I-Mig 205 vs. I-Mig 205P

[MuttonHawg]

These machines look like they compare basically identically in terms of power and duty cycle, with the only real difference the shape and the pulse MIG functionality.

I've been poking around the web and reading other threads answering many questions about pulse MIG welding, for instance:
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...e-explained%29
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...-new-model-%29
http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...205-Pulse-info

But I'm still left wondering: what would I be giving up without pulse MIG functionality? What would I not be able to do (or do as easily)?

From what I've read, it sounds like the 205P might not be powerful enough to fully use the capabilities of pulse MIG on steel (the 250P would be, but that's bigger than I want to deal with). Once I'm sufficiently skilled (might be a little while!) I plan to get into aluminum bicycle repair/fabrication (thin tubes, high torsional stress), and perhaps the lower welding heat the pulse MIG enables would be beneficial for that task.

Is the 205P worth the extra $200 compared to the 205? My general philosophy on tools is to get the one that will fulfill all my expected needs - I'd rather not buy one then outgrow it in a year or two. I also don't want to spend the extra money for something that gives me no tangible benefit. I also would like to learn TIG welding, which might be even better for bicycle frames, so maybe I'll never use the pulse MIG after all.

Thoughts?

[geezer]

I have 2 Imig 205's and a spool gun, have not used a pulse machine,,,,so I don't know what I'm missing and don't really care,,the 205 with a spool gun is probably all you will ever need,,,very good machines,,got a second one so I would not have to pack one back and forth between my shop and garage,,I use .035 on the machine and .030 on the spool gun,,,and the odd bit of welding with stick on it,,,It's one machine that can do a lot and I have no problem recomending it to anybody,,,getting the spoolgun was also a good move,,,(the big one),,gives you lots of reach which nice to have..for bike frames a tig would be more suitable,,for anything else the 205 will do the job..mig welding is like tig on steroids,,you don't have time to dawdle around reducing heat and filler,,,with mig it's go go go try and move fast enough as the wire comes out,,,lot's of fun...

[Rambozo]

For new bike frame fabrication you could use MIG, but TIG would be better, and for repair TIG will be the way to go for sure. Can't say anything about pulsed MIG as I've never used it, but most of the companies that make them say extreme high speed welding is the big selling point. Something more suited to a production shop. One thing that does attract me, is some of the pulse on pulse MIG comes out looking much like TIG welds, very clean and even with no spatter to clean up.

[zoama]

One thing that does attract me, is some of the pulse on pulse MIG comes out looking much like TIG welds, very clean and even with no spatter to clean up.

Is the no spatter part spray only or short circuit ?

[SeanMurphy265]

From the conversations I have had I'm not sure if the 205p is worth the extra money. If you need it for aluminum then you may want to jump up to a mig 250. If the 205p is within the specs you need for the thickness of aluminum you plan to weld then it will be fine. Me personally I have not needed to mig weld aluminum.