Miller vs. Longevity Comparison

[wellis77]

Not sure if this is the right place or not but I am buying a new machine by the end of September at the earliest, Miller is offering a rebate if a machine and spool gun are purchased by 9/30. I'm trying to put together a comparison of the Millermatic 211 and the Longevity ArcMate 200 since they are both about 200 amp machines, operate on 120 and 240. Attached is a table I put together comparing the two. I have pulled all the information I can find from the two websites and I'm hoping some can help me fill in the rest on the Longevity machine. I appreciate anything blanks you can help me fill in and any other feedback or information on the two machines to help me do a reasonable comparison is also appreciated. Thanks guys.

[ahack3r]

I suggest you buy the Longevity. And continue looking for a cheaper spool gun.

[tomsign]

Will how close are you to Gadget, I'm sure he will let you try out his machine. just curious what is going to be the primary use for the machine

[SICFabrications]

the mm211 has a VERY crispy arc almost to the point of being turbulent in the puddle and no chance of drying the arc out... i still havent used a longevity machine, therefore i cannot give you a "negative" comparison.... (i almost always by default compare machines via negative faults instead of good points...lol)

[matteh99]

I am surprised that the Miller ends up being cheaper. The only thing that I can see that the Longevity machine does that the miller doesn't is the Longevity machine is also a stick welder. That may or may not matter to you.

[wellis77]

Tomsign, I'm not too far from Gadget, but I'm also not in the US and won't be until December so no real chance to try before I buy; if I want to get in on the rebate from Miller anyway.

I was surprised the Miller was cheaper too. The spool gun is where the cost really increases on the Longevity. The stick welding isn't a big deal to me at this point, but someday maybe. The primary use for the machine, for now anyway, is building a car. This will include the usual body-work but I'm also building a full-chassis for it which is being built from 2"x4" steel tube and some of my suspension brackets will come from 1/4" plate. I'm not confident my 110v Snap-On is up to the task.

The thing I really like about the Longevity stuff is the warranty. Just can't beat it. I was hoping to look at the owner's manual online but the only thing there is the wiring manual. The Miller has the autoset feature (not sure if that's a good feature or not, but it's there), comes with the gas valve, and I know I can get consumables if something happens.

---------- Post added at 09:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:08 AM ----------

the mm211 has a VERY crispy arc almost to the point of being turbulent in the puddle and no chance of drying the arc out

Can you elaborate on this for me SIC? I'm still new to the welding world and am not familiar with what exactly this means and what is happening. Does the turbulence blow the puddle around? Thanks.

[tomsign]

will just looked and there is a manual there to download
also look at Stans (SICFab) post, as pointed out, look at the negitive fualts between the two, it is a very good RULE to go by

[wellis77]

That's why I'm asking the questions. What are the faults with the Longevity machines? Aside from the fact that I can't run down the street to get consumables, I don't know, but I don't have experience with them either. No experience with the Miller unit for that matter. I'd love to hear more negatives if you've got them...

Still can't find the manual for the mig welders, if you have a link can you post it?

[tomsign]

Will, if you get a longevity you can still run down the street for your TIG and Arc consumables, plasma you can't
and for myself I always keep very stocked up

[wellis77]

Really? I had no idea. Do you think I can get MIG consumables at my local shop as well? I'll have to keep myself stocked on the plasma consumables too when I get it this year. I wish the MIG spool gun wasn't so expensive. Almost twice as much as the Miller spool gun.