Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP Review

Ahhh, welders.  My favorite tool!  This is a review of the Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP multipurpose welder for your consideration.  I hope it helps guide you in your purchase.

I bought this machine just about as soon as it came out (summer 2015) as it had a special introductory price of right around $1000 and I thought that just couldn't be beat for the versatility it claimed to have (MIG, TIG, and Stick in one box with multi-voltage input).  I figured I could buy it, try it, and if it worked well I'd sell some of my other welders that it made obsolete.  Two years later I'm beyond impressed with this little machine and did indeed sell some of my other machines.  Read on to find out why.

First, the specs and what they mean:

• Multi-process (MIG, TIG, and Stick).  Yes, you can do all three major processes with one box.  I use this as one of two main MIG machines and occasionally use it for stick.  I have another machine that I use for TIG since the 210 MP is DC only and I frequently have to weld aluminum with AC TIG.  This is obviously not an issue if you only weld steel.

• Multi-voltage (115v and 230v input)  You can plug this machine into a regular outlet, a 230v dryer outlet (with an adapter you can make) or a standard 230v welder outlet (NEMA 6-50R)  Of course, full output current is only available when plugged in to at least 30A of 230v power.

• Inverter-based.  This means instead of a heavy transformer it has a special circuit board that converts the wall power to welding current. This makes the unit much lighter (40 lbs) and commensurately more portable.  It's also more efficient than transformer-based machines so it draws less power to do the same work.

• 210 Amps of output current.  This is important.  The output current is directly related to the thickness of metal you can weld in a single pass with your welder.  210 amps can handle nearly any project around the house/shop/barn without trouble.

• Intuitive, screen-based interface.  Setting up this welder is not unlike using an app on your phone (except the screen isn't a touchscreen).  Now, perhaps the purists will balk at this but if you don't weld every day it can be very helpful to let the machine "get you close" to the right settings and then tweak it from there.

Here's why I like the machine so much:  

First, it has a terrific arc.  I typically weld with ER70S-6 wire and straight CO2 gas as opposed to 75/25 Argon/CO2 since straight CO2 is cheaper where I am.  Normally though, 75/25 is used because it helps control spatter and gives a very nice bead profile on the weld.  This machine has an inductance setting that gets set automatically as part of the "interview" process that the screen guides you through and as a result, a dialed-in weld with straight CO2 looks as good (to my eye anyway) as a weld with 75/25.  This saves me money and makes me happy.  It is said that penetration with 100% CO2 is slightly better than with 75/25 so that's a bonus as well.  Here's a pic of a whipped bead with the above configuration:

Next, I benefit from the portability of the machine all the time.  I used to used it in a basement where it was no problem to walk it down the stairs (by myself) and then back up again when I had to weld in the driveway.  My other big MIG, a Lincoln Wire-Matic 255 weighs 250 lbs with a spool of wire in it.  Try lifting that up the stairs!  I know I can use this in the field with a generator to power it and, although I haven't had to do that yet, it's nice to know it's a possibility.

Also, it's really well built.  The wire-drive mechanism is super sturdy and reminds me of one on Lincoln's bigger commercial welders.  I like that it's all metal and that it's easy to change diameters on the wire drive wheel.  I've run at least 20 lbs of wire through this machine and haven't had a problem.

Here is the one thing I don't like:

Imagine, for a second, that you're an engineer for the Lincoln Electric company.  Your job is to find a fan that moves enough air to cool this new welder.  OK, you say.  Now, you've narrowed down your fan search and found a few that fit your needs.  What would you do next?  Maybe listen to them and see what they sound like?  It's pretty much like they did the opposite with this machine.  The fans have a pitch/sound that I just can't stand.  Also, they run all the time!  Lincoln used to have a feature called Fan-As-Needed where the fan would only run when the machine got hot.  I understand if they can't do that on this machine because the inverter needs to be cooled all the time, etc. but I sure wish it had it.  This, in the grand scheme of things, is a small mark against an almost perfect welder.  It is, by no means, something that would deter me from buying another one.

That's it--a whole bunch of things I love about this little machine and one I don't.  I'd strongly recommend considering this machine when looking for a new welder.  If mine broke/was stolen/fell off my truck I'd replace it with the exact same machine again.  Now, to compare to the competition:

How does this compare to a Miller/Vulcan, etc?  Both Miller and Vulcan (Harbor Freight) have come out with welders that appear to duplicate the functionality of the 210 MP and even exceed it in some ways.  I don't own either of these machines but I can draw some distinctions for you based on experience and their published fact sheets:  

Miller Multimatic 215:  

Let's get something out of the way first: Miller makes a great welder.  So does Lincoln.  No sense debating which is the better brand when the digital ink could be better spent on the differences between the two.  I spent a week welding 10 hrs/day with a Miller Maxstar 150s in 100 degree F temps in Haiti and came back thinking "wow, Miller makes a tough machine".  Then I left it there for another month while they finished up other welding projects with it.  I have great things to say regarding Miller as a result of that torture test!  OK, the differences:

Pros: 

• 10 more amps of welding output (230 vs 220 A) which, of course, makes a difference but likely not a significant one.  

• Fan-On-Demand:  Yes, the Miller turns its fans off.  See my disappointment above regarding the Lincoln's lack of this feature.

• Easier connections for TIG: It seems like Miller made their machine more TIG-ready by adding a second gas port and a standard pedal connector.

Cons:

• Price: The Miller is around $200 more than the Lincoln which could sway your decision.

• MVP Plug "feature": The Miller has a funny system of plug adapters which plug in to the power cord to adapt to different outlets.  In theory this is great but in practice they end up sticking out from the outlet 6-7 inches making them prone to drooping and getting hit.  The Lincoln has two separate cords that ship with the machine instead which I prefer.

Vulcan (Harbor Freight) OmniPro 220: 

Ohh, Harbor Freight.  The store we all need desperately at times and love to hate at others.  This machine is pretty much a carbon-copy of the Lincoln 210 MP right down to the layout, controls, size, etc.  Shocking, I know.  I don't have a high opinion of the HF welders only because I've been spoiled by quality machines like Lincolns and Millers and I don't appreciate how they copy other's designs instead of creating their own. I guess the low prices have to have a trade-off somewhere.  Here are the differences:

Pros:

• Price:  This machine is about $400 less than the Lincoln and $600 less than the Miller.  I think this is a false economy, however, because the retained value is so much lower.  For instance, I paid $1000 for my Lincoln 2 years ago and could sell it for $1000 today.  In 5 years it'll likely still be worth $750-800.  The same will be true with the Miller (see craigslist listings in your area for an example).  The Harbor Freight welder will likely lose 40% of its value the day you buy it and will probably be down to 20% of its original cost in 7 years.  

Cons:

• Quality:  If HF power tools are any example then there is no way this machine could be as rugged and dependable as a Lincoln or Miller.

• Support: Will HF sell parts for this machine in 5-10 years?

• Aftermarket support:  Plenty of manufacturers will likely offer accessories for your Lincoln or Miller like foot pedals, TIG torches, liners, tips, etc.  Will you be stuck buying these from HF (if they're available)

OK, there you have it!  I'm happy to add to this review and even compare the Lincoln to another brand of machine if I'm supplied with a test unit.  Thanks for reading and be sure to leave a comment on the main page if you'd like some more info.