What's the best MIG machine?

[BillyDoc]

I bet this question has been asked and answered a thousand times on here, but when I try to search the forum won't take the term "MIG" because it's too common . . . so I'm asking it again here. I apologize for that!

I posted a question earlier about using a Synchrowave 350 for mig, and several people were kind enough to set me straignt on that bad idea (Thanks again!) and best of all WHY it's a bad idea. So, now I'm shopping for a MIG machine. Here's what I would like to find:

Something I can:
use for Stainless, Mild Steel, and Aluminum.
use on heavy aluminum plate (up to 1.5" thick), multiple passes is OK.
power with 240 volt, single phase
that's smarter than me and will apply programmed parameters for setup, etc wherever possible.

I've been lusting after the Miller Pipepro 450 because of it's computer control and power . . . but it doesn't do aluminum and it needs 3 phase.

So, if you could budget up to $15 K for a new state-of-the-are MIG machine, what would you get?

BillyDoc

[aametalmaster]

My choice would be a Deltaweld 452 but its not single phase...Bob

[RTCmiller]

Personally, I would buy an XMT 304 or 350, a 70S wirefeeder, and an aluminum feeder with a push/pull gun, or you could also go with a Millermatic 350 and an aluminum spool gun or push/pull gun

[Desertrider33]

Wow, nice fat budget there!

Are you sure you're ready for a machine of this caliber if you haven't mastered setting the machine settings on a mig welder ???

Miller does make several Auto-Set mig machines in the lower price range that are geared to those who don't know how to set volts and wire speed on a mig welder. They are models Millermatic 140AS, 180AS, 211AS portable machines and the 212AS shop machine. All are capable machines in their output classes.

Top of the line all-metals mig machines I would consider are-

Millermatic 350P with push-pull torch. I have this one with all 3 torches (mig, push-pull and spool gun). It is an EXCELLENT all-in-one pluse mig machine at a very reasonable price, considering the prices of other machines in it's class. Costs about $3500 with the mig gun or $5000 with the push-pull gun, or $4500 with the mig gun and spool gun. This machine is synergic in pulse mode, meaning that the operator sets the wire speed and the machine selects the voltage for that wire speed. There are a myriad of other settings that are operator controlled. It can be very easy machine to operate, or can be very complicated, depending on how much you 'experiment' with the controls. The 350P runs on both single-phase and 3-phase.

Invision 350MPa with mig feeder and/or push-pull feeder. Invision MPa is a pulsing mig-only power supply that can be hooked up to a variety of wire feeders and spool guns for feeding any type of wire. Pulse is not synergic on this machine, meaning operator sets volts and wire speed just like a normal mig, along with all the pulse control settings. Expect the combination of power supply and feeder to run about $6000-7000, more for mulitple feeders or feeder + spool gun. Miller has a new version of this machine that includes a digital XR push-pull feeder, called AlumaFeed that is synergic in the pulse like the 350P. The Invision runs on 3-phase only.

XMT 350MPa with mig feeder and/or push-pull feeder. The XMT is a multi-process power supply with similar pulse mig charactersitics as the Invision, but also has stick and dc tig capability. A very versatile machine. I have the lower-line XMT 304 CC/CV power supply with external Optima pulse control and use it with a Suitcase RC feeder and Spoolmatic spool gun and XR Control push-pull feeder & gun. It's a great machine for all processes. Price is about $500 more than the Invision, if I remember right. The XMT runs on both single-phase and 3-phase.

Lincoln Powermig 350MP with push-pull torch. This is Lincoln's answer the 350P pulse mig, but it is also a multi-process machine that can do stick and dc tig as well. It is more expensive than the 350P but less money than an XMT or Invision and feeder. The Powermig is both single-phase and 3-phase, if I remember right.

Lincoln Powerwave C300. This is a portable machine similar to an XMT, but has a built in feeder too, so it's like a portable Powermig 350MP. The Powerwave is both single-phase and 3-phase, if I remember right.

Lincoln also makes a Powerwave model that is similar to the C300 but without the internal wire feeder.

[BillyDoc]

Thanks Guys, sounds like some good leads there. It's gonna take me a while to check them out cause I have to get on home from here (work) soon. But I'm definitely on it tomorrow morning!

Desertrider33 you can laugh, but to date I haven't personally actually seen a MIG machine, let alone figured out the frills. That's why I want one that's smarter than me (which shouldn't be too hard). And I learned a long time ago to buy the best tool I can afford and then use it forever, learning as I go. I did that with the Synchrowave and have never regretted it. That thing makes beautiful welds in spite of me, and I had only used gas and a cheapo Sears stick welder before I bought it. In fact I still remember how blown away I was the first time I tried it. TIG is just fantastic in my book, but I can see how it isn't going to do what I want to do now, so I'm checking out MIG.

BillyDoc

[cruizer]

The KISS principle applies here, Look at a Miller 252. You don't need anything fancy, and this unit has everything you need.

