Millermatic 250

catdozer · Jul 18, 2013

Hello, came across a welder from a buddy the other day, he just purchased a new Lincoln 305 and wanted to get rid of his Millermatic 250. He just had the miller completely rebuilt and decided he wanted a 100% duty cycle instead and said he would sell the miller cheap. Went over tried it out, works flawlessly. I bought it for $300. Now I think that's a deal. I always used Lincoln's, what should I look out for this miller?

Shield Arc · Jul 19, 2013

I've never used a 250. But all the years of reading on welding forums, people say the 250 has a very small window to find the sweet spot. Seems the guys with a lot of Mig experience don't have any problems, it's the guys who are just starting out who have a hard time finding the sweet spot.

I know a guy who has a 250, but he won't let me run it! :confused3:

charlz · Jul 19, 2013

$300 sounds more like a steal than a deal

When it comes to mig welders what does 'rebuilt' mean? New drive motor, new rollers, new gun, new ?

catdozer · Jul 19, 2013

charlz said:
$300 sounds more like a steal than a deal When it comes to mig welders what does 'rebuilt' mean? New drive motor, new rollers, new gun, new ?

Rebuilt by Miller, refurbished complete inside. boards, rollers, new gun, wires, motors.

Stimw · Jul 19, 2013

You don't say what year or exact model but every 250 Class Miller I have used was great to weld with.
What is your friend welding that he needs that much duty cycle?
I've welded up to 8 hour shift on 1/4 -3/8" steel or 1/4" aluminum (w/spool gun) with no problems on 250 machines. My MM 210 would have handled it too.
Thing about duty cycle is it is hard to weld steady without stopping for set up or repositioning. Time out helps reset duty cycle.
Very good deal too!!!

catdozer · Jul 19, 2013

Stimw said:
You don't say what year or exact model but every 250 Class Miller I have used was great to weld with.
What is your friend welding that he needs that much duty cycle?
I've welded up to 8 hour shift on 1/4 -3/8" steel or 1/4" aluminum (w/spool gun) with no problems on 250 machines. My MM 210 would have handled it too.
Thing about duty cycle is it is hard to weld steady without stopping for set up or repositioning. Time out helps reset duty cycle.
Very good deal too!!!

I don't know what year, I'll have to find that out.
Resurfacing loader buckets, so it takes a lot. I've seen him weld solid for 3 hours straight without stopping. And he started having problems with the 250. that's why he sent it in to be rebuilt. And once he got it back it worked like new, but he decided he wanted bigger to go longer.

Stimw · Jul 20, 2013

There is a year code in the serial number but I forget how to read it. You can probably find out on the Miller forums, they have a great board with a lot of knowledge.
I bought my MM 210 MIG in 2001. Before buying it I ask a local independent welder repair guy about the MIG. He told me "If it's Blue, BUY IT!". So far he has been right!