Miller 211 arrived today

admin

So I got my Miller 211 today from UPS.I am a hobbyist welder and this is just a toy for me so I don't have to fire up my Lincoln Ranger in my garage.  Anyway I wanted to get a check list of what I need to make this 211 run Flux Core.  I don't plan to use gas anytime soon if at all.1.  I changed the polarity for Flux Core.2.  I need to order some Flux Core wire .030?3.  I am going to get a Miller cover for it the one that has a side pocket for the cables.  This should help me contain it all together and make it easier for me to move around my garage.  No plans for a cart.  4.  I assume I will need a different tip on the gun?  Maybe this one "Hobart 770487 Gasless Fluxed Cored Nozzle"5.  I will also get me some "Hobart 770074 Welding Mig Accessory Nozzle Gel"Am I missing anything?
Reply:You don't need a flux core nozzle, really.I'd get .035 Lincoln nr211.Start welding!!!  Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Yes you need a cart lol. Atleast put it on a wood cart
Reply:I'd have to agree...you'll want a cart even without a bottle. Unless you enjoy bending over and carrying things much more than most of us I would also agree with the .035 wire size as well. Enjoy the nice new welder!!-DoogieMiller 350PMiller Trailblazer 325 EFI w/ Excel PowerLincoln LN25 suitcase welderXMT 304/22a feederMiller Syncrowave 350LXMiller EconotigHobart Handler 140(2) Uni-Hydro 42-14Hypertherm 65 plasmaWEBB Gap bed lathe
Reply:My garage has a 12 foot trailer back in one side with a Lincoln Ranger bolted to it.  So all the work I would do in my garage would be on the space next to the trailer.  Now with this Miller 211 I can set the mig on the trailer and still work as I did before with out the noise of the Ranger.  So the mig will pretty much just sit on the trailer at knee height as if it was on a cart.  I hope that clears up why I have no need for a cart.  However I did place an order for some of the .035 flux wire, the cover and the Nozzle Gel.  I think I will still need an extension cord for 115 welding.  No plans for 220 until I can get a plug installed in my garage and then I will need a cord for 220 as well.
Reply:Did you also order or have the correct drive roll, Dual Groove, V-Knurled #202 926 For .030/.035 in (0.8/0.9 mm) or .045 in (1.2 mm) flux cored wire?Everlast PowerPro 256, Everlast W300 Cooler, Everlast Cart 250Millermatic 211, Spoolgun 100, Miller HD CartJackson W60 Truesight Digital Auto Darkening, Victor 315 Torch sitting on a Harper 830-86 cart
Reply:Originally Posted by UpToNoGoodAnyway I wanted to get a check list of what I need to make this 211 run Flux Core.  I don't plan to use gas anytime soon if at all.
Reply:You might also want to think about making up a connector to power it up on 240 Volt from the Ranger if you ever want to run it off that as a power source. You may not see a need for it now, but may in the future find it handy.Did you order a ten# roll of the FC wire?
Reply:I just ordered me one "V-Knurled #202 926".  Thanks for the tip.Flux Core over gas because I doing want to have to deal with gas and want to practice with only Flux Core as some of the times I will be welding outside.  The welder came with a two quick disconnect ends.  1 for 115 and the other for 230.  I also ordered me some .035 Contact Tips as the welder only came with .030Miller 211Lincoln Ranger 225
Reply:Ok just was wondering. Keep your eye out for a bottle of C25 argon/co2 mix gas. Flux core to gas shielded is night and day to me, but each have their place.
Reply:I just got a Hobart 210 - this is a similar sized machine to your 211.  I reluctantly bought the Harbor Freight welding cart and it is actually really nice.  Just need some spacers under the welder so you can open the door.  Its surprisingly good quality and I really don't ever buy tools there - I'm a harsh harbor freight critic and recommend this!
