Millermatic 135

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I found a MIG that I may buy. Its a MM 135, 5-6 years old, low use, no bottle, $400I have been looking for a MM170 or 180 because I wanted a 220 volt machine but I am having a hard time finding one for under 5 bills so I think I need to settle. I will be using this around the house, sheet metal, small projects and a little re-work on the boat trailer.Should I do this?
Reply:Check prices on new welder of the same class. Hobart, Lincoln and Miller. 140I think a 6 year old welder for 400 sounds a little high. Think no warranty verses three year warranty.
Reply:I agree with Ccawgc. For $400, you should be getting a machine, tips, bottle, and a welding hood, when you are talking 5 years old and a 135 welder. Great machine, but 5 years ago....it cost $400 new.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:I paid $450 for mine a month or two ago.  It was just the welder, no extra anything, but it's basically brand new.  The worst part about it was that it had dust on it from sitting in the guys garage for however long.  I agree, it was a little high compared to the price of them new a few years ago, but I searched craigslist for MONTHS and it was one of the better deals around.  You could probably find better but you have to have the ability to check CL every 10 minutes and IMMEDIATELY go pick up the welder within an hour or two.  I dont have that flexibility.  I guess it just depends on where you are too.  I couldn't give 2 sh!ts about a warranty on a Miller welder so that isn't a selling point for me.  Search around for a new MM140 and see how much you'd pay, I think you'd drop the $400 on the 135.  Anyway, mine performs great, I have tried w/ .030 flux and .030 solid with 100% CO2 and love it.  Haven't tried anything over 1/8" yet, but it welded 1/8" great, and welded thinner stuff quite well too.  I want to try .023 solid on there and see how it runs, I hear it runs much better.  I would love to have a bigger 220v MIG, but I'm saving up for a TIG so then I'll have the capacity to weld thicker stuff.  My rational was that I wanted a versatile MIG that I  could use in my dads barn or outside my garage (since my tractor don't fit in there) and have the capability to quickly tack something together.  I suck with TIG/stick, but back when I used them more I always hated tacking stuff up with them.  Also, for the hobby welder a MM135 will do 99% of what you need anyway, in my opinion.  Good luck on your decision - at least miller is a great brand and you're not tricking yourself into a harbor freight unit.Millermatic 135Syncrowave 250
Reply:We had a couple of these in the old shop. Welded all day, every day. Thin stuff, multi-pass on thick, dragged around to job sites. Never complained. Great little welder. Drive system only needed service once. The work was extremely brutal on them. 99% short, little welds. I welded, with my machine alone, 100's of thousands of short welds making cd and wine racks. Can't comment on $, but sound kinda high. Chisel them down!200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Thanks guys, I will see if he will toss in the bottle for the same price otheerwise I will walk.
Reply:I can't talk about price, cause I only paid $40 for mine, with a bottle (but no torch)I can tell you that a 115V 135A machine is more useful that you think. My first machine was a Hobart Handler 135, and for up to about 1/8" it is great. I run .035" wire most of the time, but I think I will go down to .030 just cause I will never max out that wire size  Originally Posted by SundownIIISometimes it's better to remain silent and be thought the fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.
Reply:Originally Posted by thecheese429I can't talk about price, cause I only paid $40 for mine, with a bottle (but no torch)I can tell you that a 115V 135A machine is more useful that you think. My first machine was a Hobart Handler 135, and for up to about 1/8" it is great. I run .035" wire most of the time, but I think I will go down to .030 just cause I will never max out that wire size
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcI have a Lincoln Power Mig 140c....(basically the same performance as the Miller 135 etc...).  Anyway, I notice that many folk here like to run either the .023/.025 wire OR the  .035 stuff.  Also, with the 120vac machines, when running the .035 wire, I've discovered that most use the flux core stuff and shut the gas off.  All that being said, it just makes me wonder why from what I've been reading as a new guy, why more people with the little machines don't use .030 wire with the shielding gas???  It's either the little stuff (.023/.025) or thicker .035.  I switched from the .023/.025 up to the .030 with gas and find it works better for my welds just under 1/4" steel.  I don't care for the flux core stuff unless i really need it outside and with windy conditions.  Otherwise, its the gas all the way!!!Just curious...
Reply:I have a PM 180c and keep .025 and .030 in the toolbox. I usually grab the .025 because I think it slows me down and makes me watch the puddle more closely. My projects tend to be 14 - 10ga metal. Now the .030 obviously works better on the thicker stuff. But I more often work the thin stuff around the house.Lincoln PowerMig 180cVictor O/ABandaids and aspirinI don't know what I don't know!?
Reply:Bought my 140 not the auto set one but infinity adj. for $400 without bottle. Was looking for a 135 when I stumbled across this one. I'm extremely happy with it.