Miller 252
- Thread starter ADSR
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purplezr2
Well-known member
Love mine, I just have the welder. I'm a hobby welder, but have built quite a bit over stuff(trailers, wood splitter, tractor loader repairs and a bunch of decorative stuff). We also have one at the RD shop at work. Seems to hold up well to regular abuse.
They have really gone up in price, I think I payed 1200 for mine in 2010 off ebay, shipped new from Miller in WI
They have really gone up in price, I think I payed 1200 for mine in 2010 off ebay, shipped new from Miller in WI
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
Would a spool gun work? Are you planning on doing mostly aluminum and thus can justify the Rolla Royce solution or just some where a spool gun would do the trick instead?
Strouty
Well-known member
That doesn't sound bad for a push pull setup, my spoolgun was almost 1200. I have a larger miller, but I have been eyeballing a 252 for a while.
Plan on building an aluminum boat from a cnc water jet kit. I'm sure i could get away with a spool gun, but don't really want all the extra weight.
I might look for a used one.
I wish i could use one before i buy. I really want to see how well they spray transfer!
Strouty
Well-known member
I don't think it will act much different than a spool gun, it will just be easier to maneuver and you can get bigger spools of aluminum.
I have a 251 and love it (had it for 9 years now). I used a 252 for a year and it definitely has many upgrades such as timers, ergonomics, and the dials remind me of Lincoln dials in the way they adjust voltage and wfs. The spool setup is a little different too. Great all round welder.
If you want push pull go to the 350 line. You will pay more converting the 252. The 252 also has many of the upgrades the 350 line has just no push pull.
If you want push pull go to the 350 line. You will pay more converting the 252. The 252 also has many of the upgrades the 350 line has just no push pull.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
We have a 250 at work, the thing is a beast. I'm the only one at work who really wire weld, everybody uses the dialarc. The 250 will everything the big arc will. In comparison, the Lincoln 255 at my old work was a pile.
The 350 is WAY more money! And i don't like pulse, so the 252 will need no conversion for aluminum. I'm also not in a production shop, so the duty cycle of the 252 will be fine.
Edit: will i need a push pull module? or does the 252 come with now as it has the auto gun ****?
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purplezr2
Well-known member
I'm guessing not many setup a 252 for spray transfer. My understand is it will do it, but its on the edge of its capacity.
yeah, right around 25 26volts. Max is 28 on the 252 i believe.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
I would think it could handle it fine for shorter welds. The duty cycle might not like it much.
If it was my money, I'd look for a used 350p. You don't have to pulse, and it has the balls to weld for longer time periods.
However if you just can't swing it, the 252 should work fine for 90% of your welding needs.
Just get the right gas.
If it was my money, I'd look for a used 350p. You don't have to pulse, and it has the balls to weld for longer time periods.
However if you just can't swing it, the 252 should work fine for 90% of your welding needs.
Just get the right gas.
I'm worried about even buying a new 350p. Over at weldingweb, there were a lot of members with them and having dead board problems. They said it was cheaper to buy a new one than to pay the cost of the replacement board.
That left a bad taste in my mouth.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
If you're not stuck on miller, the Lincoln powermig 355 is an excellent machine. It also can do DC TIG and stick. My buddy just picked one up for $2600 used. With a push pull.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
What are you people welding that a 252 can't do capacity wise? If your a dedicated fab shop welding heavy plate 12 hours a day, I can see a use for a 350 or bigger. For 90% of the general public, a 252 will do everything. Maybe my experience with the shop 250 is schewd because it is a 480 machine.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
He asked specifically about spray transfer, particularly with aluminum. That is at the top end of a 250 class machine, and will tax the duty cycle. It's what the 350 machines were built for. It's not really about maximum capacity, so much as running within parameters that the machine will withstand long term.
Its way more than a typical homeowner needs, but its what he asked for.
So who has one here? What are your likes/dislikes?
I'm planning on buying one with a Xr-Aluma Pro 25 push/pull
Would like to know how well it will spray transfer on alu/steel on material 5/16 to 3/8s.
thanks guys
5/16-3/8" plate... 252 is more than adequate.
Yes, i was asking about the spray transfer. It really makes a job that much faster. I'm sure the 252 will do it, just not with .045. I'm not going to be welding thicker aluminum with spray. 3/16 - 1/4 with .035. The transom is 1/2, and i'll just CCT it with .045
Not many used machines around here. I have no problem looking at team Red either. I think it's going to come down to powermig 256 or the miller 252.
Not many used machines around here. I have no problem looking at team Red either. I think it's going to come down to powermig 256 or the miller 252.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
Stay away from red, the tombstone is the only good welder they ever made. Every Lincoln wire welder I've used or owned was a pile of junk. The 255 old work has couldn't strike an arc unless you literally drug the gun on the work. About everything but the cover was replaced under warranty and it was still a pile.
mattdwelder
Well-known member
the company i work for has about thirty miller 252. these are probably the best all around mig made. I personally have owned a 250 and a 251 the 252 has those beat by a mile. I dont think you will have much luck with getting them to spray though.