Stepping up to Miller 252

[Nor'Easter]

I currently have a Miller 180 Autoset. Used it to restore a truck, and do general repairs and such. Now that I'm getting into custom suspension systems I feel as though the 180 is a little small. From here on out I will still be doing body panel repair, but also chassis work. Mostly 1/4" material, however axle tabs are all 3/8" onto 1/2" axle tubes, flatbeds and hitches I like to use 3/8" on quite a few places, sometimes up to 1/2". Engine mounts are the same since they run 1100 pounds dry. Since the 180 is only rated up to 5/16", I feel it may be too small for what I'm doing and plan to be doing.


I'm in no hurry to buy but likely in the next month or two. The market here for welders is pretty dry to I don't foresee any issues selling the 180 for close to what I paid. It only has two bottles of gas through it. Does anyone on here run a 252, or better yet, ran a 180 then stepped up? I learned to weld on a 251 and it seemed like a nice machine.

 

[HMCFab9]

I've had a MM175 for 25+ years & it worked Great for sheetmetal, but I also bought a 252 to do heavier material & couldn't be happier with it.

 

[Bobcat753]

The Miller 252 is a beast. When I had access to one I loved it. Nice arc and welded up to 1/2" with it. Nice thing is it is possible to do spray-arc with it. Make sure you upgrade the ground clamp to an all copper one as I destroyed the cheap metal one doing some multi pass on 1" wear bars for a backhoe bucket.

 

[MJD1]

It's a very good welder with plenty of power available. If you plan on running it at the high end a ground clamp and larger cable upgrade along with a Bernard gun upgrade will really make it shine.

 

[Nor'Easter]

I've seen a lot of folks mentioning the Bernard gun. What's the deal with them?

 

[Bobcat753]

The Bernard's are very heavy duty. I have the Q300 (300 amp) on my Suitcase Xtreme 12VS. Consumables are easy to change and overall it's a solid gun. It also has a seperate liner in the gun so you don't have to change the whole liner if you mess it up.

 

[Zrexxer]

Bernards are great guns. I'm running a Q200 on my MM 212 and a Q300 on my 12VS feeder, and they're a significant improvement over the stock Miller guns.

 

[sberry]

I usr all stock unless there is a problem but the 252 is good. Its ideal having 2 machines, one with small wire and the 250 class with larger. The 252 requires a number 8 wire circuit.

 

[My Old Tools]

Miller has decent rebates right now. And 30% off at Zoro today. Yes, you can combine them.

 

[CGT80]

The 180 is definitely too small for what you are doing, OP. My brother has the 252 and I have used it for a few projects, since my 135 is so limited. The 252 is a great machine and would be my first choice for what you listed. We welded 1/4" wall pipe like it was nothing and of course never came close to hitting the duty cycle. I am considering the 211 inverter, but it is only rated to 3/8" and the duty cycle is much lower than the 252. For me, the 211 will fit nicely, but I think you would be wishing you had more power or duty cycle. The miller 135 never overheated and triggered the thermal shut off, even when welding for long periods at max output. The thing still chugs along after 15 years of use for hobby and small work projects. You can't go wrong with a Miller.

The Tweco 252i is a multipurpose machine with the same specs as the 252 miller, but it is an inverter that weighs 65 pounds. It is only 250v so the portability isn't as big of a deal as if they had made it to do limited welding on 120v. If you are looking at the miller 252, it probably isn't a big deal to you. At least miller is a very well known name and I have a Miller repair guy (does other brands as well) nearby. I don't have as much faith in Tweco. It has impressive specs, but is made in China, lacks fan on demand, and isn't as popular as blue and red. A Miller 252 inverter would be the cats meow.

 

[J_J_]

My 180 has been a great machine for all the toys we were building but there have been those time on heavy stuff that it was lacking. Soon as we get moved my plan was to upgrade and have been looking at the 252 but my question is since 80 percent of what I'll do is sheet metal (cars and trucks aka my toys..lol ) hows it so on the small stull like 20 guage.
Also Bobcat I love your avatar! need that sign for my garage!

 

[sberry]

Its good on small but shines where it needs power and this means bigger wire. I have a 250 but use a 175 about 96% of the time. I like a little smaller wire, not so small I cant see it but its easy to turn down a little. I really should put my big mix bottle on it but have a 125 on to let it move. If I felt I could spring for a 252 might consider holding on to the small machine and springing for extra bottle.
Probably havnt used my 250 in 6 months.

 

[LXCam]

I've had my 251 for several years now and burned up a lot of wire. You'll be getting one excellent machine, good luck bud!.

 

[Nor'Easter]

Thanks guys. Portability is not a huge deal. Only once have I transported my 180, to my bosses farm to repair his elevator in the middle of a round of haying. The 252 also comes with what, 25 foot of reach? Plus it's on wheels so, not an issues moving around a small shop.

I'm hoping to be ready for one of Zoro's flash sales.

 

[LXCam]

Thanks guys. Portability is not a huge deal. Only once have I transported my 180, to my bosses farm to repair his elevator in the middle of a round of haying. The 252 also comes with what, 25 foot of reach? Plus it's on wheels so, not an issues moving around a small shop.

I'm hoping to be ready for one of Zoro's flash sales.

Well today WAS 30% off over 300. But they'll be another soon enough.

 

[Fender1325]

Well today WAS 30% off over 300. But they'll be another soon enough.

Man what BS! Im on their mailing list and they NEVER notify me about that kind of sale. Ive been waiting for 6 months.

I too have eyed the miller 252 and was comparing to the lincoln ower mig 256. Local airgas had a 252 and one or two notches smalledr lincoln unit. The lincoln felt better built in my hands and going through it. I have not used either. Whenever I ask, the 252 gets the nod by the majority, but just to go against the grain and follow my gut, I plan on the power mig 256.

 

[Fender1325]

I actually just went to zoro theyre still running it. But they mark it up so much that the price is almost identical to direct from lincoln after the rebate.

 

[ALinCarolina]

I have the 252. I'm self-taught and not an expert but it is a great welder. Just got through welding a quick attach to my tractor loader bucket and it was a breeze.

 

[Farmall450]

The 252 is a great machine.
I've welded a lot of thinner material with one too, and it does just fine. They've also changed the dials so that they aren't as "touchy" so it's a lot easier to hit the exact number you want.