The Millermatic 180 or 190 - Which One Would You Buy ?

[Bret Dinkins]

I am about to purchase a Mig Welder and have been debating about which, the Millermatic 180 or the New Millermatic 190. Both models have the Auto-Set feature. Both are new and the same price. Frankly, I tend to lean toward the 180 machine.

I've never been a guy to need the newest model, I drive the same truck for years! (My Bobcat 225NT is a '99 model and in great shape!) I'm also not the type that usually buys anything that is in the first year or so of it's release.

The 190 looks compact and has great new front/rear top handles, (although it's gonna mostly stay in my shop), and the duty cycle is longer! Then you bring up the presence of CIRCUIT BOARD(S)! Yikes -sounds like an expensive fix/repair!

The 180 still has windings, (there may be a board in it somewhere - but I hope not)! The Millermatic 180 seems like a tried & true, well tested & perfected machine. What advice would y'all give me on this? - Thank you much, Bret

[ttppoopp]

neither, do you self a favor and go buy the 211.

[Cgotto6]

Yea, I have a 180. It's great, but I would go with a 211 for the dual voltage.

[Bret Dinkins]

Ok, thank you sir!

neither, do you self a favor and go buy the 211.

[Bret Dinkins]

I've looked at the 211, seemed like those were the main differences: dual voltage and welding up to 3/8 material. I have a 220 circuit for it and figured when out of the shop I'd power it from my Bobcat... wasn't sure if the $200. difference would be worth it or not.

Thank you sir!

Yea, I have a 180. It's great, but I would go with a 211 for the dual voltage.

[Cgotto6]

You will love it. I wish I had a little taller ceiling and dual voltage, but otherwise it's been great after close to two hundred pounds of wire.

[BD1]

Go for the 211 while it is still available.

[Bret Dinkins]

Thank you much!! I'm looking forward!

You will love it. I wish I had a little taller ceiling and dual voltage, but otherwise it's been great after close to two hundred pounds of wire.

[Bret Dinkins]

I appreciate it - thank you sir!!!

Go for the 211 while it is still available.

[Danny]

Based on the info provided on the spec sheets, the Millermatic 190 may actually offer just as much or even slightly more top end power then the 211. The duty cycle looks to be equal between the 190 and 211. Miller is rating the 190 wire drive as being able to handle a 15' gun lead. Miller doesn't recommend using any longer then the supplied 10' lead on the 211.

Just so you know the transformer based 211, does contain one circuit board in it. This would be the control board. Understand though all modern transformer based units have a control board in them

[Bret Dinkins]

Really appreciate the info Danny! How do you feel about these having additional circuit boards beyond the "control board" you told me about? Are they gonna stand up to the heat and harsh conditions a welding machine endures? I guess I'm just skeptical - but don't have ANY experience with them. I had no idea the duty cycle in that compact of machine was comparable to the 211's and would support an additional five feet of lead! You think you would buy the 190?

Based on the info provided on the spec sheets, the Millermatic 190 may actually offer just as much or even slightly more top end power then the 211. The duty cycle looks to be equal between the 190 and 211. Miller is rating the 190 wire drive as being able to handle a 15' gun lead. Miller doesn't recommend using any longer then the supplied 10' lead on the 211.

Just so you know the transformer based 211, does contain one circuit board in it. This would be the control board. Understand though all modern transformer based units have a control board in them

[Danny]

Really appreciate the info Danny! How do you feel about these having additional circuit boards beyond the "control board" you told me about? Are they gonna stand up to the heat and harsh conditions a welding machine endures? I guess I'm just skeptical - but don't have ANY experience with them. I had no idea the duty cycle in that compact of machine was comparable to the 211's and would support an additional five feet of lead! You think you would buy the 190?

Bret,

Miller puts their units through some fairly harsh testing. My little inverter based Miller Maxstar 150 STH is a good 10+ years old now. After running an inverter based TIG I won't go back to a transformer based for my own personal home unit.

The MM 180 and MM 211 are definitely proven units with few issues. I haven't ran the MM 211, but I have ran the MM 180. Feed back I've been reading on the 211 has it sounding like it performs very similar to the 180. The fact that both units contain the same choke (arc stabilizer) further supports this assumption. Anyway, I wasn't that impressed with the performance of the 180. The arc is very crisp and becomes somewhat harsh as the voltage increases. Puddle wet out is a little sluggish. Also as the voltage increases it becomes more difficult to dial the spatter level down. Don't get me wrong the 180 is a decent unit. However, I have experience with several different units when comparing the MM 180 to the Hobart Handler 190 or Lincoln PowerMIG 180C, The arc quality and puddle wet out of the Handler 190 and PM 180C is superior to the MM 180.

