Help Setting Up A MIG Welder, or Selecting A New One,,,

[Dftodd]

Company I work for has either a Lincoln or Miller at each location. I have a 10 year old Miller 252 at my location. Love it, but take care of it. Unit looks like it's just a couple years old. 30 lb roll of wire lasts about 6 months. Been to some other locations that have newer units, that look beat down. But after watching them weld something up on top of the cabinet, I understood why it was so beat up

I've used a couple of Lincolns with similar HP to the MM252. Units worked great and seemed to run pretty similar. One location had one of the larger Hobarts. Only issue I had with it, is it seems to weld cooler then the Miller and Lincoln. I had to stop with the with the Hobart, grab some scrap out of the metal bin with the same thickness as what I was working with, and run a few test beads till I got it dialed in.

I've been eyeballing the Everlast welders they have been pimping on this site for personal use at home. My only issue is not knowing someone who owns one so I can try before I buy

 

[CADplans]

So, do I get better arc characteristics if I use the Miller Trailblazer for power and use the little suitcase feeder to just feed the wire?

I guess I am asking if the Trailblazer and feeder is better than a Millermatic 252?

I do love using the Trailblazer compared to a low cost DC transformer welder.

I have never used an engine driven MIG,,,

 

[Shield Arc]

CADplans I use to own a Trailblazer 55D. 450-amp diesel drive. I've never run the new Trailblazers, or a Millermatic 252. But I have read several times that people who own them just love them!
I run a lot of Mig in my LN-25s, to me they work just like a dedicated Mig welder. Here is a vertical up Mig weld with my LN-25.

 

[BukitCase]

I've been really happy with my 252, I've only run about 100# of .035 hard wire thru it so far, but I've welded everything from 16 ga. to 3/4 plate with it, same wire - I haven't done aluminum with it so far, got a 30A spool gun with it and I usually keep a 2# spool of .023 hard wire in that if I need REALLY light stuff glued together - couple pics, .120" wall square tube, plug welds on mower deck, grab hook on 2"x.250 wall tube, and 3/4" FB... Steve

 

[MatHaas]

I have filled ALL of my welding needs with the Miller Trailblazer,, by exclusively stick welding.
At times, I know there are more projects I would do if I had a MIG welder set up and running in the shop.

First, what I have;
The Miller Trailblazer, and,
the Miller spool gun MIG setup for the Trailblazer, and,
Three gas bottles, one for steel, one for aluminum, the third, I believe is for TIG?

A 30# spool of steel wire would last me a decade, so the small spools might be OK for me,

So my questions:
Should I try to use this Trailblazer MIG setup, or should I just go buy a MIG machine like a Millermatic 252?

(my main negative about buying a machine like the Millermatic 252 is that the wire would probably rust between uses)

Is there a source of manuals for the Miller welders?

Please help me get MIGGING!! :thumbsup:

Well what kind of jobs do you plan on doing? And how often do you plan to use it?

What makes the millermatic 252 your suggested choice?

Personally, unless you're doing some SERIOUS welding, I would consider the millermatic 211 if you want to buy new.
My reasons: It's just so versatile. It weighs 38 lbs vs the 207 lbs of the 252. It has the MVP multi-plug which screws on either 120v plug or a 240v plug. so if you want to work in the driveway on exhaust, run to friends house to help them, or whatever, you can either use a normal extension cord or have your dedicated 240v line. 12 lb spools fit in it. It can accept a spool gun. Not to mention it's a great price and they run Build with Blue sales all of the time. It's less than half of the 252.

Only downsides vs the 252 would be it only puts out 230 amps vs the 300 amps of the 252. and the duty cycle (which unless you're doing production welding, you won't need).

But like I said, i don't know what you're welding or what your plans on.
I've welded up to 1.25" with my millermatic 211. Sure, you need to bevel every joint when you're welding heavy material, but it's not often you're working that large. And beveling is good practice anyway, along with some quick pre-heat. Run .030" wire, you'll have better control of the puddle and can work slower letting more heat build up.

Just my two cents. Let us know what your actual plans are for getting a MIG machine.

 

[CADplans]

Well what kind of jobs do you plan on doing? And how often do you plan to use it?

Let us know what your actual plans are for getting a MIG machine.

MIG, for me, would be mower deck thickness up to 3/16", beyond 3/16", I will always use stick.

30 pounds would last me 3 years,

I mentioned the 252, because, in the past, I have found spending more on the machine usually buys arc quality,,,

 

[MatHaas]

MIG, for me, would be mower deck thickness up to 3/16", beyond 3/16", I will always use stick.

30 pounds would last me 3 years,

I mentioned the 252, because, in the past, I have found spending more on the machine usually buys arc quality,,,

I think all you're getting is a bit more amperage and the duty cycle to run that amperage longer.

that's usually how Miller does their stuff. Yes they offer a beginner setup.
Then they offer a series, and just increase amps and duty cycle in the different models.
The millermatic for MIG and dynasty for TIG.

I'd get the 211 if that's really all you're going to be doing. I've owned one Since 2012. Built numerous suspension components, race car chassis, aluminum boat with spool gun, weld 0.25" regularly and recently got in to some heavy material 0.5" - 1.25" and it handled it just fine. You can forget the days of stick welding then, haha.

Mull it over, but I really think the 211 is your best bet on a new piece. Lightweight, versatile, and affordable. You could buy a lot more extra goodies with the extra $1350. I've put mine through the ringer and it's does everything flawlessly.

 

[MatHaas]

1/2" tabs welded to 3/4" plate, with another 3/4" plate bolted to back; no pre-heat


5/8" welded to 5/8"; no pre-heat


1/2" tabs and bracing welded to 1"; no pre-heat

 

[CADplans]

You can forget the days of stick welding then, haha.

Mull it over, but I really think the 211 is your best bet on a new piece. Lightweight, versatile, and affordable.

It looks like the 211 would be perfect,,I will have to dig out my bottles and see what I have.

 

[MatHaas]

It looks like the 211 would be perfect,,I will have to dig out my bottles and see what I have.

Glad to hear. Read around about it, but I think you'll be very pleased. and It'll save space, money, and be very versatile for you.

Find one of your tanks and go get it filled with 75/25 argon/CO2. A good wire choice is Lincoln Super Arc L-56 in .030" which can be bought at Lowes in a 12 lb spool. If you're ever welding cast, I like to use stainless wire then, so I keep a spool of that on hand also.

Cyberweld.com has great deals, and they run the Build with Blue specials.
Check out the current deal
"Get up to a $250 cash back rebate from Miller® PLUS a FREE Miller® Classic auto-darkening welding helmet ($100 MSRP value) with purchase.
Expires 6/30/18."

I purchased both my Millermatic 211 and Dynasty 210 DX through them and their customer service is fantastic.

Or if you like going to a local store, they'll have the Build with Blue deal too, but will have to pay tax, etc.
Good luck and hope you find something you'll be happy with. :drink: