Need Mig Info

[jcb]

I'm in the market for a mig welder. I have so far done most of my research on line and at local welding supply stores. I will be using this welder for mostly hobby work in my garage and i'd like to eventually work my way up to light fabrication or even making my own utility trailer and possibly selling a few if I can get good at it. I have wired my garage with 230 amp service for that reson. I'm seriously looking at the Millermatic 180 for the simple fact that I was told that If I wanted to weld up to 1/4 inch thick,I shouldn't go any smaller than that. Will this do the trick, can any of you give me additional advice before I make the $1000.00 purchase ? Thanks JC

[Sberry]

A welder in that class will do what most home/hobby type will do. You can build a trailer with one, a step up to a 210 would be better but building trailers can be a fuzzy thought but is very competitive.

[kiwi]

A welder in that class will do what most home/hobby type will do. You can build a trailer with one, a step up to a 210 would be better but building trailers can be a fuzzy thought but is very competitive.

jcb,
Listen to sberry and get a MM 210. It is a much more capable unit. I have one and I have never regretted the purchase. If money is an issue I have seen several used 210s in the $1000 price range that were very clean machines.
Good luck,
Nick

[Black Wolf]

what about a multi-process welder??? A wire feeder that can also stick weld??? One machine to cover all your bases. I do not know if Miller makes such an animal. I know the Red & Black paint do - I use one everyday, but I'm not here to promote "that company"....In my opinion, doing that would be insulting to Miller on their own site.

Just another perspective.
Later,
Jason

[diamondback]

jcb
there are alot of different welders out there. When you are looking for the right one, look at what you need it to do for maximum current and voltage and then make that 80% of what you really buy. As you get better at welding you will always want to do something a little big just to see if you can. Miller has a great comparison chart on their website as well as a ton of training stuff just to help you "tune it in". http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/

[jcb]

Thanks guys. Sounds like the 210 or 212 instead of the 180 is the better choice but I'll have to check with my banker sitting next to me to see if she'll allow me to spend the extra $$$. I have another question though. Up here in Canada we have a neat store called Princess Auto that carries an auto darkning hood that comes on sale once and a while for $59.00. Would any of you trust an auto darkning hood at that price ? If not, what is the best option for a hobbiest undet $60.00 let's say?

[kiwi]

jcb,
Yes I would. I have an expensive Jackson auto hood and a $59 H. F. hood and I like them both. I actually purchased the inexpensive hood for my daughter and have used it quite a bit. Actually I like the hood a lot, and for the money you can't beat it
Nick

[Jolly Roger]

Hey Black Wolf aboiut the inverter and advice on the Mig

Miller does build several multi-process inverter machines. I have a Red-d-arc EX300 which is their name for an XMT 304. On the back it says manufactured by Miller. The guys at the welding supply (repair center and sales) knew exactly what it was. It uses the same remote as my Synchrowave 250DX. I have had it about 10 days and have no complaints at all. I've burned 50 lbs of fluxcore with it and it has never backed up a bit. The only thing I actually like better about the Lincoln is that it loses no power or duty cycle dropping from 3 phase to single phase like my Miller. I hope they read this myself because that will be the deciding factor on the next one I buy and there will be more of them.

On the Mig thing and any other welder for that matter. I am a pro at this so I am a little bit skewed in perspectives but when purchasing a machine always decide what will do the job for you and then get a bigger one. As far as trailers go I don't even build them. I can't buy the material for what the factories sell finished ones for. Now a special purpose trailer that can't be based off of a factory unit is a totally different story.

[jcb]

Thanks again guys for all you helpful advice. This brings me to my next question: I've been looking at the new 100 model spool gun for aluminum that is compatible without a controler with the mm180. What thickness of aluminum will I be able to tackle with this? In other words what are my realistic limits with this gun ?

[welder_one]

Thanks again guys for all you helpful advice. This brings me to my next question: I've been looking at the new 100 model spool gun for aluminum that is compatible without a controler with the mm180. What thickness of aluminum will I be able to tackle with this? In other words what are my realistic limits with this gun ?

if you preheat the aluminum to about 200 - 250 degrees before you weld you might get it to weld 1/4 but it probably wont get very good penetration. the 180 is rated at 135 amps at 20% duty.
i weld aluminum evry day, all day, and i use about 150 to 180 amps to weld 1/8 cold (no preheat). atleast that is what the amchine says that i am running. 22.5 volts and 630 ipm on wire speed. you'll do well with 1/8 aluminum, but for shaort periods of time.
if you will use a helium mix in your argon, it will definately help your aluminum welding, agter that, you are on your own.

in my opinion, i dont think that the 180 will do for long, spend a few dollars more and get the 210, my friend has the 251 and it does pretty good. i use an xmt 304 power source with a push-pull feeder and 30 foot gun for aluminum, and i have sent them to the shop, they are too small, but purchasing wont buy a bigger power source for me.

[timberjack]

jcb, I just bought a mm180 earlier this week. Spotted this bulletin board after registering my machine's warranty.

I'd been planning to get one all summer and finally pulled the trigger, so to speak. Haven't had a chance to use it yet, needed to rig up a patch cord to mate the Miller's plug with my Ranger's outlet. Got the parts for that and will melt some wire this weekend sometime.

Was that $1000 you were quoted out the door with bottle and some consumables, or is that the machine only price? With our strong dollar, you might show them what you could get it for from ebay, etc, and ask if they can do a little better. I didn't even have to say anything, my dealer quoted me $825 for the machine alone, and i said sold right then and there. I see they've been selling them on ebay for about $750 or so, i don't mind paying slightly more to buy locally, but wouldn't if it was 25%.

I'm also considering the spoolmate gun. Might pick one up when i buy an argon tank. He (dealer) told me it would handle up to 1/4" aluminum, but i don't know if that's realistic, or even viable for production work.

I'll say one thing though, it's a heavier critter than i expected, and i know the first project will be a cart.

Good luck

[jcb]

Good advice. I was quoted the same thing locally for the mm180, $828 plus tax to be exact. I don't mind paying the extra $75 to avoid the the shipping headaches and the like.