miller 252 for 700$ ?!? What do I need to check before I buy??

[disney]

I just wanted to post a picture of it all cleaned up and (almost) ready to weld. They ended up giving me an actual benard gun for the same price of the aftermarket one they have quoted. (they did say it was a better gun, but that parts would cost a little more...I guess I am ok with that) I also included a picture of the guts of the unit (for those that have never had the cover off), I like the 'coincidence' that the capacitors appear to be miller blue.

 

[ericher69]

Looks good!

Thanks for showing the interior pics.

 

[SilverLakeFab]

Hi Disney,

I run a Millermatic 252 in my professional fabrication shop. The welder itself is fantastic and I can do anything from large bucket repairs (couple yard excavator buckets) to sheet metal without any problem. Be glad that you have your hands on a Bernard gun too. The stock MIG gun for this machine is junk (melts with minimal use nowhere near 252 amps), but the rest of the machine is fantastic. My Bernard gun is rated at 350 amps and is a real blessing. Since I bought my machine brand new (purchased at AirGas in Pembroke, NH), and the stock gun failed me, the local Miller Rep actually visited and handed me the Bernard at no charge. Get this, he then hired me to build an overhead hoist for him; go figure! Regardless, my biggest bit of advice is to purchase some anti-spatter spray for your work area. That saves almost as much time as getting the large MIG itself. Regardless, congrats on your purchase; that's a great machine!

 

[Jesse masterson]

Do you do most your welding in your shop with straight c/o2 was wondering cause I don't usually have splatter with 25 mix?

 

[Mattc8832]

I use a Miller 252 daily at my job. Its never let me down. We use it primarily on 3/8 material.

 

[Arc weld]

ITW that owns Miller also owns Bernard. The bigger Miller wire feeders come standard with Bernard guns. The M-25 gun that comes on the 252 is OK for a homeowner but if it goes bad, you can get a much better gun for about the same price. In a shop setting, I agree the Miller gun is junk! Worked in a shop with 6 252's and there were at least 4 broken Miller guns hanging in the tool crib. I later discovered who sold them their machines and replacement guns. I ended up working for the same outfit and he had no clue about welding even when I kept suggesting he sell them some Bernard guns that would save them a boat load in the long run. Most of the other salesmen would have gave a credit for the Miller gun and put a Bernard on from the outset.

 

[mrmikey]

We've got a few 252's at work and of all the wire feeds we have/had have they are the ones that haven't given us any trouble, hard wire, flux core and metal core as well as running a spool gun....Mike

 

[Arc weld]

252's are generally a really good unit but I have heard of the odd one having a circuit board problem. Maybe the early ones and Miller corrected the problem?