MIG welder for home/garage projects

[Shuie]

Does anyone here own one of these?

Miller - MIG Welding - Millermatic® 140 with Auto-Set™

I have a few projects in mind that are going to require buying a welding machine. The projects are mostly 2" square tube, both carbon & stainless.

I really like the idea of the auto-set function for the wire speed on the Miller. I don't think I've seen this feature on another machine. Even though I wouldn't need it, I also like that it has the capability of attaching the additional gun for Aluminum wire.

What are the limitations of a machine like the 110V Model 140 for home use? Should I be leaning more towards a 220V, or the dual voltage (110/220) Model 211 instead? What kinds of projects could I get into that will make me wish I had a bought a bigger welder than he 140? I only want to do this once, but I really do not want to go through the exercise of installing a dedicated 220V receptacle in my current garage for something like the Model 211 unless I will need it.

[sailchef]

I asked the same question http://forums.pelicanparts.com/paint-bodywork-discussion-forum/485108-millermatic-140-auotset-worth-extra-money.html

The work I did on my 911 was handled very easily with the 140, the voltage very rarely was turned up past #2 or 3. I didn't know it can be used on carbon or stainless. I am still learning myself. I would find a dealer that sells them and go in to talk with them. The salesmen are usually welders themselves and can answer a lot of questions. It is also handy to have a shop or person to go to when you have questions, they bailed me out several times helping me with technique etc.

If you plan to weld big and heavy I would go with the 180. Hooking up a 220 source is not a big deal.

[URY914]

Welders are like other tools, buy the biggest you can afford. You'll use it one day. I use mine for all kinds of little projects.

[TechnoViking]

I highly recommend buying a good 110V unit with gas. You can use the flux core wire (as I have done for years) but having the gas makes your welds much nicer.

110V is nice because you can be mobile with it. This may not seem like a big deal until you realize that not all projects are within 10' of your 220V plug. Try going to Home Depot and asking for a 50' 220V extension cord

IMO, if you're going to get into big structural stuff that is thicker than 5/16" or whatever the limit on the 110V setup you're looking at you should hire a pro anyway. 99% of home projects can be done with the 110V.

[Zeke]

If you have the money, get the dual voltage machine even though you don't have 220 in your garage. There will come a time when you can hook up to 220 and do thicker material for yourself or others. I've made enough money on the side to pay for all my welding equipment.

[Rufblackbird]

I have the Millermatic 211 Autoset with the dual voltage setting and I absolutely love it. Haven't had to hook it up to 220v yet but I know when the time comes I have the machine for the job. Had a Millermatic 130 (or was it 135) before they came out with the 140/Autosets and although did not need it at the time I felt that if I ever had to fix or make something heavy duty I would've wished I had the 220v.

FWIW I've bought my last two Millers from this place...great prices and customer service.

http://store.cyberweld.com/mimigwe.html

[TechnoViking]

And bigger isn't better. You'll need to have a very low setting for sheet metal. A machine with a wide range of heat settings is much more useful to the home mechanic than one with the biggest rating.

[DanielDudley]

If you think you would ever like to build a trailer, or weld a truck frame or chassis, get the 220 model. I have had a 110 volt Miller for over 20 years, and it will still do all the welding you would need to restore a 911, but it won't do the above.

[Scott R]

I've used my 220 mig once in the last 4 years, it was to weld a power steering plate/bracket to my Land Cruiser frame. Beyond that it just sits as the 110v mig/gas welder does all of the work.

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by milt

if you have the money, get the dual voltage machine even though you don't have 220 in your garage. There will come a time when you can hook up to 220 and do thicker material for yourself or others. I've made enough money on the side to pay for all my welding equipment.

+2

I have one of each.

[porsche4life]

We have 2 220s in our shop. A miller that sees most of the use and a lincoln with a spool gun for aluminum. For the thin stuff you flip to low range and set it on 1 or 2 and it's just fine.


You might check but Im not sure about welding stainless with a mig....

[Shuie]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the help.

I definitely want a machine big enough to handle a trailer/carhauler project, or a tube framed car build. Actually, the first project I had in mind was to strengthen or add support crossmembers to the 2" square tube subframe of a car I have now. If a 110V welder is questionable for this type of project then I'm sure I want to buy something like the dual voltage Millermatic 211.

I've never welded stainless, and I have no real experience with these welders, but Miller and Hobart list stainless wire in the specs on their websites for even the 110V machines.

....from the Miller website....

Uses 4 or 8 in (102 or 203 mm) spools and can be set up to weld with wire sizes .024 - .030 in (0.6 - 0.8 mm) mild/stainless steel and .030 - .035 (0.8 - 0.9 mm) flux cored.

Note: Auto-Set is calibrated for .024 and .030 mild steel wire and C25 shielding gas (75% Argon, 25% CO2). Use manual mode for broader applications with mild steel, or to weld stainless steel or flux core.

[porsche4life]

I don't think you will regret going dual voltage.

I've used a fairly new millermatic 220... Damn fine machine. Not sure its as smooth as dads from the late '70s... But its still a good welder. Dads buddies all covet his old Miller....

[Shuie]

What does he have? I'll go vintage if I have to. Im all about the old stuff

[porsche4life]

He has a Millermatic 200. Like I said its OLD... He bought it used when he started his body shop in '83-'84. It got used quite a bit there and then is used at least once a week in the sign shop. Still welds like a dream. Like I said... I prefer it to the newer ones we had in the ag shop at school.

Not ours but one like it...

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

He has a Millermatic 200. Like I said its OLD... He bought it used when he started his body shop in '83-'84.

Sid,

Son, you need to rethink some of your comments!

I am still using some of the tools that my Great Grand Father made by hand (he was a blacksmith) back in the 1880's. Thats OLD.

A Miller welder made 20-30 years ago is not old, its just getting broken in and is better quality than 95% of those made these days.

[Rufblackbird]

stainless is not a problem with MIG, for best results use stainless wire and the proper gas mix.