Miller 212 vs 252

> There are so many experienced welders in this group that I was really
> wondering why I hadn't gotten any opinions to mull over, then I realized
> that I posted this via Google Groups, and some news servers are no
> filtering posts from Google.
>
> Anyway, ultimately I have to make my own choice as to whether or not its
> worth it, but I have learned a lot from your opinions in the past.
>

> There are so many experienced welders in this group that I was really
> wondering why I hadn't gotten any opinions to mull over, then I realized
> that I posted this via Google Groups, and some news servers are no filtering
> posts from Google.
>
> Anyway, ultimately I have to make my own choice as to whether or not its
> worth it, but I have learned a lot from your opinions in the past.
>

> > Ok, I have definitely out grown my crackerbox and my china store flux
> > core welders. In addition my son plans to take welding when he starts
> > high school this fall. The second puts a little more impetuous behind
> > my drive to get a better welder. I've been seriously planning on a
> > new welding machine since Christmas, but Santa brought the kids go-
> > carts instead of bringing me a welder. My wife offered to put one on
> > one of her credit cards for my birthday and then for father's day, but
> > I really didn't want to put a couple grand on credit for something
> > that isn't business critical.
> >
> > Now I'm really down to deciding if the Miller 252 is worth the extra
> > grand over the 212. We won't be welding every day, but we have
> > tackled some pretty involved projects a time or two. The last one was
> > converting an old boat trailer into a flatbed trailer to haul my
> > electric scissor lift. (Ok, that was kinda business critical, but I
> > got it done with what I had) The next project I want to play with is
> > learning to weld aluminum and repairing an old junk boat I bought just
> > to practice on... (The weight in aluminum is worth more than I paid,
> > and the trailer under it is decent.)
> >
> > Actually, I plan to just buy a bunch of scrap aluminum to learn on
> > before tackling the boat repairs.
> >
> > So, what does the 252 have or do that the 212 doesn't have. I seem to
> > recall that I was sold on the 212 last time I looked, but I don't
> > remember why.
> >
> > I can get either one with dual regulators, dual tank rack, regular
> > gun, and spool gun in a package for $2100 or $3100 respectively.
> > (aproximately) I don't really have the extra grand to throw at the
> > 252, but if it would really be worth it I could scrape it together
> > somehow.
> >
> > I already have one flow regulator, and an Argon CO2 bottle (I used it
> > some with my china store welder) in the shop and Grampa (my dad)
> > brought over a full straight Argon bottle today for us when we are
> > ready to tackle aluminum stuff that he had left over from when he was
> > a dealer. (Along with a full acetylene bottle and a big empty O2
> > bottle. All I have given him recently was a nice metal door left over
> > from when I put up my shop. Dang. I bet he wants to borrow my
> > scissor lift to put up the overhead doors on his new shop. LOL)
> >
> > 212 easy and have cash left over for supplies and a nice dinner on the
> > town for the whole family or 252 and have to wait a while to buy
> > supplies and practice stock?
> >
> > Is it worth a grand difference for a hobby project welder and his kid?
> >
> > P.S. I plan to keep the cheapo welder for those small portable jobs.
> > Besides it works a lot better now that I added a cooling fan. Maybe
> > also for the kid to learn some basics on with thin hot rolled steel.
> >
> > Bob La Londe
> > http://www.YumaBassMan.com

>

> I just saw both posts.
> The 252 is a great machine if you plan on doing light production
> welding.
> It is a bit overkill for hobby work.
> I think you will be quite happy with the 212.
>
>
>
>
>

>> There are so many experienced welders in this group that I was really
>> wondering why I hadn't gotten any opinions to mull over, then I realized
>> that I posted this via Google Groups, and some news servers are no
>> filtering
>> posts from Google.
>>
>> Anyway, ultimately I have to make my own choice as to whether or not its
>> worth it, but I have learned a lot from your opinions in the past.
>>

>> > Ok, I have definitely out grown my crackerbox and my china store flux
>> > core welders. In addition my son plans to take welding when he starts
>> > high school this fall. The second puts a little more impetuous behind
>> > my drive to get a better welder. I've been seriously planning on a
>> > new welding machine since Christmas, but Santa brought the kids go-
>> > carts instead of bringing me a welder. My wife offered to put one on
>> > one of her credit cards for my birthday and then for father's day, but
>> > I really didn't want to put a couple grand on credit for something
>> > that isn't business critical.
>> >
>> > Now I'm really down to deciding if the Miller 252 is worth the extra
>> > grand over the 212. We won't be welding every day, but we have
>> > tackled some pretty involved projects a time or two. The last one was
>> > converting an old boat trailer into a flatbed trailer to haul my
>> > electric scissor lift. (Ok, that was kinda business critical, but I
>> > got it done with what I had) The next project I want to play with is
>> > learning to weld aluminum and repairing an old junk boat I bought just
>> > to practice on... (The weight in aluminum is worth more than I paid,
>> > and the trailer under it is decent.)
>> >
>> > Actually, I plan to just buy a bunch of scrap aluminum to learn on
>> > before tackling the boat repairs.
>> >
>> > So, what does the 252 have or do that the 212 doesn't have. I seem to
>> > recall that I was sold on the 212 last time I looked, but I don't
>> > remember why.
>> >
>> > I can get either one with dual regulators, dual tank rack, regular
>> > gun, and spool gun in a package for $2100 or $3100 respectively.
>> > (aproximately) I don't really have the extra grand to throw at the
>> > 252, but if it would really be worth it I could scrape it together
>> > somehow.
>> >
>> > I already have one flow regulator, and an Argon CO2 bottle (I used it
>> > some with my china store welder) in the shop and Grampa (my dad)
>> > brought over a full straight Argon bottle today for us when we are
>> > ready to tackle aluminum stuff that he had left over from when he was
>> > a dealer. (Along with a full acetylene bottle and a big empty O2
>> > bottle. All I have given him recently was a nice metal door left over
>> > from when I put up my shop. Dang. I bet he wants to borrow my
>> > scissor lift to put up the overhead doors on his new shop. LOL)
>> >
>> > 212 easy and have cash left over for supplies and a nice dinner on the
>> > town for the whole family or 252 and have to wait a while to buy
>> > supplies and practice stock?
>> >
>> > Is it worth a grand difference for a hobby project welder and his kid?
>> >
>> > P.S. I plan to keep the cheapo welder for those small portable jobs.
>> > Besides it works a lot better now that I added a cooling fan. Maybe
>> > also for the kid to learn some basics on with thin hot rolled steel.
>> >
>> > Bob La Londe
>> > http://www.YumaBassMan.com

>>

> I just saw both posts.
> The 252 is a great machine if you plan on doing light production
> welding.
> It is a bit overkill for hobby work.
> I think you will be quite happy with the 212.