Miller 350P users?

[RufusTheDufus]

Has anyone here used the Miller 350P MIG welder? If so what are your thoughts on the unit? I'm primarily interested in just the MIG welding functions, not the AlumaPro push-pull stuff.

I have an old Hobart Beta MIG 170 that I'm considering replacing and I'm leaning towards the Miller 252 or the 350P.

 

[fj40charles]

Has anyone here used the Miller 350P MIG welder? If so what are your thoughts on the unit? I'm primarily interested in just the MIG welding functions, not the AlumaPro push-pull stuff.

I have an old Hobart Beta MIG 170 that I'm considering replacing and I'm leaning towards the Miller 252 or the 350P.

Upgrading from the Betamig 170 to a Millermatic 350P is a HUGE upgrade in terms of power, cost, and features.

What is the intended purpose of getting a 350P? It is a very nice welding machine with more features than you'll know what to do with. Lots of electronics on it. Repairs can get costly, if needed, compared to much simpler transformer based welders.

If you don't need the power (400 amp max), don't plan on running a push/pull gun, and/or don't plan on doing pulse spray transfer, you might be better off with the MM252. Much simpler to use and around $1500 cheaper.

350P is basically an XMT304 engine inside a full size chassis with 4 roll drive feeder.

It takes while to get used to the arc quality of inverter based welders. DC output is extremely smooth and the weld beads will have very tight ripples.

Having said all of the above, if you need to have just one welder capable of doing just about any type of welding (excluding stick and tig), 350P would certainly do it.

 

[RufusTheDufus]

I do have a Dynasty 200DX for stick and TIG work.

I'm thinking about building maple syrup evaporators as a hobby of sorts. Mostly mild steel but there will be some stainless involved. There's a decent local market for these things in my area. I would only be building 4 or 5 evaporators per year and I'm fairly sure I could do it with my existing equipment.

The Beta MIG 170 is a nice unit but I've been struggling with feeding issues for a while. I think I need to replace the drive wheels. They are slipping even with tight tension. I've replaced the gun and liner too.

I was thinking the MM252 would be a much more logical tool for the job and certainly more cost effective. The 350P just looks interesting. I like tools that are flexible.

 

[fj40charles]

I do have a Dynasty 200DX for stick and TIG work.

I'm thinking about building maple syrup evaporators as a hobby of sorts. Mostly mild steel but there will be some stainless involved. There's a decent local market for these things in my area. I would only be building 4 or 5 evaporators per year and I'm fairly sure I could do it with my existing equipment.

The Beta MIG 170 is a nice unit but I've been struggling with feeding issues for a while. I think I need to replace the drive wheels. They are slipping even with tight tension. I've replaced the gun and liner too.

I was thinking the MM252 would be a much more logical tool for the job and certainly more cost effective. The 350P just looks interesting. I like tools that are flexible.

Tough call if you have the funds to buy either welder. Would it be better to buy the MM252 and a nice plasma cutter and/or other tools instead of the 350P?

Worn drive rolls will cause feeding issues. Also, remove gun liner and blow it out with air hose. If old and well used, replace the gun liner.

One feature that I would consider very useful in the 350P is pulse capability. Comes in real handy for welding thin aluminum and steel. Mig welding aluminum thinner that 1/8" is very difficult without pulse.

The ability to use a push/pull gun is another plus if you plan on doing lots of aluminum. Or you can hook up a 15A/30A spool gun and leave it hooked up for more flexibility too. This could come in handy if you need to weld thicker aluminum that the Dynasty 200DX can't handle.

I'd fix the drive feeding issues on the Beta mig 170 and keep it around for general use.

 

[RufusTheDufus]

I wish they made a 252P. I doubt I'll need the power of the 350P but it would be nice to have the pulse mode in something like the 252's power range.

I have a small Miller plasma cutter and access to a CNC plasma at a local machine shop.

 

[RufusTheDufus]

I spoke with my friend that has the machine shop tonight. He's got two MM 350Ps setup for welding aluminum. (He builds thousands of feet of custom aluminum boat docks each year.) He feels they were a waste of money for his needs. Also said the 350P is a pain to setup properly. I think I'll look for a good deal on a 252.