Miller Maxstar 161 opinions

[strength_and_power]

Been thinking about getting one for some light stick welding where 110v is a lot more accessible than 220v. Typical material would be 16ga with 10-12 2” long welds at a time then fitting up the next panel, tacking in place then repeating.
Does anyone have experience with this machine and how often are you hitting the duty cycle. I don’t have the rod in front of me but it’s 1/8” if I recall running around 70-80amps
Thanks



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[dr_clyde]

I have one of these machines. I use it mostly for TIG work, but it is a very nice welder for stick.

For 16ga sheet metal, 1/8" electrodes are going to be too big, I'd run 3/32" or maybe even smaller depending on position and fitup. 6013 rods are recommended for sheet metal.

I doubt you'll ever hit the duty cycle of this welder on 120V input. You'll max out the circuit before you hit the machine's duty cycle. The Maxstar is pro grade welding gear, its designed for portable welding in places like manufacturing plants and up in lifts and things like that, so it has the duty cycle to match. It will run 100% duty on 90 amps welding current with 120v input. That's 10 straight minutes of stick welding, which doesn't happen. You stop every rod to chip and brush.

You can run about 100 amps or so on 120v before you run the risk of tripping a breaker.

I love mine. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

 

[platypus20]

I have one, do nothing but stick welding with it, installing gas and steam piping, run it mostly on 230 vac, but occasionally run it on 115 vac. Run a lot of 6010, 6011 and 7018. Would not be without it now, very hand to have in the service truck.

 

[strength_and_power]

Great info. Much appreciated. We are building a vault and this would be a lot more convenient than renting a Bobcat. I don’t foresee power being an issue as it is for a grow facility


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[trackwelder]

Within the last year I replaced a Maxstar 150 s that had a bad board with an Esab 161. The Esab was half the cost with a good warranty. Burned close to 8-10 tubes of rod with it. Going to buy another to leave up at camp.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I have a Thermal Arc 161. I can't tell you the differences but I can tell the benefits of an inventor welder. It is very light and portable. It's easy to move around. The leads are easy to unhook to keep you from getting tangled up while moving. I have only tried 120v once and it would reset the fuse almost immediately. I was at my cousin's barn and I think it only 15 amp. I can't remember if the manufacturers recommend 20 or 30 amps. At home I use 230v and it has been a great welder. It replaced my Hobart 205 AC. I still have it but I only keep it as a backup.

 

[sberry]

I have a Max. It is good. I only use it in 120 as I have other machines in the shop. It is super for 1/8 6011 and 3/32 lo hy. When I got it I wasted some money on 5#each of 11 and 13 in 3/32. I found myself falling back to my old standbys. While it is true that 13 is milder penetration it also takes a lot higher current. I used a lot of it, some 14 too back in the buzzer days. I never did like it that well really and not that I cant.
Drywall stud guys and some sheet whiz types I know use 11. I worked for an outfit called Zack, 3/32 11 on DC reverse. Big duct work outfit, mostly powerhouse, auto plant etc. Never seen 13. It was more popular back in the day for the buzzer crowd, seen it in a couple sign companies with quazi welders.