Popular Post fjh Posted November 27, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 27, 2022 Well I blew the budget and bought me a new welder for my retirement ! I had a tweco 3 in one welder and was having issue with the voltage control switch ! so After an endless search to find a switch on line and at the dealers and Lack of info from the esab baphoons (must be subsidiary Of Volvo corp) Nothing!No switch! So I got pissed off and went down to the local KMS store here and bought A new Miller 211 hopefully will have better luck with this machine ! Not very happy about having to replace this welder it ain't very old however I cheaped out when I bought the Tweco I thought at that I don't need nothing special for just pottering on my saw mill and tractor etc. for an 800 dollar difference in price at the time! I found out different! We had esab at work and they were never to much of an issue! hopefully this will be a case of get what you pay for! wish me luck! Hopefully not another Volvo like purchase! 😅 2 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onyx610 Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 Millers are nice. You’ll pry never have to buy another one again. Keep looking for the switch, there has to be one out there somewhere. Then you can sell it and get some money back. Is a mig, tig, and stick welder as well? 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516191 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onyx610 Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 How about some pics!? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516192 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjh Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 14 minutes ago, Onyx610 said: How about some pics!? https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=c8f6ee3847&attid=0.2&permmsgid=msg-f:1750669193546336993&th=184ba05b288c8ae1&view=att&disp=safe https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=c8f6ee3847&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1750669193546336993&th=184ba05b288c8ae1&view=att&disp=safe Haven't tried it yet came with 030 wire and tips ! got 3/4 of a roll of 035 left off the tweco so waiting on a 035 tips ! as they have changed up the gun and the tips are now different that the tips they are stocking! bit of s pissoff! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516193 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onyx610 Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 (edited) How do they not have 35 tips!? For a welder they sell…. Edited November 27, 2022 by Onyx610 More info Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516194 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjh Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 17 minutes ago, Onyx610 said: How do they not have 35 tips!? For a welder they sell…. Well In my mind miller is doing the classic fixing on the fly ! We've all seen this done even in the Mack days! The m100 gun had some issues they updated it and didn't tell the dealers! Just speculating! will see Monday As they are close Sunday as they should be ! People deserve at least one day off! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516195 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onyx610 Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 Haha this is true as well. Is the gun on this Miller blue and can hold like 3 different settings? Like speed, wire, and heat. I couldn’t get the pictures to work. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516196 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onyx610 Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 (edited) Same gun I was thinking about just doesn’t have that function. That’s a really nice gun, I like it a lot. Edited November 27, 2022 by Onyx610 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516198 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjh Posted November 27, 2022 Author Share Posted November 27, 2022 that there is the machine 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516201 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjh Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 So all is good they had 035 at the store not on line is all! See how it goes! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516287 Share on other sites More sharing options...
67RModel Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 Aren't Miller 211s DVI? If so its nice to be able to run of 120 or 240 Volt power incase you have to pack it up and take somewhere there is only 120V outlets. I know it limits your amperage but its better than nothing I guess. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516288 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjh Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 It’s 120/240 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516291 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post fjh Posted November 28, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted November 28, 2022 Well got 035 tips today ! Welds great ! Very happy not to be fighting with fluctuating voltages and the auto set makes the setting easier! perfect 2 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516302 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onyx610 Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 Sounds like it was worth the money after all, good to hear. Now you will be looking for shit to weld all the time! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516303 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 defiantly miss my welders. had 5 0nce. a lincoln 250 trailer mount. ; 2 -wall units 240 plug/ a 240 wire feed and a road service lincoln 115 . unlimited fun to fix/repair/ build anything. never liked the small lincoln. had it set up for gas not flux core. first job inside stainless steel milk tanker. any idea what it's like to haul all that stuff through top hatch! . first arc things went wrong. turned around the welder was on fire. haul all the sh-t back out. returned the welder for another. used my brother's 115 hobart today ;; don't like it. LOL Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516304 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc transport Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 i still have the 240 volt lincoln 215 powermig with spool gun, and the miller bluestar 2A gas powered stick welder. plus a set of torches i have not used in 15 years, and 40 amp plasma cutter that replaced the torches. i sold the miller bobcat 225nt, the miller thunderbolt, lincoln SA200, and the 110 volt little lincoln 140 Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516310 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onyx610 Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 (edited) Plasma cutters are awesome. Can be a pain setting it up all the time if you don’t have a permeant spot for one. Edited November 29, 2022 by Onyx610 Spelling 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516311 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 Baskin had a brand new miller wire feed with the alum spool gun set up. that's a fantastic set up once you get the alum technic down pat. reefer trailers all alum inside, challenge not to get the Styrofoam insulation burning. 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516315 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 always wanted to learn the T I G welding process. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516317 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onyx610 Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 (edited) I’ve been messing with that tig when I get free time and god damn it’s hard. There’s sooooo much that goes into it. Cup size, electrode length/thickness, the type of point on it, and soo much more. Not for me…. Edited November 29, 2022 by Onyx610 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516318 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 You'll get about a year or so out of the "auto set" before that feature fails. Then you'll be manually adjusting it. If it has a reference chart for amperage and wire speed settings depending on material thickness then SAVE the chart!!! I use our chart all the time. If I remember from class on TIG, you need a dedicated grinder wheel for the tungsten tips so you don't contaminate them, and you had to be very careful with how you grind the tips. The abrasions left on the tip literally throw the electrons, and if they aren't even then it will throw the arc sideways. Welder I know has a friend that can tig weld around corners using mirrors. I've done that mig welding, it's easier than I thought it would be. But the weld spatter is bad for the mirror glass, lol ... 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516332 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 I bought the harbor freight "titanium" plasma cutter a couple years ago. Best $1,000 we've spent in a while. Runs on 120 or 240. Almost never use the oxyacet torch any more. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516335 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 5 minutes ago, JoeH said: You'll get about a year or so out of the "auto set" before that feature fails. Then you'll be manually adjusting it. If it has a reference chart for amperage and wire speed settings depending on material thickness then SAVE the chart!!! I use our chart all the time. If I remember from class on TIG, you need a dedicated grinder wheel for the tungsten tips so you don't contaminate them, and you had to be very careful with how you grind the tips. The abrasions left on the tip literally throw the electrons, and if they aren't even then it will throw the arc sideways. Welder I know has a friend that can tig weld around corners using mirrors. I've done that mig welding, it's easier than I thought it would be. But the weld spatter is bad for the mirror glass, lol ... when baskin robbins built the new freezer in southbury the welder they used (paul Yuotts) with stick rods welded all the refrigeration pipes 10-12in dia so close to the walls he used a mirror and bent the rods around to the back side of pipes. this was a huge freezer. not one leak. he was the one (in his spare time ) teaching me the T I G machine baskin Maintenace shop had. 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516336 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onyx610 Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 (edited) There’s also a powder you can dip the tip into as well and it puts a point on it, need to get the electrode hot first. We have a millermatic 355 at work that handles the big three welds. Amazing machine. Edited November 29, 2022 by Onyx610 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516342 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onyx610 Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 (edited) this stuff, not sure how it works but it does…. Edited November 29, 2022 by Onyx610 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/70766-got-me-a-new-welder/#findComment-516343 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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