Anyone here have a millermatic 35 ?

[tweidman]

I just bought one. It was sort of an impluse buy. The price was right so I jumped on it without much research.
What are it's Pros and Cons?

 

[wineslob]

I have one at work that Iv'e been using for 25+ years. Great little machine. Watch the duty cycle.

 

[tweidman]

I have one at work that Iv'e been using for 25+ years. Great little machine. Watch the duty cycle.

I'm fairly new to welding. I have been using a borrowed 110v lincoln.
What do you mean by "watch the duty cycle" .... I'm such a newb

 

[bimmer1980]

duty cycle relates to how many minutes you can weld out of a certain period of time. Usually about 10 minutes... so a 100% duty cycle means that you can weld straight for 10 minutes. A 60% duty cycle means you can weld for 6 minutes out of the 10 minute period. You have to really watch the light duty welders as some of them are rated at 10 or 20%.

I believe it also takes into consideration of what setting you are welding at. At a higher setting you have to be really careful.

Keep in mind that a welder is really just a big transformer. is it has a couple of big spools of wire. The more amperage you pump thru the welder, the more heat you will generate in the coil of wire. If you got it too hot, you could melt the insulation off the coil and create a short circuit.

Some of the welders have a fan that cycles while you are welding to cool the coil. Similar to your radiater fan turnning on and off on your car.

best of luck---practice, practice!!

 

[Tantara]

I have had mine for 25+ years also. I did replace some diodes a year or two ago otherwise flawless.

Brad

 

[krusty the clown]

i learned to weld on a 35. it was a great machine.

 

[W-Cummins]

They are good machines, some would argue that they are the best little mig machine miller ever made. If I remember correctly that machine is rated, 150 amps @60% duty cycle. It's the same class of machine they now sell as a 212 amp machine @ 40%. The MM200 is the same way, it's the same class machine as the mm252 just "re-rated". I'm not sure who started that **** but Miller and Lincoln both do it now.
**
William....

 

[flatheadguy]

I have three Millermatic 35S machines. They are, I think, one of the best welding machines ever made. Now, here is a bit of info that may be helpful. The VERY early machines have the gas valve in the torch. Not possible to replace with new. There is an adapter kit available that will allow using a newer style easily bought gun. One of my machines is getting the upgrade now. Not all white face machines are the same. Serial number will tell if you have early or late machine. PM me if you have questions. I have done the research.

 

[tweidman]

Okay, now I know all about what the "duty cycle" is... but, I'm still not sure what "watch the duty cycle" means?
Does that mean, don't weld for too long with the higher heat settings?

One more question. I have a 220v line for my compressor, I was going to use this line to run the Miller as well.
I think I have a 30 amp fuse on that dedicated compressor line, will that be heavy enough for this welder?
Keep in mind, I will only have one thing plugged in at one time. Either the compressor or the welder, not both.

Thanks for all the advice so far. I have been welding for about a year and I took a class at the local tech school, so I have a bit of practice under my belt.... Now I need to learn more about the equipment, other than how to adjust the knobs to get a better weld.

 

[wineslob]

Okay, now I know all about what the "duty cycle" is... but, I'm still not sure what "watch the duty cycle" means?
Does that mean, don't weld for too long with the higher heat settings?

One more question. I have a 220v line for my compressor, I was going to use this line to run the Miller as well.
I think I have a 30 amp fuse on that dedicated compressor line, will that be heavy enough for this welder?
Keep in mind, I will only have one thing plugged in at one time. Either the compressor or the welder, not both.

Thanks for all the advice so far. I have been welding for about a year and I took a class at the local tech school, so I have a bit of practice under my belt.... Now I need to learn more about the equipment, other than how to adjust the knobs to get a better weld.

If you weld for a long period of time without letting the machine cool down, you'll notice that it wont weld quite as well. It will seem to lose power and or penetration. However I've pushed this one to it's "limits" many, many times, and it's held up just fine.
I tried one of the new constant voltage (?) machines that Miller makes/made to replace this machine...........................it sucked.
As far as a technique for welding with this machine, I find that back stepping backhanded with a cresent movement of the gun works really well on heavier material. I also use a Tweco gun and hose assembly as the original was a POS.
I'm not sure but I think I linked a logsplitter (that's been stolen ) that I made in another post. That was welded up with the afore mentioned machine.

A 30 amp circuit is just fine.

 

[dustin19]

you wierd little boys and ur fancy migs ,tigs, figs ,rigs etc.... what happened to using a good old lincoln 220v stick welder all i ever use unless u cout when i had to redo a door hing on my gfs blazer

 

[tweidman]

If you weld for a long period of time without letting the machine cool down, you'll notice that it wont weld quite as well. It will seem to lose power and or penetration. However I've pushed this one to it's "limits" many, many times, and it's held up just fine.
I tried one of the new constant voltage (?) machines that Miller makes/made to replace this machine...........................it sucked.
As far as a technique for welding with this machine, I find that back stepping backhanded with a cresent movement of the gun works really well on heavier material. I also use a Tweco gun and hose assembly as the original was a POS.
I'm not sure but I think I linked a logsplitter (that's been stolen ) that I made in another post. That was welded up with the afore mentioned machine.

A 30 amp circuit is just fine.

That is what I thought. I can't see me welding for long periods. Most of my welding jobs are quick and simple. Thanks for all the tips.

 

[wineslob]

you wierd little boys and ur fancy migs ,tigs, figs ,rigs etc.... what happened to using a good old lincoln 220v stick welder all i ever use unless u cout when i had to redo a door hing on my gfs blazer

Heh, I've got one of these:

One of the best DC welders I've ever used. 240V 3 phase 250 AMP, and sounds GREAT when you fire it up.

