Whats your opinion these welders?

Frankenchevy · 2025-02-21T15:39:08-0500

I have a Miller Multimatic 215 that I really like for most steel stuff. I have a Hobart 190 setup with a spool gun dedicated for aluminum.

Prime may have some good options as well, but I’ve never used their welders. I have their CUT60 plasma cutter and it’s nice.

Snoots · 2025-02-21T15:52:17-0500

legopnuematic said:
Both of those machines are DC only, so no aluminum Tig unless you were to go old school and use helium as a shielding gas and do true Heliarc on DC.

Stainless Tig is done on DC, as is steel, at a bare minimum you need a dc stick welder (or an a/c welder with rectifier setup) to do scratch start Tig.

Scratch start is “old school,” but still used in the field all the time today, very capable, and simple. The Ford Fairlane I did the coil over install on was all scratch start Tig, besides a couple spots did flux core.
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Done with scratch start Tig with that circa 1978 TriStar welder

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Take a look at primeweld machines if you haven’t. I think for your needs I’d look at a dedicated MIG machine over a multi process. Also to consider a transformer vs inverter machine. The new inverter technology is pretty amazing and clever with what they manage to pull off, but some times you just can’t beat a pure mass of copper that is a transformer machine.

There’s a lot of options these days, and a lot of very competitive and good machines too.

Wow Spencer! Them are some damn purty welds!

legopnuematic · 2025-02-21T15:55:53-0500

If you have a decent local welding supply, might be worth to drop in and see if they have any used machines, or demo models for a good price.

They might have a lead on another place that deals in used machines, or know someone looking to upgrade or sell, etc.

I wouldn’t hesitate much on buying a quality used machine, as long as consumable type parts are available and supported. Stuff like drive rolls, spool parts, liners, nozzles, etc.

Both of my Millers are over 50 years old and both work just fine. The power supply and feeder I posted up thread were used on job sites and have some battle scars on the tin, but functionally fine.

Lots of options these days.

legopnuematic · 2025-02-21T15:57:59-0500

Snoots said:
Wow Spencer! Them are some damn purty welds!

Thank you Roger! Not to worry, there was some ugly ones I did too

I just don’t show them off as closely :Big Laugh:

Catbox · 2025-02-21T18:32:58-0500

We have this one going on 4 years now and it has been great so far.
I know it is not the size you are looking for, this is just for the experience with the brand.

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bucket · 2025-02-21T20:42:53-0500

@Vbb199 I have A LOT of experience with the MIG steel side of the Vulcan 220. It's an awesome machine and I actually like it better than my Hobart 190 and all the Hobart 210's that I've used a bunch. Now, I haven't used it for much sheetmetal, but the little bit I have used it for that, it did just fine. I've mostly used the Vulcan 220 machines for heavier materials like 1/4" and 3/8", but also a lot of stuff around 1/8" and all the way up to 1" thick stuff.

Whats your opinion these welders?

Frankenchevy

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