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]

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]

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?