I am going to be buying a 230V Mig in the next month. I am planning and can easily afford the Miller 175 but could empty my pockets and get the Miller 210. Does anyone have the 175 but wish they had larger. I will be using it for your normal truck modifications from body work to cages. sliders, bumpers, etc. It won't be used daily. Last week I was set on the 210 and know it is a bigger and better machine but now I don't know if I can justify the extra $500.

<small>[ March 26, 2003, 10:17 PM: Message edited by: Kajo4x4toy ]</small>

I was in the same position. I was set on getting the Miller 175. I opted for the miller 210 because I figured I could not outgrow it for garage use. It also has the option of adding a spool gun as a plug and play option. Just plug it in and your welding aluminum with out having to change wire etc. on the machine. I bought it at cyberweld.com for $1113. No tax and free shipping. Pretty good deal. When I got it home, I had to buy the bottle, wire, and build a 15' longer cord, I dropped another $400 or so into it, before I could even use it. Just to give you an idea.
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Thanks Chris. The fab shop in my unit has 2 Miller 210's they are sweet. They weld mostly aluminum. They use the spool gun a little but usually Tig everything. One of the guys was a MIG instructor for the army for 3 years and I am getting free lessons whenever I can sneek away from my office. I am planning on buying a bottle, larger spool of wire and auto darkening helmet at the same time. I will aquire a longer cord from my units Power Branch. Cyberweld.com is the best price I found.

I have the Viking 180 and have yet to find I want a bigger welder. I have it at my shop and use it for trailer fabbing and any RV stuff necessary, but also use it to fab up truck bumpers and sliders etc. I havent come across anything over 1/4" thick yet though so cant comment on real heavy stuff, but with .030 wire I feel comfortable doing just about anything... HTH

I'm a long time stick welder and recently borrowed a Hobart Handler 150 MIG with .030 wire.. haven't done a whole lot with it, but seems to do OK.. I think I would like just a little more juice, maybe the 175..

I did do some test welds on 7/32' steel and cut them apart to examine and they look fine... This was with flux wire, understand using CO2/Argon results in even deeper penetration.. Going to hook the gas up and try that next..

<small>[ February 04, 2003, 10:43 PM: Message edited by: Dandeman ]</small>

The 175 i think will do the job. But definitely the 210 is a better unit. Duty cycle is an important thing to look for if your gonna do some big jobs like fabricating a bumper. The spool gun plug is nice as well. Resale value is better as well.

175 is the lower limit for welding aluminum. I own several welders and took advantage of the 210 factory sale x-mas 2001. Every time I use it I'm glad I spent the extra $. It saves 20 -40 minutes to change processes.

John, I just got the the Hobart 175. I did a lot of research and concluded it would handle everything I would ever need to do, although YMMV. Anything smaller probably would be pushing it. I just couldn't justify the extra $ for anything bigger. Also got it from Cyberweld, $811 for welder/cart/tank/auto helmet/wire/spare parts kit. I just need to get the bottle filled and wire in an outlet.
Broderick

I'm thinking too for the money the Hobart 175 would be a pretty nice unit.. I've been using a Hobart 150 on loan to me and I'm getting hooked on MIG <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> Tractor Supply has them on sale for $649, no tank or cart.

Hmmm, how to explain to the wife I NEED a third welder <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

the craftsman tool catalog has a hobart 175 for $629.00 , which ain't bad for sears. i'm lookin' at a centry 170 for $599.00 that should handle up to 5/16 and use reg. wire or flux core...just a thought look in the craftsman cat.it seems that the have good prices..and a decent warrenty program...plus you can always charge it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />