Miller 180 Mig

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I am about to purchase the Miller 180, its currently onsale at a local welding supply store here in Southern Ontario..  I see a lot of people talking about the 211 though.  I plan on using it to weld projects in the garage.  I cant see myself going bigger then 5/16" material.    Do many people have the 180 for garage/hobby use and do you recommend it?Thanks,Derek
Reply:The MM180 is a nice machine. The MM211 has a few advantages that some prefer to have that's all.Most newer guys are scared of 230v power and want a unit that can be used on 110v. They quickly realize how limiting it is. Also some guys want the ability to take the machine over to a friends place, say to work on the exhaust where 110v power is all that's available. It's the 110v/230v ability that makes so many guys recommend it to people.You will have less top end power with the MM180. It will do 1/4" with no issue. 5/16" is pushing it slightly. Keep your welds short and in general you won't have issues that thick. 1/8" alum will max out your MM180. You won't have a lot of adjustment room to fine tune your settings. Duty cycle will be much better on say 1/8" than smaller machines, but as you push the output up your duty cycle will drop off..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:A friend of mine bought a 180 a few years back and had it delivered to my shop.  Asked me to check it out and set it up for him.  I suggested he use straight CO2, much cheaper, last a lot longer and unless you are doing car sheet metal you dont really have to worry about excessive heat warpage.  It seemed to weld very nicely although we did notice the arc was a little colder when connected to 110 vs 220 at the same settings.  All in all it appeared to be a nice machine.  If you never intend to use the 110 or take it to a friends house the 211 may be a better choice.  I have used my 220 machine at friends houses and I either adapt into thier dryer plug or I open the breaker box and put a temporary breaker in to run my welder.
Reply:I think you have your models backwards Comp. or you mistyped.The MM180 is 230v only. The MM211 is dual voltage..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I might, it was 5 or 6 years ago when he got it and I thought it was a 180 DV or something like that.  DV being for dual voltage.But, as I said on the dual voltage machine we did notice a bit of a difference in the welding between the 110 input and the 220 input.  The dual voltage can be an advantage if you just need to tack some things together real quick, but for any real or prolonged welding 220 would be much better.
Reply:I was even mistaken on the model number of my friends machine.  I coud have sworn there was a number in it but it was just plain a DVI.  This is the machine my friend purchased.http://www.millerwelds.com/about/new...ticles116.html
Reply:I bought a 180 used (barely) and have been thrilled with it's performance.I have built a couple of projects out of 1/8" wall 2"x2" tube.  Cut up and re-welded a few body panels for practice.  Several small automotive repairs for myself and friends and family (jeepers ).I have yet to not have enough power to do what needed doing though I did have it cranked up a couple of times.The cart that came with it is junk... Gorilla tapeZip tiesJB weld
Reply:If you can afford buying the 211 over the 180, DO IT!   The 211 gives a little more power and top end performance.  Basically, you can weld thicker material with a 211 when compared to the 180.  It's better to have and not need, than to need and not have.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:thanks for the replies.. so basically between the two units, i can weld an extra 1/16 of an inch and have the option of 110 and 220v?
Reply:Derek, the real question is how much heavier welding do you expect to do??I had a Miller 175. And, I had a Lincoln 140. The little 110v machine matched the Miller 175 step to step for everything until I would crank the amps up real high and run .045 wire. But then, the 175 would thermal-out in short order. Like as in, really short order.If you plan on exhausts and mostly 3/16" and less steel, then I would actually recommend a 140 Miller. If you plan on tackling 1/4" structural material on up to 3/8" with any consistency, then I would say go right up to the 211. The 211 has MUCH better duty cycle at higher aamp output. Much better resilience and a better workhorse.WHile people chuckle at the things we have turned out with the 110V welders, the fact remains that those little machines are really tough, and do a great job for what they are tasked with.I found the 175/180 machines to fall into a category of needing bigger power, while delivering not quite enough for its' size.Hope I have not confused you too badly. My vote is a 211 or a 140.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:My local welding supply told me the 211 has killed the sales of the180,it's the same size and for a few hundred more dollars you get more capability.
Reply:I have a MM175 that I bought years ago. Great little machine. I'd have no issue with the MM180 but I'd definitely look at the MM211 if your budget allows.If your concerned on capacity... here's a little project that was welded with my MM175. All 1/4" except the 3/8" grab lip. Yeah I had to watch the duty cycle but it's been on the farm for a couple years and definitely stood the test of time.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=40110
Reply:if you not dead set on a miller, you might look at the Thermal Arc 211i a lot more diversity with it..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:I don't have a lot of experience with mig and my  MM180 is one ofonly a few mig machines I have used,but it seems to be an excellent machine.I wasn't interested in the ability to run on 115v. and I have a buzzbox (stick)for welding heavier material,so the MM180 seemed the right choice.While it might not be the best choice for someone welding mostly 5/16 or thicker,I think the 180 is a good choice for home/hobby guys..Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:Thanks for the responses everyone...  I can't see myself welding thicker then the 5/16".    I have a few projects I want to do and 1/4" is prob max all I would need for them ( squat rack, utility trailer, some fencing ). I don't want to get a welder and wish I hadda got a more powerful one.  But what will I make outta 3/8 or larger that 5/16 won't work for.   I plan to use the 220v obviously u will get better results then 110 v.      So I don't need the extra plugs that come with the 211.      But I have a question regarding voltage.     I've read about 220 230 and 240.  What the heck is the difference, are houses usually wired for 220v??ThanksDerekLast edited by Derek; 12-26-2012 at 11:20 PM.
Reply:220/230/240 are just arbitrary names for the same thing. The actual voltage is close to 240V throughout North America but may vary due to local loads, etc.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:Well I did it.  I ordered the 180.    Got it for $840 Canadian.    All the dealers had it on sale for 869$. (guessing a sale thru miller?).   So I asked a few stores if they can do better.   One shop gave me the above price.   Should be in just after the new year!First project is a cart and a small welding table!
Reply:Well I did it.  I ordered the 180.    Got it for $840 Canadian.    All the dealers had it on sale for 869$. (guessing a sale thru miller?).   So I asked a few stores if they can do better.   One shop gave me the above price.   Should be in just after the new year!First project is a cart and a small welding table!