How reliable are they

[SoCalTA]

I know this is something of a loaded question since I am asking the manufacturer and users but here goes.

Just how reliable are the Miller machines?

Why do I ask??? Because if they are as solid as they seem to be would anyone object to buying one second hand? I don't mean 5 year old machines but more like within a year and having minimum use.

I am trying to find a way to buy a good machine without spending a great deal of money. This is because my long term needs are not that great (yet) and I am as novice as can be. Basically this machine is my learning machine and the one I would use for very basic/light fabrication.

I would appreciate your feedback.

[HAWK]

SoCalTA,

No objection from me. I have noticed the Miller machines a year or 2 old seem to sell for close to thier original market price. If you find something you like in your price range, give it a test run and have it's owner show you its features and let him/her weld with it while you watch. If you are okay with its performance and price, buy it.

I've used Miller, Lincoln, and Thermal Arc welders. I truly believe Miller outshines them all class for class. I currently own three Millers and many accesories for mig, stick, and tig. The only one I would sell is my Maxstar 200DX. It's only for sell because I purchased the new Dynasty for its AC features and controls. Depending on how the machine has been taken care of a 5 year old Miller is probably a good investment!

[SoCalTA]

Hawk,

Thank you very much for your help and insight. Your information helps me greatly.

[ASKANDY]

I work with alot of race teams around the Country where I get quite a bit of used equipment in. The race teams are always updating to the latest and greatest. I can tell you I never have a problem getting rid of the used equipment. I can't get enough of it. People love the used MILLER stuff.

Andy

[morpheus]

what do you do with the used Miller equipment Andy ? any way someone not local to you could get in line for some of it ?

thanks.

- jack

[ASKANDY]

Jack,

What are you looking for?

I won't be doing anymore updating until Jan or Feb.

Right now i have a couple Dynasty 300Tigrunners, Sync 250Tigrunners left.

A-

[morpheus]

I'd really like a plasma cutter Andy.

or what size mig machines do most race teams use. the only ones I ever see them show on tv when they're fixing a car after a crash look like 110V units.

- jack

[ASKANDY]

They do use the 110 units after a crash 'cause they are portable and fit on the carts they bring to the tracks. The MIG unit most in use is the MM210.

I should have some plasma coming up in the next rotation of equipment.
Remind me in Jan-Feb again or I'll forget you are looking.

Andy

[orgalmeister]

Andy,

I realize this late in asking, but are any of those Synchrowave 250 tigrunners still available? Are they complete with torch,watercooler, etc? How much?

Thanks, Steve

[russell]

if you find something you want...check the price against Cyberweld....I was going to buy a Spectrum 2050 plasma cutter....my local dealer had a used one...3 yrs old...looked 6 yrs old...he wanted 50 dollars more for it than Cyberweld had a new one for!

Plus I would have had to pay tax on the used one...so double check before reaching for your wallet.

[wooly]

Miller's are easier to repair but are more often in the shop than lincolns....lincolns are cheaper built than what they used too but the engine drives are rock solid compared to miller from my own experience even though i own mostly miller drives because more capabilities....for mig i would go with miller....tig i would go with esab,miller,and the good ol lightweight t/a.....Stick I would go with any of them including hobart(same company miller).....multi process is miller.

Those are facts not two cents

[cope]

Originally posted by wooly
Miller's are easier to repair but are more often in the shop than lincolns....lincolns are cheaper built than what they used too but the engine drives are rock solid compared to miller from my own experience even though i own mostly miller drives because more capabilities....for mig i would go with miller....tig i would go with esab,miller,and the good ol lightweight t/a.....Stick I would go with any of them including hobart(same company miller).....multi process is miller.

Those are facts not two cents

Yet last month you said:

"It don't matter how lincoln makes their machines because they are just as good as the miller machines!

I owned my lincoln welding engine drive for over 50 years and it still works good for me.I owned a miller bobcat for about 10 years and the thing went kaboooieee."

[wooly]

nah nah nah nah,nah nah nah nah hey hey hey ohooowahhhhhh,yeah cuz lincoln 300 amps below nowadays suck,miller is king today in engine drives.hah cope

easy come easy go,what do you own cope? curious never killed the cat!

[george lathbury]

Hi All,
I have in my shop 2 used Lincoln SP200 welders. I bought them both for $400.00 in 1997, they have been in service everyday and the only thing I have done is replace the fan blade on one of them, it spun the center. I also bought a used Miller Pulstar450 for $1,100.00 with wire feeder, I use it for spray transfer and have had no trouble with this machine either. The answer to the used equipment question for me anyway is if the price is right buy it.
I buy used on a lot of big equipment, with the thought in mind, is this something I can fix or is it cost effective to repair it, worst case. I try not to be under the gun when I'm buying so that I can weigh my options. Do I have to have this right now? In this case if I can't wait, I buy new, in order to get the warranty and the tech support, as in my Miller XMT.
Weld Well,
Geo

[cope]

Originally posted by george lathbury
Hi All,
I have in my shop 2 used Lincoln SP200 welders. I bought them both for $400.00 in 1997, they have been in service everyday and the only thing I have done is replace the fan blade on one of them, it spun the center. I also bought a used Miller Pulstar450 for $1,100.00 with wire feeder, I use it for spray transfer and have had no trouble with this machine either. The answer to the used equipment question for me anyway is if the price is right buy it.
I buy used on a lot of big equipment, with the thought in mind, is this something I can fix or is it cost effective to repair it, worst case. I try not to be under the gun when I'm buying so that I can weigh my options. Do I have to have this right now? In this case if I can't wait, I buy new, in order to get the warranty and the tech support, as in my Miller XMT.
Weld Well,
Geo

George, I agree. I bought my two main welders used. One is a 250 amp Miller AC stick built 1968 and the other is a PowCon SM200 stick/mig inverter built in 1986. By all accounts I was crazy to buy a used inverter that was out of production, but they don't last long on Ebay or anywhere else they show up for sale. Condition is the key as in any used purchase.