Is this a good deal on a Millermatic 175

admin

Hi I am new to welding and looking to buy a mig welder.  I'm looking at a Miller Millermatic 175 and wanted to know if you think this is a good deal that  I found on craigslist.  It looks like it is in good shape and the guy is asking $675 but said he would take $650.  Do you think it is a good deal or should I keep looking.  Thankshttp://miami.craigslist.org/brw/tls/2860198620.html
Reply:It looks clean , but you can get a new MM180 for just a little more and have the 3 year warranty. Lot's of welders out there. If your patient, I think you'll find a better deal. I have the 140 and it works( I was using it today),but I don't know how durable it's going to be. The wire feed drive motor sounds like it's made in China...doesn't sound good when it runs.
Reply:Thanks for reply,  I think it is a good deal but I decided to look for a MM 135 or MM 140 so that I don't need to get an electrician to put in a 230 outlet.  I thought the house I'm going to rent had a 230 plug in the garage but it does not.
Reply:Originally Posted by medicinemanThanks for reply,  I think it is a good deal but I decided to look for a MM 135 or MM 140 so that I don't need to get an electrician to put in a 230 outlet.  I thought the house I'm going to rent had a 230 plug in the garage but it does not.
Reply:Listen deeply to DSW, that is very sound advise.
Reply:Thanks for the advice and saving me the trouble of buying something under rated for future needs. The house does have a dryer outlet so I'll just get an extension cord and adapter.   I'll see if I can get that MM175 for a better price or something similar in the 230 range.  Don't  need the dual voltage capabilities so maybe I can save a few $ on the MM or similar type Hobart.  I really like the condition of the 175 on CL, I just want to see if I can get it cheaper from the seller.Thanks
Reply:Here's a thread that tells you what you need to make your own 230v extension cord. It's fairly simple. The correct 230v plug to match what your dryer has, the 10ga extension cord or  10-3 SJ/ SO wire and a NEMA 6-50R  surface mount outlet, pretty much covers most of what you will need. When you get your own place later, you can always swap the 30 amp plug for a 50 amp one if need be if you get a larger machine. The same cord would also let you run a cheap transformer based buzz box stick machine on the lower range settings as well off a 30 amp dryer outlet. You can usually find the older AC units for as little as $50-150 on CL quite frequently if you want to add a stick machine later on as well.www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=11537Last edited by DSW; 03-07-2012 at 04:07 AM..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:" I thought the house I'm going to rent had a 230 plug in the garage but it does not." Quick  note: Be sure that using a  welder  in that rental house does not void your rental agreement. And have adequate fire protection in that garage just in case.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.