Millermatic 210 MIG Welder with 3035 SpoolGun

[Dargo]

Does anyone have this welder that could comment on it? I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a MIG welder. I need one that will handle 3/8" steel. From what I've read, it seems that the general consensus on the internet is that the Millermatic 210 seems to be the cat's meow for this class of MIG welders. I'm contemplating buying the 210 by itself, without the spoolgun for now. The spoolgun adds quite a bit to the price, and I'm not sure that I'll be welding that much aluminum. Any suggestions would be appreciated; especially on where to get the best price. So far, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=45032&item=7506093366&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW seems to be the best price I can find. For just the 210 (sans the spoolgun) I was quoted around $1170 delivered, but I'd have to add tax to that plus another $35 for a roll of .035 wire. Ideas? Suggestions?

 

[MadReferee]

If you go over to the Hobart/Miller welding forums and browse the Welding Products section you will find that the MM210 is one fine machine and that Indiana Oxygen is one of the best, and most price competitive of the on-line vendors.

You will need to get a tank for the C25 gas unless you are planning on using flux core wire. This will run around $100 or so at your local welding supply shop. Welding with solid core wire and C25 will give much better results.

Don't forget to buy a good welding helmet and some consumables (tips, etc). If you are going to work with any sheet metal you might want to purchase some .023 wire. The .035 will work fine for steel.

The spoolgun is nice if you do a lot of aluminum but not necessary to do normal steel welding. I have the model 3035 but have yet to use it. If you are planning on doing lots of aluminum the go for a TIG setup. It is much, much better for aluminum.

 

[txdon]

I was looking at Millers today also, not quite ready to pull the trigger but looking intently. Since I will need the welder to build a shop and house I was looking at the Millermatic passport for $1325 at Cyberweld. It also welds 3/8 in a single pass and has the portability I think I need at 45 pounds. It also can run on 115 or 230 VAC.

 

[MadReferee]

The Millermatic Passport is nowhere near the machine that the MM210 is. No way will it do 3/8" steel in one pass, in fact it is rated at 3/16". This unit is more like the MM/Hobart 135 than anything else. It is also much more expensive than the MM210.

You can see the Passport specs Here . You can see the MM210 specs Here .

The Passport's small self contained CO2 cylinder contains enough gas for only 25 minutes of welding on 3/16" steel and it cannot be used with C25 gas. It's output rating is only 150 amps at 20% duty cycle and 130 amps at 60% duty cycle on 230 volts. The ratings are much lower on 110 volts.

I think it might be fine for a small portable gas welder for temporary body shop type welds but not for heavy steel fabrication.

 

[Dargo]

Thanks for your reply Madref. I had spent a few hours on the internet looking into the MIG welders and I'm glad to hear that you also like the MM210 at Indiana Oxygen. Unless something changes, it looks like they will get my business today. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Hambone]

Indiana O2 is a good company and been around a long time.
Don't know about the 210 model, but we have two 250's here. They are excellent. The oldest being 10 years old, has only been sent in once for a minor repair. Keep in mind they get used every day.

 

[Dargo]

Thanks hambone. I also looked at the MM250. It seems the same as the MM210, except it will weld 1/2" (as compared to 3/8") in a single pass. Call me cheap, but what little 1/2" stuff I do, I'll just drag out my Hobart StickMate and crank it up on reverse polarity. I can't burn a 1/4" rod with it, but I can roast a pretty good 1/8" 7018 or 7011 rod into 1/2" steel. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Actually, I've seemed to find that a good penetration 6013 rod seems to be fine most of the time. If done properly with regular mild steel, the 6013 welds seem to be stronger than the metal itself. Maybe I'm wrong, but with most steel, the steel will break somewhere other than my weld even with the 6013 rods.

I ended up with a box of 9018 rods from an old guy out the road who no longer welds. Some are 1/4" rods, which I know for a fact that I can't burn. What the heck would you use those to weld; armor plating? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I'm wondering if he didn't used to work at the old shipyards in town where I live that built the LST ships. Maybe they used those monster rods on them. The shipyard that built those was only about 3 miles from where I live. They turned out hundreds of the LST's from there.

Again, I'm glad to hear about Indiana O2 being a good company. I've always bought at a company called Welder's Supply that is only about 1/2 mile from my house. However, on the MM210, they are about 300 bucks higher.

 

[MadReferee]

If I would have had the money at the time I would have bought the MM210. Instead I bought the MM175 at half the price. It'll do 1/4" no problem and 3/8" with multiple passes and I have even done 1/2" with it. The Miller warranty and customer service is top notch. You will enjoy your MM210.

 

[Dargo]

Madref, thanks for your advice. I actually got the welding supply place (Air Gas) that is less than 2 miles from my place to beat IN Oxygen's price! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I debated on getting the MM251, but settled on the MM210.

I just got it home and setup. I am now going to watch the video that came with it. At first, I was disappointed. My very first weld with a MIG was pretty crappy. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Shortly afterwards, I discovered that I did not turn on the gas. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I have the 75% argon and 25% carbon dioxide gas. It's amazing what difference the gas makes! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Any other tips on operating a MIG as opposed to the stick welder I've used for years? I've seen some extremely impressive welds made by MIG's. I can't wait to practice and become proficient with a MIG!

Oh yes, if anyone else is interested in a MM210 or MM251, the place right down the road from me beat every single price I could find on the internet. Also, they were very accomodating and helpful. Thanks again for the tips!!

 

[MadReferee]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Any other tips on operating a MIG as opposed to the stick welder I've used for years? I've seen some extremely impressive welds made by MIG's.)</font>

Remember with the MIG you are pushing not pulling the arc. Have extra tips handy since you will clog up a few until you get the hang of it. If your nozzle collects slag you are too close to the work. I sometimes use a nozzle spray lube to keep the slag from sticking when I am working in tight corners. Have fun. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif