Miller 212 vs 252
Bob La Londe
core welders. In addition my son plans to take welding when he starts
high school this fall. The second puts a little more impetuous behind
my drive to get a better welder. I've been seriously planning on a
new welding machine since Christmas, but Santa brought the kids go-
carts instead of bringing me a welder. My wife offered to put one on
one of her credit cards for my birthday and then for father's day, but
I really didn't want to put a couple grand on credit for something
that isn't business critical.
Now I'm really down to deciding if the Miller 252 is worth the extra
grand over the 212. We won't be welding every day, but we have
tackled some pretty involved projects a time or two. The last one was
converting an old boat trailer into a flatbed trailer to haul my
electric scissor lift. (Ok, that was kinda business critical, but I
got it done with what I had) The next project I want to play with is
learning to weld aluminum and repairing an old junk boat I bought just
to practice on... (The weight in aluminum is worth more than I paid,
and the trailer under it is decent.)
Actually, I plan to just buy a bunch of scrap aluminum to learn on
before tackling the boat repairs.
So, what does the 252 have or do that the 212 doesn't have. I seem to
recall that I was sold on the 212 last time I looked, but I don't
remember why.
I can get either one with dual regulators, dual tank rack, regular
gun, and spool gun in a package for $2100 or $3100 respectively.
(aproximately) I don't really have the extra grand to throw at the
252, but if it would really be worth it I could scrape it together
somehow.
I already have one flow regulator, and an Argon CO2 bottle (I used it
some with my china store welder) in the shop and Grampa (my dad)
brought over a full straight Argon bottle today for us when we are
ready to tackle aluminum stuff that he had left over from when he was
a dealer. (Along with a full acetylene bottle and a big empty O2
bottle. All I have given him recently was a nice metal door left over
from when I put up my shop. Dang. I bet he wants to borrow my
scissor lift to put up the overhead doors on his new shop. LOL)
212 easy and have cash left over for supplies and a nice dinner on the
town for the whole family or 252 and have to wait a while to buy
supplies and practice stock?
Is it worth a grand difference for a hobby project welder and his kid?
P.S. I plan to keep the cheapo welder for those small portable jobs.
Besides it works a lot better now that I added a cooling fan. Maybe
also for the kid to learn some basics on with thin hot rolled steel.
Bob La Londe
http://www.YumaBassMan.com
Bob La Londe
wondering why I hadn't gotten any opinions to mull over, then I realized
that I posted this via Google Groups, and some news servers are no filtering
posts from Google.
Anyway, ultimately I have to make my own choice as to whether or not its
worth it, but I have learned a lot from your opinions in the past.
"Bob La Londe" <alarm_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:72bc9ea4-7415-440c...@56g2000hsm.googlegroups.com...
emmo
getting better answers.
Be more helpful. What are the differences in these two machines?
Be more complete. Include some links to the two machines.
Be more concise. I read about three hundred messages a day, and your's was
too long.
This is a great group, and I am happy that we are both here.
emmo
"Bob La Londe" <nos...@nospam.no> wrote in message
news:g5829v$ma5$1...@registered.motzarella.org...
BobH
> There are so many experienced welders in this group that I was really
> wondering why I hadn't gotten any opinions to mull over, then I realized
> that I posted this via Google Groups, and some news servers are no
> filtering posts from Google.
>
> Anyway, ultimately I have to make my own choice as to whether or not its
> worth it, but I have learned a lot from your opinions in the past.
>
Bob,
I saw your post. I bought the 252 for the extra capacity. Most of what I
do is lighter stuff that the 212 could do fine, but I wanted the larger
machine for the occassional big job. I can't comment on the differences
beyond the current capacity and duty cycle because I did not really look
at the 212.
The little bit that I have used the 252 has impressed me.
We ain't ignoring you, most people in this group don't say anything if
we don't have a good answer.
Good Luck,
BobH
Bob La Londe
news:3oNdk.13912$xZ.1...@nlpi070.nbdc.sbc.com...
> Please accept these comments as intended, not as criticism, but as a help
> to getting better answers.
>
> Be more helpful. What are the differences in these two machines?
I thought that was what I asked.
> Be more complete. Include some links to the two machines.
www.ebay.com com for one. LOL.
> Be more concise. I read about three hundred messages a day, and your's
> was too long.
Ok, I talk to much. Got it.
Actually I read the differences in the two machines spec sheets. Was just
hoping somebody here might have pushed one or both of them to their limits
and have some first hand experience.
Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com
Grant Erwin
Bob, the 250 series machines are serious production machines. They also mate
with the Spoolmatic 30A, Miller's excellent spoolgun if you need one for
aluminum. The smaller machines may not work with the 30A and they will for
sure not have the amperage capability. You can use a 250 series machine
for spray mode MIG but you will need a much heavier gun than the one it
comes with. I have a Millermatic 250 (note, not a 250X) and I have made
a living with it for several years now. Day in day out, weld, weld. The
251 or 252 are just as robust.
I can't really comment on the smaller machine.
Grant
Todd Rich
(snip)
> Bob, the 250 series machines are serious production machines. They also mate
> with the Spoolmatic 30A, Miller's excellent spoolgun if you need one for
> aluminum. The smaller machines may not work with the 30A and they will for
> sure not have the amperage capability. You can use a 250 series machine
> for spray mode MIG but you will need a much heavier gun than the one it
> comes with. I have a Millermatic 250 (note, not a 250X) and I have made
> a living with it for several years now. Day in day out, weld, weld. The
> 251 or 252 are just as robust.
> I can't really comment on the smaller machine.
> Grant
I belive that Gunner was able to use the 30A on his 210 machine. But yes,
it will have less amperage and a shorter duty cycle.
Todd
Bob La Londe
news:g58pi2$3kh$1...@reader1.panix.com...
Both package kits come with the same gun it looks like. I think I'll wait a
couple days an mull it over. I know that when I get in the groove and the
metal is flowing good there is nothing I hate more than sitting there and
waiting for my machine to cool down so I can get back to work.
Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com
Bob La Londe
"Bob La Londe" <nos...@nospam.no> wrote in message
news:g58tt8$7n4$1...@registered.motzarella.org...
Todd Rich
> Meant to say same spool gun.
Yeah, I figured that was what you meant. I have a 251 myself, sans spool
gun, so I figured from the prices you were quoting, they were including
the gun.
A couple of things to note. The 252 tops out a 300 amps compared to 210
for the 212. Also the 212 has 7 taps for voltage and the 252 has a
infinite control dial for the voltage. I guess you have to figure out if
those features are worth it to you.
I went with the 251 because it was rated for 1/2" steel as opposed to 3/8"
and I had a large project that needed it.
And I tend to go with the philosphy of going for the best tool you can
reasonably afford. I know you were saying that if you got the 252 you
would have to wait a bit before you could really get into it. However
down the road, you will have passed that time, and if you have the 252,
you will have a machine that should serve you well for quite some time.
Todd
Bob La Londe
I've been kinda mulling that over and am leaning that way. One thing to
mention is that is it says 3/8 in one pass. I'm no great welder, but I have
welded 1/4 with a china box flux core by stitching in and out of the seam.
Its kinda like making multiple passes in one pass. It is slow, and my time
is valuable to me, so that may be a considering factor too. Still I haven't
worked on much that would require a lot of seams in 1/2 inch plate. Still,
speed could be a big factor. Hmmm. Must cogitate.
Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com
Ernie Leimkuhler
The 252 is a great machine if you plan on doing light production
welding.
It is a bit overkill for hobby work.
I think you will be quite happy with the 212.
In article <g5829v$ma5$1...@registered.motzarella.org>, Bob La Londe
Bob La Londe
I'll let you guys know. Like I said I've been using a flux core china store
welder for a while, and making it work so I am hoping that it will be a long
time before I run up against the limitations of this rig. I did order it
with the package that includes both the regular gun and the 3035 spool gun
and two regulators.
I went ahead and ordered some wire at the same time, and I already have gas
bottles in straight argon and argon CO2 mix so I should be ready to go after
I read the manuals. Hopefully I won't need to pick up an Argon Helium
bottle for a long long time. I've got a separate drawer in one on my tool
boxes already for stainless steel brushes too, so unless I get some really
nasty dirty oil soaked metal I should be good.
My only concern is it says aluminum from 14 gage. I hope I can learn to
handle 16 gage with it as that is a pretty common thickness in the real
world.
Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com
"Ernie Leimkuhler" <er...@stagesmith.com> wrote in message
news:120720080013201405%er...@stagesmith.com...
Bob La Londe
I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas. The new welder isn't even shipping
until today, and I'm already anxious to play with.
Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com
Martin H. Eastburn
Got Task / job to do lined up and ready ?
Got time - you had the money - now for the time !
Be ready to go - got gas ? need gas ?
Got wire ? - what if it comes Friday afternoon......dang not till Monday...
Martin
Martin H. Eastburn
@ home at Lions' Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net
TSRA, Endowed; NRA LOH & Patron Member, Golden Eagle, Patriot's Medal.
NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder
IHMSA and NRA Metallic Silhouette maker & member.
http://lufkinced.com/
----== Posted via Pronews.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.pronews.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups
---= - Total Privacy via Encryption =---
Bob La Londe
news:1216095257_12980@isp.n...
> Got gloves ?
Yep, atleast two pairs that I know where they are. One I always lay across
my current welder when I am done so I always know where to find them. Both
of my welding hoods are hanging on the wall next to my big tool box too.
> Got Task / job to do lined up and ready ?
I have some left over aluminum chunks from some old projects that I plan to
practice on, then I need to go out and buy some aluminum sheet and aluminum
plate for my first repair project. Its been sitting on its trailer out back
of the shop for a couple months now. Actually there are a couple steel
projects I've been putting off because I hate using the china box flux
welder to. I imagine both guns will see some use before Monday even if it
does arrive on Friday.
> Got time - you had the money - now for the time !
I never have the time. I have to make time for everything.
> Be ready to go - got gas ? need gas ?
You betcha. Full tanks of both argon and mix gas.
> Got wire ? -
Yep, I have some wire already, but I also ordered a couple different alloys
of wire to play with that should be shipping with the welder.
> what if it comes Friday afternoon......dang not till Monday...
I own the shop. I'll play with it when I like. LOL.
Bob La Londe
news:120720080013201405%er...@stagesmith.com...
> The 252 is a great machine if you plan on doing light production
> welding.
> It is a bit overkill for hobby work.
> I think you will be quite happy with the 212.
I played with aluminum with the 212 all weekend, and I played with some
basic steel scrap this week. I may actually have to play with the steel
welding a lot more before I trust it with a trailer or a camera mount.
It's a lot different using a welder where I am not constantly struggling to
get good flow. Yeah, I think it will be more than enough welder for me for
a long time.