Attn: owners of MM210

[ronnielyons]

Hi Gang: Please forgive me if this has been posted somewhere before, I couldn't find it if it has. I have a MM135 now and want to upgrade to something a little bigger, perhaps the MM210. I have two concerns, and need your advice.

#1 is the M25 gun physically too large for working small stuff like 1/2 square tubing and 1/2 wide flat bar, small expanded metal, etc??? The M10 gun on the 135 is exactly the right size for what I do and I understand the 210 has a bigger gun...?

#2 as you can gather by the above question, I do a lot of smaller stuff, mixed in with the occasional piece of .120 wall 2x2 square tubing object. Will the 210 dial down low enough to do thin stuff like .065 wall square, .088 sheet, etc. without a lot of TLC to prevent burn out? Having not worked with a 210 before, all I'm going on is peoples recommendation of the 210 as being a great machine. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Ronnie Lyons
Meridian, Idaho

[Dan]

The M-25 gun that comes with the MM 210 is definitely larger then the M-10. You can however use the M-10 gun off your MM 135 on the MM 210.

The MM 210 does real well on 1/8" and thinner.

I will state though, if your work mostly is on 1/8" and thinner, you might consider upgrading to a HH 187 instead. Why? on 1/8" and thinner, the MM 210 offers you 3 voltage taps, where as the HH 187 offers you 4 tap choices, and a fifth if you really want to fly.

Either way, the MM 210 and the HH 187 are both solid units on 1/8" and thinner.

[BillDaCatt]

The MM210 and HH187 are both sweet machines. Tough choice to be sure!

[Dan]

Originally Posted by BillDaCatt

The MM210 and HH187 are both sweet machines. Tough choice to be sure!

Or, you could just get one of both, like me.

[Bob S2]

I bought a used mm130xp, and used it for several years. It was great! Could do .120 great. Now I have a mm210 and love it 1000 times more. It handles thin stuff just as well, and can also handle thick stuff when needed, with ease. Go with the mm210, it's the most easily adaptable to the widest range of projects. Trust me, you won't regret your purchase.
--Bob

[fun4now]

get the MM210 its a great welder every one loves. if you are concerned about the gun size put a M10 on it or get a binzel alph2 but odds are you will be fine with the M-25.

[ronnielyons]

MM 210 it is and you're right, it's cool! Thanks for the input.
Ronnie

[fun4now]

congrats on the soon to be new toy.

[ronnielyons]

So, I broke down and did it...got the 210 based on the boards recommendation. You guys were right, it seems to be pretty sweet machine so far. I think I'll just mothball my 135 for the occasional "can you bring your welder over and weld this for me" project. I'm learning not to sell the old stuff in order to upgrade. Everytime I've sold something I wished I had it back. Thanks to the board for the collective wisdom shared for the taking.

Ronnie Lyons
Meridian, ID

MM210
MM135
Hypertherm 380
80 gal compressor
Pissed off neighbors

[fun4now]

you might consider putting a nice big role of flux core in the MM135, that way you have a drag it out to the truck and weld this real quick option, or for the come over and do this for me thing. the lil 135 dose a nice job with flux core in it and you wont have to take a tank with you. it becomes a real nice portable solution with a lil flux core.

good idea not selling to upgrade i have done the same in the past and like ya say as soon as its gone you need it. i try my best to make selling a tool my verry last option. the only way to have a great set of tools and well equiped shop is to always add never take away.

[lgjhn]

Ronnie,
I do alot of light stuff (automotive sheetmetal etc.) with my MM210 using an M15 gun. I also use on some light structural stuff similar to what you mentioned and it does just fine (although Dan about has me convinced I need to get me a new Hobart 187... ). Rather than going with the M10 gun, I went with a 15' long M15 gun as it has the built-in strain relief and can carry a few more amps than the M10. The extra length kinda comes in handy working around a chassis or a jig, but I believe you could also buy it in 12' or 10' lengths. At first, I suspected I'd have problems pushing the wire thru 15' of lead, but so far, its worked fine. The M15 uses the same consummables as the M10 and is roughly the same physical size...just a little nicer setup with some extra amperage in case I need to jump on something a tad heavier without having to re-set back up on the M25 for a short duration.
BTW, congrats on the new welder...its a great one!!!

[Dan]

(although Dan about has me convinced I need to get me a new Hobart 187... ).

As long as you are going to keep the MM 210 too, I see nothing wrong with this. Just because I've been praising the HH 187 lately, doesn't mean I am less of a fan of the MM 210. I've had my MM 210 for five years now, and it isn't going anywhere. Especially when it lays down weld metal as good as seen in my attachments.

I have to admit though, that since this is Hobart website, it is kinda cool, that I can finally again actually recommend one of their MIG units as being a solid choice. Hobart definitely has a quality unit with the HH 187.

[fun4now]

its hard to find a MM210 owner that dose not like it, its just a top shelf welder. and those beads look great.
whats your take on the new 140 from Hobart ? if one was in need of a 110V mig would it be in the running ? not that i have any intention of getting rid of my MM135 just wondering what you think of there 140.

[Sundown]

Originally Posted by fun4now

its hard to find a MM210 owner that dose not like it, its just a top shelf welder. and those beads look great.
whats your take on the new 140 from Hobart ? if one was in need of a 110V mig would it be in the running ? not that i have any intention of getting rid of my MM135 just wondering what you think of there 140.

I was a field tester for the HH140 and can say it's a top-notch machine ... in fact I prefer it to the Lincoln SP135+, and the MM135 (I have used both). The only thing I regret is giving mine to a young friend of mine to start a small business with, well I don't regret giving it to him, I would just like to have it back sometimes.

[Brand X]

Originally Posted by Sundown

I was a field tester for the HH140 and can say it's a top-notch machine ... in fact I prefer it to the Lincoln SP135+, and the MM135 (I have used both). The only thing I regret is giving mine to a young friend of mine to start a small business with, well I don't regret giving it to him, I would just like to have it back sometimes.

If you like the Hobart 140 you will love the Lincoln 140 that much more.
James, you need to expand you thinking a bit more.