First Welder / New Welders

[iso50]

Now I am considering getting back into (or for the first time) welding I would like to know what a good first welder is. Right now I am looking at the MM135 and the new MMDVI. Most of the work will be body repair on my F150, the other just fun projects and getting better at welding. Right now I have access to 240V, but that might change, so I need something that can run on 115V.

[aametalmaster]

I think i would start off with a MM210 if you can get 220 volts. My buddy bought a 110V mig and tried to do bigger stuff and it wouldn't work well. He ended up buying a Miller Challenger 220V...Bob

[fun4now]

Mm135

i would get the MM135 to start. if you realy start getting into it and want to go bigger later on you can always keep the MM135 for thouse quick fixes on the go or just for its mobility.and get a nice MM210 for the big stuf. if you are not shoure you realy want to weld i dont think i would spend the $$$$ needed for the DVI. get a MM135 have some fun and then upgrade or add a TIG rig to the play house.

[iso50]

I think i would start off with a MM210 if you can get 220 volts. My buddy bought a 110V mig and tried to do bigger stuff and it wouldn't work well. He ended up buying a Miller Challenger 220V...Bob

I need it to work on 110V, since I may be using it at a freinds house who doesn't have 220V

[fun4now]

iso50

i have had my MM135 for almost a year now and love it it would make a great first welder for ya.
i intend to add a Dynasty 200DX to my shop next then maybe a MM210 but have no intention of getting rid of my MM135 it is great fun and function. will run off my generator no prob. it was my first MIG welder and i have had no problems with it. i would buy it again without a dought.

[hankj]

You can do a lot more with a 120V welder than a lot of people will say you can. My MM135 is a great little machine. It will weld .250 mild steel just fine with shielding gas and proper joint prep and welding technique.

Hank

[Tanner]

I really feel the mm135 is underrated. I had a lot of time to use one this semester, and WOW. That thing can really weld!

[VBI]

I have used the Miller 135 and found it to perform high quality welds.

I have a SP 125 and it does fine also.

As noted by fun4now, hankj and Tanner, I think they are under-rated as far as capacity and versatility.

I have other 220v machines, but I still use the 115v mostly with .025" for those quick fixes. I think it would make a great first machine for just about anyone.

[Sberry]

I hear this often, there is only 120V. Any place that has 120 has 240 nearby and if it isnt the long 120 circuit is going to be a poor welding source. If I was going to be working at a friends I would get a piece of wire and run a new circuit for welding. The 120V units are certainly going to be easier to move though. If the price of the 210 isnt too scary a Passport would be a good thing too. If I wanted to stay small it would be 175 or 180, twice the machine of the 135/140 class and near same cost/weight.

[Paul Seaman]

I started on a small machine in a red box, don't regret it but the mm135 is about the same and would recomend that as the starting point. Dollar for dollar the millers in this class are much better built than the competition!

[cope]

Hawk field tested the DVI and was really excited about it. I have a 110 volt mig, but I bought a 220 volt unit 1st. I think the better choice in your situation would be the DVI.

[Sundown]

If you have the money for a MM210, need to be on 115V & 230V, and need to take it to your friends and be very portable, look at the Miller passport 180.

[iso50]

If you have the money for a MM210, need to be on 115V & 230V, and need to take it to your friends and be very portable, look at the Miller passport 180.

I did look at the passport, but I am looking at the MM135 and MMDVI.

[Danny]

Out of the 2 units that you are considering, the MM DVI is most definitely the better of the 2 units. On 1/8" and thicker, on a 230 V circuit, the MM DVI is easily going to out perform the MM 135. Realistically, a machine the size of a MM 135 is a sheetmetal unit. The tapped voltage selections on the MM DVI also make it a more user friendly machine for the novice hobbyyist weldor to operate.

[Dirtteam71]

Now I am considering getting back into (or for the first time) welding I would like to know what a good first welder is. Right now I am looking at the MM135 and the new MMDVI. Most of the work will be body repair on my F150, the other just fun projects and getting better at welding. Right now I have access to 240V, but that might change, so I need something that can run on 115V.

I would also go with a MM210; that machine runs well in a thin to 3/8" thk application. The MM210 requires a 220 power supply but if want to invest in a well rounded machine the MM 210 is the one. I personally am a Manufacturing Engineer at a large fabrication shop with my main focus being weld quality. I personally have three MM210 in my shop at home and would not use anything else. Hope this helps!