Arc difference between 175 and 251...

[ripshot]

I am getting a MM251 in the near future. I have read on this board about some differences between a tapped machine (mm210) arc and a mm251 arc using C25. What is the difference ? I now use mostly a small lincoln mig. I have used a 210 a few times. My work will involve auto body sheet metal on up to 3/8 steel plate. Thank you for any answers...... Jim

[the hat]

There really is no diference,just weldor preferance.The learning curve is a little easier on the tap machines as there is usaully a chart on the feeder door with the setting to get you close.I prefer the voltage dial as it allows you to fine tune the settings for your job and welding style.

[Dan]

Jim,

The MM 210 and MM 251 both have a smooth stable short circuit transfer arc with c-25. On 1/8" material the MM 251 has a real soft arc where as the MM 210 is a little more focused. Both units are excellent short arc units. I ve put in a few test drives on the MM 251 and plan possibly one more next week sometime. If things go as planned, I should be ordering myself a MM 251 sometime next week or the week after. I m not holding my breath though, because I ve had the money twice to do this and both times the wife's horse got hurt. Heck, I can't believe she's actually letting me try this purchase again, since her horse has needed to see the vet both times before right when I was ready buy the unit. Good news is though that the horse made it through the event that she took it to today with out an injury.

[ripshot]

Thank you for your replies Dan and Mr. Hat.

Dan,
I am glad that your wife and her horses will let you get the 251 finally...... I will order one soon from the local Airgas Co. here in town. They quoted me $1680. I don't mind supporting the locals as they have spent a lot of time answering my questions. Jim

[Brand X]

Dan,
be sure to post some picks of .030 wire on 18/16 gauge with both machines. I would love to know which machine has the advantage. I have a feeling some differences will begin to show up. Just thinking out loud.

[Sberry]

ORDER THE MACHINE NOW!!!!!!!! Before its too late!!

[Dan]

Originally posted by Brand X
Dan,
be sure to post some picks of .030 wire on 18/16 gauge with both machines. I would love to know which machine has the advantage. I have a feeling some differences will begin to show up. Just thinking out loud.

Scott,

I can just see the look on my wife's face now, I spend $1600+ on a MM 251 and us it to weld 16 ga.

[Brand X]

Originally posted by Dan
Scott,

I can just see the look on my wife's face now, I spend $1600+ on a MM 251 and us it to weld 16 ga.

Dan in some ways it will show more than you know. I really think if a welder cost 1,600.00 plus, it better do 16 gauge as well as a 400 dollar welder. Sometimes that does not happen. Most of them can spray fine but fall down on the other end.

[Dan]

Originally posted by Brand X
Dan in some ways it will show more than you know. I really think if a welder cost 1,600.00 plus, it better do 16 gauge as well as a 400 dollar welder. Sometimes that does not happen. Most of them can spray fine but fall down on the other end.

Scott, I really wish the old MM 250 at work followed this pattern. The Darn thing is very good when it comes to short arcing 16 ga. , but it total sucks in spray arc.


You are definitely right, If I m spending $1,600 + it better do good across the entire thickness range that the machine is capable of handling. However, If I get the unit I m definitely not going to make 16 ga. the first thing that i weld with it. My selling point on this unit to my wife is its Spray transfer capability over the MM 210. Here is a statement that she made to me about the MM 251. If we get the MM 251, i better see a new trailer hitch on the back of my truck. So if MM 251 makes it home with me I think it will be seeing some spray transfer right off the top. With the MM 251 I m going to switch my spray gas to at least 90/10. All my Spray transfer testing with the unit has been with 90/10 and the unit has quite a bit of range with it. Can't state the same for the old MM 250 at work though. 98/2 is about the only gas that that unit will probably spray with and have any kind of range.


Anyway, on the bottom 3 taps with an .030 wire, my MM 210 is awesome, so the MM 251 is going to have some tough competion to beat. Actually, now that i ve went back to running Hobart HB-28 wire, the .035 on the bottom 3 taps is back to the level that i remember it being when i first got the unit - see attachment. I actually don't like that real soft arc that the MM 251 door chart setting was producing on 1/8". I like the more focused arc that the MM 210 produces, so I'll definitely play with the settings some on 1/8" to bring the arc around to were i like it

[Brand X]

Dan,
the 210 I welded with a few weeks ago had the same wire, so did the 251. I thought the little I messed with both of them, the 210 just seemed like it was better down low. I didn't get to really check that out very much.

I have a feeling there is no way to really get that real sharp arc with the 251.I think you pretty much are stuck with what they designed into the thing. Maybe it would get a little sharper with CO2? It's that soft.

[ripshot]

That is the arc difference I was asking about. The soft arc as opposed to a more focused arc of the 210. I am using C25 now. How will that affect 18Ga metal or other different thicknesses ?