Miller 135 input

[Lx460]

So I spotted this Miller 135 on CL today. Comes with machine, profax 180 gun, tank, regulator, and cart for asking $400

I already own a Miller 250, a 30A spool gun for aluminum, a Lincoln tombstone and a Miller thunderbolt 225 (both of the arc units I really never use).

I know I dont "need" it but it just seemed super cheap to me. I know it's a 115v unit which makes it able to be used over a buddies house if needed since my 250 is not portable at all.

Whatcha all think?

 

[Lx460]

Pic of front

 

[zkling]

They are handy for portable work, but I think the price is high for what you get/condition. Unless you need to get a tank tomorrow and that one is ready to go, I'd pass.

 

[the spyder]

I had a 135 and just bought a 140. I've got the same setup, a 252 for thick material- but I wanted a dedicated sheet metal rig. Something I can run .25 in and take with me to the track when I'm crewing for chump car. Oh and I paid $350 for the 135 with a tank/cart/full spool.

 

[BD1]

In my area that is cheap. The tank price alone is $ 225.00 for a 125 with fill. Offer $300 and settle for $ 350

 

[FloydShine]

In my neck of the woods, the concern would be the tank. Dealers and fillers won't refill a tank that you bring into them unless you are the original purchaser, have ownership papers, or can meet their criteria. It can be expensive to have the tank certified/tested prior to getting the tank refilled. Make sure to get any paperwork on the tank if there is any, and know what your supplier expects.

 

[neonnblack]

In my area that is cheap. The tank price alone is $ 225.00 for a 125 with fill. Offer $300 and settle for $ 350

That was my thought as well. Tanks here are ridiculous expensive.

 

[Lx460]

In my neck of the woods, the concern would be the tank. Dealers and fillers won't refill a tank that you bring into them unless you are the original purchaser, have ownership papers, or can meet their criteria. It can be expensive to have the tank certified/tested prior to getting the tank refilled. Make sure to get any paperwork on the tank if there is any, and know what your supplier expects.

Have a commercial account that I use. They have never even looked at the tank...ever.

 

[rsanter]

That machine is a smaller and older one. Price is a little high IMO

Bob

 

[CGT80]

That is a great little machine. I have the same one. The gun on that machine isn't stock for the miller and looks bigger. The smaller gun is easier to handle and will fit in tighter places. I think 3/16" is max for the 135, but it is better suited for 1/8" and less. Make sure you have decent voltage or proper wire size to feed it as you can't afford any loss of performance with such a small machine. I use ER70s6 and 75/25 gas. It is great for thin materials or where you need to be mobile.

My brother has the 252 and says 16 gauge steel is hard to do with 0.035 wire and the big gun is hard to use in tight spaces. I would love to have a 252, as I could use more capacity than what the 135 has. I will probably use my brother's 252 for an upcoming project as the pulse feature will be helpful.

The other option is a dual voltage machine that has a higher amperage when plugged into 240v power. Better power at home or your shop, but able to go anywhere.

 

[ishiboo]

My brother has the 252 and says 16 gauge steel is hard to do with 0.035 wire and the big gun is hard to use in tight spaces. I would love to have a 252, as I could use more capacity than what the 135 has. I will probably use my brother's 252 for an upcoming project as the pulse feature will be helpful.

So... run a smaller wire in the 252?

 

[CGT80]

So... run a smaller wire in the 252?

My brother brought his welder over to me, yesterday. We played with some 0.030" wire, but found the end of the spool before we were done. I had 0.023" wire. The 252 does not come setup to handle the small wire from the factory, and he hasn't bought the drive rolls to run it. I am not sure if it requires a smaller liner, either.

My project will have to be done with 0.035" wire as that is the smallest size that Lincoln sells in LA-75 for welding corten/weathering steel. I will be welding 1/8" and 3/16" parts.

We played with the stitch timers on the 252. It is very easy to make nice looking beads on thinner material with the stitch setup. I have read that it is not good for structural use and is intended for sheet metal. My project will be smallish signs with steel legs, set in concrete. The most force it will see is someone leaning on it. The stitch timer would help keep the parts from warping and allow me to skip around the sign until I completely weld it (all joints must be fully welded), but I have been reading about mig like tig, and hope to try some of those techniques.

The Miller 135 has more than paid for it's self in usefulness, but I am afraid I may not want to give the 252 back after I get to use it for a while.