best mig welding machines for straight CO2

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Hi all,I have read that the Miller Passports are specially tuned to run straight co2. Has anyone compared these to other welders when using co2 without argon? I would like to run co2 because of the long-terms cost savings and am wondering if there are any other machines that do especially well on co2 or if most machines have more or less the same performance in that regard.ThanksThe Veloz GroupSmith & Walker Tools
Reply:You need to compare apples to apples with this. You can't compare say a 110v mig to an XMT 350 with a feeder running CO2. The performance will be vastly different.If looking at 110v capable machines, the yes the Passport is probably one of the best, if not the best. However it's also one of the most expensive for the same reason. As soon as you move to 230v power ( or greater) however the game changes radically. The output on a Passport is on the lower end of the spectrum in comparison to many industrial machines. Thus it's not really a fair comparison. If you compare it to small 180-200 amp machines like the HH190, MM180, MM211, then it still probably has a slight edge, but it's not as great as with the smaller machines. As soon as you start moving to the larger cabinet machines like the MM212, MM252 etc, then that advantage probably drops off due to the duty cycle limits of the Passport.The Passport is sort of an "odd" machine that fills a very specific niche. It's a small lightweight portable mig. It's more powerful and portable than say 110v machines in general, as well as lighter than most small 230v machines in the same amp/duty cycle range. However it's nowhere near the power and duty cycle of say a dedicated suitcase feeder running off an engine drive, which is probably the best comparison as far as similar portable weight capabilities. The Passport would win in portability in not having to drag heavy leads, but can't compete with suitcase feeders as far as output and duty cycle..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:What you need is machines that either have adjustable inductance or a machine that has inductance tuned for CO2. The MM350 has adjustable inductance. The old MM200 had inductance tuned for running CO2. Esab offers a few as well.I love to play with inductance on my 350PMiller Dynasty 700Miller 350P with Aluma-pro push-pullMiller 280 Dynasty with expansion card Dynasty 200 DXMigMax 215 Enuff power and hand tools to create one of anything..... but mass produce nothing!!!
Reply:I bought my passport last year. I run it strictly on co2 and love it. gas is cheap and it does all I ask of it. If I have need af thick welding I can bust out some stick.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:Originally Posted by FusionKingWhat you need is machines that either have adjustable inductance or a machine that has inductance tuned for CO2. The MM350 has adjustable inductance. The old MM200 had inductance tuned for running CO2. Esab offers a few as well.I love to play with inductance on my 350P
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWYou need to compare apples to apples with this. You can't compare say a 110v mig to an XMT 350 with a feeder running CO2. The performance will be vastly different.If looking at 110v capable machines, the yes the Passport is probably one of the best, if not the best. However it's also one of the most expensive for the same reason. As soon as you move to 230v power ( or greater) however the game changes radically. The output on a Passport is on the lower end of the spectrum in comparison to many industrial machines. Thus it's not really a fair comparison. If you compare it to small 180-200 amp machines like the HH190, MM180, MM211, then it still probably has a slight edge, but it's not as great as with the smaller machines. As soon as you start moving to the larger cabinet machines like the MM212, MM252 etc, then that advantage probably drops off due to the duty cycle limits of the Passport.The Passport is sort of an "odd" machine that fills a very specific niche. It's a small lightweight portable mig. It's more powerful and portable than say 110v machines in general, as well as lighter than most small 230v machines in the same amp/duty cycle range. However it's nowhere near the power and duty cycle of say a dedicated suitcase feeder running off an engine drive, which is probably the best comparison as far as similar portable weight capabilities. The Passport would win in portability in not having to drag heavy leads, but can't compete with suitcase feeders as far as output and duty cycle.
Reply:The old Millermatic 200 and the Millermatic 35 welders run with CO2 real nice.
Reply:Originally Posted by jordan725Would a machine like a MM 250/251/252 make equal quality welds to the Passport when running straight Co2? Obviously they have more power, and stronger duty cycle, but if everything else was equal (say I only needed a low duty cycle, and didn't need that much power) would the Passport still win out, or would the 250/251/252, or would they both be about the same in terms of bead quality on co2?
Reply:haven't tried mine with straight CO2, however my Idealarc SP250 does allow you to set it specifically for using CO2 gas.  If the way it welds on Ar/CO2 is any indication I would bet it welds awesome on CO2 as well.  However u are out of luck if you are looking for a current production model.   Next time I have a tank of straight CO2, I will give it a try though.  Other than the miller passport which is designed strictly for CO2,  I would look for machines that have Auto Settings for CO2,  Not sure but the the Caddy or other Mig machines from ESAB may have CO2 Specific manuals.    Check their website or ask a few of the members here who have them...   Same may be true for the Autoset Millers. but again I have never used oneTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by jordan725Would a machine like a MM 250/251/252 make equal quality welds to the Passport when running straight Co2? Obviously they have more power, and stronger duty cycle, but if everything else was equal (say I only needed a low duty cycle, and didn't need that much power) would the Passport still win out, or would the 250/251/252, or would they both be about the same in terms of bead quality on co2?
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawhaven't tried mine with straight CO2, however my Idealarc SP250 does allow you to set it specifically for using CO2 gas.  If the way it welds on Ar/CO2 is any indication I would bet it welds awesome on CO2 as well.  However u are out of luck if you are looking for a current production model.   Next time I have a tank of straight CO2, I will give it a try though.  Other than the miller passport which is designed strictly for CO2,  I would look for machines that have Auto Settings for CO2,  Not sure but the the Caddy or other Mig machines from ESAB may have CO2 Specific manuals.    Check their website or ask a few of the members here who have them...   Same may be true for the Autoset Millers. but again I have never used one
Reply:Miller sets their autoset up strictly for c25Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:If I was determined I was sticking with CO² shielding gas, when running solid wire, I'd make certain I purchased a unit that was engineered with the slope setting and Inductance setting for running CO² as good as possible.I 've tried CO², with .030 and/or .035 solid wire, on multiple transformer based units that fall in the 140 - 300   amp range class.  A Millermatic 250 and 251 would be two units that make it on the list. Anyway, in my experience, all the units had a limited range were they performed (arc quality, weld puddle wet out, and spatter level) OK with C0². Understand though in this same range they preformed noticeable better with C25 shielding gas. With the units I've ran, once the output got up around 160 amps and above (3/16" steel and up), compared to C25, dialing the arc in became noticeably more challenging, and the arc quality produced was no were near as good as it would be with C25. BTW, for light ga auto body sheet metal, C25 performance is far superior to CO².Most of us running C25, because the reality is that the CO² performance of a high percentage of the  machine available is overall poor.ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:Thanks everyone for the feedback. Has anyone used a Miller Passport, and something else they can compare it to for Co2? For example has anyone put a Miller Passport and a Millermater 211 side by side on Co2?The Veloz GroupSmith & Walker Tools