Miller 140 Auto-Set

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Newest edition to the tool supply. Away from home on a long assignment so I got a new toy to keep me busy. No, its not my
Miller 350 XMT at the shop back home, but it'll let me play with smaller projects in the interim.

Never used an auto-set machine before, but can manually tune it in as well. Great quality as usual from Miller.

J

 

[e9999]

What's this Auto-set thing supposed to do and does it do it well?

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

e, Just used it today. So, after my little cart project I can report back.

It basically sets the amp/volt/wire speed for the metal thickness/wire diameter and weld process used to produce a good weld.

I used .030" flux-core on 1/8" today and really liked the result using the auto-set. However, I used the standard settings as well and could fine tune it even closer. So, IMO it will work great for an inexperienced or seasoned welder on thinner materials with ease.

J

 

[BFletch]

Nice welder. I have a 211 auto-set and love it.

 

[ken_79-fj40]

I have the same 140. Works great for novices like me. Auto-set almost makes my welds look like I know what i'm doing.

 

[e9999]

so you just basically enter the thickness and it chooses the speed and voltage for you? just like looking at the chart? or is there more to it, like some sort of sensing going on?

 

[KLF]

so you just basically enter the thickness and it chooses the speed and voltage for you? just like looking at the chart? or is there more to it, like some sort of sensing going on?

Pretty much. It does seem to sense the current draw as well and adjust.

It's hard not to weld like a pro with one of these. Think of it like a caulking gun, but with molten metal. I've had several people use my 211 AS MVP and they were amazed. One friend that teaches welding here went right out and bought one for his personal welder after using mine.

 

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Pretty much. It does seem to sense the current draw as well and adjust.

It's hard not to weld like a pro with one of these. Think of it like a caulking gun, but with molten metal. I've had several people use my 211 AS MVP and they were amazed. One friend that teaches welding here went right out and bought one for his personal welder after using mine.

Agree KLF, I been using Miller products for years and they have made it pretty simple to make a good weld. Yes, there is still a techniques issue for a novice but, once you get past that its pretty easy to lay down good welds.

I still like my advanced machines the best but, like I said for a little project welder on thinner materials, its great, highly recommend.

J

 

[Tapage]

did you try multiple passes for thicker than 1/8" .?

 

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did you try multiple passes for thicker than 1/8" .?

D,

Not yet, but I will do that and report back.

With proper joint prep and keeping the base material at a proper temperature will help weld thicker metal with multiple passes, but even with those things taken into consideration I personally would not go more than 5/16" thick. Keeping the material hot will aid in better fusion. The thicker the metal the harder it is for these lighter machines to produce a good weld even with a multiple pass execution. A "cold weld" is usually the end result with these smaller machines on thick materials. The lower duty cycles can't keep the proper heat input.

I'm not saying it can't be done.. Its done all the time... But, if you are wanting to weld 3/8+ material...and a quality weld, step up to the 212 or 252 Miller series. They have more volts/amps and a much higher duty cycle of course.

Remember that these 110V machines are designed for light applications. If you know what you are watching for while welding you will be better off of course. But, a novice/new welder should stick to the 1/8"-3/16" parameters that the machine was designed for IMO.

J

 

[Tapage]

thanks .. If I'm able to weld 1/4" I will be more than happy .. meanwhile I'm still saving for 211 ..

 

[Rwhat]

I have the 211 also. I tried using the auto set with .30 wire. However it doesn't seem to work too well. I think it's because I'm running it off of 110v 15A for now. Wish I had 220v in my garage.

I think the MM140 will do well also with fluxcore wire if you want more penetration.

 

[SNLC]

I got a 140 and like it a lot. Had it for about 5 or 6yrs now. Not a single problem with it. I am still learning but never use the auto setting. My buddy has done some 3/8's with it and it seemed to work fine for that but was turned up all the way.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

The Autoset feature is more of a gimmick if you ask me. I'm guessing a marketing stradegy to compete with lincoln in the hobbiest category. Any decent welder you buy will have a voltage/wire speed chart you use to gauge your settings from. I owned one for about a year and sold it. I had no complaints about it, but my older Lincoln SP100 seems to run a tad hotter than the MM140. Not that I used either for thick stuff, but I knew resale would be more selling the newer Miller.

It's definitely a decent little garage welder, but was never blown away by it. My opinion to anyone pondering a purchase of one is to save your pennies for a 220V unit.

 

[e9999]

so if you're welding a thin piece to a thick one, do you set the thing to the thicker one, as usual, or is there some more subtlety to this?

 

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so if you're welding a thin piece to a thick one, do you set the thing to the thicker one, as usual, or is there some more subtlety to this?

Set to the thicker. Concentrate on the thicker piece and then quickly stitch to the thinner. Just watch the time spent on the thinner or it'll get nasty quick.

J