MIG welder suggestions

[JRP]

My preference is Miller brand. I bought my Millermatis 250x new off ebay with no sales tax and no shipping cost, full warranty, in original crate, etc. Cost was about $500 less than the local dealer. No regrets. In fact I am glad I bought quality.

I also came upon this realization:
The 250x is a 220v machine with a 50 amp plug. Electric dryers have a 30 amp plug. I wired an adapter consting of a dryer cord with a welding 50A receptical. The machine will only draw more than 30 amps when you weld at near full power settings, so the 30 amp breaker has not been a problem. The breaker will protect the wire and trip if you use too much power for the wire size.

It tripped the breaker one time when welding for a while at near full power. Now during the very seldom times that I need full power I weld a bit, then wait to give the wire and breaker time to cool.

I'd rather have a very used millermatic 250 than a brand new smaller machine. There is a big jump in the robustness of the gun and cable when you get to a 250 amp class of MIG machine. The gun and parts stay cooler and last longer.

For steel use 25/75 mixed gas. Have fun. A welding machine opens up tremendous possibilities. If you buy a small machine you will always want a bigger one.

Here is the forks I made with my Miller.

 

[PILOON]

Interesting observation!

I also discovered a similar phenomona---

Near dinner time, 4:30-6:00, I noticed that weld penetration for a fixed setting using same rods on same metal was totally different. I found that I needed to crank up the amps often and that I'd get rods sticking as well.

Guessed that the ladies were all turning on the ovens at about that time causing voltage drops on the lines.

Sunday pre-dinner time frame is worst droppage.
(too many chickens and roasts being popped into the ovens)

Also summer is noticeably less a problem at that time frame.

 

[GoodGuy]

I looked at a MM210 today & fell in love but don't have the $$. I think I will probably settle for a HH180 or a Lincoln MigPak 15. Will I be making a poor choice or wait until I can afford a MM210 ??

 

[boomer4snow]

I am not familiar with the migpak15 but anything from Miller Lincoln, Hobart, Esab should be pretty nice. Just make sure it is rated for what you are GOING to weld. The larger welders are nicer, easier to weld with, and allow you to weld thicker metal for longer time periods. I guess it follows the old rule just like with tractors, trucks, tools, guns (pretty much everything except women) "Get the largest most powerful one you can afford"

 

[zio]

I just had to go throug this- limited budget, limited skill, but didn't want a total waste of money. Settled on a Lincoln weldpak 3200HD from Home Depot (same as Linconl 135 I think). So far, I've welded 18g plate to cap off a 6"pipe with a wall thickness of about 1/8 or so thick., and welded the thick (1/4 at least) 3p.h. mounting brackets that broke off my rotary mower. I did two passes on the mounting brackets, just to be safe. And they've held up the abuse quite well. I'm a total amature, this is my first welder, and I'm 100% satisfied.

 

[chim]

About 2 years ago I bought a Millermatic 175, and have been very satisfied with it. I usually use solid wire with C25 gas, but have used flux core wire.

Using flux core requires changing polarity, and it does produce a little slag that needs removed................chim