SEJW:Shopping for a new MIG

Shopping for a new MIG machine. Considering units up to about $2500, if necessary. Also considering a spool gun at the same time for a little aluminum work.

Someone told me to avoid the Miller MIGS, especially the new ones with digital controls. Looking for further suggestions. I think I need at least a 50 or 60% duty cycle on 1/8" steel.

Reply to
Maxwell
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Todd & Steve:

Person that warned me about Miller was a close cousin with about 18 years in a large structural steel shop. He admits no experience with small MIGs that we are discussing, but warns of problems with the power supplies supplied with external wire feeders. He is also speaking of only the later model equipment with digital voltage and wire speed controls. That's why I wanted to post here. I'm hoping for recommendations from direct experience with the combination power supply & wire feed units like the Lincoln 255, Miller 215,

251 and 252, and alike. Also the smaller 13, 140 or 180 series machines.

I did visit with the local Red-D-Arc welder rental branch in my town today. While they admitted they had no experience with the larger Miller MIG units my cousin had warned of, they did say they had had no problems with the Millermatics on their rental line. They recommended the 251, since they have yet to receive any of the new 252s yet.

Reply to
Maxwell

The welding school where Ernie used to teach uses all Millermatic 251s. They love them. The students use the machines to death about 12 hours a day. I believe they swap the guns for 400 amp Tregaskiss Toughguns, otherwise they're stock. I hung around that school for half a year awhile back, never saw any problems with any of the MM251s.

I own a Millermatic 250. Note, *not* a 250X. I love my machine and it has never done me wrong. I use it a lot.

Grant

Reply to
Grant Erwin

If students used them and didn't goof them up, they gotta be good. Those people could mess up an anvil.

Steve

Reply to
SteveB

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