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I have the opportunity to pick up a Miller/Hobart Auto Arc MW4110 Mig Welder. It is 120V with a gas bottle and a MWG160 gun. Does anybody have any input on this machine? I do general garage welding on trucks, snow plows, things like that. Usually nothing over 1/4 inch. I have a stick welder and an oxy/acetylene setup and was thinking of picking up this mig machine to augment my stick welder. I am not a welder by any means, my beads look like chicken scratch, but what can a guy that plows snow for a living do. Any input would be extremely helpful. I figure I would use copper unfluxed wire, 0.23 for auto sheet metal and 0.30-0.35 for 3/16 steel, with about 25lbs of gas. What do you all think? Any better recommendations on the wire? I welcome your input...
Reply:I don't know the machine, but if it's 120v, it will be running at maximum to achieve 1/4 inch...That's if it will run at around 130-135 amps. When you say copper, you really mean just solid mig wire (maybe copper colored), right?What's the age of the welder, condition and price?Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Yes, I mean solid mig wire. I actually just bought an 11lb spool of 0.30 and the machine has a full 11lb spool of 0.23 on it already, so I should be in good shape. I also picked up 10 tips in each size and a new nozzle. After a little research, I figure the machine has a maximum of 3/16" and most likely won't do the 1/4". It is around 10 years old and needed a few things like the tips and nozzle and a ground clamp as well as the flow meter (the glass tube that adjusts the amount of gas flow). I stopped in at AGL Welding Supply (here in New Jersey) and they soaked me for $175 for everything above plus a pair of welding pliers, some spray spatter shield and a tub of tip cleaner, but I still have to go back for the flow tube because I have to bring in my regulator so they can give me the right tube that fits it. I swapped the welder for a snow blower so it didn't cost anything out of pocket. It seems to be in good condition, I haven't used it yet because I have to fix the flow tube first. Someone also cut the ground prong off of the plug so I will probably put a new power cord on it eventually, maybe something a little longer than stock.
Reply:I have a millermatic 130 and its a fine machine. It's been very reliable, but 1/4 inch is right at the margin of what it is rated at, and I have probably never actually pushed it to that limit in mild steel...My 130 is probably about that age also or maybe a bit newer, but not much. It makes a good addition to a stick welder, and is pretty portable.I live in GA, so, snowblowers are foreign to me...I really dont have any idea how good a deal you got...however, it is likely that you got a good quality machine. Post a picture. Like I said, I am really not familar with this model and i am curious what it looks like.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'. |
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