Comparison... Miller - I-Mig

[srp]

I looked at the Esab hard, but in the end I did what I normally do, bought a Miller. It is a 211 and is welding good so far, I posted a pic on auto set, 110 and 100% CO2. It has a ramp up start instead of pre-flow for a splatter free start, don't know if it's better or worse than a preflow start.

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...Autoset002.jpg

[SeanMurphy265]

I looked at the Esab hard, but in the end I did what I normally do, bought a Miller. It is a 211 and is welding good so far, I posted a pic on auto set, 110 and 100% CO2. It has a ramp up start instead of pre-flow for a splatter free start, don't know if it's better or worse than a preflow start.

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...Autoset002.jpg

I think with all mig welders when you get them set right they tend to have little to no splatter. I thought the auto-set feature was nice at first it does get you in the ball park. After a while I set the machine like I wanted it which was a little bit hotter.

I probably would have went with the caddy mig if I were choosing between the two welders. The caddy mig seems to be very popular with welders who need a portable mig welder. From what I have read it also runs very well from a generator. There both good welders, I did not like carrying that Miller211 around it's heavy! Anytime you can had mobility to your welding setup allows you the opportunity to make more money. That's my opinion; from what I have read they are both good welders.

[performance]

The reason people like the caddy mig is that it is an inverter welder I believe...
Spatter has a lot to do with inductance as well, which Miller's is fixed. Once you see what being able to tune your spatter will do for you, you won't be satisfied with fixed inductanced.

[srp]

The reason people like the caddy mig is that it is an inverter welder I believe...
Spatter has a lot to do with inductance as well, which Miller's is fixed. Once you see what being able to tune your spatter will do for you, you won't be satisfied with fixed inductanced.

I think Everlast, Miller and Esab will all put down good welds. Would be nice if the different kinds of electronics used in each was explained in detail to give the buyer more data to consider, things like inductance, synergic, transformer or inverter and if IGBT's are used.

The Miller 211 does have preflow and a slow wire speed that speeds up after the arc is established, I am not sure if I like the slow wire speed on the start. I like a little bit slower wire speed than most, on the start with a already slow wire speed, penetration is not as deep as the rest of the weld. I would like to know if other brands of welders do this and is that is the trade off for a spatter free start, having less penetration on the start?

[SeanMurphy265]

I think Everlast, Miller and Esab will all put down good welds. Would be nice if the different kinds of electronics used in each was explained in detail to give the buyer more data to consider, things like inductance, synergic, transformer or inverter and if IGBT's are used.

The Miller 211 does have preflow and a slow wire speed that speeds up after the arc is established, I am not sure if I like the slow wire speed on the start. I like a little bit slower wire speed than most, on the start with a already slow wire speed, penetration is not as deep as the rest of the weld. I would like to know if other brands of welders do this and is that is the trade off for a spatter free start, having less penetration on the start?

I want to make sure you understand what I'm getting at. I'm not bashing the 211, because I think it's a good machine. Inverter welders are more efficient than transformer machines that's why they are smaller and lighter. I liked the smooth start on the miller I think it may be called ramp up (not sure). Years ago I owned a 110v millermatic 130 and I thought it was worthless. Way too heavy and way too under powered, I think it was more for welding sheet metal, but it was rated at 1/4" thickness. Inverter electronics are more advanced than transformer and that's why you have more options with inverters. When you get into the higher priced transformer welders you find more options available (lincoln power mig 350mp @ $5,000.00MSRP).

The latest inverter machines MTS200 and Thermal arc Fabricator 180i, 252 have more advanced electronics and are lighter than the Imig series (igbt). This allows you to get more options in your welder. I can stick weld with my imig 200 and do a good job, and I can scratch start tig (in a pinch, but not the way to go). The MTS you have the option to tig with actual tig functions. The simplest way I can explain it (Mark, Mike, and Ray can get you all the technical info) is the electronics get more advanced with they type of welder you buy.

I'm not sure about the newer transformer machines, but I know the older ones were fairly simple. The old power sources that I ran when I was doing structural steel had a big transformer with a bunch of copper, several relay's, and some switches. I've watched electricians repair the older machines; who had no knowledge of welding. The newer ones have more electronics and takes a different skill set.

That's a simple man's explanation, there are others who can tell you more specifics.

[srp]

I want to make sure you understand what I'm getting at. I'm not bashing the 211, because I think it's a good machine. Inverter welders are more efficient than transformer machines that's why they are smaller and lighter. I liked the smooth start on the miller I think it may be called ramp up (not sure). Years ago I owned a 110v millermatic 130 and I thought it was worthless. Way too heavy and way too under powered, I think it was more for welding sheet metal, but it was rated at 1/4" thickness. Inverter electronics are more advanced than transformer and that's why you have more options with inverters. When you get into the higher priced transformer welders you find more options available (lincoln power mig 350mp @ $5,000.00MSRP).

The latest inverter machines MTS200 and Thermal arc Fabricator 180i, 252 have more advanced electronics and are lighter than the Imig series (igbt). This allows you to get more options in your welder. I can stick weld with my imig 200 and do a good job, and I can scratch start tig (in a pinch, but not the way to go). The MTS you have the option to tig with actual tig functions. The simplest way I can explain it (Mark, Mike, and Ray can get you all the technical info) is the electronics get more advanced with they type of welder you buy.

I'm not sure about the newer transformer machines, but I know the older ones were fairly simple. The old power sources that I ran when I was doing structural steel had a big transformer with a bunch of copper, several relay's, and some switches. I've watched electricians repair the older machines; who had no knowledge of welding. The newer ones have more electronics and takes a different skill set.

That's a simple man's explanation, there are others who can tell you more specifics.

Yea, I think the 211 is a good machine, it was my first choice until I got your input on the I-MIG but that did not workout. I had time today to adjust the 211 without auto-set, it may be just a little better than with.

So, is the 211 a transformer machine?

http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/a...Autoset001.jpg

[Rambozo]

So, is the 211 a transformer machine?

Yes, it is.