My Millermatic 251 just arrived... Passport?

[unixadm]

I've been waiting since last Thursday for my MM251 as the delivery got screwed up. Long story short, my MM 251 that I ordered from IOC was delivered this afternoon in perfect condition. Like a kid with a new toy, I got it off the pallet and quickly put everything together. This thing is huge and just feels like a quality machine. I installed some .030 wire, hooked up my tank and welded some 1/8th angle iron. All I can say is, this is one awesome welder. It has such a smooth soft arc. The M-25 gun is pretty nice. I've been used to the M-10 guns which are 'okay', but nothing to write home about.

Anyhow - Miller has really won me over. The 200DX I have is awesome, this 251 is awesome, my old MM175 was okay. I was doing some welding yesterday with the Hobart 125 I have and it's like not happening for me on that front. I do need a 120V welder and the Passport looks to be one heck of a machine. I don't mind spending the money once for quality machines that will last me many years (5 years min). So I'm pondering the idea of selling the Hobart 125 and doing a upgrade to a Passport. The inverter, compact, internal CO2 tank make this a big winner for me as I can take it anywhere and still have 110V capability (most important of all). Rarely do I weld for more than 20-25 minutes at a time, and I'd have an couple of extra tanks if I did have to weld more. So my finger is twitching to order a Passport and complete my welder setup. About the only thing I think I would do is if I bought the Passport is to also buy a 15' M-25 gun, put that on my 251 and take the gun from the 251 and put it on the Passport. I could then sell the new M-10 gun on Ebay and only have to spend less than $100 on a gun upgrade for the Passport. The M-25 gun just feels more comfortable to me.

[cope]

I haven't heard any complaints about the Passport from owners. I would leave the M-10 gun on the Passport for flexibility and use in tight spaces.

[HAWK]

I am with cope to leave the M-10 gun as is. It is plenty for the Passport even though I do swap over to a Bernard for certain wires in my shop. However, it is only as a matter of convenience when changing wire types.

I absolutely love my Passport and recommend one without hesitation since it sounds like it features fit your needs! You will be amazed by the arc quality of this little inverter!

[unixadm]

Darn you Hawk.

Okay you guys win if I buy a Passport I'll just leave the M-10 gun as is. The only reason I really was thinking about it is I'd really like a 15' gun on the 251 because where it's at in my shop, an extra foot or two would really be nice - but I can live without it. I do like the feel of the M-25 gun though.

If I wanted to run short circuit and spray transfer with the 251, should I go with 90/10 (Argon/CO2) or would you recommend keeping a bottle of C25 for short circuit and go with like 92/8 for spray?

[HAWK]

One gas: 90ar/10CO2

That depends on how crisp of a short arc you really want. For me the 90/10 is the mix of choice. It gives a nice crisp short arc and really blows a nice spray too! You do NOT need the 98 ar/2O2 as the MM251 has plenty of power to spray without the added O2 for preheat. Try a bottle of 90AR/10CO2 and see what you think. If you are not satisfied with the short arc, then keep it for spray and p/u a bottle of C25 for short arc. Honestly, I think you will hang tough with the 90ar/10CO2 and not look back. One awesome welder-one great shielding gas-2 great weld transfer methods!

[unixadm]

Thanks Hawk for your awesome info! Very much appreciated. I'll pick up a tank of C10 and see how it goes. I think I'll also order up a Passport tomorrow. I even saw someone was able to get a spray arc with that machine which was pretty impressive. I have read nothing but good things about the Passport, except the lack of aluminum support. For me I don't think that will be a big deal as I plan to add a spool gun to the 251 down the road and I have a portable TIG.

[Scott V]

Just so you know, Dan hated the short-arc on the 251 with 90/10 gas.
He almost did not buy that machine because of it. Just from using
the 251 with 75/25, I am pretty sure I would not like that machine
if the arc was any softer. I find machines that can be dailed or have
a sharp type arc, do much better with 90/10. The MM-350p is the
type of machine to run 90/10 on. I run two bottles but
now with pulse, I could really limit the use of 75/25 (if I wanted too)

[Danny]

Just so you know, Dan hated the short-arc on the 251 with 90/10 gas.
He almost did not buy that machine because of it. Just from using
the 251 with 75/25, I am pretty sure I would not like that machine
if the arc was any softer. I find machines that can be dailed or have
a sharp type arc, do much better with 90/10. The MM-350p is the
type of machine to run 90/10 on. I run two bottles but
now with pulse, I could really limit the use of 75/25 (if I wanted too)

It been a while now, since I ran a 251 with C-10 in short circuit transfer, however, I do remember that the 251 pretty much sucked with it. For one, the puddle didn t wetout very well, and this was even when i tried upping the voltage quite a bit. Besides in reality 90/10 is a poor choice for a general purpose spray transfer - short arc shielding gas. The mix produces excellent penetration in spray arc mode, however, in short arc mode, it is a low energy gas mix that is going to start having potential lack of fusion issues on material over an 1/8" thick. On the 251 I'd recommend going with C-25 for short arc, and 90/10 CO2 or 92/8 CO2 for spray arc. BTW, if you happen to want to spray arc SS too, then I would recommend going with 98/2 oxy as your spray gas mix.