I am somewhat finicky about what I am looking for out of a short arc MIG welder. I doubt I'd be pleased with the performance of a MM 211. I suspect a lot of the popularity with the 211 is more than likely due to a high percentage of the units being purchased by hobbyist users who have limited or no experience with other units.

Personally I'd have no problem purchasing a MM 190. Understand though I may not be the best person to answer that question for you because I currently have an ESAB Migmaster 250, Hobart Ironman 230, Hobart Handler 210 MVP, and Lincoln PowerMIG 180C sitting out in my garage to choose from, so I obviously wouldn't be limited to strictly the MM 190. I have been seriously considering selling the 210MVP and 180C to fund the purchase of one of the compact inverter based MIGs . The MM 190 being one of the units I am considering.

[Bret Dinkins]

Danny, I really appreciate your time and energy explaining this to me. I guess I'm kind of old school in always preferring the more simply designed machine. You're helping me realize that there really is improvement in the functionality of the newer design of machine and its ability.

Having NO experience with these machines (or this type of welding), I really appreciate the information. This is exactly what I needed to help me make the right decision. I have absolutely NO issues with the Hobart or the Lincoln machines. I just own Miller and the steel / welding supply I frequent is a Mlller dealer. My whole reason for wanting the MIG capability is the quality of the weld on work and ease of achieving it.

Your experience (and sharing it) is most helpful. I am going to take a more serious look at the MM190 and consider it as my new welder! Thanks again sir!!

Bret,

Miller puts their units through some fairly harsh testing. My little inverter based Miller Maxstar 150 STH is a good 10+ years old now. After running an inverter based TIG I won't go back to a transformer based for my own personal home unit.

The MM 180 and MM 211 are definitely proven units with few issues. I haven't ran the MM 211, but I have ran the MM 180. Feed back I've been reading on the 211 has it sounding like it performs very similar to the 180. The fact that both units contain the same choke (arc stabilizer) further supports this assumption. Anyway, I wasn't that impressed with the performance of the 180. The arc is very crisp and becomes somewhat harsh as the voltage increases. Puddle wet out is a little sluggish. Also as the voltage increases it becomes more difficult to dial the spatter level down. Don't get me wrong the 180 is a decent unit. However, I have experience with several different units when comparing the MM 180 to the Hobart Handler 190 or Lincoln PowerMIG 180C, The arc quality and puddle wet out of the Handler 190 and PM 180C is superior to the MM 180.

I am somewhat finicky about what I am looking for out of a short arc MIG welder. I doubt I'd be pleased with the performance of a MM 211. I suspect a lot of the popularity with the 211 is more than likely due to a high percentage of the units being purchased by hobbyist users who have limited or no experience with other units.

Personally I'd have no problem purchasing a MM 190. Understand though I may not be the best person to answer that question for you because I currently have an ESAB Migmaster 250, Hobart Ironman 230, Hobart Handler 210 MVP, and Lincoln PowerMIG 180C sitting out in my garage to choose from, so I obviously wouldn't be limited to strictly the MM 190. I have been seriously considering selling the 210MVP and 180C to fund the purchase of one of the compact inverter based MIGs . The MM 190 being one of the units I am considering.

[Sberry]

I have bought old school when new really was better but, all the big names and current models are pretty good as far as I know and confirmed by Dan. The 190 is a bit interesting but I don't pay a lot of attn. and my daily driver an old Linc model is so spot on that there is no reason to replace it. I say buy your favorite color and doesn't Hobart still have a straight 240 tap model?

[Tryagn5]

neither....lincoln 210mp

I am about to purchase a Mig Welder and have been debating about which, the Millermatic 180 or the New Millermatic 190. Both models have the Auto-Set feature. Both are new and the same price. Frankly, I tend to lean toward the 180 machine.

I've never been a guy to need the newest model, I drive the same truck for years! (My Bobcat 225NT is a '99 model and in great shape!) I'm also not the type that usually buys anything that is in the first year or so of it's release.

The 190 looks compact and has great new front/rear top handles, (although it's gonna mostly stay in my shop), and the duty cycle is longer! Then you bring up the presence of CIRCUIT BOARD(S)! Yikes -sounds like an expensive fix/repair!

The 180 still has windings, (there may be a board in it somewhere - but I hope not)! The Millermatic 180 seems like a tried & true, well tested & perfected machine. What advice would y'all give me on this? - Thank you much, Bret

lincoln will own this market. There powermig 210mp....$999. Does stick, mig, and tig. Also has over 210amps. Light under 45lbs. Only downside 6 week wait time.
kevin