Used Miller Welder

[69supercj]

Found a couple welders on CL today and was wanting some input/feedback. The first one is a Miller Econotig about 7 years old, 230V 52 amp with torch lead and footpedal. 1000.00.

Second one is a Miller 250, not sure on the age, with bottle and regulator for 1500.00.

I do not know how to tig weld but would love to learn and I'm pretty much just a hobbiest that would use these on the farm and on automotive resto projects ect. Good deals or not?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Do you have enough power to run those ?

 

[zkling]

Just no on the econo tig, not a very good machine

What is a Miller 250? A Millermatic 250 (Mig), a syncrowave 250 (great tig, one of the best), Dialarc 250 (stick), Bobcat 250 (generator).

 

[69supercj]

Its a Millermatic 250 Mig.

 

[69supercj]

I'm running a Snap-on 220V Plasma cutter now, wouldn't that be on a big enough circut to run these?

 

[zkling]

I'm running a Snap-on 220V Plasma cutter now, wouldn't that be on a big enough circut to run these?

I don't know, what size breaker is that circuit on?

Its a Millermatic 250 Mig.

You do realize you are comparing two vastly different machines and processes, one tig, other mig? That is a pretty good deal on the millermatic 250. Condition dependent of course.

 

[offroadsteve]

I'm going to agree with zkling on the Econotig... too limited on power. You should be able to find a used Syncrowave for $1000 that is a vastly superior machine.

If the second is a Millermatic 250, thats a MIG only machine. If you are tying to TIG, you're out of luck. Its also an older model, the current model is the 252. $1500 is WAY too much for that machine, i'd pay $800 tops.

 

[69supercj]

Yes I realize the difference. I'll have to check my circuit when I get home. I thought that was a pretty decent deal on the 250 and like you said, condtion dependent. Not sure what they run new but I looked at a 212 the other day and I believe it was 1800 and change for a new one so a 250 would probably be 22-2400 new.

 

[69supercj]

Thanks for the info Steve. I thought they still had a new 250 at the welding supply shop but it very well could've been a 252.

 

[offroadsteve]

I could be mistaken about the 250, I should caveat that I'm basing my information on a thread I read over on the WeldingWeb forum that is almost 2 years old, where someone thought $800 was a good deal on a Millermatic 250.

If you can get a hold of the serial number, this chart http://www.millerwelds.com/service/serialnumberreference.html from Miller will help you nail down the age of the machine.

 

[sberry]

The 250 never found a fan club, the next generation the 251 is a better machine. I understand the tone of this thread but,,,, skip the tig for now and get a wire feeder to do real work you want to do. If you still think you need one a year or 2 from now start looking but for the time being pick a first machine that everyone should own and is the real workhorse in small shops.

Yes, you can tig everything in sight but that's pretty much for chronic mental masturbators. You likely want some results, If yo cant find used new compact cl;*** such as Hobart 210 and MM211 are perfect. Only drawback is where time and materials are money in production thicker than auto body. An extra hour or 2 and 50$ in wire/gas on small spools a year don't pay for larger machines.

No real way to save any money on a car or truck with a 250 over a 211, Production of any kind and any diet of materials heavier than 1/4 is a cause for a 250

 

[BD1]

What's your location. Prices vary by areas. Definitely no on the tig. you should look for a MILLER 180 SD or a 200 syncro.
As stated,the 250 wasn't the greatest. Maybe consider a Miller 211 if that wouldwork. The 252 new by me is $2200.00.

 

[69supercj]

I'm in Springfield, MO. A buddy has an older Millermatic 210 and 180 SD Syncro, aprox. 8 years old and just loves them. Right now I've got a Lincoln SP 100 and its good on the smaller stuff but just doesn't have enough umpf for anything over 1/4 inch and 1/4 needs beveled.

 

[toddoky]

Newbie here.

You really need to define for yourself what it is you expect to do with any welding machine to determine its value to you.

If you're getting into the craft merely for the ability to perform work on personal projects, then you may be able to get by with a MIG alone depending on the type of projects your doing.

Fortunately, a few of the new smaller personal machines will produce excellent results (like the Miller 211) on light gauge racks, frames, tables etc..and have a smaller footprint that lends itself to storage in a smaller shop.

If you are doing to be doing custom type work like welding aluminum tanks or thin gauge stainless steel car headers or exhaust systems like I do, then the TIG will be a must.

If you will only occasionally weld aluminum, you can save a ton of money and acquire an awesome welder by searching ebay and craigslist for a number of older AC/DC transformer based TIG welders. They can be power hogs, by also very dependable and produce awesome quality welds. If you will absolutely never weld aluminum you can save even more money by buying a DC only TIG...they are everywhere.

For mild steel and stainless welds I still revert to using my Linde UCC305 over my new inverter welder as it welds like butter (better than the Miller Syncrowave 250 I use at work everyday).

I picked up this machine 5 years ago in complete working order for $600 and can run it on a 60 amp breaker all day since I only ever use it on the low and middle amp ranges.

For Aluminum, the new inverters can't be beat but the prices for them are ridiculous and their reliability is nowhere near what you get from a transformer machine. Welding aluminum is the only time I fire up my inverter for the sake of extending its working lifecycle as long as possible.

Look around and you will find some good deals.

 

[89GLH]

I just posted this same question, not 2 weeks ago. The consenus came down to if you ever have to weld 1/2" steel in a single pass. If that answer is no, get the 212.

 

[koditten]

I use my miller mig 250 for everything. Right now Im using it to do body work on my truck. It works for me.

 

[MBfreak]

Sberry!

Thanks a LOT for the description of us manic repair/fab guys.

A classic , up there with the best lines in the Guy Ritchie movie Lock, Stock and two Smoking Barrels and the sequel, ******.
( Believe it was rebaptized to Snatched in the US?)


Hilarious!

Ola

 

[sberry]

I use my miller mig 250 for everything. Right now Im using it to do body work on my truck. It works for me.

Yes, a 250 is ideal fo9r you where as far as I know you work on trailers on a regular basis. It doesn't take long to realize the difference in cost if you save an hour or 2 a week and 20$ in materials on every job.

 

[AndyA]

Another vote no on the econotig.
I had one of these as my first tig machine. It's 150amps at 20% duty cycle, aka "not enough". Also it only goes down to 30 amps. So it's not usable on thin material either. This is probably the only Miller machine I'd advise against.