What owners do with it
How it is used9 owners said
Paid work56%
Hobby and home44%
Process used11 owners said
MIG with gas73%
Stick18%
Aluminum9%
Specs
What it does
- Amperage
- 40-260A MIG, 20-250A stick, 10-250A TIG
- Duty cycle
- 285A at 30% (240V) MIG
The machine
- Weight
- 58.33 lb
- Warranty
- 3 years
Prices
38 owner reviews
Ive had my 285 about 2 months now and man i love it! It definitely has some horsepower! Great review, your video is what nudged me to get it and yeah runs dual shield beautifully!
I gave PrimeWeld a try about 6 months ago and I love my machine! I really think it’s probably the best machine for the money out there and I’m about to buy another machine from them, the Mig230, it’s a 4 in 1 multiprocess machine with a nice big touchscreen, I highly recommend PrimeWeld too!!
Can’t ever beat free lol 😂 it’s been working like a champ for a long while I love it
I just wanted to come back and post an update - thanks to several of the regulars here who helped me out in this thread AND via PM in the past. I have to say, I am a big Primeweld fan these days.... 2 years of owning the MIG285 - jeez, two years and two days! lol Funny, that. Anyways, I have used the crap out of my 285 (for a hobbyist) and have been extremely pleased with it. It came with the slip-on cup for the big gun, it's a TWECO-style 300A gun, I think and I didn't like the nozzle. It was large and wobbly, though it was adjustable, which I guess is nice. Just pull the nozzle out some or push it in to adjust your stickout. But I didn't like the size and wobble, so I swapped it for a screw on nozzle with a slightly narrower tip. Love it. Oh man, I cannot say how much I love this machine. I've let several friends use it who are welders, and they have all said they thought it ran great - maybe they're humoring me, lol. I don't know. Seriously, though, I've done a lot of welding with it (again, for a hobbyist, not a professional), and have been very pleased with it. I do not regret in the least not buying a red or blue machine (or yellow or green, for that matter). I still wonder about that HTP though... you know? It just seemed like a cool, nice unit. And it's a bit different, not something common around here, which I like - trying out new things. Anyways, I can vouch for Primeweld - these guys are the real deal. The customer service is great. I've not had to really UTILIZE it a lot, just calling to ask a few questions, place an order or something, they have ALWAYS been Johnny on the spot. Gene and Dustin and the others there are on top of their game, definitely take care of their customers and CARE about their reputation. Sure, there is an occasional breakdown - no brand or machine is foolproof. But in general, I think the overall quality is as good or better than most out there, and they DEFINITELY go out of their way to take care of people if something goes wrong. I now have the Primeweld MIG285 as well as the Primeweld CUT60 plasma cutter, which a bunch of their accessories. Have nearly pulled the trigger a couple of times on the TIG225X or TIG325x, but let's face it - I don't TIG. My buddy does, a little bit, but he uses the 285 and does the lift TIG, he says it works fine for him. For me, it's kind of a non-issue. Primeweld is about to release some new products (I hesitate to say a new LINEUP) and they are being pretty closemouthed about it, but the rumor is some nice touchscreen units, or at least larger digital displays with a multifunction control/select knob, whatever. They are a little behind in jumping on this bandwagon, I get that, but I truly believe the REASON for this is they have been troubleshooting and beta testing extensively to make certain their machines both meet their standards for performance AND durability. Several of the regulars on their Facebook group have been beta testing them for quite a long time - it seems like 6 months to a year. I am encouraged by this, because it demonstrates once again they are being careful and methodical in their rollout of new products to maintain their reputation for QUALITY machines, as well as making sure they have a ready supply of machines and possibly parts. So, I just wanted to stop in and lend yet again another shout out for Primeweld - great company, great machines, and SERIOUS value-for-dollar. Essentially the price of something like Eastwood, but everything I have personally experienced AND heard in 2 years being an active (and repeat!) customer and participating on their customer support group has been overwhelmingly positive. Anyone who is looking for a great budget hobby machine, they have a great lineup, and numerous guys are using them for full-time daily production work and are also very VERY pleased with them. The "Primeweld Equipment Users" group on Facebook is their most active support network, I think, and both Dustin Gallagher and Gene Scholler from Primeweld are active there in monitoring, answering questions and providing support. Again, just trying to help out with my (limited) experiences in case anyone else is in a similar position as I was. Have a great day!
It's been doing great. Haven't skipped a beat. Lots of power
Still love it. I don’t use it every day or even every week, but it has been flawless every time. We got one for a railroad preservation shop I volunteer at. It’s gets more use there and all of the welders that have used it love it. Even the diehard red and blue fans.
I still use mine for commercial projects! I have nothing but great things to say about it to this day! Zero issues
I own a mig 285 and its been a great machine. I do have some complaints about the torch quality but overall the machine has been great and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another primeweld machine
I don't run it every day, but I have never had an issue with feed issues or burn back.
So far so good I really like it!
@Ca21431 it’s been great! And yes it’ll spray transfer and run dual shield! I primarily use it for HD repairs and dual shield
Yes I do the machine has done great so far. Use code: stone25 if you buy from them.
You have something wrong on the stick I hope,I just bought a prime weld 285,if it stickwelds that bad its going back.Ive been a certified welder since 1978 ,took 6 weld tests to get on my 1st job( Camble unit 2 ) inspector said nicest welds he ever had go thru there.,and stick welding is so versatile, its a must.
