Miller Autoset..

[lilscorpion]

About a dozen years ago I sold my trusty MM250X and "upgraded" to a MM212 Autoset. I had the 250 for years and knew exactly where it's sweet spots were setting-wise across all the gauges and thicknesses I welded. At some point I made the mistake of assuming that the old beast had enough hours on it that it justified getting a new one. My max penetration needs had changed a little so the replacement I purchased was a 212 Autoset.

Since I purchased the 212 I've been excited for the Autoset feature. The idea of switching between materials and letting the machine self-adjust was cool but since I"ve had it, I've never really gotten the Autoset to work correctly. If I had to guess I'd say that the voltage readings that the machine takes are inconsistent enough that the output voltage tends to fluctuate in such a way that makes welding with it tough. I gave up and now am running it in manual mode.

Anyone have similar or different experiences with the autoset technology?

 

[dr_clyde]

I find Autoset to be pretty useful if you have NO idea what you’re doing. If you know how to MIG weld well, you can probably tune the machine more to your exact liking.

 

[Fcvapor05]

Autoset was designed for someone with absolutely NO CLUE how to run a welder. If you know what you're doing you'll beat it every time, exactly as you're experiencing.

 

[lilscorpion]

I find Autoset to be pretty useful if you have NO idea what you’re doing. If you know how to MIG weld well, you can probably tune the machine more to your exact liking.

Autoset was designed for someone with absolutely NO CLUE how to run a welder. If you know what you're doing you'll beat it every time, exactly as you're experiencing.

Thanks for confirming. After switching back to manual mode I've never really wanted to go back. That being said, each time I change the settings, I do think "if I could just get the Autoset to work...". I can live just fine without it.

 

[Robert Haas]

It gets it close enough to get welding, fine tuning turns your work into the quality you are seeking.

 

[C4VETTE]

Personally I like it. I know how to weld, AND know how to set a welder, but I don't do enough of it to be able to go to the machine and know where to set it right off the bat. I like the Autoset because I can go grab the machine, and weld right off the bat. Most of my welding doesn't need to look pretty and is small quick jobs. On a bigger job I might take the time to setup the machine correctly, but If I'm just doing something simple and un-important, Autoset it is!

 

[Stooge]

I have a miller 211 with autoset, (i bought it for the multi voltage capability rather than the autoset) and outside of when I first bought it and was just messing around with it, I can probably count the number of times I've actually used it to weld something completely. It does alright with the thicker stuff, but always seemed to be a little too hot and fast with the thinner metals, and i just get better results dialing it in to suit the need.

 

[Aaron_W]

Miller has two autosets, the knob type used on the 211 and 212, and the autoset elite with digital display used on the 215, 220, 255 and likely others.

My 220 has the autoset elite and I use it all the time. It gets you close and you can adjust from there based on what your welds are doing. I'm not sure how the knob type autoset works, it is it a one setting only or adjustable as on the digital models.

I'm a very new welder, so when a weld goes wrong I'm not in the best place to know when to blame the machine settings vs me. I generally assume me.

 

[lilscorpion]

Knob style - you engage autoset with wire speed dial by selecting the wire thickness and then adjust the voltage side for material thickness.

 

[eyeball]

I have a miller 180 with auto set and find when the material is perfectly clean it works well. The key for me seems to be taking the time to make sure the material is properly prepared.

 

[lilscorpion]

I have a miller 180 with auto set and find when the material is perfectly clean it works well. The key for me seems to be taking the time to make sure the material is properly prepared.

Same experience. That being said, in my years welding, one of the benefits of MIG is that you don’t, and shouldn’t, need to have perfectly clean material. In situations like auto body repair where you use a weldable primer, autoset just doesn’t work right. Switch it to manual mode and it works just fine. I think it has to do with the rate in which the machine takes voltage samples and compensates. Probably too long between and need it to be much faster...or slower...dunno

 

[TMcCay]

I have the Miller 211 with autoset. I tried it when I first brought the machine home but didn't like it like I thought I would and haven't used it since. Like others I found that I could do better in manual mode.

 

[Aaron_W]

Knob style - you engage autoset with wire speed dial by selecting the wire thickness and then adjust the voltage side for material thickness.

Ok, so it does look like the 211 auto set is more limited.

On the digital display / autoset elite I set the gas type, wire size and material thickness, and then the machine spits out its suggested volts and wire speed. From the machine's setting I can then adjust either up or down to fine tune the setting so it isn't an either or situation, the Autoset is just a quick starting point, although often seems spot on, but again rookie welder.

 

[kb1982]

I use a few apps on my phone that will get me in the ballpark. Miller weld settings and pocket welder handbook. Both have other useful features built in.

Sent from my LML713DL using Tapatalk

 

[Jason280]

I picked up a Multimatic 215 last year, which has the digital autoset. I didn't like it at first, but soon realized I had it set up for the wrong wire size....once I corrected that, it made a huge difference.

It still takes a little adjustment on some welds, but the initial settings are pretty close.

 

[lilscorpion]

Now I’m kinda wondering if the digital version is sensing the settings or just recommending the starting point. I’m fairly certain my machine (212) is sensing. If the digital machines aren’t sensing, that’s a significant difference.

 

[ItsNemo]

Miller has two autosets, the knob type used on the 211 and 212, and the autoset elite with digital display used on the 215, 220, 255 and likely others.

My 220 has the autoset elite and I use it all the time. It gets you close and you can adjust from there based on what your welds are doing. I'm not sure how the knob type autoset works, it is it a one setting only or adjustable as on the digital models.

I'm a very new welder, so when a weld goes wrong I'm not in the best place to know when to blame the machine settings vs me. I generally assume me.

This, I like the autoset elite...set the machine to the material being used and tweak slightly from there. It works quite well.

 

[BarryWells]

Autodet is a gimmick for people too lazy to tweak or tweak with a door chart.
Ever wonder why golf carts beep to let you know your gonna run over the broad making your drink and have no clutch and shift levers ? THERE ya go !

 

[mmsalvage]

Lincolns version works much better. Recently bought the MP210 from Lincoln and it usually sets it a bit too hot, but otherwise much closer than the autoset on my Miller

 

[bradleykd]

Autodet is a gimmick for people too lazy to tweak or tweak with a door chart.
Ever wonder why golf carts beep to let you know your gonna run over the broad making your drink and have no clutch and shift levers ? THERE ya go !

The digital autoset on my 220 just loads in the door chart settings for each material thickness. If you like the door chart settings and tweaking from there, it is just a faster way to get to the same thing.

 

[ekimneirbo]

Son has a Miller 212 and works great. My former 252 and current 350p have simple reference charts on the front of the machine. For beginning welders the 212 is a great machine. Then after they learn to weld they find it will handle just about any weld that a home shop welder ever does. I 'd check and make sure the drive wheel isn't slipping a little and needs tightening if anyone is getting bad results. I do think the newer machines work better than some of the original units.