Finally decided on welding machine

chim · Oct 10, 2003

For quite some time I have been wanting my own welder. The In-laws have an old stick machine on the farm I'd been using for years. I was OK on heavier materials, but when it came to lighter gage metal and sheet metal, it was really tough.

Monday the supplier will deliver a Millermatic 175. It comes with pretty much everything but the shielding gas cylinder, and I ordered some extra stuff for starters. First I'm trying flux core wire. Maybe when I get next month's allowance there will be a cylinder showing up.

There has been a lot of info here, and the guys in the weld shop at work were also helpful in answering questions and making suggestions. Thanks to everyone for the information you posted........................chim

Henro · Oct 10, 2003

Chim,

That is a good welder. I am sure you will get a lot of use out of it.

Sounds like time for you to stop by

The hobart welders site

If you have not already. Lots of good people and advice there. Not as good as TBN though...as there seems to be a little more tolerance for the kind of people most of us here would rather have go somewhere else.

But it is still a real good welding site...stop by if you have not already been there... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

chim · Oct 10, 2003

Henro, thanks for the invitation. I know there's a lot to learn. That sounds like a good resource.

I was talking to our weld shop Foreman today, and mentioned that I might take an adult ed course. He told me to come out to the shop and they'd give me all the help and one-on-one instruction I want.........................chim

TonyC · Oct 11, 2003

That's a nice welder. Good luck with it! One suggestion..think about leasing a tank from your local welding shop. Small tanks are usually real cheap to lease and will get you going quick without the initial cash outlay. It's also a good way to decide on what size tank you'd like to have.

soarkrebel · Oct 11, 2003

Hey i was looking at millers today. i bought my oxy /ace. tanks this morning and was asking about the millers. i decided on the way home i am going to have to build and sell some more deer stands and get me one.
Let us know how you like that 175 to give me a push to want one also. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

ronjhall · Oct 11, 2003

The Millermatic 175 is a great machine. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Just for information TSC is selling a Hobart 175 complete with Cart, Filled tank, Auto Darking Helmet, Gloves, and other accessories for $698.00.
Take it home and start using it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MadReferee · Oct 11, 2003

I have had a Millermatic 175 for 2 years now. It's been used for auto body work, structural projects and a couple of tractor projects including a very heavy duty landscape rake and carryall.

I only use solid wire with shielding gas and have had no problems with welding up to 1/2 inch plate (with multiple passes) but it does weld 1/8 to 1/4 inch steel fantastically.

Spend some time and get used to the dial settings. Buy plenty of extra tips and at least 2 wire diameters (.024 and either .030 or .035).

Get a good auto darkening helmet and have fun.

Gary_in_Indiana · Oct 12, 2003

I have the Hobart Handler 175, too. Mine just came with the cart and retailed at $600 so that deal with everything else included for just $100 more is a real bargain.

Skeptic · Oct 12, 2003

I have the Miller 210 and really like it. It came with an auto darkening helmet and an aluminum spool gun.
I have been taking a welding class at the local technical college and have really liked it.
I ordered my metal for two different projects that I will end up using two different processes on.
The first project is a wood crib. I will use the solid wire for that on the MIG.
The second project is a grapple for the tractor. That one I am making out of T1 plate with 2 inch square tubing with 1/4 inch wall. Here is a drawing of the grapple parts. The circles are cut out for weight, the squares will have square tubing through them.
I have the metal place plasma cutting 7 of each piece. For this project I will be using dual shield with my 210. I want the deeper penetration with fewer passes.
I will post pictures when I get my steel.

40Kchicks · Oct 12, 2003

Skeptic

Someday I hope to get to this same project. I certainly have uses for such an attachment with all the blackberries, brush, and rocks on my property. It’s a constant battle.

