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Lincoln or Miller welder?? #9060588 06/11/24 08:38 PM
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angus1956 Offline OP
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OK here the deal, been looking at the Millermatic 215 and the Lincoln 215 MPi welders.
Both have 3 year warranty
Both units have micro processor's
LCD displays
Some type of smart weld technology
Lincoln is $3-400 cheaper and $400.00 rebate from Lincoln.
Lincoln's mig gun is beefier
Both do mig, stick, tig
Both have dual power 110 and 220
With my Ag Card no tax and free shipping
Duty cycle in 220v is close on both
I like the Lincoln menus with the bigger screens

So after rebate the Lincoln is $1500.00 out the door.

I'm leaning towards Lincoln what does the THF brain trust think.

Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9060608 06/11/24 09:04 PM
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I have a little lincoln 140 flux core that I was using this morning, owned it for over 15 yrs. with zero problems. I did replace the gun/trigger etc. 2 yrs. ago.

both brands are good but I am a lincoln fan, saw a lot of both on construction jobs though.


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Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9060636 06/11/24 09:31 PM
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I prefer miller for wire machines. The Lincoln 260’s that I had seemed to never run very consistently compared to the miller 252’s we have.

If you’re not going to be using it a ton of hours you’ll probably be fine with either one though

Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9060665 06/11/24 10:07 PM
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For MIG I prefer Miller over Lincoln. We have some of each, the other contender is ESAB. I prefer the ESAB for general use, but the Miller when you get in Spray.

Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9060811 06/12/24 02:45 AM
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Millers definitely a better welder and easier to use in my opinion. I’d be looking for a good used 252, FB Marketplace has had some pretty solid deals on them lately.

Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9060914 06/12/24 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by angus1956
OK here the deal, been looking at the Millermatic 215 and the Lincoln 215 MPi welders.
Both have 3 year warranty
Both units have micro processor's
LCD displays
Some type of smart weld technology
Lincoln is $3-400 cheaper and $400.00 rebate from Lincoln.
Lincoln's mig gun is beefier
Both do mig, stick, tig
Both have dual power 110 and 220
With my Ag Card no tax and free shipping
Duty cycle in 220v is close on both
I like the Lincoln menus with the bigger screens

So after rebate the Lincoln is $1500.00 out the door.

I'm leaning towards Lincoln what does the THF brain trust think.


I have the multimatic 215, honestly I would toss in ESAB into the mix and get which ever you can get best deal on.

All three are real close. With that said I’m 99.9 % stick weld


Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, b/c they know not victory nor defeat"- #26 TR
Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9060972 06/12/24 02:25 PM
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Millers for mig. Lincolns for engine driven stick.

Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9060977 06/12/24 02:32 PM
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I've been running Miller welders since 1996. I currently have a 2004 model Millermatic 215, a 2005 Miller Bobcat, a 1994 Miller Synchrowave 350 TIG/ Arc, and a 2005 Miller Spectrum plasma cutter. All of them still work perfect. All of them have been used almost on a weekly basis, and some on a daily basis. So, all I have is blue paint.

But, I've never talked any trash about Lincoln machines. I've got friends that use them, and they have not had any trouble out of them.

Ford 460, Chevy 454? Yes...

Flip a coin, either brand is good equipment.


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Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9061008 06/12/24 03:59 PM
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Both are good.

With exception of a Stick Welder.....all of my welding equipment is Miller and has served me well for years.


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Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9061321 06/13/24 01:14 PM
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What's your budget? I have a two Lincoln engine driven welders and I really only need one. I could sell either a Lincoln Ranger 330 MPX (digital screen, like new condition), around 60 hours on the machine or a Lincoln Ranger 225 (low hours at 125).

Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9061344 06/13/24 02:14 PM
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angus1956 Offline OP
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Budget would be around $2500.00, but I can get the Lincoln 215 Mpi with rebate, no tax and free shipping for $1500.00. Would be used for shop projects, farm equipment repair, etc.

Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9061372 06/13/24 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by angus1956
Budget would be around $2500.00, but I can get the Lincoln 215 Mpi with rebate, no tax and free shipping for $1500.00. Would be used for shop projects, farm equipment repair, etc.


For that kind of money, that's probably your best bet. I believe I paid a little over $3,000 for my Millermatic 220 and that was 4+ years ago.

I've never had any issues with the Lincoln machines, but I use them for stick welding or as generator to run a little $300 flux core welder. Also I'm not a professional welder that uses them hard everyday. They only get used when needed for farm projects or helping out my brother in law here and there.


When I first bought my place I got quotes on some welding work and realized pretty quickly I would go broke paying welders to do everything I wanted so I bought the Millermatic and taught myself to stick and mig weld in my garage.

Then bought the 330MPX for field work. After building a barn and lots of fence and gate braces the welders paid for themselves in just a couple of years.

Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9061876 06/14/24 08:33 PM
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Miller or Hobart built where Miller is. I have welded most of my adult life with a Miller. Bought a Hobart when I built my shop as it was a little cheaper and can't tell the difference in how they run.

Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9061936 06/14/24 10:56 PM
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Well I typically rely on my JB Weld when doing big, tough, skilled projects laugh bolt

Yes I started drink7 a little early tonight grin

Last edited by Stub; 06/14/24 11:01 PM.

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Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9069607 06/30/24 12:19 AM
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Ok I got the Lincoln 215 MPi. Got it all hooked up last night and ran some beads this morning when it was cool. This thing can do MIG, Stick, TIG, Aluminum and Stainless. For TIG, Stainless and Aluminum you'll need to buy some accessories.
It has a user program called Ready-Set-Weld where you select welding type, metal thickness etc. The wire feed speed and voltage is set for you. You can tweak any setting if the preset is off a little. Pretty goof proof.
The biggest shock was when I bought the gas bottle, I got the big one and it was $702.00 scared. Can't MIG welder without it. Bottle will support 8 hours of continuous welding so I'm good for a long time.

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Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9069622 06/30/24 12:50 AM
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Congrats buddy, now you can burn some metal up

Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9069745 06/30/24 12:39 PM
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Sweet. I have the same cart under a Miller 215. When your front swivel wheels get bad, there are some solid steel wheels that you can replace them with the same bolt pattern. They make it a whole lot easier to roll around. Hope it does everything you require, now show us some completed projects. up

Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: Old Rabbit] #9069778 06/30/24 02:21 PM
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First project will be burglar bars for Man Cave windows. I might be cutting the angle iron for the frames today.

Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9197351 03/10/25 02:41 AM
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Hello, i saw your post and thought I would ask if your still liking your lincoln 215 mpi welder? I need a new mig machine and having the worst time trying to decide between the miller 211 or the 215 or the lincoln 215 mpi, any information would be great. Thank you.

Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: Rocky4by] #9197358 03/10/25 03:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Rocky4by
Hello, i saw your post and thought I would ask if your still liking your lincoln 215 mpi welder? I need a new mig machine and having the worst time trying to decide between the miller 211 or the 215 or the lincoln 215 mpi, any information would be great. Thank you.



Either are good. I've really enjoyed my 211

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Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9197405 03/10/25 11:22 AM
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Still have the Lincoln 215 and very pleased with it.
Set up is very straightforward and user friendly. For my small shop/farm it's just what I needed.
Has the option for 110v or 220v in the shop all I run is 220v and never had a heat or penetration issue.

Last edited by angus1956; 03/10/25 11:25 AM.
Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9197529 03/10/25 03:53 PM
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Thanks for the reply. Glad your still liking your lincoln, I'm ordering today before I go full crazy😁
The post above is with the early model miller 211 is great. They are hard to find and cost more then a new one right now.

Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: flintknapper] #9197533 03/10/25 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by flintknapper
Originally Posted by Rocky4by
Hello, i saw your post and thought I would ask if your still liking your lincoln 215 mpi welder? I need a new mig machine and having the worst time trying to decide between the miller 211 or the 215 or the lincoln 215 mpi, any information would be great. Thank you.



Either are good. I've really enjoyed my 211

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If I could find one of these reasonable id pick one up, I can get the new model for $1360 to my door after the $500 dollar rebate from miller.

Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: flintknapper] #9197534 03/10/25 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by flintknapper
Originally Posted by Rocky4by
Hello, i saw your post and thought I would ask if your still liking your lincoln 215 mpi welder? I need a new mig machine and having the worst time trying to decide between the miller 211 or the 215 or the lincoln 215 mpi, any information would be great. Thank you.



Either are good. I've really enjoyed my 211

[Linked Image]

If I could find one of these reasonable id pick one up, I can get the new model for $1360 to my door after the $500 dollar rebate from miller.
Originally Posted by flintknapper
Originally Posted by Rocky4by
Hello, i saw your post and thought I would ask if your still liking your lincoln 215 mpi welder? I need a new mig machine and having the worst time trying to decide between the miller 211 or the 215 or the lincoln 215 mpi, any information would be great. Thank you.



Either are good. I've really enjoyed my 211

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Re: Lincoln or Miller welder?? [Re: angus1956] #9199221 03/15/25 06:40 PM
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First welder i used was an old Lincoln back in 1972-73. Used a lot of the SA-200's, a couple diesels (ran smooth!). With the exception of some Lincoln power sources running MK Cobramatics with Prince X and XL push pull systems, most everything else has been Miller. Still have a Miller BlueStar 2E I bought new in 1980 from Fitch Supply in Duncan Oklahoma sitting in my garage. Few months ago i bought a new Miller 252 for here at work to go with a Miller tig/stick machine. For wire/tig i prefer Miller, for gas engine the old SA 200's bring back a lot of memories. I don't pick up a welder much anymore unless it is to build some box blinds or help the rancher I hunt on for free up in Oklahoma fix stuff occasionally.

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