MillerMatic DVI question from new member

[Scott V]

Alrighty then, after doing some more searches here on the Passport, I think I will probably drop the DVI out of the top 2. So now it's down to the MM210 and the Passport. You guys are really not helping when the wife see's the change in plans now . It's hard enough since I have a garage full of full size metalworking machines and constantly buying stuff for them.
One thing I was really impresed with was the quality with CO2. Especially when you consider the refill prices.

One quick question. Now aluminum ability is not really a factor, but has any body tried to change liners and push it through this machine(Passport) for a quickie fix? I have the Sync250 at work, so taking something in to do it after hours is no big deal. I have heard of some people doing this occasionally but would like to know more.

Thanks.

I have not tried but know I am re-thinking trying (buying the one nylon oversized liner for the M-10 gun).Hawk was taking about the run-in speed, causing a problem with the standard type gun setup.

I have a Tweeco spool-gun and box that I could setup for the passport, but I would have to re-wire the contactor it to work. It's setup for my esab inverter with it's own slope setting for aluminum. All the stuff you would end up carrying around, I would be better off grabbing my tig machine with a air-cooled torch and button control.


Here is another question you might ask. Has anybody welded with the 210 using CO2 and C-25? That one I am interested in.

[toolmaker]

Cope,

Yea, I really like the MM210 that's why I considered one for home. Strange thing is, I have never tried to MIG aluminum. We don't have the spoolgun. Plus we have the TIG, so I just use it.

[HAWK]

ScottV, and toolmaker,

The Miller engineers have already tried the M10 gun as well as a spoolgun with the SGA controller. It just does not do it well. I talked with Kevin in applications concerning the Al welding with the PASSPORT and he told me they had tried several things without success. Believe me if it would weld Al well, then my 30A would not be for sale.

ScottV,

I picked up the rest of the parts for a fill kit. I went the safe route and still have less than $50 bucks in the whole fill station. I used 2 industrial 7000psi constant service rated ball valves, 10,000psi constant use threaded high end industrial fittings to build the manifold assembly, and 20,000 psi burst rated hose which is also rated at 5000 psi constant use. I ge by with a little help from my friends.

[HAWK]

Dan,

The 350P is a nice machine, but for my uses the PASSPORT is way more practical. I already have a 400 amp variable inductance GMAW machine. I sold the Optima pulser so the pulse option is out. Oh well. The PASSPORT will certainly surprise you on the thin stuff as well as the 3/8" material. You will kick yourself if you PASS on it. No pun intended

[toolmaker]

HAWK,
Thanks for the info. Still does'nt make the decision any easier.

But since most of my work for welding involves 1/4" and below(mostly at that, structural box tubing, 1/8" wall) the Passport is looking better .

[HAWK]

toolmaker,

Obviously Al is not an issue and portability is. It should be a hands down 100+ vote for the PASSPORT. Download the spec sheets and take a look at the duty cycle ratings for the MM210 and the PASSPORT. Perhaps this would make your decision easier.

MM210 Spec Sheet

PASSPORT Spec Sheet

PASSPORT 110/220 DC ratings

[Scott V]

Hawk,
I went and picked up another bottle, and had it filled. They just used a scale, and a fill fitting with a bleed valve before the fill valve. Right on to the main co2 tank. Nothing fancy at all. Is there something wrong with a setup like that? It looked like one these.Theirs had T fitting on the top, instead of the y setup of this one. One went to the tank and the other to the bottle valve fill station. It was tiny too.

[Mike W]

Scott, you may find this useful:

http://www.teamonslaught.fsnet.co.uk/co2_info.htm

[HAWK]

ScottV,

I preface this description and pictures with the fact that I am neither recommending nor endorsing such a fill kit or activity of filling your own tanks. There are laws governing the trans-filling gas tanks.

This is what I have put together for the pictures. As you can see there is no teflon tape or sealant and all connections are loose. This is for illustration only.

You could use the 2 valves like a manifold to first empty the remaining CO2 contents, cool down the tank, then fill. If cooling is insufficient, then fill the small bottle with 4-6 oz of CO2 and quickly empty to cool down for a good fill. The fill the small bottle on a scale as you mentioned. Be sure to TARE the bottle weight so you are weighing contents only. A piece of foam cut in a "V" works wonders for keeping the bottle on the scale. A large CO2 tank with a dip tube may yield better results than a smaller CO2 tank w/o a dip tube. Food for thought.

[Scott V]

Ok, Thanks guys.

Where did you find the piece for the little bottle? I was hunting around with no luck yet. Also how big would a tank have to be to have a dip tube. I could trade my #150 75/25 for a co2 of the same size?

[HAWK]

ScottV,

Around here (East TN) a dip tube can be had in a 50 pound tank. I found the fitting for the bottle a local sporting goods store. I can either give your their name and information or I could purchase one there and send it to you. It threads onto the bottle and the center screws down to depress the center pin in the small cylinder. I think at leat a 50 lb would be required to get enough head pressure to do a good job. An 80lb would also work well.

Ideally you could pop your empty bottles in the deep freeze rather than using CO2 to chill them down. It would save gas.

[Danny]

Dan,

The 350P is a nice machine, but for my uses the PASSPORT is way more practical. I already have a 400 amp variable inductance GMAW machine. I sold the Optima pulser so the pulse option is out. Oh well. The PASSPORT will certainly surprise you on the thin stuff as well as the 3/8" material. You will kick yourself if you PASS on it. No pun intended

Hawk,

I don t have the cool high end GMAW units like you and Scott. However, my MM 251 realistcally meets my spray transfer needs. In most cases the MM 210 outputs all the spray transfer power that I need. The higher duty cycle on the MM 251 makes it my first choice though. So the more I look at it the more the I realize the MM 350 is more of a want then a need. As far as the Passport goes, I see some definite uses for it doing repair work for my father on his farm equipment. The stick side on my sweet little Maxstar 150 sth will probably come in handy too for this same purpose when he needs some field repair work.

[Sundown]

<snip>The stick side on my sweet little Maxstar 150 sth will probably come in handy too for this same purpose when he needs some field repair work.

I 2nd that idea

[Scott V]

Funny Dan,
I thought a Maxstar 150 could come in pretty handy too. I wonder if Barbara is up for another trade?

Dan I gave up a lot of power and features by selling my MK and powermig 300 Thermal 300. I wanted the best short arc and enough power to do the job and the esab really fills the bill better then the others. The esab cuts off at 250 amps (lots of voltage still) on single phase but it's enough power for what I do. I find the if the short arc is not right, it pisses my off way more then not having 425 amps (Lincoln inverter for the same price) at the top end. Having the different settings for all the different metals is much more important to me. I like the indutance control but on the esab setting right in the middle is where I like it. If you do move it, it is only a little.


Hawk,
thanks for the offer. I will try my sister, because she works for a large wholesale sporting goods place. I always forget that, probably because she really can't get me some of her cool firearms they sell without a major hassle.
I can get ammo cheap so it's not a total loss.

[Manny]

Toolmaker,
I'm an Ohio boy too, and proud owner of an MM210 that, while a great machine, I wouldn't have bought if I knew the Passport was being introduced. (Of course it was introduced just AFTER I l purchased the 210) The portability and multivoltage of the Passport are ideal for what I need. Still haven't got the wiring redone yet to run the 210, turning into a more extensive (read expensive) situation than I thought going in. If you're interested in a new not yet used 210 I'll make you a sweet deal.
Manny