Reason to love Miller when your new toy doesn't work

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Some of you know, I had a huge government job land in my lab and it has since doubled insize.  We where getting behind building handrails in place with 3/32 7018 (they require only 7018 to be used in this place)  So I tried to convinced my gov super to let me used a MIG welder.  But he was like nope.  Well how about a wire feeder that is runs off a stick welder?  He was like, um never seen that.  But as long its powered by a stick welder that would be find with me. So I went down to my welding shop and ordered a Miller 12vs xtreme wire feeder with the Benard dura flux gun.   My buddy down at GTS welding supply set it up to run some .035 flux cord.  Well after getting it on the job it would work great for about 5 mins and then would jam.  So after pulling 15' of wasted wire out, then try to get it to refeed, it would jam again, etc  So after about 2 days of this, I throwing the feeder back in the job box and pulling out the stick gear.  I called miller and had a very pissed off lengthy chat with miller.  Which is where I learned that the xtreme 12vs needs to run .62 or larger wire with the flux cord.   You need the other gun.  I was like, dude I am not buying another $300 gun for this machine.  Why don't you have this a little more clear in the catalog that you can't do what I am trying to do.  This now has me 2 days behind on this job because of this stupid machine.  He was like ok, I can't have our miller equipment causing a customer to get behind on a job.  I am going to next day air you the Benard 400 gun free of charge.  I was like sweet that would work.   Well the next day, I open up the box from miller.  Sure enought there was thier tradition hand written letter, stating how sorry thier equipment had causes me a delay.  Then stating since he couldn't get me a .035 liner in time for the benard 400 gun.  He included a Benard 300 gun with the correct liner and the standard benard 400 gun with the .045 liner.   I was totally shocked.  They just gave me like $600 worth of spare guns just to make sure I won't have anymore problems on this job.   Needless to say I used the benard 300 gun to finish that part of the job with no problems.     This is why I loved miller.  They have the best customer support of not only any welding equipment manfacture but any company in the world.   They even told me that if I had anymore problems that would personally come down to my job site to look at my unit.   Who else would do that for your. I have learn though, A miller mark 8 bank welder will run it far better than my miller dialarc 250 ac/dc.  I am going to be getting a Miller 350mpa Multiproccessor here very shortly.   As the xtreme 12vs runs so much better on CV power than CC power. I love it even more now when I run it off of CV power when I plug it into my Miller 225 bobcat.Lincoln 300 Vantage 2008300 Commander 1999SA250 1999SA200 1968Miller Syncrowave 200XMT350MPA/S-52E/xr-15Xtreme 12vs Millermatic 251 w/30A  Millermatic 251 Dialarc 250 Hypertherm 1250 GEKA & Bantom Ironwokers
Reply:Funny how well it works when all the right pieces are in place. That was cool of Miller to help out. If you like the CV of the Bobus, wait until you try the TB's CV and a RC feeder.QamuIs Heg qaq law' lorvIs yInqaq puS
Reply:Your account is one of the many things that makes Miller (and many other US manufacturers too) as great as they are.  Most of the importers will just keep sending the same defective junk and call it "excellent customer service".Sounds like your buddy might need to brush up a little more on the product if he set you up with a configuration that is different (and doesn't work) from what Miller designed it to be.Wire feeder off a stick welder OK but not a straight up flux core mig?  That's right - he works for the government - explains alot.  Good thinkin'.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Great to hear that there is still some company that will go the extra step to keep a customer happy.Tough as nails and damn near as smart
Reply:I dont want to high jack your thread ,but my run ins wiht the Miller customer service have been great.   Ive been on the ph with those guys for nearly an hr performing trouble shooting.  They were very patient.  Sometimes you dont always get the sharpest tool on the ph,but they will get somebody who is. weld it like you own it
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Your account is one of the many things that makes Miller (and many other US manufacturers too) as great as they are.  Most of the importers will just keep sending the same defective junk and call it "excellent customer service".Sounds like your buddy might need to brush up a little more on the product if he set you up with a configuration that is different (and doesn't work) from what Miller designed it to be.Wire feeder off a stick welder OK but not a straight up flux core mig?  That's right - he works for the government - explains alot.  Good thinkin'.
Reply:Originally Posted by Roy Hodges......................................................................  ..................................................  ..................................You can "knock" the gov. ,it's a free country (?)  but, !!!  the Navy was a leader ,when i worked at Mare Island , in WELDING research. Miller, in particular, worked close with shop 26 (welding shop) on new tig processes and machines.They often built NEW machines , just for the navy, then put them into production , for the public.
Reply:Originally Posted by itsgottobegreenSo I went down to my welding shop and ordered a Miller 12vs xtreme wire feeder with the Benard dura flux gun.   My buddy down at GTS welding supply set it up to run some .035 flux cord.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55So after  the government super rejects the mig request the OP suggested using a wire feeder running off a stick machine and he accepts the idea "...as long its powered by a stick welder that would be find with me.".  My point was so much for the 7018 stick only requirement.  Granted, flux core wire feed is a little more like stick than GMAW but hopefully you see my point.  I guess the guy just wanted to see some slag to make him happy.
