was useable down to 18 gauge with .023 with 1/4" or less stick out. I could go thinner with Silicon or Aluminum Bronze filler. I guess the new pulse migs would be better,but I can't justify the added expense/complexity. Welding machines are getting like pickup trucks, too many features.

[wierdscience]

I like my miller 211 for home use and it is a little older model. I talked to a guy that used his in production environment and had all kinds of issues. Mine I got used and has been perfect and easy to use. with great results

Which Miller 211 is it? The current small frame portable one, or the older 250lb wheeled machine? Miller seems to have changed their model numbers around again. A millermatic 211 today isn't at all the same machine as one from a few years ago.

[Ed ke6bnl]

Which Miller 211 is it? The current small frame portable one, or the older 250lb wheeled machine? Miller seems to have changed their model numbers around again. A millermatic 211 today isn't at all the same machine as one from a few years ago.

My 211 is light weight 1 model ago. Has auto set witch works well for me.

[Tungsten dipper]

A Lincoln 210 MP Great MIG welder.
I would rather TIG than MIG.

[junkaddict]

A Miller. Pretty sure everything inside of it is made in China.

[DennisCA]

A Kemppi, from your POV it would be an import.

[wierdscience]

A Kemppi, from your POV it would be an import.

Ya, kinda like a Maybach

[wierdscience]

A Miller. Pretty sure everything inside of it is made in China.

Yup,and I generally like the Miller stuff I have at work, though none of it is newer than 2005. Biggest reason I am hesitant to buy Miller this time, is their service centers local to me have two standard answers-

#1 "The board is shot, it would be cheaper to buy a new welder"
#2 "4-6 weeks"

[wierdscience]

A Lincoln 210 MP Great MIG welder.
I would rather TIG than MIG.

How many hours do you have on it so far? I already have a Tig machine and a stick welder for backup, so don't need the redundancy, but the price is close to the Miller so not out of the question.

[MTNGUN]

I picked up a Maxus (rebranded Campbell Hausfield) Pro-140 about 10 years ago. Have been using it quite a bit with 0.023" wire to do auto body repair, but have occasionally run 0.030" and 0.035" flux core. Nothing bad to say about it so far. It's 110V, but that's not an issue for sheet metal, and it's convenient to be able to roll it around and plug it into any outlet in the shop.

But that model is no longer on the market, and Wierdscience wants a 220V -- I'd look at Primeweld, just because their customer service is generally rated best of the imports. The Primeweld Mig180 is $479, and for that price you get a spool gun and a 3 year warranty. They sell out about as fast as Primeweld receives them so you may have to wait a bit.

[QSIMDO]

How many hours do you have on it so far? I already have a Tig machine and a stick welder for backup, so don't need the redundancy, but the price is close to the Miller so not out of the question.

I have the Lincoln and, since it doesn't come set up to use TIG, I don't even consider that aspect of the machine.
Nice to have the stick capability but as a MIG it's been fantastic.
Miller and AHP for TIG but I've gone back to OA for many things due to essential tremor in my hands.
With gas the tremor is a plus!