While we are on Welders (Miller 180 ??)

[mdill]

Looking at doing some body patches and some Aluminum later, while Tig would be cool, my skills are rusty and while I could just do the Oxy-Acetylene, with some serious practice for the patches and maybe Aluminum. Thinking of just getting the job done and seems like this mig would fit the bill.
Thoughts from the guys who do this stuff everyday?

Thinking of getting it setup with cart, gas bottle, and optional spool gun for latter aluminum.
May want to do some stainless also.

Thanks Mike D.

[tgreening]

Originally Posted by mdill

Looking at doing some body patches and some Aluminum later, while Tig would be cool, my skills are rusty and while I could just do the Oxy-Acetylene, with some serious practice for the patches and maybe Aluminum. Thinking of just getting the job done and seems like this mig would fit the bill.
Thoughts from the guys who do this stuff everyday?

Thinking of getting it setup with cart, gas bottle, and optional spool gun for latter aluminum.
May want to do some stainless also.

Thanks Mike D.

You cant go wrong with Miller. It's good quality equipment with support around every corner. The machine you are looking at would be perfect for the average hobbiest and can be had in the configuration you want for about $1000 give or take. I don't know if you have a vendor picked out but I'd give Indiana Oxygen Company a look. No affiliation other than customer but they've always been a first class operation in my experience and pricing is top notch.

[DevEmp]

I went with a Miller from Cyberweld a few years ago... decent price. I picked up a helmet and some magnets along with the welder.

[95KY sahara]

I personally like Miller better than any other simply because of the support they will give AFTER the sale. I have had some bad dealings with Lincoln. They seem to care less after they've made the sale. Just my experience there. They are both great machines, as is Hobart. You can pick up a Hobart at a TSC store for slightly less than a Miller equivalent.

Now for your needs. A 180 would do fine. The spool gun makes aluminum welding much easier for the average person at a fraction of the cost of a TIG setup. I have a TIG and a spoolgun and I like to TIG everything I can, but there is nothing wrong with a spoolgun. It works very well on material that can't be as clean as it should be.

The 180 will be great for sheetmetal and will give a little more power to handle larger jobs easier. But you have to have 220 everywhere you want to use it. Don't overlook a 140. It may not be for you, but it deserves a look. People don't give GOOD 110 machines the credit they deserve.

Whatever you get, make sure it is set up for gas. I also reccomend one with infinite voltage and to use .023 wire for sheetmetal. It will do ok on heavier stock also, but .030 will carry more heat. I don't like .035 in a 110 machine, but it's fine for the 180. I keep 23 in the little welder, 30 in the 220 machines and I use the stick for really heavy/dirty stuff or things that need a higher quality weld than MIG can offer.

Don't try oxy-fuel welding... it always ends bad.

If you have any other questions ask. I'll be happy to help out any way I can.

[mdill]

I was looking at this off the bay

http://cgi.ebay.com/MILLER-MILLERMATIC-180-MIG-w-cart-SG-907312011_W0QQitemZ350033889356QQihZ022QQcategoryZ 113743QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Not sure what size gas bottle to get,
I am guessing, since I have no clue as to flow rates needed but
40 ft^^3 such as

http://cgi.ebay.com/40-CF-WELDING-CYLINDER-tank-bottle-argon-helium-nitroge_W0QQitemZ140213557266QQihZ004QQcategoryZ67 058QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1 262

Then I suppose I should upgrade to one of them new fangled auto-darkening helmets to keep things on track, anysugesstions there ?

Thanks Mike D.

"Don't try oxy-fuel welding... it always ends bad."

At one time I was pretty fair with a torch, but it was a was a ways back. Seen some guys do wonderful stuff with a torch, but I think the hot glue gun of welders (MIG) might be a better choice for now

[tgreening]

Those links are to Indiana Oxygen Company. I doubt you'd go wrong there. As far as bottle size goes there are a couple things to think about. The bigger the bottle the longer it lasts (obviously) but the bigger pain in the butt it is to move about. Just the opposite is true for smaller bottles but 9 times out of 10 you can get the larger bottle filled for about the same cost as filling the smaller. If you are lucky things in your area will be different.

[95KY sahara]

Jackson makes THE BEST hood on the market. They aren't fancy looking and usually cost as much as the Miller ones that are all painted up, But they are BY FAR a better hood. I have one of each and I hate my Miller Elite for most things, It is nice for TIG though. Anyway, get a Jackson... they are better all around and the cover lenses are standard sizes... Miller makes you buy thier covers for twice the $$$!!!!

[Mill4060]

MILLER all the way! My dad has been welding since he was young and he goes MILLER all the way.. . . plus it's my last name

[Warmachine]

I'm a welder/metal worker by trade, and my .02 is Miller. Personally, I'd vote for the Miller 210 for thin gauge up to 1/2" ballpark coverage, great bang for your buck. Add an aluminium spool gun and your covered for all manner of tinkering.

Also a vote for the plan-jane Jackson full face welding helmets (4"x6" I think the lens size is). Get yourself a gold 10 or 12 tint lens and you've got some great visability without spending an arm and a leg.

[4x4_Welder]

Miller 210/211 is great, but if you're in the market for that pricey of a machine, I would go with a Miller 251/252, simply because of the infinite adjustment.
All I have is Miller, a Dynasty 200 LX at home, and a Synchrowave 350 at work. I'm looking for either a winning lotto ticket or a mig macine in my price range-

[COLOFIREMAN]

This is the one I bought and it works well.