I'm new and need some advice

[mikeswelding]

Passport

I'm stunned that no one has recommended the Passport! True, the initial cost is a little steep (about double the 140) but it's got it all. It will run on 110 or 220. It's rated for 1/4" on 110 and 3/8" on 220, better than the 180, and the same as the 212. It weighs 45 lb. compared to 72 lb for the 180, and 192 lb for the 212. It has an internal gas bottle for onsite work, as well as a fitting for an external gas source. It also has a setting for stainless, and the case is practically bulletproof.

I have a 175 in the shop and the Passport stays in the truck. But if I could only have one wirefeed, it would be the Passport.

[SavageSunJeep]

I'm stunned that no one has recommended the Passport! True, the initial cost is a little steep (about double the 140) but it's got it all. It will run on 110 or 220. It's rated for 1/4" on 110 and 3/8" on 220, better than the 180, and the same as the 212. It weighs 45 lb. compared to 72 lb for the 180, and 192 lb for the 212. It has an internal gas bottle for onsite work, as well as a fitting for an external gas source. It also has a setting for stainless, and the case is practically bulletproof.

I have a 175 in the shop and the Passport stays in the truck. But if I could only have one wirefeed, it would be the Passport.

Not sure if ANYONE can toss at rocks at a passport...what could be one of the best welders on the market today.

That said I wrestled with that but the MM180 won.

1) I see little need for a portable unit and where I go that I would need one is off road and there is NO place to plug it. This means some serious mods and $$ on my Jeep to bring it with me. Dual batteries, alternators, switches etc.
2) There are several welding set-ups that are overall better for remote use in my Jeep.
3) I have no desire to be the trail "welder-ho" for sometimes as many as 30-40 Jeeps on a trail run.

Bottom line my welder stays in my shop and I saved some bucks...besides my wife said if I spend that much money on the Passport I don't get my Hypertherm Powermax 30 Plasma cutter I just picked up Monday. 1 MM 180 + 1 HPM 30 = Happy Happy Joy Joy Vs 1 MMP. You do the math But I would SURE like to have one.

[Miller Jon]

A little more info on the Auto-Set

I just wanted to throw a few comments out on the Auto-Set. It is a great machine because it is actually like having two machines in one. First there is the Auto-Set feature, which really does work well. Yes I am a product manager for Miller, but I am also a huge car guy. I don't weld everyday, more like every couple of weeks, but the welder I use most is a MM140 Auto-Set. And because I don't weld everyday, most of the time I do use the Auto-Set feature.

What I really wanted to clarify is that the Auto-Set machines can also be set in manual mode just like all Millermatic welders. The parameter chart is still on the inside of the door and both the voltage and wire feed speed knobs can be infinitely adjusted, for those circumstances when you don't want to or can't use the Auto-Set feature.

Hope this helps!

[SavageSunJeep]

I just wanted to throw a few comments out on the Auto-Set. It is a great machine because it is actually like having two machines in one. First there is the Auto-Set feature, which really does work well. Yes I am a product manager for Miller, but I am also a huge car guy. I don't weld everyday, more like every couple of weeks, but the welder I use most is a MM140 Auto-Set. And because I don't weld everyday, most of the time I do use the Auto-Set feature.

What I really wanted to clarify is that the Auto-Set machines can also be set in manual mode just like all Millermatic welders. The parameter chart is still on the inside of the door and both the voltage and wire feed speed knobs can be infinitely adjusted, for those circumstances when you don't want to or can't use the Auto-Set feature.

Hope this helps!

Jon, that was helpful and I think having the duality of the welder is truly a bonus. Kinda makes ke whish I had bought the 180 autoset now. But my exp albeit LIMITED in welding is that every time I go to weld requires a fine tuning. I do know that as time goes by and my skills improve some I make some adjustments of my own at the arc and how I manage the puddle...but that comes with time.

But I do LOVE my MM 180 and truly feel it is a major step up over the MM140 for the world in which I weld...on my off road Jeep. I weld in a space that covers 1/8th - 1/4 with heavy emphasis on 3/16th.

[gofastdaddy4]

I don't know what kind of garden items you want to weld but i don't think you will be happy with a 110v welder. I would aim for a small 220v mig even if it means adding a 220v plug. Just my .02...Bob

i agree you want be satisfied with a 110 volt not hot enough.

[Jolly Roger]

I use a 110V lincoln for running flux core for on site railing repair (was purchased specifically for that) but I have used it for other things as well. It is great for small stuff and short welds, but it is severely limited by it's duty cycle. I also have a Lincoln weld-pak 155 (known as the pro-mig 175 now) that is used on gas for fabbing railings, doors, gates, etc. It is excellent and will run all day long on the mid setting. I have used it on 1/4" steel with flux core with no problems. My EX300 (XMT 304 to you guys) actually weighs less than the 155 with a 10 lb spool of wire in it. I too am an artist and would really recommend the 220V machine. You will find it is worth the cost of having an outlet run. Or you could just get an extension cord for it and run it off your dryer outlet.