MIG Gun Standardization

[Wamsutta]

If there was standardization, you could use anybody's MIG gun on your machine. As it is now, you're very limited. When I got my machine, I assumed I could put any gun on there I wanted; boy was I wrong. It just so happens that Lincoln makes a gun to fit a Miller machine using a Miller connector installed on the Lincoln gun. They must've worked out some kind of business arrangement I assume. I'm glad they did.

The Miller MDX100 that comes with the machine has a ridge on the handle ( shown by the red arrow ) in an effort to form a finger groove. I frickin hate it. It doesn't allow me to place my hand where I want it and gets in my way. Enter the Lincoln 175L MIG gun. That thing is a life saver. The handle is bigger, has a nice smooth trigger without serrations, and the neck is bent at more of an angle. I dodged a huge bullet thanks to Lincoln. But I wish I could use a MIG gun from any manufacturer.



Miller MDX100





Lincoln Magnum PRO 175L ( K4872-1 with Miller Connector )

 

[rayra]

I though all the early MiGs used 37mm?

 

[Wamsutta]

^
I think it's mainly the electrical connector that's the differentiating factor; not sure though.

 

[tarbellb]

Yeah my Miller 100 series was utter garbage, glitchy trigger. They screwed up the one moving part on it?

Jumped to a Bernard gun, way overkill, good for welding 1" wall pipelines all day

Then finally to a HTP flex neck, wow

HTP embarrasses Millers gun, it's not even close, supreme quality, good price, parts, and plug n play

 

[Monte]

Good MIG guns: www.binzel-abicor.com/US/eng/

 

[Wamsutta]

Yeah my Miller 100 series was utter garbage, glitchy trigger. They screwed up the one moving part on it?

Jumped to a Bernard gun, way overkill, good for welding 1" wall pipelines all day

Then finally to a HTP flex neck, wow

HTP embarrasses Millers gun, it's not even close, supreme quality, good price, parts, and plug n play

Which machine were you able to hook up the HTP gun to?

 

[tarbellb]

They sell for most major market machines

Mines a version of a Miller 180

 

[Walkers]

I have swapped miller and Lincoln back ends, not overly difficult, especially between the two platforms for the same maker. I haswitched my Bernard guns to Lincoln for field use and keep others Milker for shop use.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I could be wrong but I was thinking another manufacturer made the guns for Blue, Red and Tan.

 

[dr_clyde]

I could be wrong but I was thinking another manufacturer made the guns for Blue, Red and Tan.

Most manufacturers make their own or own the company that makes the guns.

ITW who owns Miller and Hobart also owns Bernard and Tregaskiss which is why you’ll see those guns on those machines. I believe Lincoln and ESAB have similar setups.

In my experience Bernard guns are about the best available, although I do like Abicor Binzel.

I’ve never been very happy with Tweco guns personally, and the Miller branded guns that come with the smaller machines aren’t my favorite either. I’m glad industrial machines ship with Bernard guns.

 

[danielbuck]

I don't like the placement of the hanging hook on the Lincoln Magnum 250L, if you simply hang the gun on something, there's a very high chance that the trigger will be depressed by whatever you're hanging it on. It's not a problem if you are putting the gun into a holder that grips the neck, but sometimes it's just a lot more convenient to hang the gun off of whatever is closest to you.

Maybe it's not actually supposed to be a hook, and is more of a "trigger guard"?

 

[BukitCase]

If I had to deal with that torch, unless the "hook" had some electrical function it would be in the trash before I struck the first arc.
Since there tends to be quite a few steel things in my weld areas, one of these makes more sense and will stick almost anywhere

Magnetic MIG Torch Holder

Amazing deals on this Magnetic Mig Torch Holder at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

When I built the cart for my smaller mig I tacked on a scrap of 1-1/2" tube so I always have a gun holder close ... Steve

 

[danielbuck]

If I had to deal with that torch, unless the "hook" had some electrical function it would be in the trash before I struck the first arc.
Since there tends to be quite a few steel things in my weld areas, one of these makes more sense and will stick almost anywhere

Magnetic MIG Torch Holder

Amazing deals on this Magnetic Mig Torch Holder at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

When I built the cart for my smaller mig I tacked on a scrap of 1-1/2" tube so I always have a gun holder close ... Steve

I have a holder on the side of my welding machine (Lincoln 260, it came with one), and I also have one of those (similar) magnet gun holders. But often times it's just alot more convenient to hook the gun somewhere else. Maybe I need another holder for the other end of the welding table, so I have more options haha

I'm going to weld on some short pieces of 1" tubing on a few sides of the welding table, and also my vise bench (sometimes weld on there too) to slide the nozzle of the gun into. that'll probably be the cheapest way to go.

 

[speed bump]

There is a standard but most US manufacturers don't follow it, if you buy a European or Chinese Mig it probably has a euro spec plug on it.

For everything there else are various degrees of adapters. I just had to sit down and figure out how to put a Bernard btb on an old Linde feeder, turns out they sell like 20 different adapters to use btb guns.

 

[Jswain]

Most manufacturers make their own or own the company that makes the guns.

ITW who owns Miller and Hobart also owns Bernard and Tregaskiss which is why you’ll see those guns on those machines. I believe Lincoln and ESAB have similar setups.

In my experience Bernard guns are about the best available, although I do like Abicor Binzel.

I’ve never been very happy with Tweco guns personally, and the Miller branded guns that come with the smaller machines aren’t my favorite either. I’m glad industrial machines ship with Bernard guns.

X2 on the Bernard guns. I have a few for my 250 at home, and when I use the M25 gun at work on the 252 it feels like a toy.

 

[Wamsutta]

They sell for most major market machines

Mines a version of a Miller 180

I sent HTP an email and they answered me back. They have two guns for my machine; a fixed neck and a flex neck.