Mig welder gun replacement

[Waterjunky]

Hello all;

After 25 years I need to replace the gun and probably lead on my Millermatic 250. I have been on thin ice with this for a while as parts are no longer available. The final straw happened a few weeks ago when it fell of the table I was working on and cracked the handle. I zip tied it together and finished the job....
Although fully a commercial machine, I am not a professional welder. Just an amateur hack that use to be fairly decent. Any recommendations for a replacement? I am looking for something that will hold up for years, has good parts availability, is comfortable to use, and is not stupidly expensive. I am willing to pay for quality but again I am not commercially welding all day.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I've run both Tweeco and Miller replacements. Never had an issue with either.
You can, however, apparently back a small car over a Tweeco gun...haven't "tried" same test on Miller. Well, not yet

 

[TPC]

HF has the 180's on sale now for $80.

 

[Waterjunky]

Tweeco and Miller are the two main brands out there for the machine. They also make multiple models and am looking for a suggestion or two, possibly some personal experience.

a small car running over it sounds odd unless you have spent time in a fab or farm shop. Then all of a sudden that type of comment makes perfect sense.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I have both a Tweeco 220, and a "Mini Mig". The mini is on the wall somewhere...I use to use it when tacking frames together. Real light, and kind of like holding a marker in your hand. The 220 is pretty much a standard replacement for some of the more commercial rigs. For my TIG stuff, I've found some good prices online at CyberWeld. Haven't bought, nor needed, anything other than consumables for the migs in a while.

As for the car incident... Not so much fab shop, as overcrowded garage space. Trying to remedy that currently

 

[Red-snapper]

Tweeco.

Been using this gun everyday for over 12 years with a Miller 251 and now a 252. Great gun
this is the part # I think my welding guy calls it a Tweeco #1

 

[tunnel vision]

Put a Tweeco #4 on it a call it a day! I had one in my for 42 years...

 

[Waterjunky]

With just a little looking around, the main difference between the 1,2,3,4 is the amp rating. Is that the main difference? If so I just need to meet the max I would run and call it a day. I would not need the weight of the 400 amp rated unit if I can only put out 250........

am I missing something?

 

[tunnel vision]

I only suggested the #4 because parts, liners, diffusers, etc. are avail. at any welding supply. A #2 just feels funny in the hand to me, and on a 200 amp machine the #4 will stay cooler.

 

[tunnel vision]

FYI Airgas (Radnor) guns are made by Tweeco.

 

[Waterjunky]

FYI Airgas (Radnor) guns are made by Tweeco.

good to know.