I stopped at my buddies welding shop the other day to get some metal and noticed he had a Miller 252 sitting there ( I just bought one 3 months ago which is still in the wrapping). All excited to say I bought one and asked him if he liked his? "That thing is the biggest piece of **** I've ever welded with, you couldn't give me another one", shocked I asked why and he said it just doesn't weld, very inconsistent. I noticed he had a new looking Miller 185 sitting there and asked about it, just picked that one up used (13 years old and looked brand new). His old 185 he said has been the best welder he's ever used and has put over a 100 rolls of wire through it. Told me if you ever see a 185 to just buy it, no matter the price. I also asked about the new Lincoln's, he said they're junk too, "they just don't make a good welder anymore". Maybe just the one he got but that's from 35 years of welding. So I left feeling a little dumb about my purchase especially after all the reading I did to buy the right one. Guess I should have went to a few more fab shops for more experienced advice. I'm still going to give it hell. Let us know what you end up with.