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More and more welders are replacing their old machines with multi-process welders each year. The cost- and space-saving benefits make them the ideal choice for anyone who uses more than one process. To help you find the right machine for you, we’ve broken out three of our favorite Miller multiprocess machines: the Multimatic 215, the Multimatic 220 and the Multimatic 235.
Multimatic 215
The Multimatic 215 is an excellent machine that’s cursed or blessed (depending on your perspective) by two questions: Why would you buy the Multimatic 215? And, why wouldn’t you buy the Multimatic 215?
Why would you buy the Multimatic 215? If you’re mainly a MIG welder, this might be the right question. After all, the beloved Millermatic 211 MIG-only machine has basically the same power level as the Multimatic 215, and it’s slightly cheaper.
Of course, that then leads to the other question: Why wouldn’t you buy the Multimatic 215? It has many of the best features prevalent in the Millermatic 211, except that it can also stick and TIG weld, not just MIG. For only a couple hundred bucks more, you get a machine that can do three processes instead of one.
On top of that, the Multimatic 215 has some incredibly smart additions we wish were available with every multiprocess machine. For instance, there are separate hook-ups for both MIG and TIG gas cylinders, which can be shut off independently. So when you switch from one process to the other, you can skip the hassle of unscrewing the hose for your different shielding gases.
For more details on the Multimatic 215, check it out for yourself here.
Multimatic 220
The Multimatic 220 is different from almost any other multiprocess machine on the market in that it can TIG weld aluminum. Just a few years ago, that capability was only possible with dedicated TIG machines.
Aluminum has increasingly grown in use over the last decade or so, especially in vehicles and trailers. This is mainly because aluminum is lighter than steel and resists rust much better. However, it’s also difficult to weld with MIG or Stick. While TIG welding is often the preferred method for welding aluminum, it requires AC TIG welding, which most multiprocess machines cannot do – except for the Multimatic 220.
Beyond being able to weld aluminum, the Multimatic 220 also features Miller's QuickTech, which makes setup and switching processes more hassle-free than it's ever been. As soon as you touch the trigger or foot pedal, it automatically detects which process is being used and swaps over to the last settings you were using for that process. But here's the thing: It doesn't just swap the settings, but also the polarity! Anyone who's used a different multi-process machine in the past knows how big of a deal that is.
Check out more about the Multimatic 220 here.
Multimatic 235
While the Multimatic 215 and 220 get highlighted fairly often on our blog, the Multimatic 235 doesn’t get as much of the spotlight, and that’s a grave injustice. You might be mistaken in thinking the Multimatic 235 is just a more powerful version of the 215, but it’s so much more than that!
First off, the Multimatic 235 was built for career welders and very serious hobby welders. It has a 60% duty cycle at 170 amps for MIG and 180 amps for TIG. That means you can weld for quite a bit longer before this machine needs a break compared to the Multimatic 215.
While the Multimatic 235 cannot TIG weld aluminum, it can MIG, stick and Pulsed DC TIG Weld. Just as a reminder, the only Miller multi-process machine that can TIG aluminum is the Multimatic 220.
The Multimatic 235 also has loads of advanced features. For instance, when you switch from a MIG gun to a TIG torch (or vice versa), the machine automatically detects what your last settings were with that gun. It also comes with Miller’s excellent Auto-Set Elite technology that works for Stick, MIG and TIG.
As a final note: The 235 can only run off a 220/230/240-volt plug because of its increased power capabilities. If you need a multi-process machine that can also run off a 120-volt plug, we recommend checking out the Multimatic 215.
See all the details of the Multimatic 235 for yourself here.
