Millermatic 180 or 211

M

MAK

I'm a long time lurker looking for a little insight from the pros, I was drawn to this site by Rustys great write-ups in the Restorations section as I myself have a 68 mustang coupe I'm restoring. To the task at hand however, I'm in the market for a welder and I've narrowed in on either the Millermatic 180 or 211- based on the research I've done both meet the requirements needed for restoring my mustang and there isn't a big price difference between the two, however unlike the 180, the 211 offers a 110v (MVP) plugin, although I'm not sure how much I'd use that function. The 211 also offers the ability to use .023 wire unlike the 180, although I've gotten mixed information on that front as I've seen others using .023 wire with the 180 contrary to whats stated on Miller's website.

Please give me some insight as I'm looking to pick one of these up this weekend, is the 180 good enough, is the 211 overkill, or is the 211 a great performer that is worth the minimal price increase?

Best,

MAK
 
Yeah the 180 will do .024 - 0.35 wire and the 211 will do .023 - .035 wire - I've been told (may be totally off base) that .023 would be the best to use to auto restoration. While I've used a welder before, this is the first time buying one for myself - all my previous experience was when my father and I restored my first Mustang and helping a buddy build a turbo system for his 92 Mustang.
 
You can get rollers and tips for whatever wire you like, the literature might indicate which roller set(s) are included with the machine. I had to buy a roller set for my Miller 210 to use .023".
 
Good news! All that remains then is the extra power and MVP that the 211 has over the 180, is the added cost worth it in your opinion?
 
I'd buy the 211. Of course, I'm biased because I have a 211 and you'd have to pry it out of my cold dead hands.

I like the MVP feature as you never know what power will be available (ie. should you move or take it to a buddys house).
 
I have a MM-180. I use .024 wire for body repair and .030 for general purpose use. I have tired .035, but I don't think it gives me any more capacity than the .030. I have an aluminum spool gun for it too. I like the welder overall. However, I will say that it is no replacement for my ac/dc stick machine for anything much thicker than 1/4.
 
I bought the millermatic 212 and now wish I bought the 211 due to power hook up in my garage. I have to share 220 with the dryer and my wife seems to always have to do laundry when I need to use outlet.
 
I've got a Hobart 210 handler, I think Hobart is owned by Miller, works great and I use .030 wire for everything
 
211 is hands down the best compact mig on the market..i work in a shop that does everything from offroad chassis to ornamental iron,and
The 211 does a beautiful job 4+ hours a day of arc time . The miller 350p sits in the shop most of the time.
 
I want to thank everyone for your feedback, I'll more than likely be picking up a 211 this weekend.

Best,

MAK
 
What size wire do ya'll think does the best job when welding sheet metal? i tend to blow through a lot... of course it seems your always welding on a bend where the metal is thin anyway.. I have a Miller Matic 120 that i use with gas, it's done a good job so far.
 
I've got a small 135 Lincoln and have switched to .30 wire for just about everything. I just seem to get a neater job, with a lot less grinding, with the 30.
 
Yeah, I just switched to .030 myself. I used to use .023 for sheetmetal all the time and while it worked, the guys over at the metalmeet forum suggested trying the .030 and now I'm a believer. I find you can run it a little hotter which flattens the bead, saving you time with dressing the weld.
 
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