MM DVI or MM 210

[oldudbob]

I have narrowed my choice of a new mig welder down to the MM DVI and the MM 210. I can buy the MM DVI for $1,526 with the Spoolmate 3035, dual cylinder rack, regulator, gas hose and diverter valve switch kit or the MM 210 with the same assessories for $1,792 from my local National Welders branch.

It appears that the only major differences in these two machines are:

The ability of the MM DVI to operate on 115V and 230V while the MM 210 is a 230V only machine.

The MM DVI is 175A max and the MM 210 is 210A.

The MM 210 has the "Gun-on-Demand" feature and the MM DVI doesn't.

Are there any other major differences?

I assume from an operational standpoint that both would operate about the same. Would the change from welding steel to aluminum be easier with the MM 210?

What if any, other advantage is there in buying the MM 210 versus the MM DVI?

Are these two welders really capable of doing a good job welding aluminum?

The only justification that I can see to buying the MM DVI versus the MM 210 is the difference in price.

Do I pretty much have my facts straight? Is there enough advantage in buying the MM 210 to offset the difference in price?

Any and all feedback will be greatly appreciated as I want to make the right decision.

[Bulldog]

Oldudbob,
Just reading your post tells me to go with the MM210. It seems to me that the 210 does everything that the DVI does (except operate on 115v) and the DVI does some of the things that the MM210 does. I have never owned or operated a DVI but I own and operate a MM210 on just about a daily bases and love the thing. I just bought a new MM251 and if I needed to sell one I don't know which one I would sell. I can only tell ya what I know. The MM210 is way under rated and is a fantastic machine! Good luck in your decision making.
Bulldog

[Sberry]

If you can live without 120V of the DVI its a feature thats a waste of money that could be put to better use in the extra power of the 210. I think the 210 would have the DVI for a snack. Especially if you want to do alum. The 210 has a much heavier gun also.

[HAWK]

I prototyped the DVI and it is a great hobby machine where the 120 VAC option is truly needed. Step up to bat and get the MM210. I read your post and that is my honest opinion.

Don't mis-understand me: the DVI is a nice machine, but only acts like a MM135 on 120VAC. The DVI is what you see is what you get.

The MM210 is a machine you can grow with as your skill level grows. It has a greater duty cycle amp for amp output and the top end of 175 versus 210 is a huge difference! 35 amps does not always make a difference, but in this case it does. The arc quality is also better on the MM210.

[ASKANDY]

I would have to agree with most here. Unless the extra couple hundred is a big issue, The MM210 is slightly more power and both are equally well built and both have the heavy drive assembly. The DVI that HAWK tested is now getting a workout at a chassis builder without any issues but is not being used in any aluminum application. The 210 would be slightly, slightly easier to change over. The 210's higher output is nice for doing the thicker Aluminum and for any spray-arc.

My vote is for the 210 but YOUR vote is the only one that really counts

good luck

A

[Teeps]

I definately agree with the consensus, and some additional info that might be helpful.

Although the amperage difference may seem slight, the power supply on the mm210 is alot more robust. You can run much higher amperages for much longer times, and peak output in short bursts is amazing! to say the least. In other words the duty cycle is much better on the mm210.

The DVI is just as big and heavy, since your going that big, I'd go with the mm210, you'll never look back, and the mm210 can weld down to 22 guage thickness, so lower end is no concern at all.

A couple hundred difference between the two, buys a mile in capability, that is a heck of a bargain to upgrade to the MM210.

Let us know how you make out!

[Paul Seaman]

oldudbob:
Welcome aboard, and I will tellyou the same as all the others, The dvi's ability to run on 120v is cool if you need it but the power of the top end of the dvi is lower than that of the mm210. I bought my mm210 2 years ago and I am still amazed at the power it has. I called it bang for the buck when I bought it and it still is the best bang for the buck machine on the market- Bar None!

Peace,

[Compchassis]

One thing that I havent seen anyone comment on yet is the duty cycle of the 2 machines. The DVI only has a 40% duty cycle on 220 volt, and that drops to 20% on 110 volt. The 210 on the other hand has a duty cycle of 60%. Thats a huge difference.

To give you an example of the effects of duty cycle, I appraised a bunch of equipment at a business that built aluminum window frames. These were being tig welded together, and the aluminum was thin enough that it only require about 90-100 amps. But, they were using 400 amp machines. I asked the foreman why they were using such huge machines when a smaller machine would do the job. He said that they had tried smaller machines but kept burning them up. The only way they could get the machines to live and get the duty cycle they needed was to go to the 400 amp machines.

If you plan on doing much welding at all, go with the bigger machine. Yes, the smaller one may get the job done, but, if you outgrow it or eventually need the options of the bigger machine you will be buying 2 machines instead of 1.

[Mike W]

That is a good point Compchassis, a machine that is just working at a fraction of it's capacity will last a long time. My old Hobart Betamig 200 is still going strong after 20 years.