passed on the mm250? mm210 or pm215?

[gray]

The dealer came with the MM250 , high low range, dual spool gun ready, 15ft wip and I passed on it? After reading many comments on the MM250, MM250+ I got nevous about it. Did I screw up?

Now looking close at the mm210 or pm215. For all around use which will be a better value and longer lived? Input is helpful for sure.

Maybe Brand X can settle my mind about the pass on the mm250? I could still get it.

Thanks.

[Planet X]

The dealer came with the MM250 , high low range, dual spool gun ready, 15ft wip and I passed on it? After reading many comments on the MM250, MM250+ I got nevous about it. Did I screw up?

Now looking close at the mm210 or pm215. For all around use which will be a better value and longer lived? Input is helpful for sure.

Maybe Brand X can settle my mind about the pass on the mm250? I could still get it.

Thanks.

Deals on used welders- come & go usually the best ones are when you have no $$, That deal you passed on was no deal, the dude wanted too much $$.

I looked at the MM210 the other day- not a bad looking little machine
You are going to hear some talk about the MM210's aluminum hook-up advantage- when you do ask them to post pictures of their Aluminum welds or aluminum projects done with their MM210....
You may hear that the MM210 has a 'better drive setup'... oh really,ask them how close the wirespeed setting (0-100), is to what actually comes out've the machine. Since the MM210 does not calibrate inches per minute on the face/control . Just have them turn it to the middle position should get somewhere around 350 inches of electrode in a minute and max the knob out this should get them 700 inches of wire in one minute, Plus or minus 10% is what you should demand.
Things you can do in the store are to pull the drives rolls on and off of each machine/load a spool, you wont do this often, but it will give you some idea about ease of use for each drive system.

Do some surfing at this site and over on Ask Andy, this should make it clear that owning the MM210 would give you access to many, many owners should any 'operation' /problem/success, type questions come up... very big bonus if you dont know how to mig weld. As long as the advice is sound

Both machines come with a 3 year warranty and if you do not get your $$'s worth outve them in that time-perhaps you should have spent the $$ on something else

I am not objective in this matter however, but if I were, the Miller would not be a bad choice

[Rocky D]

The MM251 gives you a whole host of adjustment parameters with digital technology, than does the 210, plus 300 amps of output power. The best single phase machine available.

[Dan]

The MM251 gives you a whole host of adjustment parameters with digital technology, than does the 210, plus 300 amps of output power. The best single phase machine available.

Rocky,

The MM 251 is definitely an excellent unit, and I definitely like mine. However, I think the MM 350 and the PM 300 are probably superior units to it. So lets say it's one of the best 1Ph unit for under $2000.

[Planet X]

This is not a MM210, but sometimes digital displays/controls can lead to disillusionment. I suppose it would depend on ones personality, but to find out one of the two primary mig controls is not calibrated with what is displayed might not be pleasing.WFS meter off

So in this case the owner may find themselves doing what welders have done for years- writing hash marks by their control knobs just to get back to a good starting point. Which they may have found through trial & error

Welds will still be made, just not repeated as easy

[Dan]

The dealer came with the MM250 , high low range, dual spool gun ready, 15ft wip and I passed on it? After reading many comments on the MM250, MM250+ I got nevous about it. Did I screw up?

Now looking close at the mm210 or pm215. For all around use which will be a better value and longer lived? Input is helpful for sure.

Maybe Brand X can settle my mind about the pass on the mm250? I could still get it.

Thanks.

Gray,

From experience, I know that the older MM 250 isn t that good of a unit performance wise. However, if i remember right you were being offered a MM 250X. I personally have never ran one of these units. I ve never heard anything negative about them. However, I definitely have concerns over the unit since the MM 251 is in existence now. The MM 251 by the way is an excellent unit. As far as this MM 250X goes, if your really interested in it give the unit a test drive to see if you like it. One thing you need to realize though is that you get no warranty with the MM 250X. So if anything goes wrong with the unit with in the next 3-5 years you pay for the repair. Admittedly, most of these units are pretty solid, and are capable of running 10 - 20 years without any problems.

[MigManiac]

DAN I did a visual compairison on the wire drives for the MM210 and the PM215 and i must say that i would have to agree with you. They both look like they have a **** of a set up. So i must retract my statement on The MM210 having a better wire drive. Equal if not better,

[gray]

The unit offered as used is a 1991 vinatge. It must have been upgraded to have dual spool gun? He said he would warrant it for a year and that it caim form a school.