Reply:Yup on the .35 wire....Check the price on .30 and you will decide .35 every time Don't hesitate to buy your tips at harbor freight. They fit perfectly and cost almost nothing compared to big box stuff.Friend, for flux core, just yank the nozzle and save it for the day you use gas. You don't need ANY nozzle burning flux core, and you can see yer puddled mobetter and get in tighter places.Also forget the nozzle gel. Just use cheap generic branded cooking spray. Try it and see...you should use the spray also(lightly) to protect areas beyond HAZ from splatter, and even on your welding table and clamps. Once you prep your joints, don't be scared to get the spray on them cause it won't effect the weld. Flux core throws lots of splatter compared to solid wire, so splatter will be a concern.I look at it this way.....With you in DFW area, in a few months you can weld flux core with a decent fan keeping you cool, where with gas you couldn't.I got the clone Hobart 210 MVP, so trust me. You gonna need a 40 amp breaker and 8AWG cord before you crank it up to do what it can do. milspec makes a really decent molded 25 ft cord for less than 80 bucks....Google 'milspec welder cord' or milspec weldier extension cord. I got mine off amazon with free shipping-bought two of them...forget the Hobart cord, it's only 20 ft and don't compare with the milspec guys.P.S.  When you install your NEMA 6-50 outlet in the shop, install it with ground hole in center rotated up and cord will plug in and drop along wall to floor and not wanna pull loose or be a trip hazard.....Electricians always install them right side up which is wrong side up for angled plugs.Last edited by wornoutoldwelder; 03-14-2015 at 01:49 AM.
Reply:uptonogood,One of the things you gonna LOVE about your selection of welder, is it is SO affordable to add a spool gun compared to other machines...you can add one for around 200 bucks plus cost of Argon bottle.Same for the clone Hobart where the miller and Hobart spool guns look exact same and will both swap, but the Hobart and Miller guns use different voltages to drive their wire feed motors so you must use the Miller on a Miller and the Hobart on a Hobart....Keep that in mind if you see a used Hobart gun for sale.
Reply:Originally Posted by wornoutoldwelderI got the clone Hobart 210 MVP, so trust me. You gonna need a 40 amp breaker and 8AWG cord before you crank it up to do what it can do. milspec makes a really decent molded 25 ft cord for less than 80 bucks....Google 'milspec welder cord' or milspec weldier extension cord. I got mine off amazon with free shipping-bought two of them...forget the Hobart cord, it's only 20 ft and don't compare with the milspec guys.
Reply:I messed around with the welder using 115 yesterday for a bit until I tripped a breaker in the garage.  I need to get the speed and friction of the wire set before I can actually attempt to make some decent welds.  Yesterdays attempt was a failed attempt, but I was rushed just mins before dinner and called it quits just before the pizza arrived.  I will try again soon.Miller 211Lincoln Ranger 225
Reply:Originally Posted by sea bassCurious about this statement - hobart recommends 14/3 minimum on 220 for the HH210 MVP right in the manual.   Why do you think you need 8awg to be able to crank it up?   I honestly don't fully understand 220V which is why I'm asking...
Reply:Originally Posted by wornoutoldwelderI accept your statement and suspect Hobart made a misprint....Consider this, code sates that 120V wall outlets must be wired 12AWG, but overhead lighting can be wired only 14AWG....That said, would you wanna run 14AWG to any welder that's got more grunt than your lights?I ran a $120 length of 6/3 stranded to my compressor disconnect only 25 ft from panel cause too much is better when a little is just right.
Reply:When I was reading up about welder wiring options, I was surprised/confused to find the minimum welder wiring was also thinner than I expected.  Miller calls for 14awg min on 230v for the 211.  Long story short, it's because of duty cycle.  Compared to lights or anything else that runs 100% of the time, the welders draw power for relatively short bursts.  This gives the circuit a break it wouldn't usually get from other devices.  It won't hurt to wire it up with the thicker gauge (sizing as if it were based on a continuous draw of power at max amps), but hopefully that helps explain why the requirements seem so low.
Reply:Originally Posted by strykerWhen I was reading up about welder wiring options, I was surprised/confused to find the minimum welder wiring was also thinner than I expected.  Miller calls for 14awg min on 230v for the 211.  Long story short, it's because of duty cycle.  Compared to lights or anything else that runs 100% of the time, the welders draw power for relatively short bursts.  This gives the circuit a break it wouldn't usually get from other devices.  It won't hurt to wire it up with the thicker gauge (sizing as if it were based on a continuous draw of power at max amps), but hopefully that helps explain why the requirements seem so low.
Reply:Originally Posted by sea bassAnyhow - back to the OP, is the circuit you plugged into dedicated?  Is there bunch of other crap running off that same circuit?  You shouldnt be tripping the breaker that easy.
Reply:Originally Posted by UpToNoGoodIt is a 15amp garage plug that is shared with an overhead florescent light.  My plan is to have an electrician add a dedicated outlet for both 110/220.  Until then I don't think I can attempt to dial in the setting of the mig to get good welds.
Reply:No dryer in the garage, but the electrical panel is on the outer wall.  I have at least 8 empty slots on the panel all at the bottom.Miller 211Lincoln Ranger 225