BTW, all this discussion of the MM Passport isn t helping me much. Now, I m back to wanting one myself. Thanks a lot guys, you have me eye balling my very seldomly used plasma cutter and dust collecting MM 175, thinking they'd make a healthy start toward a MM Passport for me. If the arc quality of the Passport is a good as advertisedit definitely wouldnt be a dust collector around here.

[unixadm]

Dan,

Thanks for the heads up. If I were you, that MM175 would be gone. I just sold mine the other day for $675 with the econo cart, and the Miller cover. It was about 2 years old and the guy picked it up locally. That cash went towards my 251. My hobart might bring $400, so that isn't a lot of funds towards a $1325 welder, but it's better than nothing. I do know that the Passport would probably be the most used welder in my shop, with the Dynasty as second and the 251 as last because I don't do a lot of heavy fab. I just wanted a good MIG so that when something comes along or I need to do a lot of welding at once, I have a machine that can go the distance.

I've done a lot of research on the Passport and except for the the lack of aluminum capability, most all comments have been very positive. I did see some pics of lack of penetration at some of the stock settings with C25, but they resolved that with some settings changes. Looks like a winner to me and I know when Hawk says it's good, it's good. From reading the forums, even Scott V is pretty picky about the machines he recommends and he likes the Passport too. So I'm going to pull the trigger tomorrow and order one up from Quimby. Does the Passport run well on mixed gasses, like C25? Or is it best just to stick to CO2?

[Scott V]

It runs very nice on C- 25
The bead lays out smoother for me.
That said, I am real happy with C02.

You will love how it welds on 120 volt power.
It's shocking how much power they get out of it.
That's if you compare it to your average 120 volt unit.

I like Quimby's too, because they are local for me.
They always use to beat Airgas on the price of
gas.

[HAWK]

Everybody has their own preference for shielding gases. Mine is 90ar/10CO2 or 92ar/8CO2. I do weld with variable inductance and or variable/tapped slope machines. It is much easier to dial in the exact arc I am a looking for in a particular application.

The MM251 is an SCR output machine with a fairly soft arc. It will be softer yet with the 90ar/10CO2, but I did not find it to be un-satisfactory at all. Dan and I have slighty different styles of welding and his preference and mine are different. However, I think we both agree you can start with the 90ar/10CO2 and always pick a botle of C25 later.

[HAWK]

The Passport is an awesome machine. Maybe Dan will pick one up soon too! I sure hope so as winter apporaches and he is still without. I really don't know if I can read his "Passport" woes all winter long. Come on Dan and jump in....

[unixadm]

Well I didn't pull the trigger and order the Passport today. I think I'll wait a month or so as I've bought a Dynasty 200DX, MM251 and the Cutmaster 51 in the last 3 weeks. I don't have an immediate need for a 110V welder so I'll just hold off a bit. I have a spot amongst the Blue's Brothers in the garage for the Passport though.

I did a little more welding with the 251 tonight. It's tough not to get a nice bead with that machine. I almost like the 251 better than the Dynasty!

I also needed a small band saw and after doing some research and reading on the Hobart forum, I saw people recommending this little unit:

https://www.homier.com/detail.asp?dpt=&cat=&sku=03111

It's the exact same unit Grizzly sells for about $500 shipped. I got it for a little over $300 shipped. It will do a nice job in the home shop. For the price, I don't think it can be beat (performance of feature wise) and the guys who have bought this thing have been nothing but pleased with it.

[Bob Sigmon]

You'll like that saw a lot! Be sure to order some bi-metal blades. I really like the 20-24 VP bi-metal from Grizzly. I use it for everything.

Even though the table (if you can call it that) is small, I use it lots in the vertical position and it works very well.

You got some great tools and I think that when you get the Passport, you'll want to find a reason to take it around and weld "portable".

You can fill your own internal bottles if you get a CO2 tank with a dip tube and a fill unit and scale from a paintball supply company. I got mine at anythingxtreme.com

[neophyte]

I also needed a small band saw and after doing some research and reading on the Hobart forum, I saw people recommending this little unit:

https://www.homier.com/detail.asp?dpt=&cat=&sku=03111

It's the exact same unit Grizzly sells for about $500 shipped. I got it for a little over $300 shipped. It will do a nice job in the home shop. For the price, I don't think it can be beat (performance of feature wise) and the guys who have bought this thing have been nothing but pleased with it.

Holy saw teeth Batman, a mitering bandsaw for at 199.00 plus shipping. It's imperative we acquire one for the Bat Cave!

Be sure to give us an update after you have had it awhile. Would be great to read a review after you have run it through the paces.

That is incredible!
Jesse

.... Easy does it Robin