It looked OK, not beat up. I just got so nervous about it functioning well over the long run with all the info that has been posted here. No one liked the mm250, some liked the mm250x, and most like the mm251. Many reasons but all are funtion based.

He said the Lincoln pm215 is a better built unit and if I would like one he would recommend the pm215 over the mm210. He also sells Miller. In a side note, he likes the Miller rep better but feels the Lincoln is a better machine ever sence Miller was sold to ITW. He said , they are more interested in stock holder profits then quality production? Just his take on it.

I still have a big decission to make. I really do not want to go to 1600 for the base welder. I am getting an auto helmet, gas bottle, wire-wire-wire, and other items with the unit. Buy the time I am ready to weld it will be over 2200 with a mm251 ro pm255 and about 1650 with a mm210 or a pm215. I am not a full time welder. Just have a big desire to weld and fabricate. I hope to retire this spring and also wish to build an aluminum boat in the next 2 years.

All input is helpful and thanks to those who took time to give me their comments.

[cope]

I have never used the Lincoln 215, so I cannot comment objectively. I have the MM210 and really liek it, but you would be OK with either. I think the support from Miller is better, but that varies from dealer/territory. I don't agree with your dealer's comment about stock holder VS quality at all.

[Planet X]

Gray, how about waiting on the auto-dark helmet & bottle purchase. Rent a bottle for awhile & get a non-auto helmet . The $$ saved here could help fund the PM255. The larger machine will give access to more of migs unique weld transfer functions that come with more power.. These you will end up learning about sooner or later.

If you want to throw another wrench in the works , there is the yellow esab migmaster 250 plus, that has some interesting features and some speak highly of it. Though, as far as I know somewhat more expensive than the MM251 or PM 255.

FWIW, Objective I'm not. I have owned a PM255 since the end of 1999 and recently bought a Red Tig machine. I do own some Miller/Hobart machines, but not the ones usually talked about on this forum. But they were 'deals' I could not pass up. For example if a 'deal' came on a Miller Shopmaster (not made anymore,) who knows

This is a great helmet for the price I have the K702,
Good cheap helmet

[gray]

Planet X

Thanks for the info.

I decided not to get the mm250. Just too many issues.
I am looking at the pm215 or even as you say the pm255.
The mm210 is not off my list but may not be a contender do to the cost of the gun.

I have 2 helmets now and a Thunderbolt 225 AC/DC, a Victor oxc/Lp tourch and other stuff. I am not that worried about the cost as much as not going way over my needs and passing up some other tool that would make my hobbies and goals much easier. I already am going way beyond my original $ amount I thought to spend. As it is now, as long as I get a good value unit that has the abilities I may need, I will manage to be OK with it.

I had noticed on some web sales sites that a PM255 is around 1525$ and a MM210 is about 1250$ and the PM215 is 1125$ so I could find myself flipping a coin. I do like good tools as most do. Almost always , paying for a good tool rather than a get by tool is a good value down the road. The issue here is , they are all good tools, so which one is better for my needs? One other thought, the PM215 has an aluminum drive option that only costs about 105$ so all together it seams to be the best bang for the buck? Unless the drive system in no good?

[Planet X]

Planet X

Thanks for the info.

I decided not to get the mm250. Just too many issues.
I am looking at the pm215 or even as you say the pm255.
The mm210 is not off my list but may not be a contender do to the cost of the gun.

I have 2 helmets now and a Thunderbolt 225 AC/DC, a Victor oxc/Lp tourch and other stuff. I am not that worried about the cost as much as not going way over my needs and passing up some other tool that would make my hobbies and goals much easier. I already am going way beyond my original $ amount I thought to spend. As it is now, as long as I get a good value unit that has the abilities I may need, I will manage to be OK with it.

I had noticed on some web sales sites that a PM255 is around 1525$ and a MM210 is about 1250$ and the PM215 is 1125$ so I could find myself flipping a coin. I do like good tools as most do. Almost always , paying for a good tool rather than a get by tool is a good value down the road. The issue here is , they are all good tools, so which one is better for my needs? One other thought, the PM215 has an aluminum drive option that only costs about 105$ so all together it seams to be the best bang for the buck? Unless the drive system in no good?

What I was getting at is the drive system of the PM line is one of their outstanding features, my PM's older, but is within +- 5% of its indicator/control. Also unless mistaken the PM215 has the same drive system as the high $$ PM300, newer PM255's may have as well, but
dont know for sure.

