millermatic 211 or 212 or 252

[ericher69]

Picked up a 12lbs spool of .035 this am and a 75/25 to CO2 tank adapter.

This is how it looks (I know kinda funny)

The reason I am staying with a smaller tank at this time is that I only have 41" of vertical clearance under my work bench.

[Precision]

millermatic 211 or 212 or 252

Nah, it doesn't look funny. I have a 60 in my 211 cart. I like to keep the center of gravity lower on mine. Guess I move it round a lil too fast maybe but that's my adult ADHD kickin in. Only down side is more trips to local shop but hey you will always find something else to buy when your there.

[ericher69]

millermatic 211 or 212 or 252

Double post

Yeah I hope so!

Picked up some .035 wire this am and an adapter for 75/25 to straight CO2

Here is how it looks with the tank.

Ps. I store it under my work bench and only have 41" of vertical clearance; one of the reasons I am not going with a larger tank at this time

[Synchroman]

I noticed that you got the "EN/FR" model. I presume that it is placarded for both English and French since you are in Canada. What voltage are you using?

I got the US 230 volt model. I use straight CO2, which I much prefer.

They are really a nice machine. I sure like mine.

[ericher69]

millermatic 211 or 212 or 252

It has a jumper for 200(208) and 230V which I will be using.

Yes it came placarded in French with English placards to change (which I will do even though I speak/understand both)

Still have not done the initial fire up as I have been busy with other things.

[Texas113]

millermatic 211 or 212 or 252

Congratulations on your new investment. You will be very happy that you went with the 252. I have the 15' Bernard Q gun installed and couldn't be happier with the setup. .045 solid and .045 gas shielded flux are the only wires I run and the 252 just purrs at higher output settings. Enjoy and keep us posted on how it works for you. Don't forget if you ever set it up for aluminum to let us know how it does. I am dying to try AL work with it. Have fun.

[Sberry]

It only cost twice as much to get the best in this case, If you are worried about duty cycle then it means materials and manpower, the difference in productivity and material savings could add up quick, even on some light gage the 250 class is twice the 211 and wire half the price for a big spool. Cuts the time and cost in half, could pay the juice on a project or 2?.

[ericher69]

Texas113;

Will hopefully have the 30A spoolmatic in a month or so as I have found a used one for $600 but it is an hour and a half away.

Next time I have some business in that city I will email the seller a few days before and see if I can get it maybe even cheaper as it has been for sale now for 2 months at $800 and has not sold.

We have agreed "tentatively" to $600 but I'm sure they will come down a little more.

Ran a short bead "t joint" on steel last night using the settings in the front cover and all I can say is "wow"

This is what I was missing out on with the smallish Lincoln SP170-T...power!

[kvwall]

I use both the 211 and 252. They both have their place. 211 for the field 252 for the shop. The one thing I never liked on the 211 was the Spoolmatic 100. I was doing a nice size aluminum job last month and this gun caused me more headache than it was worth. The gun broke in the middle of my job so I had to overnight a push pull gun to the shop. Big $$ but worth the time it saved.

This is the bead I ran with the new XR AlumaPro.

[ericher69]

millermatic 211 or 212 or 252

Kvwall;

Nice bead!

Can I expect similar results with the Spoolmatic 30A?

[kvwall]

Kvwall;

Nice bead!

Can I expect similar results with the Spoolmatic 30A?

Thanks. I'm not sure what to expect from the 30A. The AlumaPro is a push-pull gun. I hear a lot of good things about the spoolmatics. They just aren't made for production work. I'm sure you can get a nice bead if everything is setup properly and your technique is good.

[ja baudin]

With a lot of practice, yes. My opinion, they weld the same. I personally like using the 30A more than the push pull. Good luck.

[ericher69]

millermatic 211 or 212 or 252

Thanks for the info!

Now can the spoolmatic 30A be converted to push-pull or visa versa?

[H80N]

Thanks for the info!

Now can the spoolmatic 30A be converted to push-pull or visa versa?

There is a version of it called "XR-30" that is configured as a push pull..

http://www.millerwelds.com/om/o1555e_mil.pdf

But I would not think it to be a very cost effective conversion...

at that point... I would keep the 30A configured as is and start looking for an "Alumapro"....

that is the route I took..

[ja baudin]

If you use a push pull gun, your machine will be dedicated to aluminum only. To weld steel you will have to remove the push pull, switch drive rollers, and switch the spool of wire in the cabinet of the welder to steel. If you use a spool gun, your machine can weld both steel and aluminum. Example, pick up the spoolgun and weld aluminum or pick up the mig gun and weld steel. No switching anything. That may be a big factor for you to consider if this is your only machine and using if for both. It's called "gun on demand" capability. Ja