Found my dream welder

[AndyM]

Bought the 185 Miller and spool gun in @ 1986 - seemed like overkill at the time but it is one purchase I have never regretted. Just did up some brackets on a deck rail reno. Worked great - now if I could only make my welds look like some of the members here (you know who you are...)

 

[Trimley]

Bought the 185 Miller and spool gun in @ 1986 - seemed like overkill at the time but it is one purchase I have never regretted. Just did up some brackets on a deck rail reno. Worked great - now if I could only make my welds look like some of the members here (you know who you are...)
View attachment 114105

At this point in my life, especially post-covid prices, I'll be money ahead in no time.


3M 5200 fixes all imperfections.

Kidding

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Sweet find my man!

Back in 97'ish I bought a 185 and like AndyM, , it was overkill.

It has worked out great for me, although I like TIG welding much better, my 185 had been great.

One of these days when I grow up, I'm gonna be a welder (or is it weldor?)

 

[Flintknapper]

Right on. I have a few friends who use the 211 in the commercial application. They both rated them highly suggested. New, I could not justify when I was looking, no matter. This one popped up while scrolling the local marketplace. He listed it at $1800. I got it for $1300. It pays to be polite and not like a lowballer where they get insulted, which has happened to me on several things I've wanted to buy. I got lucky.

Congratulations.

That was a once in a lifetime deal on a GREAT welder.

They are such a handy size and mine has been absolutely trouble free for the 10 years I've used it.

Spool Gun:

I rarely have a need to weld anything aluminum....and frankly, it takes some practice to learn to use a Spool Gun and weld aluminum. But because I live on my property (25 miles from the nearest small town) I wanted to be able to make small repairs or cobble together aluminum items when needed.

In past year....I've used the spool gun exactly once, and that was to make a small repair on my Brother's boat trailer. But I HAVE used it enough in the past to easily have saved enough to pay for it.

I keep a small bottle of straight Argon gas for running the spool gun and aluminum.

Anyway, enjoy your new welder. It will last you a lifetime.

 

[Trimley]

I'm on my second 211, I had an earlier model I bought about 15 years ago, I think, and when the new smaller version came out, I sold the older one to a friend and bought the newer model like you have.
Great machine, I use mine a lot. I have the spool gun, but haven't tried welding aluminum yet.

Those I know who have used this machine on a daily (commercial) basis, said they're real nice machines, and they have no problem on 1/2" material.

That info says a lot, coming from someone in their skillset. That (and the name on the box) kept my focus on finding one.

 

[mcmxi]

Those I know who have used this machine on a daily (commercial) basis, said they're real nice machines, and they have no problem on 1/2" material.

That info says a lot, coming from someone in their skillset. That (and the name on the box) kept my focus on finding one.

Duty cycle becomes a much bigger issue for commercial application where downtime isn't acceptable. No commercial shop is going to buy a 211 to weld 1/2" plate all day long. A body shop or light fabrication (sheet metal) shop might. Not trying to rain on your parade but when choosing a welder for commercial use where material thickness is commonly 3/8" or greater you're going to be paying a lot more than $2k.

You got a great deal on a what is basically a very nice hobbyist welding machine.

 

[chim]

I was expecting....
View attachment 114080

Or maybe?

 

[Trimley]

Congratulations.

That was a once in a lifetime deal on a GREAT welder.

They are such a handy size and mine has been absolutely trouble free for the 10 years I've used it.

Spool Gun:

I rarely have a need to weld anything aluminum....and frankly, it takes some practice to learn to use a Spool Gun and weld aluminum. But because I live on my property (25 miles from the nearest small town) I wanted to be able to make small repairs or cobble together aluminum items when needed.

In past year....I've used the spool gun exactly once, and that was to make a small repair on my Brother's boat trailer. But I HAVE used it enough in the past to easily have saved enough to pay for it.

I keep a small bottle of straight Argon gas for running the spool gun and aluminum.

Anyway, enjoy your new welder. It will last you a lifetime.

Your situation is similar to mine. I don't like having to rely on others for help, or pay someone for something I can do. That worked for most of my existence so far. Which is what led me to buy my 23s.

Due to a crushed and gimpy left hand, along with nerve issues, my previous abilities are limited. It's been a one handed learning process, and slower since 2015. I don't weld a lot, but now I have what will work for most applications.

 

[Trimley]

Duty cycle becomes a much bigger issue for commercial application where downtime isn't acceptable. No commercial shop is going to buy a 211 to weld 1/2" plate all day long. A body shop or light fabrication (sheet metal) shop might. Not trying to rain on your parade but when choosing a welder for commercial use where material thickness is commonly 3/8" or greater you're going to be paying a lot more than $2k.

You got a great deal on a what is basically a very nice hobbyist welding machine.

Duty cycle is key to being productive. I never implied nor mentioned they were welding 1/2" continuous, but for how they were using it out on the floor, it was convenient, small, and could do small things so the larger machines didn't have to be dragged over to do what the 211 could.

 

[chim]

Bought from an older gentleman. He said there was about an hour on it. I've wanted this welder now for quite a while.
A Millermatic 211.

