opinions on this miller 8vs suitcase

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Hello, for those of you that have responded to my other thread on "will I benefit from a suitcase welder" thank you, I have learned a lot.  I'm still on the fence on whether I need it based on some great points brought up by some members.  However, I have decided that I definitely want it.  I am specifically looking at a 9 year old miller 8vs.  It has a 180 amp gun (too small for my needs) and is set up to run .035 or .045 wire.  The picture shows some consmetic wear and it is missing some kind of grommet that should be surrounding the voltage sensing wire coming out of the machine.  How big of a deal is this?  Additionally, how limited will I be with the 8vs based on wire availability.  I will mostly run .045 fc, but may have other projects requiring different wire.  For example I would like to do some hard facing on my excavator bucket in the near future.  If this 8vs is a viable option, what type of offer should I make.  http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/tls/4224634208.html darn listing isn't working.  What is an 8vs worth?thanksfarmer2Last edited by farmer2; 12-10-2013 at 11:34 AM.
Reply:I don't think I've ever read a bad word about Miller's 8-VS or the 12-VS. One thing to consider, the price per pound of wire will be more for the smaller rolls! The 12-inch rolls you can get up to 44-pounds on them.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:There is that CEP and if you have a 12 you can always use smaller rolls in itBut the 8 VS is a good feeder lots of guys like themBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:One issue will be the wire wanting to curl more. Not a problem with smaller diameter wire, but makes for harder feeding on bigger wire. You may be limited on wire type with an 8 inch spool. I have 2 different suitcase feeders and have used 8 inch spools before and all you have to do is cut a short piece of 2inch PVC pipe for a spacer.Miller xmt304,  Miller S22 p12, Miier Maxstar SD, Miller 252 w 30A, Miller super32p12, Lincoln Ranger 9, Thermal Arc 181I with spoolgun, Hypertherm 10000 ,Smith torches. Esab 161lts miniarc.
Reply:Listing expired, hope you got the contact info!
Reply:I have a 8vs but I admit that I've not used it much yet. I finally got my TB302 on my truck this summer so I could use it but I've not had time to work with it yet. (Plus I've not got room in my truck to keep it with me).  I never did get it to work well in the field with my Legend CC only machine. It did work well in the shop off my XMT304. But that wasn't what I got it for.I've also got two 12RC's and I've used them a lot. Both off my XMT304's and a fair amount off my TB302. Pluses for the 8 verses the 12 is that it's smaller and lighter than a 12. A full spool of wire in a 12 isn't my favorite thing to tote around. In fact I know a local farmer who has a TB275 and a 12vs suitcase he uses extensively. He runs self shielding flux core for nearly all his welding. He told me he bought a large spool of wire for it once and from then on just bought the small spools because it made it to heavy to tote around. So he's stuck with a larger suitcase taking up space when he doesn't use the larger size. Minus is that you're more limited on the wire you can use. You can't get all wires in a small spool. Last year I came close to needing three feeders for dual shield (we did a lot of heavy fabrication last year). I managed to get by without it by pushing my MM252 harder than I like and doing some of the welds with solid wire instead of dual shield. If I'd had a 12VS instead of the 8VS I'd probably used it at that time.Thus I'm still on the fence of whether I'd buy a 12 or a 8 if I was to do it again. I'm still fairly sure that I've got the right one though. Since my plan all along has been to use it in the field and I'm already having trouble fitting the smaller feeder in my truck.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Originally Posted by irish fixitPluses for the 8 verses the 12 is that it's smaller and lighter than a 12. A full spool of wire in a 12 isn't my favorite thing to tote around. In fact I know a local farmer who has a TB275 and a 12vs suitcase he uses extensively. He runs self shielding flux core for nearly all his welding. He told me he bought a large spool of wire for it once and from then on just bought the small spools because it made it to heavy to tote around. So he's stuck with a larger suitcase taking up space when he doesn't use the larger size.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI understand that completely, now that I'm old and beat up! But I had to smile when I read this. It brought back memories of being on the job site. If we couldn't throw a large acetylene bottle over our shoulder, and climb a ladder with it, we weren't there long!
Reply:Originally Posted by irish fixitI understand that as well. But I've mellowed a bit since getting a hernia. I can still outdo most people but I try to avoid those awkward loads where I'm likely to hurt myself like those cylinders.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI understand that completely, now that I'm old and beat up! But I had to smile when I read this. It brought back memories of being on the job site. If we couldn't throw a large acetylene bottle over our shoulder, and climb a ladder with it, we weren't there long!
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-man Man CEP, if I ever get drunk and obnoxious at a bar, I hope I arrived at that bar WITH you!!! I used to lift a lot of weights, but that there is something I would have to really think twice about!!!
Reply:Wow!!! And I thought I had a couple large shackles!!!"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:How would you like to work with this old girl? 1,000-tons full revolving.  Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400