Power Mig 300 Refurb

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I just picked up a Power Mig 300 for a great price.  It is in pretty good shape, but it looks like someone used the top as a workbench.  I would like to repaint a least the upper panels.  My question is does anyone know where I can get replacment decals for it?  Am I getting in over my head by tearing this down to repaint it or should I just leave it alone?
Reply:A great price,  no doubt, hows the machine run, everything work? I just drove to detroit to pick up a PM 255xt and i still paid more than your 300 and it is not nearly as nice. I am also going through the whole welder, stripping it all down and cleaning it up. IMO if the top is bad i would take it off and repaint it, and if the sides are good, leave the stickers alone and just do the top, i cant imagine the decals on these machines are cheap, but it all depends on what you feel like doing.Miller Dynasty 300dxSpeedglas 9002XMiller Spectrum 375 XtremeLincoln PowerMig 255xtLincoln PowerMig 140cMilwuakee Portaband
Reply:Thanks for the ideas, I am realy looking for an online supplier for the decals because I would need to take time off work to get to my LWS and that right now is not an option.  I have refurbished old woodworking equipment in the past and if I tear it down I will probably have it sand blasted before painting it.  I would paint just the top but the large door has the power mig sticker on the outside and the big road map on the inside.  At the moment I have not been able to us the welder yet,  I need to save my penneys for a tank before I can give it a shot.   Sidthss where in west Michigan are you?
Reply:Im just south of Grand Rapids. What size cylinder are you looking for?Miller Dynasty 300dxSpeedglas 9002XMiller Spectrum 375 XtremeLincoln PowerMig 255xtLincoln PowerMig 140cMilwuakee Portaband
Reply:I live in Sand Lake about 30 minutes north of Grand Rapids.  I am looking for a 125 cf tank I looked at 80's but the price was not much less.  I wouls like to go bigger than 125 just so I don't have to fill it that often, but the LWS will only sell me a 125.  They will lease me a 300 which dosn't make sence to me.  I find if funny that the tree of us are only about an hour away from eatchother.  Small worldK-
Reply:When I called them they were by far the most expensive not only to buy but also to refill.  Airgas was mid price and they offer some exchange places up my way.  Miller welding supply was the cheapest for purchase and refill.  I am thinking about stopping by and seeing if they will price match
Reply:I second going to Purity. I also deal with them exclusively and they are good people, every time i am in there they know me by name and like 7A749 said, they sell you the cylinder rathar than lease it to you like airgas. If i remember correctly, the last time i had one of my 125cf 75/25 cylinders refilled it was just under $20, but that was with my discount through work, the 330cf cylinders are nice to have, but they are expensive to buy. Its good to know that there are atleast a few of us here in the great lakes state!Miller Dynasty 300dxSpeedglas 9002XMiller Spectrum 375 XtremeLincoln PowerMig 255xtLincoln PowerMig 140cMilwuakee Portaband
Reply:Ive heard good things about Miller Welding supply, but have never gone there, Purity has always just been the easiest for me.Miller Dynasty 300dxSpeedglas 9002XMiller Spectrum 375 XtremeLincoln PowerMig 255xtLincoln PowerMig 140cMilwuakee Portaband
Reply:I have the list of prices at home but I think that Purity was about $250 to buy the tank and then 45-50 to fill it.  Airgas was 230 to buy and 35 to fill and Miller was 225 to buy and came full then 25 to 30 to refill.  I might be wrong one prices but it was close to that.  I wish I got one of those wrok discounts, go figure, I design plastic injection molds and die cast dies and do work for almost every car manufacturer and don't get a single discount.
Reply:Alright you guys talked me into it, when I go to get a cylinder I will stop by Purity to see what they can do for me.  Good customer service is worth quite a bit to me, I just wish some of these places were open late on night a week or even one Saturday a month for us home hacks.  I need to get a regulator and hose also so maybe they will do package deal.
Reply:Ohh just noticed on the Purity web site that there are open on Saturday morning.  I have a little bit of flexiability on Saturdays with my work hours so I might be able to get down there then.
Reply:That is another nice thing about Purity on saturdays, there showroom is open till i think noon, its nice if you ever quick need something.Miller Dynasty 300dxSpeedglas 9002XMiller Spectrum 375 XtremeLincoln PowerMig 255xtLincoln PowerMig 140cMilwuakee Portaband
Reply:Originally Posted by MichgrizI just picked up a Power Mig 300 for a great price.  It is in pretty good shape, but it looks like someone used the top as a workbench.  I would like to repaint a least the upper panels.  My question is does anyone know where I can get replacment decals for it?  Am I getting in over my head by tearing this down to repaint it or should I just leave it alone?
Reply:Thanks for the link, I have already printed out a copy of the manual and parts lists.  I think the part numbers I am looking for are G3713-L, G3713-R, and M16196.  I also need the big sticker inside the large door.  Also I should start another post for this but, what do I need to attempt to tig weld with this welder?  I think all I need is a torch and foot pedal.  I have never tig welded but if I find the right deal on the equipment I might try to learn.
Reply:When I was looking to get decals for my millermatic 185, airgas suggested I try dealers (or dealer) parts network, and gave me a phone number to call which I no longer have.  A simple google search should bring it up.  BTW, they didn't have the decals I needed.
Reply:Hey Michgriz, did ya ever get the powermig fired up?Miller Dynasty 300dxSpeedglas 9002XMiller Spectrum 375 XtremeLincoln PowerMig 255xtLincoln PowerMig 140cMilwuakee Portaband
Reply:No not yet,  My wife is due with our second child on the 30th so I have been busy with the last minute nursery projects.  Between that and work being busy, I just haven't had time to mess with it.  Once the baby is born I will have a week off from work to help mom out and find time to get to the LWS to get a tank.  I found a large used tank but I am nervous about getting a used tank with no paper work.  Any advice?  How about you have you been using that 255xt?
Reply:Buying a used cylinder is not always the best option, depends on the deal, but also it depends on what was in it and where the cylinder was from. Usually says where it is from on the collar, by the valve. I think purity will exchange them as long as the cylinder doesnt say airgas or AGA, i think... but you might want to check just in case. Airgas will take anybodys cylinder, but then you are stuck with one of thiers and you technically dont own the cylinder then. I think i am right with all of this, just not 100%. I have never delt with miller, so I dont know thier policy. I have put some hours on the 255 since I got it a few weeks ago, probably burnt through about 8-10# of wire, it came with about 40# of a 44# spool on it so i still have plenty left, almost time to get my cylinder exchanged.Miller Dynasty 300dxSpeedglas 9002XMiller Spectrum 375 XtremeLincoln PowerMig 255xtLincoln PowerMig 140cMilwuakee Portaband
Reply:Just an update, got my hands on a cylinder so I got a chance to give the welder a try.  Seems to wrok great.  I have a lot of relearning to do, it has been ten years since I have done any mig welding.  Ran a few beads just playing around.  My wife is going to be induced tomorrow morning, so I will be off work for a while to help her out, this should give me a little more time to play with the welder also.