Yes still running strong no issues
It's a great machine. I ended up selling my Hobart 175 after I got this one. I hated to let it go, but I just didn't have the room to keep it.
I just opened and finally tried it. It's a big improvement over my Hobart Handler 210 although the Hobart was a good starter machine. LOVE IT so far. Looking forward to doing more with it.
@bobabbott8370 yes I still am! It’s been a great machine and I’d buy another in a heartbeat
If I remember correctly, I think I was at about 25 volts and 350 in a minute It was fun. It runs that stuff like butter.
Have had both for over a year and half and love them! Mostly hardwire and some stick but have done some tig also with great results. That plasmadyn torch is my next shop purchase 100% 🤘🏾
Still an amazing machine. Only thing I could say extra is that it does not run cellulose rods on this particular machine. Also use code: stone25 with them for a discount.
No issues as of yet and I really like the welder. Mine was a first generation so I did do the panel upgrade on it.
Its been pretty good I’d like to change my handles and I’d swap it back to fixed casters on one side but otherwise I wouldn’t change much
I ran a 6011 on it the other day did just fine. Haven’t tried FCAW yet.
It absolutely will!!! I did a job not too long ago running dual shield
Used my Primeweld MIG 285 a few times now - I like it, I think it runs great. Put in a new 50A breaker and ran 6/2 wire to it, also using the 6g extension cord - just to make sure I am not having any kind of voltage drops, etc. I don't THINK that's what 'killed' my Yeswelder, but it never hurts to be thorough. I used the Primeweld to build a new cart for itself, as it is too big for our older, wimpy little cart. https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-22v ... DHQ-X2.jpg Also, did some welding on a firebox I'm building for a smoker. Overall, I like the 285, plenty of power, runs well. I am learning some eccentricities, obviously every machine is different. MIG gun is a lot larger and heavier than the old one, but I am already getting use to that. Also the trigger is WAY sensitive on it, also quickly getting used to that, as well. So far, I'd recommend the Primeweld 285 as a great machine, at a great price. 3 years handle-to-handle warranty WITH shipping is also a killer benefit. And it was half the cost of the Lincoln the HTP I was considering. So, that's a win. Thanks for the advice I received here. This machine should handle my regular build needs pretty handily, and it will do TIG if I get into TIG welding - but if I get heavily into it later (doubtful?), I'll probably get a dedicated AC/DC HF machine. Anyways, seems to be working out well so far.
No regrets! I love it! I'd buy another in a heartbeat
The more I use one the more I like it 👌
Mine arrived last Monday. What an awesome machine. Not that I didn’t think it would be lol
Actually, 30 amp breaker. The wire to the outlet will handle 50 amps, but I purposely have an undersized breaker on it. I have never tripped it, but I haven't gotten this thing near max amps. I think I would need .045 to get it maxed out, and that will require a different liner.
DC only . It welds aluminum 4043 with the mig gun , no spool gun required and it has pulse. I was very skeptical when I bought it , but am amazed how well it runs for the price and the quality of the welds it puts down. I haven't used dual shield flux cored with it. I have a Primeweld mig 285 that kicks ass with dual shield flux cored.
The fan comes on as soon as you strike an arc. I'd rather it be quiet until then.
Nope not at all it's been a great machine super powerful and I believe the percentage thing that I mention in the video has been changed by primeweld
It's been running strong I have not hit duty cycle on it yet but I also don't use it as a production machine have done a couple larger projects where there was some pretty constant dark time mostly been running 045 dual shield through it and it welds that beautifully
@AWDJRforYouTube It is a really nice machine. Mind you, I haven't used a lot of machines, just a couple Hobarts and a smattering of the red ones, big and small. But both my TIG and MIG machines from PrimeWeld have never failed to impress me.
Loving it has lots of power my only complaint is I really don't like the way the voltage has to be changed as a percentage .
I set my voltage then my wire speed. I adjust from there... Voltage remains constant I adjust wire feed accordingly. This welder seems annoying and aggravating
That's the downside of synergic welding. It sets it for you. I have heard that they are going to make changes to that, but I don't have any specifics. If I set the machine for C100, .045, the maximum I can set it to is [email protected], with C25, it goes down to [email protected]. If I switch to .030 wire, I can get [email protected]. I also would like to be able to set each independently, but I would imagine there are going to be limitations.
Functionally it looks amazing, but man that user interface is hurting more than it's helping. Push and hold for 3 seconds and respond in 3 or do it again. Scroll though 10 options to get to the one you want. Press and hold to change inductance. Wanna fine tune amps, here's a percentage, deal with it. Wanna use a spool gun? Here's two options, and only one of them works. We don't have enough characters in our 1980's calculator display, so now you get to look at a blinking alternating abbreviation in the left window. Why did you do this MIG285? I wanted to love you! Now it will be a love hate relationship 😠
Review videos
PRIMEWELD Mig 285 ReviewFeb 12, 2023 · YouTube ↗
PRIME WELD MIG 285 REVIEW!Apr 6, 2024 · YouTube ↗
PrimeWeld MIG 285: The Best Value MIG Welder?Jun 5, 2026 · YouTube ↗
Primeweld MIG 285 and why it’s the absolute best machine for the money!Nov 5, 2023 · YouTube ↗
Prime Weld MIG285 and Cut60 updateNov 19, 2024 · YouTube ↗
Best Welder For Under $1000 [Prime Weld 285 MIG Welder] #weldingDec 15, 2023 · YouTube ↗
