Miller 211

[smalltown]

Just wanted to post that today I ordered my first welder a new Millermatic 211. I could not resist the $400 rebate, and the free spool gun. I am waiting to pick everything up at once so I won't take delivery for approx. 3 weeks as I am waiting for one big package that was backordered. That will just give more time to continues getting the garage ready.

More importantly as others have been wondering is Miller coming out with a new inverter model?
While ordering my welder today the LWS personnel told me that Miller has a new 211 inverter model, and they were actually taking preorders. I believe it will be available in August.
I don't understand why, but they didn't have a price readily available, and I can't imagine any rebates with a new model. I asked is it a multi process welder like the Lincoln 210 MP, but was told it's simply a 211 inverter model.
Apparently that's the underlying reason for the current program to clear out the transformer model.

 

[Big Barn]

Good choice. Pretty hard to go wrong with a time proven unit.

And those incentives make the deal pretty darn sweet!

Terry

 

[dragoneggs]

Love mine... Just a hobbyist here and always wanting the latest and greatest but this sucker does everything I have asked except do it for me... I'm the weak link! I think it got Shield Arc's approval when he put it through a couple paces.

 

[Shield Arc]

I think it got Shield Arc's approval when he put it through a couple paces.

Oh yeah! It has a very sweet arc. I'd just throw that door chart away!

 

[dragoneggs]

Oh yeah! It has a very sweet arc. I'd just throw that door chart away!

It's been a good staring point for me.

 

[Shield Arc]

It's been a good staring point for me.

Yeah but I don't like people telling me what to do, much less a welding machine!

 

[downsizingnow48]

That is a real good deal on the 211.

Dragoneggs and Shield, did you test out the Autoset mode on the 211? Reason I ask is, the door chart doesn't work too well for me even as a starting point. Probably I don't have enough experience with MIG. But with autoset can do OK using .030 or .035 wire.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

If they are like my millermatic 210, the door chart is for 230 volt input, but my power gives 247 volts - so I have to turn it down a little.

It even says on the door panel that I may have to do that with input voltage higher than 230v.

 

[Shield Arc]

Dragoneggs and Shield, did you test out the Autoset mode on the 211? Reason I ask is, the door chart doesn't work too well for me even as a starting point. Probably I don't have enough experience with MIG. But with autoset can do OK using .030 or .035 wire.

If I remember correctly dragoneggs was having trouble welding thin wall tubing. When he brought his 211 over I had him set the welder up just like he had been using it at home. I could tell right away the machine was not set correctly for me. I made a few changes, and then ask dragon if he could hear the difference in the sound of the arc. He could! I go by the sound of the arc, even more so than the sight of the arc. Sound tells me a lot of what it going on.

When wire feeders first came into construction in the early 1980s, using engine drive welders only control we had was amps, and wire speed. We did not have control of the volts. I can't tell how many welding tests I've taken, when you walk into the test booth, there was duct tape over all the gauges. First part of the test was to set the welder with in the wire manufacturer's specification. If not test over right then and there!

 

[dragoneggs]

If I remember correctly dragoneggs was having trouble welding thin wall tubing. When he brought his 211 over I had him set the welder up just like he had been using it at home. I could tell right away the machine was not set correctly for me. I made a few changes, and then ask dragon if he could hear the difference in the sound of the arc. He could! I go by the sound of the arc, even more so than the sight of the arc. Sound tells me a lot of what it going on. When wire feeders first came into construction in the early 1980s, using engine drive welders only control we had was amps, and wire speed. We did not have control of the volts. I can't tell how many welding tests I've taken, when you walk into the test booth, there was duct tape over all the gauges. First part of the test was to set the welder with in the wire manufacturer's specification. If not test over right then and there!

Yep and still have not mastered the thin stuff. I suppose not the thicker stuff too. Sometimes I do use the auto set and the door chart and compare. Actually seems the auto set does a little better than the chart but it's still infinity variable on part thickness so... When I have time and scrap I try to practice what SA was preaching. I just need to find the time and patience. Some days I'm proud of my bead and some days I just aren't as 'lucky'?

 

[Sodo]

Thats interesting that the location's actual input voltage may throw off the door chart settings.

 

[CNC Dan]

Thats interesting that the location's actual input voltage may throw off the door chart settings.

That's usualy only on transformer machines. Voltage out is a ratio of voltage in.

I know on the hobart ironman, there is a jumper you can change for 208v or 230v. input voltage.

 

[Big Barn]

That's usualy only on transformer machines. Voltage out is a ratio of voltage in. I know on the hobart ironman, there is a jumper you can change for 208v or 230v. input voltage.

My tranny Thermal Arc has provision for that voltage change also.



Terry

 

[Katahdin]

I think the rebate is great as long as the merchant doesn't jack up their price to take advantage of it.

I do like the versatility of my Miller 211, but I find it a bit heavy and cumbersome to move around for a "portable" mig welder, I hope the new inverter model is lighter. Luckily lifting heavy objects is one good reason to have a tractor!

These pics were taken this past Sunday as I was patching up some rust holes in my M109A3 roof.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Agree that 211 is stretching the definition of portable!

 

[Big Barn]

I think the rebate is great as long as the merchant doesn't jack up their price to take advantage of it. I do like the versatility of my Miller 211, but I find it a bit heavy and cumbersome to move around for a "portable" mig welder, I hope the new inverter model is lighter. Luckily lifting heavy objects is one good reason to have a tractor! These pics were taken this past Sunday as I was patching up some rust holes in my M109A3 roof. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/welding/433015-miller-211-a-roof2-jpg"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/welding/433016-miller-211-a-imagejpeg_0-jpg"/>

Please don't take this the wrong way and you are probably already aware but...
only one fork is inserted into the pocket cavity of the pallet and the other is underneath it.
It's just that there's probably a better reason to buy an inverter welder than stepping onto the pallet and having it fall to the ground.
Miller warranty is good but hate for you to get hurt.

Terry

 

[Katahdin]

Both forks are in the cavity, I would only agree there is a rear bottom board that is broken and hanging. It was broken before I stuck the forks through. Actually, I inserted the pallet through the forks by hand before there was any load on it. fyi - The tank is strapped down.

 

[Sodo]

Katahdin are we supposed to believe a guy,,,,, who straps a ladder to an anvil? Doesn't that drag the anvil off onto your head? You don't even have both feet on a secure surface. Just what the heck are you using a bench grinder for up there?



And how do we know you aren't just taking a nap?

 

[Katahdin]

LOL...LOL...the ladder is tied down to braces on the other side of the truck.

The anvil is for pressing weight on sheet metal patches being welded.

The bench grinder is for shaping the sheet metal patches to fit where I cut out the rust.

It was a miserable (as far as Maine goes) 90-degree plus day, if I was going to take a nap I would have gone indoors where there was AC!

Thanks for the laugh! :laughing:

 

[Big Barn]

My apologies, Katadin.

Good eye on that anvil, Sodo.

Terry