mm210 or mm251

[t0rchwelder]

I was wondering if anyone had some advice? Should i get the mm210 or the mm251. Which has better aluminum welding capabilities?

[smith-fab]

Witch one ?

I would go with the 251, you can dial in and fine tune your amps and wire speed. You can also keep a log of your settings and go back to the exact one every time, once you have detemind the setting that worked the best. Everytime I weld on somthing diferent I write down the settings in a little book I keep in the the storage area of the 251. It makes finding the settings alot quicker when I work on another project that close to one in the past.

[wb5jhy]

Yup, welding aluminum is like elephant huntin......bigger the better.

[hellowyo]

Get the biggest you can afford...

I believe welders are like computers, get the biggest you can afford thats suited to your job. I have a 251 in my school shop and its a very, very nice machine!

[MAC702]

Depends. What are your needs? If this is for a shop doing nothing but production of 1/8" aluminum tool boxes or something, you could easily get by with a MM210 and put the other money into other tools. If money is no object (rare) than the question is moot; always go with extra capability. For dedicated aluminum, get the push-pull set-up, which is going to cost quite a bit extra. Else, at least get the spoolgun, which is also extra, but not as much. A question of "what machine" isn't very nice when no budget or needed capabilities is included with the question.

[t0rchwelder]

I am doing about 1/8-1/2 aluminum, although i know that both machines can handle 1/2 mild steel well. There is a budget $4000 for wire gas and everything else, but i would like to buy a plazma cutter also. My buddy said if i can't afford a spoolgun or a push pull setup just use the next size contact tip and a harder wire. Is this a good idea?

[Bulldog]

Hey torch,
I have a MM251 for sale if your interested. I bought it on 12-14-04 and the thing is in GREAT shape. I have put about 3 spools threw it and at $1450.00 it should help ya stay in your budget. I don't know what your location is,I'm in New York. My e-mail is hilltop1"at"citlink.net

[JD in Socal]

I am doing about 1/8-1/2 aluminum, although i know that both machines can handle 1/2 mild steel well.

Don't plan on doing a lot of 1/2" steel (much less, aluminum) with a MM210. If you really will do 1/2" on a regular basis, you need the horsepower of a 251. Consider if you really have the need to weld 1/2" material on a regular basis and, if you do, go for the bigger machine.

I do mostly automotive related projects (race car, go kart, misc stuff) and have not needed more than the MM210 I have. Yes you can do occasional heavy stuff (1/2 or even 5/8) with a 210, but its a little like cutting down a tree with a Skil saw, if you get my drift. The 210 is a great machine and I have not wished for the 251 at all.

I built my welding table with a 5/8" top and was fine welding it to the frame. For that application(and many others), full penetration is not necessary. For a steady diet of thick steel in applications that require full penetration, you need lots of horsepower. I have found that the vast majority of the welding I do is with material that is 1/8" to 3/16", and the MM210 is perfect. I rarely even need to run it at the top end of its range.

One last point on the 1/2" steel issue. Full penetration of the metal is only relevant if you are joining it to another piece of equal or greater thickness. If you are welding together 1/2" with 1/4" steel, for example, anything deeper than 1/4" penetration doesn't add anything to the strength of the assembly.

JD

[Miller Kevin]

Torch,

JD said it very well, if you plan on doing alot of heavier material especially heavier aluminum then a Millermatic 251 would be a better choice because of the extra power.

Kevin

[MAC702]

I am doing about 1/8-1/2 aluminum, although i know that both machines can handle 1/2 mild steel well. There is a budget $4000 for wire gas and everything else, but i would like to buy a plazma cutter also. My buddy said if i can't afford a spoolgun or a push pull setup just use the next size contact tip and a harder wire. Is this a good idea?

JD covered this well. How often will 3/8 - 1/2-inch aluminum really be welded? What is your REALISTIC budget for the machine, keeping in mind you also have to buy all the things that go with any welding business.

It sounds like the real tool for the job is a MM350P with a push-pull, but a MM251 with a push-pull should work also. A MM251 with Spoolmatic 30A would be my minimum-requirement choice.

The wire choice can't be decided just based on the welding equipment. If this is for production, you need to make sure the wire is suited to the two alloys being joined together, and based on what the part will be used for and if it will be anodized later.

Using a harder wire (when applicable) and a short MIG gun kept as straight as possible CAN work, but will NOT be satisfactory for production work.

[Trap Doctor]

Mm251

t0rchwelder

The MM251 is the only way to go. I love mine!!! I have welded .060” cheap truck tool boxes, too ½” cast aluminum trap housings. Works like a dream.

The 15A spool gun for the MM251 is a quality tool. The 3035 spool gun is a toy compared to the 15A. Just my personal opinion!!

That’s a great price on BullDog ‘s unit.

jim