...

Go Back   Lateral-g Forums > Technical Discussions > Shop & Equipment
User Name
Password



Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #21  
Old 09-08-2008, 08:39 PM
Garage Dog 65 Garage Dog 65 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posts: 1,203
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by brans72 View Post
not to crash the thread but this might help others i was wondering for myself what are the pros and cons with a welder like miller 140 vs miller 140 autoset? this would be used for sheetmetal work mostly but would also be used around house. i am curious what you guys recomm before cashing in on a 110v welder ( i want something portable etc other wise i would get a 180 or bigger welder). thanks guys
You could check miller's web site (miller welds) for the details and specifications - but bacically they are the same machine with the 140 and/or 180 with A/S having a computer system that will automatically select the volts/amps and wire speed for you based on the thickness of the material you select. It's designed for the home hobby person who hasn't been through training and the A/S setting will help a novice person get the machine up, running properly and build confidence. Some people are a little intimidated by welding and all the variables you need to figure out to weld properly (wire size, wire type, volts, amps, wire speed and the differences for various metals)

On the 140 manual version you have to look those settings up yourself on a Mig setting chart/guide/wheel - and then manually enter those settings via the knobs on the face of the manual machine. The Miller version of the MIG guide is about 3 dollars at your local welding supply store.

The A/S version of the 140 and 180 lets you set it and forget it - and some people prefer that. More complex functionality inside the box can also be just one more thing that will break down and need repaired...

Jim
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 10-06-2008, 10:22 PM
TonyG TonyG is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 253
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I just purchased a Hobart Handler 140 two weeks ago.. still haven't used it yet. But I purchased it for building my 60 Beetle and my 65 chevelle. I have welded some before; but I wouldn't claim to be a welder by any means. I looked at a few different models and this one seemed be a great beginner/learner model. It has full adjustment for wirefeed and four settings for voltage. I paid just under 600 with the 3 yr warranty.

I looked at the auto-select models that were a bit cheaper; but I just don't see that being good for myself or anyone really interested in learning to weld.

Just my input, I wish I had used it already to give my opinion of that.

Best of luck to the OP.
__________________
65 Malibu "Liberator"
91 Fox Coupe SSP "Emma"
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 10-08-2008, 11:26 AM
wingman's Avatar
wingman wingman is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: left coast
Posts: 10
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Cool mig welder

Please let me add my 2 cents. I build hotrods, mostly early Chevies. While using a Miller 135 my welder (he has worked as a rig welder in a refinery for many years) made the comment that he could hardly get enough penetration while installing 5/16" boxing plates. I bought a Miller 180 and now everybody is happy. The cost is a little higher, approx $800.00, but it's well worth it. It seems to work well at both ends of the material thickness spectrum, i.e. chassis and sheet metal.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 10-14-2008, 10:41 AM
Buttz1969 Buttz1969 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Greenwood, IN
Posts: 52
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Just an update since this thread popped up again...

I ended up with a Miller 175, and it has been cruising along with no problems. So far I have started welding all of the seams in the subframe, and floor pans are next on the horizon. So that will cover a good range of thickness and I'll have a better opinion then.

For the frame, I have had no problems, except some old crud stuck in crevices that burns when I weld. Any ideas on how to get 40 years of crud off a frame? I have tried wire wheels, fiber discs, grinding wheel, etc. with little luck.
__________________
Matt Butts
1969 Camaro
LQ4 (In the rebuild process now)
T56
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 11-25-2008, 10:56 PM
Derek Miller's Avatar
Derek Miller Derek Miller is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Northwest
Posts: 58
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

"For the frame, I have had no problems, except some old crud stuck in crevices that burns when I weld. Any ideas on how to get 40 years of crud off a frame? I have tried wire wheels, fiber discs, grinding wheel, etc. with little luck."

The best way to get rid of the "crud" or rust is to sand blast it out. You will never be able to grind it off because of the pits. If you cannot afford a small pressure pot unit, you could always get a cheaper sand blasting gun with a hose that you stick directly in a bucket of sand (much slower but will eventually accomplish the job). Instead of the typical "silica sand" that most people use, I use a copper slag product. It does not break down as fast as the sand and will not embed itself in the metal. It does pit the metal a little more at first but after recycling it a few times will produce nice results. We have been shooting PPG, Valspar and House of Color for years and the paint reps would rather see us use the copper slag for blasting and not silica sand. They have had paint issues which they think is related to the silica that has been embeded in the metal. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

Thanks,
Derek
__________________
"Anything Worth Doing, Is Worth Overdoing."
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 01-25-2009, 11:30 AM
countryboy countryboy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 29
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I have a Snap-on(blue point) 250 amp monster I love but if I had to buy one tomorrow I would call HTP. I started dealing with them about 2 years ago and they can not be out done! They are almost the cheapest with great quality units. They have a great warranty but do stuff a little different. When a machine breaks down from any other company you have to ship it or take it to a local shop that they approve. If your smart enough to weld your smart enough to fix your welder. They will tell you exactly what to check and and how, to diagnose the problem. Then they ship you the parts first rate shipping. and you are going the next day! They will do it the normal way if you prefer. But for the price, quality, and service I will use them from now on. I have a plasma that works flawlessly.

http://www.htpweld.com/

The reason you haven't heard of them is b/c they don't advertise. They have grown by word of mouth. The bike shops have been using them for years. Thats how I learned about them. (I build bikes part time.)

Last edited by countryboy; 01-25-2009 at 11:34 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 03-15-2009, 08:28 PM
irocracer89's Avatar
irocracer89 irocracer89 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 4
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Mig Welder

Been tossing this one around for a while, giving the 110v my vote... Just started on my 89 IROC, and no welder by any means. Just working on getting the garage finished so work can be done. Plus my garage is only on a 10ga 30 amp circuit, may have to redo this in the future.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 03-16-2009, 06:22 AM
bigtyme1's Avatar
bigtyme1 bigtyme1 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Stewartstown PA
Posts: 1,777
Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Default

I picked up a Miller DVI at SEMA two years ago. Best thing is I save about 500.00 plus free shipping and a cover.Total was around $1300.00. Great welder does everything I need. Next will be a tig.
__________________
69 RS Ragtop
[email protected]
Will trade wife for parts!!!
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 03-18-2009, 12:29 AM
Arai Arai is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 23
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I have a miller 180 and LOVE it!
__________________
Chris
-69 Camaro-
http://www.my69camaro.net

Follow my build here:
http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=126949
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 03-18-2009, 09:12 AM
rich-allen's Avatar
rich-allen rich-allen is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Martinez, CA
Posts: 481
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

PFFFT!

Buy a 5000 amp and don't look back.
__________________
67 RS/SS
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:38 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright Lateral-g.net