It come with the cart, small tank, wire, hood, gloves and literature. $1300 View attachment 114056

Congrats. About 15 or so years ago I bought a MM175 and have used it for making a bunch of things. If I were starting out now, the MM211 looks like a more desirable machine. I would appreciate the 120/240 capability, the ability to use a spool gun, and (I assume) a better duty cycle. I think the newer ones are inverter, so they'd be lighter to lug into places the cart wouldn't roll into.

 

[Trimley]

Congrats. About 15 or so years ago I bought a MM175 and have used it for making a bunch of things. If I were starting out now, the MM211 looks like a more desirable machine. I would appreciate the 120/240 capability, the ability to use a spool gun, and (I assume) a better duty cycle. I think the newer ones are inverter, so they'd be lighter to lug into places the cart wouldn't roll into.

The 211 being 220v was a selling point for me. 110v works OK. My previous Hobart Handler 120 was a fussy machine, and frustrating to use. This one (hopefully) should keep my blood pressure in check.

 

[chim]

With regard to the duty cycle, my MM175 does occasionally kick off to cool down when really burning the wire on larger welds. That's one of reasons I bought an Everlast 200STi DC stick machine. It'll do 130A at 100% duty cycle when plugged into a 120V source. It has never kicked off. The light weight and 120/240 capability make it handy to grab and go.

 

[chim]

The 211 being 220v was a selling point for me. 110v works OK. My previous Hobart Handler 120 was a fussy machine, and frustrating to use. This one (hopefully) should keep my blood pressure in check.

I'm aware that 120/240V stuff isn't as capable at 120V. My Everlast stick welder and Hypertherm Powermax30 AIR are dual voltage with different capabilities. The real appeal of the Hypertherm was that it's self-contained, can operate on 120V, and is capable of cutting any thickness I generally need to.

 

[Trimley]

I'm aware that 120/240V stuff isn't as capable at 120V. My Everlast stick welder and Hypertherm Powermax30 AIR are dual voltage with different capabilities. The real appeal of the Hypertherm was that it's self-contained, can operate on 120V, and is capable of cutting any thickness I generally need to.

I wired for 220v years ago when I was running a Lincoln stick. I need to change out (I think) one receptacle to be up and running.

The Hypertherm sounds appealing for sure.

 

[mcmxi]

I wired for 220v years ago when I was running a Lincoln stick. I need to change out (I think) one receptacle to be up and running.

The Hypertherm sounds appealing for sure.

I've had a Hypertherm Powermax 380 for 20 years or so and it struggles on 1/2" plate which isn't surprising given that the 380 in the name means that it's rated for 3/8" plate. I run both welders and the plasma on 220V and always have. Heck, I installed a hot tub seven or eight years ago and wired it up for 220V too. Welders and hot tubs are much more efficient running on 220V.

I've been using a DeWalt steel bladed chop saw for around 10 years, and a month ago bought a steel cutting wheel for the DeWalt worm drive circular saw. I cut some 1/2" plate the other day and it worked really well, just need to remember to keep my finger out of the way of the chips that are flying off the blade!

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Duty cycle becomes a much bigger issue for commercial application where downtime isn't acceptable. No commercial shop is going to buy a 211 to weld 1/2" plate all day long. A body shop or light fabrication (sheet metal) shop might. Not trying to rain on your parade but when choosing a welder for commercial use where material thickness is commonly 3/8" or greater you're going to be paying a lot more than $2k.

You got a great deal on a what is basically a very nice hobbyist welding machine.

I agree sir.

I am admittedly an amateur welder/weldor with limited experience.

I will say though I have run into a few times where my duty cycle has been problematic.


Overall though, for most dudes, its just fine and I would buy one again, in a heartbeat.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Or maybe?

Hard to tell.............

Your, Pic is less than ideal.

but maybe Evil Twins pic is a "butter face" in person.

Tough call, but I ain't no prize neither, so theres that too....................I'd probably "date" any of them.......hahahahahh

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Hard to tell.............

Your, Pic is less than ideal.

but maybe Evil Twins pic is a "butter face" in person.

Tough call, but I ain't no prize neither, so theres that too....................I'd probably "date" any of them.......hahahahahh

I really thought this thread was going to have a mig (or spot/resistance) welder on the end of the backhoe…it’s still a good read but I am disappointed this thread did not invoke the BH.

 

[Trimley]

Since my getting the 211 home. I'm in a pickle. In front of my "sensible" 220v plug-in, there are two upright freezers blocking the juice. One is moving!

Inside the house is the plan. I'll have to wait on my SIL to do it....cough...help

 

[chim]

I wired for 220v years ago when I was running a Lincoln stick. I need to change out (I think) one receptacle to be up and running.

The Hypertherm sounds appealing for sure.

Had to cut a piece of 3/8" steel today while scavenging. Here's a shot of one of the cuts. This is probably the first it's been used on heavily galvanized steel. It acted like it was broken. Wouldn't cut worth a hoot and tip got all clogged with boogers. After grinding the galvanizing off it worked like a champ.

The steel is from part of a pipe support intended to live outside for years and the finish resembled the appearance of pole line hardware. Grinding the galvanizing off took quite a lot of effort. I could feel and see when the steel came through. Of course when it began throwing sparks it was a sign. It was all done outdoors with a breeze going, but there was still an odor like a mixture of onions and armpits.