I used a miller 210 to build a small ATV trailer and really liked it. It was my friends. He is metal nut and has worn out one wire hose already. I shouldn’t say already because he uses it constantly. After moving to the farm I eventually bought an ESAB multimaster 260 for my shop and have loved it. I am amazed how often I use it and how it has saved me money. I have built a high capacity bucket, sifting bucket, hydraulic auger and several other things with it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

This last week I used it to repair my truck. I was getting the kids ready for school and pulled the truck out in front of the house and parked it facing uphill. The trouble is I jumped out and ran into the house without putting the transmission in park. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif My boy was heading out to the truck and yelled to me as the truck drove off by itself down our drive way and across the road into the neighbors 3’ deep ditch. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif It smashed the bumper and ripped a bracket off the frame. I replaced the bumper and welded the bracket back on truck. Thanks to the welder and a little labor on my part I go away with only $250 bill. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif I wouldn’t have been surprised if a shop would have wanted $1000 for the same repair. I wish I had a picture of my 8 year old daughter pulling the bumper back away from the tire with the skid steer so that we could take them to school. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gifIt was one of those moments that make you take a double take and think wow she is growing up but at the same time she sure does look small in that tractor.

Sorry about the rambling. Back to the subject. A nice welder is really handy.

Eric
<font color="green"> A couple of tractors and a 01’ F350 with a new bumper </font> /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Deerlope · Oct 12, 2003

that is one of the best welders you could have purchased. But get the gas cyl. and weld with gas shielded arc cause you will get less splatter. Believe me I know. retired welder( 30 yrs).

chim · Oct 12, 2003

Henro, I've spent some time on the Hobart site, and it is informative. Looks like a good place to spend time soaking in the info.

Deerlope, The machine is to be delivered tomorrow. The supplier quoted a 40cf cylinder with the other stuff, but since the machine, extra tips, wire, etc. ran a tad over $700 it looked like the cylinder could wait a week or two. What gas would you recommend? It seems like a lot of people use 75/25. I'll have to ask our shop guys what they use too. The shop foreman said they use .030 wire for almost everything. I'm not sure how applicable some of the info from our shop will be because they use real big machines............................chim

Henro · Oct 12, 2003

Chim,

Did you see this thread at the hobart site?

MM175 problem solved!

Dan is a pretty accomplished welder and posts a lot there, including a lot of pictures. Apparently he was having a problem with his MM175. Something to keep in mind, just in case... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

chim · Oct 12, 2003

Henro thanks for the note. I haven't been to the weld site much today. Spent a good part of the afternoon at a pistol match. There was a discussion where a tech was going to send Dan a circuit board to try. Looks like I'll need to check my spring tomorrow when the machine shows up....................chim

Deerlope · Oct 13, 2003

Chim, My company used what they call star gas. Its a combination of 3 different kinds of gas. works very well. But for the life of me I can not remember what the 3 kinds are. But I can find out.

pruntyc · Oct 13, 2003

As another retired welder, go with the gas shielded arc. I really don't know what the gas was where I worked as it was Fruehauf and they just filled then and didn't tell us with what. Of course I also welded aluminum, with another kind of gas, and then stick, so they furnished it so didn't ask. I don't like intershield, I have been certified on it, but I still don't like it, too much splatter.

chim · Oct 13, 2003

Thanks for the info, guys. Looks like I have to wait another day to play - delivery didn't com in. Next purchase will be a full gas bottle.........................chim

40Kchicks · Oct 13, 2003

Chim
I use something the welding shop calls steel mix. I'm pretty sure it's 75%CO2 and 25%Ar. The argon make the weld lay down flatter as I understand it. You can go with just CO2.

What size of bottle are you going to get? I think I paid about $125 for a 150lb bottle. I should have got the full size bottle. For most hobby uses the 150lb is fine but I don't live that close to the welding shop so getting gas is kind of a pain.
Eric

chim · Oct 14, 2003

Eric, I don't have the info here at home (gotta use up some vacation time). I thought the supplier quoted something around $140 for a filled bottle that was 3 feet tall? I'll have to check - could be my "remembry" isn't 100%. That mix is one that gets frequent mention so it doesn't look like I could go wrong. Thanks.......................chim

Deerlope · Oct 14, 2003

Chim
Haun welding supply calls the star gas mix, mix 36
88% Argon
10% carbon dioxide
2% oxygen
The size of the tank does not matter. Its just how much that you weld and how often you have to get it refilled. If you do a lot of welding then you might want a big tank. Just remember that when you leave the shop after a welding project to shut the tank valve off cause they , the valve sometimes leak a little. It is possible to lost a whole tank of gas overnight. Good luck.