Reply:Originally Posted by DDA52wait until you try the TB's CV and a RC feeder.
Reply:Originally Posted by itsgottobegreenWe figured out what he did.  He read the solid wire specs when he set it up. .
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1??It is a Fluxcore gun- why he be looking at Solid WireThe Specs are for what the Feeder can Run- not for what the Guns can run. He is a Miller dealer- he should know this. well he does now
Reply:I bought a new Miller XMT304 and took good care of it.After one year and 29 days it just quit. I took it to a Miller repair facility and Miller covered it, even though it was out of warranty by 29 days. They said that a screw had come loose from a curcuit board. When I got it back, the paper work said it had upgrades done to it in addition to the new curcuit board. i did not trust inverter welders anymore. Maybe they are better now.I thought Miller was great for backing up their equipment.I have used Miller all of my welding years and the equipment is great.I used a Syncrowave 250 for 8 years 6 hours per day. Just dusted off the curcuit boards occasionally. I used a Hobart syncrowave for 3 years 6 hours per day, very good. Now I am retired (disabled) now and have another Syncrowave 250 ( non digital} with fan on demand. It will out live me.Last edited by Donald Branscom; 11-16-2008 at 08:36 PM.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:Perhaps this guy didn't know that the 70 in ER70S, and the 70 in 7018 mean.
Reply:Another testimonial to how great Miller service is.I used a Syncrowave 250 pretty regularly since I purchased it new in 1996.  Never gave me the first problem.   Like most, I got the urge to "move up".  Was really pretty easy since a buddy of mine wanted to buy my Sync to use as a backup to his Dynasty 300.Anyway, got a great deal on a 3+ year old Syncrowave 250 DX Tigrunner complete with the digital readouts (which I wanted).  Also added the pulse option once I got the unit.  The Sync I purchased had the cooler built into the main machine.  In taking the covers off to install the pulser and clean the machine (not really dirty--only 8 hrs of arc time), I decided to change out the coolant.  Surprise.  No drain.  Next trip to my LWS I asked the owner (good friend) how he went about changing the coolant.  Said he didn't know, but lets call his service guy.  Arc Welders (Ashland, VA) said to just hook up a hose and pump the coolant out.  Oh, and by the way, Miller had a recall on that coolant system a couple years ago and replaced it with the new cooler which mounts under the main power supply.  Took down my serial # and called Miller to see if there was anything they would do (even though the unit was nearly 6 mos. out of warranty).Last Friday I picked up the new upgrade kit which includes a new cooler, new low profile running gear, and new covers.  Probably nearly a $1,000 worth of parts.  All sent at no charge by Miller.  Even though the unit was "out of warranty", Miller Electric did the "right thing", not because they had to to honor a warranty, but because that's the way they do business.  They definitely earned themselves another "lifetime" customer.To the guys looking to "save a buck" up front by buying offbrand equipment, I suggest you consider how the company will take care of you "After the Sale".  Cheap up front doesn't always mean "lowest cost" in the long run.Miller Electric ranks an 11 on a scale of 1-10.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:just wondering if you have ever tried a dual sheild set up
Reply:Well I got another project to do with my xtreme, but I finally broke down and bought a Miller 350MPA.  YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.  Same government building, but this time I convenince them to let me to use hard wire vs stick. They want real smooth welds on all this project.  I will report in on how my job goes.Lincoln 300 Vantage 2008300 Commander 1999SA250 1999SA200 1968Miller Syncrowave 200XMT350MPA/S-52E/xr-15Xtreme 12vs Millermatic 251 w/30A  Millermatic 251 Dialarc 250 Hypertherm 1250 GEKA & Bantom Ironwokers
Reply:Those are some awesome accounts of how great Miller is!   Miller was always great whenever we had a problem to call them about with the machines at work.  Their people are very knowlegeable and patient and walked me through all the steps and explained everything.   They have been great to me too on my own machines.   Bernard has been great to me as well, just as good as Miller.  They've sent me a few parts for free and have always been very helpful with questions I've had.HTP customer service has also been good to me for the years I've had one of their machines.  One retailer I deal with has been great too-  Arc Zone.   Airgas has been ok too.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by itsgottobegreenWell I got another project to do with my xtreme, but I finally broke down and bought a Miller 350MPA.  YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.  Same government building, but this time I convenince them to let me to use hard wire vs stick. They want real smooth welds on all this project.  I will report in on how my job goes.
Reply:Originally Posted by itsgottobegreenWell I got another project to do with my xtreme, but I finally broke down and bought a Miller 350MPA.  YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.  Same government building, but this time I convenince them to let me to use hard wire vs stick. They want real smooth welds on all this project.  I will report in on how my job goes.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55And remember how apprehensive you were when the first job landed in your lap?Congrats on the new unit and new project.  I don't have to tell you that repeat customers says everything about your performance and abilities.  The fact you're now able to influence the process based on the desired results says alot too.