Looking for a new welder Esab vs Miller
 

Looking to buy a welder soon and decided on either the

ESAB 235ic

Or

Millermatic 252

They are both in the same price range.

Any real world experience with either .

Thanks

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Never welded with an ESAB....but I have spent a little time on a Millermatic. I'm not certified welder, but I'd love to have a Millermatic. It was an older one and I don't even remember what number. I know I'm not much help, but my vote is for Miller. :D

i had an esab when i was working as a heavy equipment mechanic years ago, it was a good quality machine and rarely gave me any trouble. the millermatic 252 is one of the most popular ones they make i believe, i sure see a lot of them. i don't think you can really go wrong either way personally, just comes down to dealer support as far as consumables, and who has the better warranty.

I like the miller never having used a esab axcept for a plasma cutter ive got I have 252 miller and have run at least 3 spools of wire thru it and its a good unit...that's probly 100 lbs of wire.
dealer support and consumables are probly better with the miller

I know a certain barn that has a few Millermatic machines that are broke. I'm hoping to play my cards correct enough to fix a few and score an extra. :D I've got a little ol' Marquette from my dad's body shop. I can mig 3/16" plate but it don't have much heat. It's a 220VAC machine, but I run it on full voltage just to weld .083 tubing most of the time. I need da Miller....;)

I don't have any Esab experience, but there's about 6 252's in less than a 2 mile radius here. Everyone loves them. Very versatile machine that welds exhaust as well as it welds 3/4" plate. My cousin is a certified welder and was going to get a second one until his partner left to work on the pipeline. We have one, and can't imagine being without it.

If you get them set just right you can spray with them.

Pick whichever has the better/closer dealer support.

Me being a pipefitter by trade I work for a large mechanical contractor in Chicago, I'm going to see what I can get the 252 for through our vendor, see if it's close to cyberweld. There is a 300 dollar rebate now on the 252 Miller.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

The ESAB is a TIG/MIG welder with inverted power supply. The miller 252 is a one trick pony and a transformer power supply.

Do you plan on TIG welding?

I love my esab, I think/thought they are part of the same company, but built in a different country with better more industrial grade parts. Atleast they were years ago,

I think Jake is correct. I believe Miller own Esab... Personally I use and like Miller. Mine is an older unit that works great... I believe it is the Miller 251 model. I have run many large spools of wire through it and it works great every time!!! I have NEVER run into thermal limits or shutdown with it. Duty cycle is a VERY important spec for welders and I believe on my 251 it was rated at 80% duty cycle at full output meaning it would be capable of operating at its highest voltage and current settings for 80% of the time without thermal shutoff. Smaller units may only have 40% or even 10-20% duty cycle so be aware of the ratings and specs of machines you are considering.

If the Esab model is a dual MIG/TIG as mentioned above it is more versatile, but at what cost??? Is it less capable at either, are there sacrifices somewhere to do both???

The old millers are great. The new "chinese" millers, not so much. Go to the LWS and have them open up a lincoln 256 and miller 252. The lincoln uses all copper wiring and is over built and made in USA. The miller is assembled in the USA with chinese components and aluminum wiring. It was a tough pill for me to swallow because i'm a big fan of blue welders.

I haven't see how the inside of the ESAB is made, but the ESAB name is built on quality. The esab migmaster 250 is a legendary for power and durability. ESAB also uses euro standard plugs which give you 100's of choices of gun and consumable manufacturers. Miller and lincoln use proprietary plug so you're held hostage to their guns and consumables only.

For my needs, the rebel 235IC is on my to buy list. You might not need TIG tho. I'd ask you to take a look at the lincoln 256 as well. It's a serious machine.

No, miller does not own ESAB. ESAB bought out victor technologies tho. They make cutting torches, welders and plasmas.

Picked up a Millermatic 252 on Sunday for $1400 . Couldn't pass that up.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1b927b87a7.jpg

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Congrats. At 1400, I'd have bought it too!