Bought a new welder

Bought a Miller 180 with autoset. Changed out the plug, used a twist lock for the 220 line in the garage, and just tried it out. What a nice machine! Had a 110 mig till now. First thing I noticed was the drive mechanism, always had a heck of a time with an even wire feed on my old one. Not a good welder, but excited to practice with it. Lays down some nice beads, good penetration, I know thats the most important, but want to find out how to make them look like the roll of dimes. Now I need to make a nice cart.

 

my brother used the same welder with the autoset to build his race car and he said it worked amazing. good choice.

 

I bought one recently also. After 20 years with a 110 volt miller cricket and a stick welder it sure is nice!

 

those are very nice units indeed.
what did you have to give for it?

 

Bought it for $779 and they got a $50 rebate on top of that. Just tried it on a s**** 1/4", couldn't do that before with the 110. I would like to take a cl*** at the local tech college, but no time now. Now I can do my motor mounts, and I want to do something with my rear suspension.

 

I just picked up a 220 miller myself although it doesn't have the "auto set" it still walks all over my old 110 machine, awsome score post some pics of the motor mounts when you get em done.

 

heres a link to some welding tips pretty good info in there it'll give you an idea of which pattern to use on what type of joint http://www.esabna.com/EUWeb/MIG_handbook/592mig7_21.htm hope it helps

 

No doubt what you have is a nice machine. I have a Hobart 110 Handler and it also is a nice machine. Just because it's a 110 doesn't mean it's no good. They have their place and job. They do a fantastic job on the little stuff for the rod.

 

check this one out(about your dime question)...suppose to be a project thread but ended being a welding one .(about your dime question)
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=339988

 

the millers are supper nice. i just picked up a new 140, to add to my bigger miller. i use the 140 with .023 wire for the sheet metal and run .030 in the big one

 

i run .045 wire


miller 252

 

OK, get the mig gun, with everything set so you gave good penetration, lean the gun over to about a 30 degree angle, pull the trigger, and push the gun along at a slow, smooth rate. This is called the push method. You've got push and pull methods, pulse, yada, yada, yada.....I've been welding for 35 years as a professional......a kid can do it.
Migs like fairly clean, dry, steel. Don't run you heat too high. pratice on 10 Ga. (which is 1/8 in.) get comfortable with it.....then go to 1/4". On thin stuff, you want to use .023, up above 1/8 to about 1/4 or a little thicker you can use .030. Use .035 up to 3/8. Anything up above 3/8 use .045 fluxcore.
Now these are slighly varible on thicknesses, you can weave slightly to make heavier beads. Heavier metal you must use multiple p*** techniques.

Its not a bad Idea to take a few cl***es.....................Mig isn't hard to learn, and before long....it'll be your best friend around the shop. Just be sure to pratice, pratice, pratice..............