Milermatic 135 question

[nate]

mm135

I am begining to build an enclosed ATV trailer and I have a Milermatic 135 and use with flux core wire (too windy and no garage). Some people are telling me the 135 is not strong enough to weld 3/16 channel and angle. Any thoughts? I am having the tongue welded at a trailer shop that has a monster mig welder so I am not worried about that part.

as the picture states, you can go a little more than 1/8" , with flux core wire, and, maybe a few multiple passes , for the thicker you might wanna stick weld it,

[DDA52]

Remember........it is easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. ( the wifee taught me that one. )


That and.... he who dies with the most toys wins.....are wise words to live by.

[wb5jhy]

Thanks,
You guys are giving me ammo on how to tell the wife I need another welder....see there is a method to my madness.

If your wife asks.....I'm going to tell her I said no such thing!

[Rufridr069]

Thanks,
You guys are giving me ammo on how to tell the wife I need another welder....see there is a method to my madness.

[Danny]

Yeah, I too definitely agree that a small 120 V unit isn't a good choice for this project. A small 230V 175/180 amp unit would be my minimum for this project.

[wb5jhy]

Thanks again, .......

The trailer I am starting is a 18' x 7' toy hauler with living space. Rear ramp for loading the ATVs and a bunk area up front. 5200 watt generator and A/C (gets hot in South Florida). I will post pics during the process. Thanks again!

That's going to be pretty big project for MM 135. I'd get a bigger machine.

[Rufridr069]

P.S. I just talked work into buying a Miller plasma cutter....he he it's good to be the king.

[Rufridr069]

I have a 30 amp circuit just for my 135. Before when i ran it off a 15 amp circuit i was always tripping the breaker. It was spattering all the time and the welds seemed cold.

Thanks again,
We just took delivery of a Haulmark trailer at work. So I figured why buy plans when I have a full size model to work off. So I crawled under it to snap some pics to start the plans. WHAT A P.O.S. and we paid almost 10K for it. The frame is made with 2X6X1/8 rails (actually I think it's thiner than that) and 5x1/8 C channel. The welds look like a 4 year old did it. For strenght they welded to channels together in certain places.


The trailer I am starting is a 18' x 7' toy hauler with living space. Rear ramp for loading the ATVs and a bunk area up front. 5200 watt generator and A/C (gets hot in South Florida). I will post pics during the process. Thanks again!

[kelly'$mygirl]

I have a 30 amp circuit just for my 135. Before when i ran it off a 15 amp circuit i was always tripping the breaker. It was spattering all the time and the welds seemed cold.

[DDA52]

3/16 with flux core is definitely within the limits of that machine. With proper care, 1/4 may be possible. I have done a lot of 3/16 with mine. Now anything over 1/8 with solid wire is definitely pushing it. It will give a cold 1/8" weld at best, but it will barely do it. If you have good single pass 1/4's, then you got very lucky since the recommended range (according to the Miller calculator) for 1/4" steel starts at 180 amps....way more than the 135 can put out.


One key to getting good output with the 135's is the power input. They need to be on a dedicated circuit. If you must use an extension cord, use a heavy one and keep it as short as possible.

[Rufridr069]

I welded some racks that were 1/4'' mild steel with a 75/25 mix with my 135 (single pass) and the racks are holding 3 tonnes each. I did taper the channel though before i welded it.

Thanks for the response! The heavy welds will be done at the trailer shop.

[kelly'$mygirl]

I welded some racks that were 1/4'' mild steel with a 75/25 mix with my 135 (single pass) and the racks are holding 3 tonnes each. I did taper the channel though before i welded it.

[link523]

3/16 i think would be pushing the limits of that machine my opionion!!!! you could tapper the edges and making two passes

[kelly'$mygirl]

The 135 should be fine for 3/16 with flux-core. Ive welded up to 1/4 with it. Now that i have a 251 i can see how limited the 135 was though. And for the coupler, just bolt it on.

[Rufridr069]

I am begining to build an enclosed ATV trailer and I have a Milermatic 135 and use with flux core wire (too windy and no garage). Some people are telling me the 135 is not strong enough to weld 3/16 channel and angle. Any thoughts? I am having the tongue welded at a trailer shop that has a monster mig welder so I am not worried about that part.