Millermatic 211/Autoset Purchase Imminent

[KLF]

I'm still pretty sold on the MM 211, but I found a slightly older MM 210 for sale locally. Wondering if I should consider it instead.

 

[fj40charles]

I'm still pretty sold on the MM 211, but I found a slightly older MM 210 for sale locally. Wondering if I should consider it instead.

Do you need a portable welder? If not, MM210 would be a good option. I would not consider MM210 to be old.
My oldest welder I use is a 1992 MM 200.

 

[KLF]

Thanks, I was hoping you'd reply.

I have no need for it to be portable. I don't think it's "old" but the MM 210 came out in 2005, its been replaced in their product line with the 212/AS, which is a lot more money that I can spend to buy new. This used one is only $900, no bottle though. I believe it's a tapped model, only has 7 voltage settings, not infinite settings like the newer 211 has. Not sure how big of a deal that is. One thing that concerns me is the spec sheet from Miller says the included M-25 gun is suitable for 0.030/0.035 wire. What if I wanna go smaller on the wire, say down to 0.024 for doing sheetmetal work? Do I have to get a different gun?

I'm seeing 211/AS kits on eBay for ~$1,250 delivered, with a cart and spoolgun. The MVP feature is kinda cool, although I'm more interested in the Autoset.

 

[fj40charles]

Thanks, I was hoping you'd reply.

I have no need for it to be portable. I don't think it's "old" but the MM 210 came out in 2005, its been replaced in their product line with the 212/AS, which is a lot more money that I can spend to buy new. This used one is only $900, no bottle though. I believe it's a tapped model, only has 7 voltage settings, not infinite settings like the newer 211 has. Not sure how big of a deal that is. One thing that concerns me is the spec sheet from Miller says the included M-25 gun is suitable for 0.030/0.035 wire. What if I wanna go smaller on the wire, say down to 0.024 for doing sheetmetal work? Do I have to get a different gun?

I'm seeing 211/AS kits on eBay for ~$1,250 delivered, with a cart and spoolgun. The MVP feature is kinda cool, although I'm more interested in the Autoset.

Autoset feature doesn't do anything for me. If you spend some time with it, you'll quickly "learn" what setting you need to use. I always practice on metal of the same thickness first to dial in the setting I want to use. Good chance the input power (from receptacle) will vary a few volts depending on when you use it.
Different input power will affect your output. Unless you have a welder like a MM251/252 or inverters which will output consistent power (volts).

Used MM210 for $900 is okay deal, but nothing to get all excited about. I have seen MM210 with 150CF bottles sell for $850. Nothing wrong with tapped voltage. They're generally easier to setup since you just have to deal with the wire speed.

You can install a .023 liner in the M25 mig gun. Another option would be to buy a smaller mig gun for sheet metal work. I just use my little 110v Millermatic 130 for sheet metal work.

7 voltage taps are okay. Have more would be better IMHO. You might want to read up on Hobart Ironman 230 that should be available soon. It will do 250 amps and has a bunch of voltage taps. It has gotten great reviews from a tester.

Hobart Welders - Products - Wire Feed Welders - IronMan 230

 

[KLF]

Autoset feature doesn't do anything for me. If you spend some time with it, you'll quickly "learn" what setting you need to use. I always practice on metal of the same thickness first to dial in the setting I want to use. Good chance the input power (from receptacle) will vary a few volts depending on when you use it.

Understood on the Autoset. I won't be using this daily, so I need to be able to pick up the gun and go, without re-learning the optimal settings.

You can install a .023 liner in the M25 mig gun. Another option would be to buy a smaller mig gun for sheet metal work. I just use my little 110v Millermatic 130 for sheet metal work.

oofff... sounds like a pita, and having a second box seems silly.

You might want to read up on Hobart Ironman 230 that should be available soon. It will do 250 amps and has a bunch of voltage taps. It has gotten great reviews from a tester.

Hobart Welders - Products - Wire Feed Welders - IronMan 230

I'm sure it's a nice unit, but $1500 is way over my budget, and there's still no spoolgun included.

Thanks for the info, very helpful.

 

[fj40charles]

Understood on the Autoset. I won't be using this daily, so I need to be able to pick up the gun and go, without re-learning the optimal settings.



oofff... sounds like a pita, and having a second box seems silly.



I'm sure it's a nice unit, but $1500 is way over my budget, and there's still no spoolgun included.

Thanks for the info, very helpful.

Autoset is going to get your settings close. It will not get it to what I would call optimal. Optimal being very subjective based on what the weldor(you) likes. Some people like fast wire speed. Some like slower. Really depends on the user AND type of welding your doing. Doubtful that Autoset will work for uphill welding since this generally requires lower voltage. One more thing... Different brand of mig will run differently and you'll need to adjust your setting based on how that particular brand/model of wire works on YOUR welder.

Better to buy a second mig gun to use than to waste your time swapping gun liners. .023 wire is not going to feed very well in a 15 ft. mig gun. Get a 10 ft. gun for .023 wire.

I use my little 110v welder because it is easier to use that instead of switching the mig gun and spool of wire. Not the most cost effective method, but works if you have multiple welders to use.

I would not look at this welder purchase as the one and only one you'll buy. You could just buy the MM211 and use it for a while. Later on, you can get a bigger 250+ amp wire feeder or tig welder for other stuff you might want to do. Keep the MM211 for portable duties or sell it and upgrade to what you want.

IMHO, you can never have too many tools.

 

[alia176]

when I lived in Chicago, I had the same issues with fumes while fabricating in a closed garage during winter. I installed a simple industrial vent fan with louvers into the exterior garage wall. I think for the size of my garage, it exchanged the air every half hour and that minimized the fume and smell issue. The louvers would open up when the fan turned on. That vent fan came from Grainger and I think it was made by Dayton.