Miller XMT for a Newbie?

[Uncle Grumpy]

I have a line on a Miller XMT 304 and wire feeder for less than $1500 (separate sellers). A new 200A Miller or Lincoln set up will cost around a $1000 and only do MIG or TIG. The XMT is a good machine but is it too high end for a home hack? Power source and wire feeder are both ready to work. Cost of maintenance or repair too expensive in the long run?

Thanks for your input/experience!

 

[fj40charles]

I have a line on a Miller XMT 304 and wire feeder for less than $1500 (separate sellers). A new 200A Miller or Lincoln set up will cost around a $1000 and only do MIG or TIG. The XMT is a good machine but is it too high end for a home hack? Power source and wire feeder are both ready to work. Cost of maintenance or repair too expensive in the long run?

Thanks for your input/experience!

This is an excellent option IMHO. You get Mig, Tig (DC only) and stick capability in portable pkg. Add an external wire feeder and use it as an mig welder. A real nice feature is the inductance control (aks arc control) which can vary/shape the arc.

Just make sure you get the CC/CV version. Do not get the CC version unless you want to be limited to stick welding only.

Also, you need to make sure it is not a 3 phase only machine. Look for Autoline which will work for 1 or 3 phase in different voltages.

I would consider these machines to be very reliable, but because is has more electronics than a transformer based machines, there will be more parts that can fail. Also, some of the boards in these machines can get expensive so keep that in mind. Just be sure to test it out before you buy it.

Also, make sure you get a unit that has a serial # of KH or newer. It has some fixes that make it more reliable than the older unit.

What one considers, "too high end for home use" is determined by what you can afford.

 

[fj40charles]

One more thing.. What model feeder are you looking at?

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

I was looking at two and was considering the less expensive S-64. The other I found is an XR with a 30 ft cable for $1000.

 

[fj40charles]

I was looking at two and was considering the less expensive S-64. The other I found is an XR with a 30 ft cable for $1000.

Are you talking about S64M? That would be a real nice feeder for the XMT with pulse feature!

BTW, I've got an XMT 350 with 24A feeder. I have not tried out the feeder with it yet.

 

[jasonmt]

I was looking at two and was considering the less expensive S-64. The other I found is an XR with a 30 ft cable for $1000.

The XR stuff is a push/pull system meant more for soft fillers such as aluminum or if you want/need to run a long whip from the feeder. I would go with the S-64 unless you plan on doing Al quite often as the XR whips are considerately more expensive to replace.

Some of the earlier XMT's had issues with main control boards that are ~$1500 to replace but that being said I have a LF SN XMT-304 with a S-74DX feeder that I bought used from a buddies fab shop for $1700 that I have had no issues with. I still keep a Miller 175 in the shop though for small wire and its small gun.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Well if it sounds too good.... I can't get a serial number for the XMT so I'm going to pass. Thanks for the info and I'll keep checking for a used machine. If I get too antsy Airgas has the Millermatic 180 for $750.

 

[ajfriz]

I use XMTs everyday. If you are looking at feeders try to get a 60 series. I have had quite a few problems with 70 series feeders and have gone back to the 60s.