The $105 Aluminum option is just some special drive rolls and plastic liner, this will work fine as long as your gun is short and you use the larger wire sizes., chances are Miller has a similiar low buck option- you are seeing the $$ of their spool gun- different beast- the Lincoln's spool gun options will price out close to Millers. Again a wash.

You better check closely into the welding requirments of Aluminum if it is that big a reason for welder choice. The Welding machine is not going anywhere until you show up and plop down some cash or plastic

[Dan]

The biggest advantage to me that the MM 210 has over the PM 215 is output power. The MM 210 is capable of outputting a higher voltage to amperage ratio at its top end then the PM 215. From info supplied to me by Lincoln,at 210 amps, the 7th tap (tap G) on the PM 215 will output a load voltage in the area of 22.8 V. Where as, based on several tests that i ve ran on my MM 210, at 210 amps, tap #7 on the MM 210 is able to output a load voltage around 24.5 + V. Why is this an important capability to me? Most here probably already know the answer from all my past preaching on the MM 210. Anyway, with the proper gas mix, this higher load voltage allows me to enter into the lower regions of spray transfer with the MM 210. Meaning you can spray arc 3/16" or 1/4" mild steel or stainless steel for that matter with the MM 210 in a single pass on a fillet. So performance wise, the MM 210 gives you more available options to choose from. Lincoln could have easily had the PM 215 output this same voltage level, however Lincoln chose to start tapping the PM 215 at a lower voltage then the MM 210. Which I don t understand the reasoning for, because the MM 210 has an excellent arc for 22 ga. sheet metal on tap #1. The way the output on these two units is set up , you could actually put the MM 210 in a class slightly above the PM 215.

[cope]

Planet X

Thanks for the info.

I decided not to get the mm250. Just too many issues.
I am looking at the pm215 or even as you say the pm255.
The mm210 is not off my list but may not be a contender do to the cost of the gun.

I have 2 helmets now and a Thunderbolt 225 AC/DC, a Victor oxc/Lp tourch and other stuff. I am not that worried about the cost as much as not going way over my needs and passing up some other tool that would make my hobbies and goals much easier. I already am going way beyond my original $ amount I thought to spend. As it is now, as long as I get a good value unit that has the abilities I may need, I will manage to be OK with it.

I had noticed on some web sales sites that a PM255 is around 1525$ and a MM210 is about 1250$ and the PM215 is 1125$ so I could find myself flipping a coin. I do like good tools as most do. Almost always , paying for a good tool rather than a get by tool is a good value down the road. The issue here is , they are all good tools, so which one is better for my needs? One other thought, the PM215 has an aluminum drive option that only costs about 105$ so all together it seams to be the best bang for the buck? Unless the drive system in no good?

You should be able to buy the 210 for less than $1200 through IOC.

[Dan]

Deals on used welders- come & go usually the best ones are when you have no $$, That deal you passed on was no deal, the dude wanted too much $$.

I looked at the MM210 the other day- not a bad looking little machine
You are going to hear some talk about the MM210's aluminum hook-up advantage- when you do ask them to post pictures of their Aluminum welds or aluminum projects done with their MM210....
You may hear that the MM210 has a 'better drive setup'... oh really,ask them how close the wirespeed setting (0-100), is to what actually comes out've the machine. Since the MM210 does not calibrate inches per minute on the face/control . Just have them turn it to the middle position should get somewhere around 350 inches of electrode in a minute and max the knob out this should get them 700 inches of wire in one minute, Plus or minus 10% is what you should demand.
Things you can do in the store are to pull the drives rolls on and off of each machine/load a spool, you wont do this often, but it will give you some idea about ease of use for each drive system.

Do some surfing at this site and over on Ask Andy, this should make it clear that owning the MM210 would give you access to many, many owners should any 'operation' /problem/success, type questions come up... very big bonus if you dont know how to mig weld. As long as the advice is sound

Both machines come with a 3 year warranty and if you do not get your $$'s worth outve them in that time-perhaps you should have spent the $$ on something else

I am not objective in this matter however, but if I were, the Miller would not be a bad choice

The percentages on the wire speed dial on the MM 210 aren t based on 700 IPM. They're based on the 35-700 IPM range that the pot covers. So this would translate into a 665 IPM range. I ve taken several IPM measurements in the past on my unit. Anyway, on my unit the pot percentages are just about dead solid.