2 pound spool, 10 pound sprocket and other issues

[firebird_red]

Andy,

I guess you are the same Andy who was at the Ocean City car show a while back ,but this is just a guess.

In my research, I found I didn't need a tig welder, esp top of the line "dyanasty" inverter technology for fixing some odds and ends body panels etc. You would do better at these shows by showing off all of your product line matched to user needs, not the most expensive unit offered.....

Anyway, I ended up, after much research, buying your 175 MIG unit from a more local vendor than offered the "Dynasty". The 175 seems more suited to my use. We have been unpacking this unit while waiting for the electrician to hook up some 30 amps of electrical service and reading the instructions.

Some constructive comments: The manual should immediately describe the minimum power requirements and the optimum service outlet. This information should be on page two of the book and before any other information.

Now on to my question... My Milller 175 unit came with a two pound spool of copper clad wire. This spool does not seem to fit the internals of the unit. Where am I supposed to mount this spool of wire? Is there a sprocket change I need to make?

I am interested in using other gauge welding wires, including one by Harris which is called "20 gauge" though it is a powder cored wire that is larger than .02... I think .03 with a powder core. It is supposed to be good for sheet metal. Can you give me machine settings for this wire? Do I need to make any changes to the tip or lining for this?

You sell Miller products. Your video shows a Hobart spool of wire inside your machine. Your folks need to pay closer attention! I'm pretty inattentive but I noticed this right away. My wife noticed this too. I guess I could have bought a Hobart unit too?

Again, I enjoyed welding aluminum and stuff with the dyanasty series but I think you would do better showing off your gear suited to the budget and needs of us youngs poor folks attending car shows.

[Tanner]

You sell Miller products. Your video shows a Hobart spool of wire inside your machine. Your folks need to pay closer attention! I'm pretty inattentive but I noticed this right away. My wife noticed this too. I guess I could have bought a Hobart unit too?

Since hobart and Miller are both part of Illinois Tool Works, they use the products. Miller doesn't make consumables for their welding machines, Hobart does.

[Danny]

To install the 4" spool of .023/.024 wire onto your unit, you need to remove the larger 8" spool hub. Then install the 4" spool on the spindle that you just removed the 8" spool hub from. There is an exploded view of the 4" spool assembly process in your owner manual.

BTW, the .023/.024 wire provided with your unit performance wise, is excellent on sheetmetal, with a shielding gas mixture of 75% argon / 25% CO2.

[aphexafx]

Since hobart and Miller are both part of Illinois Tool Works, they use the products. Miller doesn't make consumables for their welding machines, Hobart does.

Yeah, Miller and Hobart are sister companies, along with several others, like WeldCraft (TIG torches) and Bernard (MIG torches), parented by Illinois Tool Works. While they operate independently research and development wise, and do compete, they obviously share some benefits in manufacturing and supply.

As far as power requirements in the manual, if the MM175 manual follows the common and familiar Miller format, then they are listed immediately after the APPROPRIATE SAFETY INFORMATION. This is the right way to do it and is responsible on Miller's part. You will always find a SPECIFICATIONS grid in the manual for every Miller product, right after the safety precautions, that details machine ratings, duty cycles, power requirements, power consumption, mechanical specifics, and dimensions. If I were Miller, I wouldn't change this format. They don't want you to get into your 50A wiring until you have read the dangers. YOU may be aware of the dangers, but Miller is not going to bet on YOU being every user.

As far as wiring, I believe the manuals are optimized and the machines are described in order of installation. Plugging the unit in is generally the last step and is where wiring and plug specifications are described. In the future you can always look for the INSTALLATION section and find this information, probably at the end of that section. Works for me!

If you ever want to buy a new Miller product, you can get a head start by downloading the manual from this page at www.millerwelds.com. This way you can prewire your garage or shop or whatever and be ready to plug and play when the unit arrives.

Cheers!

[dyn88]

ive been a member of this board for a little while and you are the first to complain about any part of their product. Also if you want to weld aluminum good luck with the mm175, or tig for that matter. The 200dx is an excelant machine and I say that without even owning one.

[firebird_red]

Sorry if my comments were though of as complaints. Andy gave me a demo of the dyanasty 200, and I was welding aluminum from the start, having never picked up an arc torch in my life. I was very impressed with the stability of the arc and the job it producted. It was just not the right product to push for entry level. It was not the right unit for an amateur to weld thin sheet metal with. At $3K+ that was not going to happen anyway. I guess I can drool.

I guess I'm used to technical manuals starting out with specifications, including power requirements, described up on page one. I did get that sorted out, and I agree that one does not plug the unit in without the initial setup.

I didn't know that Hobart was related... I've never seen Miller sold in Sears or tractor stores... only sold to professionals. That is why I bought the Miller unit. I've found through the years that the gear sold to professionals seems to work better and hold up longer than the more easily found units. I know lots of consumables will interchange but was a bit surprised to see a competing product in the Miller video. Now I understand.

I assumed the 8" sprocket needed to come off to install the two pound spool, but I didn't see explained while this leafing through the manual or watching the video. I'm sure I will get that sorted out soon too, while waiting for the electricty to happen. ;o) Maybe a good dose of patience will help?

[aphexafx]

It's a bummer to have your new shiny machine and not be able to plug it in. But I hope you get it up and running soon.

You made a good decision in going with Miller and I think you'll find that the company's primary focus is getting you welding and keeping you that way. You'll notice that Miller seems to be (well, is) a step ahead of everyone else, and dangit, I have to say it, Miller's equipment is just way more modern feeling (and looking ).

I bought the Dynasty as my first welder and it's one of my favorite things I've ever owned. I've never used a Millermatic, but I know from reading here that they are the pinnacle in MIG welding. Good luck with it, and there are plenty of people here who would be happy to help you with anything that comes up.

[fun4now]

spool change

my MM135 came setup for the smaller spool but included the large spool adapter.a nut and spring hold the larg spool assembly on if you remove the nut and spring the large spool holder will slide off and you can slide on the smaller 2lbs spool and then just replace the washer spring and nut to hold the small spool on
once you take it apart you will get it kinda like a light popping on or as homer simpson would say dooope
it works real well i keep solid .025 wire on the large spool 11lbs and .030 flux core just in the 2lbs for the once in a wile thing.it only takes a second to change if needed. you will like it once you find the wire you use most get a large spool and just keep a small spool for the few times you might need it.

[Paul Seaman]

Firebird red:
Welcome aboard and my first hint for help is buy a cheap digital camera so you can take it to the garage take pics of pride or displeasing results and we can help by seeing rather than simply a description. The folks here are the best at descriptive procedure, some times we get to simple or too complex but thats the way sometimes. One thing for certain we do love our blue machines. I hope you enjoy your mm175 as much as I enjoy my mm210 and dynasty200dx.
Keep us up on your progress.

Weld well, weld safe,