Miller 211 or Hobart 210

[NoClassic]

Great tip on upgrading the ground clamp. That has been my only gripe with the 211.

[franks]

Franks was your Hobart a 230v or just 115?
I have ran an old Hobart 135 for 10 years and it has been a workhorse! Excellent penetration, nice clean welds. The gun on my 135 is even Miller.
I did need something with a little more umph for some chassis work so I bought a Hobart 190 with the spool gun, have yet to hook it up...

First thing I do with all mine is swap the ground to a Tweco, makes a world of difference over the stock roach clips...

It was the biggest 115v hobart from Northern tool, I used to use a miller 115v at work and it was not even in the same ballpark in comparison

I dont know if the new ones are built like the old ones

[Cooter]

I've got a Miller 135 I've had since 98/99 or so... I don't use it daily, but I have used it A LOT, and I've beat the shit out of it. Never paid attention to duty cycle, etc.

I bought it when I was working in a shop with all blue welders, plasmas, etc. I saw the abuse they stood up to, so I bought mine. I've been looking for a killer deal on a Trailblazer diesel

[Lason]

I have used both, about the only advantage your going to get with the miller is infinite voltage control instead of a click adjustment. They are both made with Miller parts. If you have a choice go Miller though.

[White90GT]

I just bought a Miller 180 for Christmas. Only played with it for a few hours and it is my first welder. But coming from a first timer I was doing some half decent beads fairly quickly. I researched for a couple weeks and never found any complaints about the miller.

[snacksnack]

Being first time and that you are making pretty beads doesn't necessarily mean you are welding. Migs can make pretty welds with little to no penetration so for your practicing test the strength of the weld after making a pass.

[Sean88gt]

Miller parts are universally available, Hobart parts will be available at the retailer where you purchased it - if you're lucky.

[Matt]

I would buy miller

[Lason]

Miller parts are universally available, Hobart parts will be available at the retailer where you purchased it - if you're lucky.

You know 99% of the parts in Hobarts is Miller right? The gun on my old Hobart 180 was even stamped Miller. Anytime I bought parts for it, I bought Miller brand.