My first welder, a couple questions

[aametalmaster]

Hello!

The issue I have is the diffusers look identical, the part number I purchased is 169716, but the threads on the gun are slightly larger than what is on the diffuser. Is there anything I can get that will work for this gun?

I had the same problem with my M-15 gun which is like yours. I ended up running a fine thread die on the neck. I don't know if the heat expanded the copper neck over the last years but they wouldn't fit. I called the company that I bought the parts from and he checked his parts on a new gun and they were fine. Since I rethreaded the neck all the others that I have tried will fit now. My guess is yours is the same...Bob

[aametalmaster]

What is wrong with the Miller factory bent sheet metal clamp?

Mine has been on my MM185 since 1999 and still fine. Some heat up and then won't grip the metal...Bob

[MAC702]

What is wrong with the Miller factory bent sheet metal clamp?

For most of what this small machine does, not much, actually.

I had one that did finally need to be replaced, in fact I think it was an old 130XP, and I used a steel hand clamp like this:

Obviously, I removed the plastic on the tips. As it turned out, it was the best clamp I've ever used for welding square tubing, which was pretty much what that machine did 96% of the time.

[miller_130xp]

What is wrong with the Miller factory bent sheet metal clamp?

[ryanjones2150]

That is my primary clamp. Love it. It's very heavy and you can just lay it across a lot of things. The down side is it wears much faster on the end of the lead because of its heft. But, just cut off an inch and put her back to work!

[Lostone]

Wow, what an interesting ground clamp...

And you can use it as a hand exerciser too

Ive become a big fan of these clamps in the past few years.

[Olivero]

Interesting. See, would have never known that.

Thanks for the Info.

[ryanjones2150]

Oli....probably not as much of a big deal to you since you don't do much MIG. MIG is quite sensitive in regard to the ground. I'd say more so than tig and stick. Given that consideration is the basis for my opinion. Fortunately with tig you know if your ground sucks and you don't end up with a pile of bird poop on your metal. Unlike MIG, that machine is squirting out the wire and it doesn't give two hoots if it melts, penetrates or sticks in your eyeball...the wire is coming. An excellent ground is especially critical on MIG starts.

[Olivero]

Yeah, I mean if it works it works.

[ryanjones2150]

I'm not a fan of those stamped sheet metal clamps. The ones with the copper contacts are a little better, but still not great.

[Olivero]

Never seen one like that. I have the OEM factory grounds on all my gear...................

[ryanjones2150]

That's pretty much a standard, bronze ground clamp.

[Olivero]

Wow, what an interesting ground clamp...

[Aeronca41]

Yep, that's the one.

[DougCrawford]

Thanks for the replies! I picked up all this stuff from the local Arc3 store, nice guys and the local official Miller dealer. My friend who has some welding experience came by this morning and helped me solve the diffuser issue. Scrubbed the threads with vinegar and a brass brush, and it was a tight fit but got it on there. Little bit of build up on the threads was holding it up. He got all the settings dialed in for the wire im using. The clamp you were referring to from harbor freight, is it the 400amp one like this picture?

Thanks again!