Welder Advice?

Hey Guys,

I know no one likes these, "is this a good welder" threads, but is this a good welder?

I tried to haggle, but I'm bad at it! Only got him down 25, so 825.

Thanks for the help!

If someone here can't give you insight, you might check garagejournal, many prof welders over there...

No experience with that model, but I've got a Miller 211 that looks a lot like that, and it works pretty well.

What are you planning on welding? Dig around on the Miller site and see what metal thickness that welder can handle in a single pass and compare to the kind of welding you plan on doing regularly. If it is a decent match and you've got the money, do it.

That is a great home shop welder. Good price too - bottle and everything is included. If it is really in the shape he says - snatch it up.

I have the newer 180 autoset. Great 220v welder for the money.

Go get it and have fun.

Well first I just want to be able to lay a good bead, but then the eventual goal is Locost.

Get it! That price is good if what the seller says is true about the condition.

Sounds like I'm going to go and inspect it, if the condition is good I'll throw down the dough!

Thanks for the help :)

It's a miller. Great brand. Haven't used that model, but I can't imagine there are any issues. You should be able to buy parts for that thing anywhere in the world

I've had a MillerMatic 185 for about 8 years now and have run over 90 lbs of wire through it w/ no issues... and love it. My price for this welder alone was about the same of what he paid. Make sure he owns the bottle as some are lease only, depending on the supplier I guess. The 185 is commercial rated, 60% duty cycle and good for 3/8" single pass so that 180 oughta be close... but do your research any way. I keep .035 wire in it and it's OK for even auto body once you get the knack.

From my experience I'd pick that up in a heartbeat. If you're serious about welding and want a machine that lasts that's the right kind of machine to start w/ IMO.

Ironically, the one I linked fell through :(

BUT, I'm going shortly to look at a MillerMatic 185! A much stouter machine, and this one looks minty.

oooh that looks damn new <--Jealous

Tell us, do/did you weld for a living? Just curious because that's a really nice welder...

I have done welding for a profession- ornamental iron, etc. That is a VERY good unit, great for a home shop, almost pro grade. You have nothing to worry about if his description is accurate. With all the extras he is including, it is a mad bargain. Miller is very high quality, and parts, consumables, are easily available.

Ha! I have never welded in my life!

I was strongly considering a much cheaper box, but I didn't want to outgrow it.

I'm hoping to try my hand at a locost! We'll see....

accordionfolder wrote: I was strongly considering a much cheaper box, but I didn't want to outgrow it. I'm hoping to try my hand at a locost! We'll see....

Wise choice. I was sure I would be happy with a smaller machine than the one I bought, but a professional welder I know talked me into getting a Power-MIG 180 (middle of the road unit.) Getting the bigger machine was the right choice because it let me do everything I thought I would to, and more that I hadn't considered. Within a few months I found myself welding 3/16th plate....

Picked it up, the guy had a 900 hp NA Monte Carlo that his father and him use in the 1/8 mile, SUUUPER friendly people. He showed me that the welder worked by joining two pieces of steel with a stack of dimes. He's a welder by trade....