[Desertrider33]

Thanks Guys, sounds like some good leads there. It's gonna take me a while to check them out cause I have to get on home from here (work) soon. But I'm definitely on it tomorrow morning!

Desertrider33 you can laugh, but to date I haven't personally actually seen a MIG machine, let alone figured out the frills. That's why I want one that's smarter than me (which shouldn't be too hard). And I learned a long time ago to buy the best tool I can afford and then use it forever, learning as I go. I did that with the Synchrowave and have never regretted it. That thing makes beautiful welds in spite of me, and I had only used gas and a cheapo Sears stick welder before I bought it. In fact I still remember how blown away I was the first time I tried it. TIG is just fantastic in my book, but I can see how it isn't going to do what I want to do now, so I'm checking out MIG.

BillyDoc

I did laugh a little!

I recommend starting out with something much simpler than any of the machines I talked about. Here's why-

I would start with the very versatile and portable Millermatic 211AS. It has the auto set feature you want and is a very capable machine with 210 amps output that can run on both 110v and 220v. It makes very nice welds on steel and is a quality machine for under $1000 street price. For another $200 you can add the spool gun for aluminum.

You can learn mig on this machine and, after you have some mig welding projects and jobs under your belt and are proficient at the process, you'll have a better idea of what you really want in a mig machine and can make a better, more educated decision when it comes time to buy the big bad *** machine you want. You can still use the 211 as a portable mig after you get the big shop model. Always a need for portability in welding!

[SundownIII]

I'm just sitting here scratching my head.

Good recommendations from all. A lot for the OP to think about.

What threw me the curve was welding 1.5" aluminum plate (multiple passes ok).

You planning to build an aluminum ship in your garage? What the heck do you plan to build/weld that calls for 1.5" aluminum plate.?

Take that comment out of the equation and there are a lot of great mig welders that will do the job for you.

[Railmen]

Wow, nice fat budget there!


Invision 350MPa with mig feeder and/or push-pull feeder. Invision MPa is a pulsing mig-only power supply that can be hooked up to a variety of wire feeders and spool guns for feeding any type of wire. Pulse is not synergic on this machine, meaning operator sets volts and wire speed just like a normal mig, along with all the pulse control settings. Expect the combination of power supply and feeder to run about $6000-7000, more for mulitple feeders or feeder + spool gun. Miller has a new version of this machine that includes a digital XR push-pull feeder, called AlumaFeed that is synergic in the pulse like the 350P. The Invision runs on 3-phase only.

I just looked up the spec's on the web it stills says 1/3 phase on the Invision 350MPa. I could be wrong its not the first time and I am sure it won't be the last.

I have a Invision 354MP it is a SMOKING MIG welder on both steel and Alum. it runs on both 1/3 phase.

I have had a XMT also both are very good machines.

Railmen

[Mr Bigs]

The KISS principle applies here, Look at a Miller 252. You don't need anything fancy, and this unit has everything you need.

If he contemplates the 252 then might as well step up to the 350P.

[Vernon]

Welders

I bet this question has been asked and answered a thousand times on here, but when I try to search the forum won't take the term "MIG" because it's too common . . . so I'm asking it again here. I apologize for that!

I posted a question earlier about using a Synchrowave 350 for mig, and several people were kind enough to set me straignt on that bad idea (Thanks again!) and best of all WHY it's a bad idea. So, now I'm shopping for a MIG machine. Here's what I would like to find:

Something I can:
use for Stainless, Mild Steel, and Aluminum.
use on heavy aluminum plate (up to 1.5" thick), multiple passes is OK.
power with 240 volt, single phase
that's smarter than me and will apply programmed parameters for setup, etc wherever possible.

I've been lusting after the Miller Pipepro 450 because of it's computer control and power . . . but it doesn't do aluminum and it needs 3 phase.

So, if you could budget up to $15 K for a new state-of-the-are MIG machine, what would you get?

BillyDoc

Hey their take a look at 304 on this page under mulit-process welders 5k to 6k

[BC Iron works]

for $15,000 id get the mm350p and
a dynasty 350 tig runner

[Mr Bigs]

for $15,000 id get the mm350p and
a dynasty 350 tig runner

I like your thinking !!!!plus he'll have some change leftover and still be untouchable with those 2 pieces of equipment.

[Desertrider33]

for $15,000 id get the mm350p and
a dynasty 350 tig runner

He already has a Syncrowave 350...

[Desertrider33]

I just looked up the spec's on the web it stills says 1/3 phase on the Invision 350MPa. I could be wrong its not the first time and I am sure it won't be the last.

I have a Invision 354MP it is a SMOKING MIG welder on both steel and Alum. it runs on both 1/3 phase.

I have had a XMT also both are very good machines.

Railmen

2007 and earlier ones were single- and 3-phase. For 2008 and later, the printed product catalog and the website info are not in agreement. Catalog lists them as 3-phase only, web lists them as both single- and 3-phase. I don't know which is correct.