I have a Miller Cricket mig welder. I was hoping to find out if anyone has one that uses it in sheet metal. I'm struggling welding in a sheet metal patch and was hoping to find out where your settings are. Just an amatuer looking for a little help. Thank you very much in advance
Miller Cricket welder
- Thread starter mc1984ss
- Start date
nadogail
Well-known member
I am not familiar with that member of the Miller Welder family.
I would seek assistance from my Miller dealer or a Miller Owners Group.
I would seek assistance from my Miller dealer or a Miller Owners Group.
Practice with different wire speeds and amperage combos on separate pieces of metal with the same gap that your patch will have.
Make sure your gas is flowing right or you don't have wind.
And of course, have a heat sink behind the weld if you can.
The real secret is to tack or spot with the right combo of the above so you don't burn out the weld area... you cannot lay a continuous weld like you can with TIG. Build up your spots along the weld perimeter or seam allowing each spot weld to cool down.
Patience and a grinder will make the weld seam look good.
Make sure your gas is flowing right or you don't have wind.
And of course, have a heat sink behind the weld if you can.
The real secret is to tack or spot with the right combo of the above so you don't burn out the weld area... you cannot lay a continuous weld like you can with TIG. Build up your spots along the weld perimeter or seam allowing each spot weld to cool down.
Patience and a grinder will make the weld seam look good.
vpd66
Well-known member
I bought one brand new in 1988. I had it for about 4 years before I out grew it and bought a Millermatic 250. From what I could remember, Heat setting 1 and wire speed about 75-80 should be close. Like ezzzzzz said is it setup for 75/25 gas or flux core. From what I remember it didn't do very good on sheet metal with flux core wire but was awesome with .024 wire and 75/25 gas.
bri_man57
Well-known member
You're pulse welding/trigger welding? I haven't had much luck doing beads on sheet metal with a mig
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Slednut
Well-known member
This tread has a lot of info.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53534&highlight=patch+panel
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53534&highlight=patch+panel
I'm using gas with the wire, .023". I'm using a co2 mix. I am sure it is a lack of experience and out of practice. I practiced on some scrap pieces with great results. I then moved on to the car and totally ****! I'll check out the link thanks everyone! I have heard some people say that newer welders are a little more forgiving for a novice, any truth to that?
vpd66
Well-known member
Actually for what your doing that welder is perfect. I think you just need to practice and maybe do a little research on sheet metal mig welding technic. Also welding on old, rusty, and painted automotive sheet metal has a learning curve.
Try skip welding. Skip around. 3/8 inch here. Let it cool. Go to another area across....3/8 again. And again and again. All over the place. Pretty soon the short beads are coming together. Long beads are nothing but trouble for warpage and burn-through.
BORING HOP YARD
Well-known member
My sheet metal welder is a Miller Cricket XL. I have used the crud out of this welder.
I prefer using it for panel replacement. I have a 220 200 amp wire feed for heavy steel.
My cricket is one of the first models Miller came out with. Like the folks have said above clean, clean, clean, the little welder will work great. just don't expect it to burn through pant or rust. Do yourself a favor and read through the link it will pay off in the long run. Robert is a class act!
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53534
I prefer using it for panel replacement. I have a 220 200 amp wire feed for heavy steel.
My cricket is one of the first models Miller came out with. Like the folks have said above clean, clean, clean, the little welder will work great. just don't expect it to burn through pant or rust. Do yourself a favor and read through the link it will pay off in the long run. Robert is a class act!
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53534
stokefire7
Well-known member
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- Oct 5, 2011
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I saw one on Craigslist. It peaked my curiosity. My have to follow up on that.
BORING HOP YARD
Well-known member
If I remember correctly the Cricket XL is the first model of Miller 110/ 115 welders. Its old technology now.
The new 110 welders of today are much better.
Mine has 4 heat zones I can select and wire speed adjustment.
This is my first welder and used since the 80s.
I use it just for sheet metal.
The new 110 welders of today are much better.
Mine has 4 heat zones I can select and wire speed adjustment.
This is my first welder and used since the 80s.
I use it just for sheet metal.
Jagmandave
Well-known member
It's not the welder....it's you.
You need to practice more and follow what the other guys have already written. I have a Clark 110 from the early 90's. Still use it for everything including body repairs.
You need to practice more and follow what the other guys have already written. I have a Clark 110 from the early 90's. Still use it for everything including body repairs.
yes very, but you need larger 240 volts
vpd66
Well-known member
That welder will do has good has it gets for sheet metal. With the 4 heat settings and a rheostat for wire speed makes it dead simple to dial in for sheet metal. Just keep practicing and you'll get the hang of it!
Thanks everyone it's appreciated. I found some more 18 gauge in the shop last night I'll practice on today. I also started reading the thread that was posted at the beginning. Incredible! I've always loved seeing these kind of talents, just wish they were mine!
One thing I'll suggest is checking the polarity of the gun and ground clamp. I can't remember what way you want it for each process but they are different for flux core wire and solid with gas. My first welder was a Clark 130 that I still have. The directions for it didn't say anything about turning the polarity around. I could not make it welder on thin metal until another person told me to check the polarity. Now I can welder great with it. I've since upgraded to a larger 220v welder but its still a great welder for the thiner stuff and easily moved around.
BORING HOP YARD
Well-known member
I would also recommend that you also venture into the upper limits of the Crickets heat range for practice. I had a mentor years ago show me how they could weld much thicker metal than me with my cricket. I kept practicing and you can get the cricket to weld a nice bead on 1/4 inch.
If I hadn't seen it I would of said no way before that.
Good luck on your quest!
If I hadn't seen it I would of said no way before that.
Good luck on your quest!
I've seen mine weld frame and suspension parts. It wasn't me doing it. The one I have was inherited. I have relatives that used to weld for a living unfortunately they have both since passed.