Hi Fellow Welders: Have been studying and reading info on a Millermatic 211 MIG Welder Auto. I want this welder strickly for welding Aluminum. Majority of my welding projects are 1/4 to 1/8 inch aluminum. Do any of you guys out there own such a welder? Do you have a friend that has this welder? If you are an owner are you happy with it? I will be using this mostly as hobby welding. At least this welder is within my price range.Any feedback will be appricated. Thanks
Reply:What are you using now?What is your experience level, any aluminum? I think the auto-set is for c25 and mild steel, so you'll be on your own here.Are you intending on buying a spool gun or pushing the wire thru the regular torch?Craig 9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:My helper bought the 211 not long ago and we did a side by side comparison with it and my Passport. I made a post about it here on the forum, if you search for 211 or Passport you'll find it. I would buy the 211 for general mig welding, it is indeed a very nice machine and I enjoyed welding with it and the price is very reasonable. However, for strictly or primarily welding aluminum, I would not choose the 211. The 350P with push-pull gun is a truely excellent machine for mig welding aluminum.Yes, the auto-set feature is only for use with solid steel mig wire (ER70-Sx) and argon/CO2 mix gas. It does not work with fluxcore wire, I know that cause we tried it and it did not work. I am sure it does not work with aluminum wire either.Last edited by DesertRider33; 05-26-2009 at 11:13 PM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
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R:I think you missed that the OP is a hobby weldor. The 350 is $4500 not including the $1800 push-pull.Unless I missed something: Craig "I will be using this mostly as hobby welding. At least this welder is within my price range."9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in DenverWhat are you using now?What is your experience level, any aluminum? I think the auto-set is for c25 and mild steel, so you'll be on your own here.Are you intending on buying a spool gun or pushing the wire thru the regular torch?Craig
Reply:Since you know all processes and metals, I assume you know how to tig aluminum. I would skip the mig for aluminum and pick up an AC tig machine. You don't need the latest greatest inverter machine, the big old transformer rectifier tigs can be found used for very little money and they still work fine. $500 to $1000 and a bottle argon and you can be tig'ing all metals with one machine.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Craig, yes, I'm aware how much a 350P costs. I have one, and a Python push-pull gun too. MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I'd recommend the Lincoln Power Mig 180 w/ spool gun. It'll run you around $1000...The diamond core choke make a nice sweet spot even on aluminum. It'll weld 1/4" no problem.
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33Craig, yes, I'm aware how much a 350P costs. I have one, and a Python push-pull gun too.
Reply:7A749:If you'd like, you can go up to the upper left of this page, to User CP, and fill in your location. If yer anywhere close to AZ (Maineiac), I kin deliver. I'm due for a Road Trip. What's your idea of a good used TIG machine?9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:Just a thought... I just looked up the specs on the IdealArc 250, that is a 300A AC/DC machine... unless the OP's is significantly different from the more current version.I'm not an expert on this sort of thing, but would it be possible to put a HF box, a TIG torch and a bottle of argon on the IdealArc? I realized your be stuck at whatever amperage the power source is set at, but that doesn't seem like the worst thing in the world, and you'd have HF, so no scratch start.Again, just a thought i had...If it doesn't fit, you aren't hitting it hard enough!Miller AerowaveMiller Radiator 1A4.5" DeWalt (with the paddle switch!)Jackson NexGen Helmet
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33Since you know all processes and metals, I assume you know how to tig aluminum. I would skip the mig for aluminum and pick up an AC tig machine. You don't need the latest greatest inverter machine, the big old transformer rectifier tigs can be found used for very little money and they still work fine. $500 to $1000 and a bottle argon and you can be tig'ing all metals with one machine.
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in Denver7A749:If you'd like, you can go up to the upper left of this page, to User CP, and fill in your location. If yer anywhere close to AZ (Maineiac), I kin deliver. I'm due for a Road Trip. What's your idea of a good used TIG machine?
Reply:Originally Posted by MaineiacHI Craig: Where abouts are you located in CO. I travel from Maine to Arizona in Fall and Spring,every year. As a matter a fact I am going to FT. Collins CO. in Sept to visit and ride bikes with a friend. We will be there for about 4 or 5 days then were going to Mohab Utah to ride ATV's. I travel with a Motorhome and a car hauler trailer. Or if you wish to come to AZ. come on along. I travel to the far end of the state.Yuma Az. is my final destination. Thanks for all your help and info about the MIG welder that I may be buying.
Reply:Originally Posted by GT SteveJust a thought... I just looked up the specs on the IdealArc 250, that is a 300A AC/DC machine... unless the OP's is significantly different from the more current version.I'm not an expert on this sort of thing, but would it be possible to put a HF box, a TIG torch and a bottle of argon on the IdealArc? I realized your be stuck at whatever amperage the power source is set at, but that doesn't seem like the worst thing in the world, and you'd have HF, so no scratch start.Again, just a thought i had...
Reply:Originally Posted by MaineiacWell DesertRider: I appricated that bit of info.There is a possibility that I may be able to get a TIG machine for nothing. My brother has a friend who's father passed away a few years ago and the son could not weld. He offered the TIG machine to my brother, but my brother did not want it. Yes I have had quite a bit of welding experiance in the pass. Have so many projects to do in AZ. and I want to expand it to welding aluminum. Have been a very long time since I have done aluninum,but it's like riding a bike,I think I can get back in the groove. A million thanks for your input. Arnold
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in DenverYeah, well; so I hate you. JK, if I lived closer, I'd sweep your floor; just to be around your equipment.
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33You're welcome to try the 350P if you're in San Diego sometime.
Reply:Originally Posted by MaineiacHI Craig: Where abouts are you located in CO. I travel from Maine to Arizona in Fall and Spring,every year. As a matter a fact I am going to FT. Collins CO. in Sept to visit and ride bikes with a friend. We will be there for about 4 or 5 days then were going to Mohab Utah to ride ATV's. I travel with a Motorhome and a car hauler trailer. Or if you wish to come to AZ. come on along. I travel to the far end of the state.Yuma Az. is my final destination. Thanks for all your help and info about the MIG welder that I may be buying.
Reply:I would go with the MM180 with a spool gun which would be the best setup. The MM211 uses the 3035 spool gun which Miller has still way over priced and will cost you 600.00 or so to get. The MM180 uses the 100 series spool gun which will save you a few hundred dollars.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:The MM211 uses the 100 spoolgun $228.