And yes, it looks like a *****.

 

[dustin19]

Heh, I've got one of these:

One of the best DC welders I've ever used. 240V 3 phase 250 AMP, and sounds GREAT when you fire it up.

And yes, it looks like a *****.

well i guess if u catch ur wife in the garage often u know what shes been doing :

 

[E.Marquez]

you wierd little boys and ur fancy migs ,tigs, figs ,rigs etc.... what happened to using a good old lincoln 220v stick welder all i ever use unless u cout when i had to redo a door hing on my gfs blazer

I had one of those when I was a little boy working out of my moms garage, then I grew up , and could afford better tools for the job.. And bought a better welder.. Just because I can weld with an AC only miller buzz box, dont mean it's the best choice.. Becoming an adult and having the ability to resource a shop is a great thing,, you should try it some day

...OK,, yup, I built many a metal project with a second hand miller 240v 1PH buzz box.... and I still have a AC/DC Thunderbolt 300/200 machine.. But it's simply not as good a welding process for my needs as my MIG and TIG machines.

BTW,, I can cut steel with my gas cutting torch too,,, but most times I use the Plasma because it's a quicker, better final product, with less heat distortion smaller kerf, ect than gas can do.

To the OP I learned to weld MIG on a Miller 35.. great machine

 

[austin308]

Throwing a comment about only having a buzz box only. Hard to strech extenstion cord 20 miles or weld aluminum with just a tombstone. just my humble opinion

 

[wineslob]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Looks like you're singlehandedly keeping Miller in business.

 

[austin308]

It seems like that some days

 

[carpenter383]

Hey guys, I'm new here, I have a millermatic 35. It works good on thin stuff (1/8' or smaller) but seems to lack the power to penetrate thicker stuff. I'm using .035 wire with agon gas. I've heard that flux core will penetrate better, but how much?
The welder has 6 ports for amperage power 1 ground port and 1 positive port. Can I use this wleder to stick weld? If so where would I find the correct leads to plug into the welder?
I took the sheet metal off this welder to check it out and make sure everything had a good connection, I did find a loose wire, but it didn't help performance. At the back right side there are what look like capacitors, 6 if I remember right, it looks like there is room for 2 more, if I added 2 more to the welder would it boost it's power or?

 

[wineslob]

Hey guys, I'm new here, I have a millermatic 35. It works good on thin stuff (1/8' or smaller) but seems to lack the power to penetrate thicker stuff. I'm using .035 wire with agon gas. I've heard that flux core will penetrate better, but how much?
The welder has 6 ports for amperage power 1 ground port and 1 positive port. Can I use this wleder to stick weld? If so where would I find the correct leads to plug into the welder?
I took the sheet metal off this welder to check it out and make sure everything had a good connection, I did find a loose wire, but it didn't help performance. At the back right side there are what look like capacitors, 6 if I remember right, it looks like there is room for 2 more, if I added 2 more to the welder would it boost it's power or?

I can quite easily weld 1/2" material with mine. Make sure you have a gap between the pieces being welded approx the width of the wire for full penetration. Good metal prep/angle of the joint is a must with a mig.
I use Argon/CO2 for the gas.
It's not a fluxcore machine, nor stick.
1 is the lowest amperage setting 6 the highest. I usually run the wire speed at 40-50%
If it does not seem to be getting hot enough, it may need to be looked at by a Miller shop.
Another possibility is the hose assembly is worn out (shot liner)and isn't transfering heat worth a damn.
Make sure the circuit feeding the machine is at least 30 Amp.

 

[MattT]

Hey guys, I'm new here, I have a millermatic 35. It works good on thin stuff (1/8' or smaller) but seems to lack the power to penetrate thicker stuff. I'm using .035 wire with agon gas.

You need CO2 or Argon/CO2 blend for MIG on steel. I'm surprised you can weld anything with straight argon. The one time I tried it burned back to the tip and melted it immediately.

 

[flatheadguy]

Hey guys, I'm new here, I have a millermatic 35. It works good on thin stuff (1/8' or smaller) but seems to lack the power to penetrate thicker stuff. I'm using .035 wire with agon gas. I've heard that flux core will penetrate better, but how much?
The welder has 6 ports for amperage power 1 ground port and 1 positive port. Can I use this wleder to stick weld? If so where would I find the correct leads to plug into the welder?
I took the sheet metal off this welder to check it out and make sure everything had a good connection, I did find a loose wire, but it didn't help performance. At the back right side there are what look like capacitors, 6 if I remember right, it looks like there is room for 2 more, if I added 2 more to the welder would it boost it's power or?

Hmm, pure "Argon" for MIG welding steel? You might want to do a bit of research about various gases. I have always used either pure CO2 or an CO2/Argon mix like C20 or C25.

 

[trbomax]

I had 2 of them in the old shop. When I relocated I gave one to my son and sold the other. Great machine,a bit short on the duty cycle (the way we used them). The gun setup was a piece of **** though. The gas was just pinched off at the trigger and leaked and cracked the hose. replace the gun and cable with a tweco,then put a solinoid in the gas line.A micro switch in the tweco triggers the solninoid.It will work forever this way.You cannot weld steel with straight argon,either mix or co2.

 

[Gizzy]

I've got a 35s...works great for my garage projects.Best part is;I only paid $150 for it. Giz'

 

[N2 Many Projects]

I recently paid $50 for one of these 35s machines without a gun. It has the gas solenoid valve on the front of the machine. Any idea what the best cheapest gun would be?