Millermatic 211
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
I've only run flux core/dual shield through a 210 (previous model) once, to meet the codes for a job I was doing. I have welded 2" thick stuff with a Millermatic 211, the trick is multiple passes and bevel the edges quite a bit. I lay the bevels back at a full 45º, with about 1/16" to 1/8" of land depending on the material thickness, and lay in a really hot stringer of a root bead. After that, I turn it down a little and weave all the remaining passes. If there is access to the backside, I'll dig it out to solid metal with a grinder of burr bit, and weld with the same weave. This is the way I was taught in welding school for Electric Boat, and have been honing my technique for about ten years now.
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
Been welding with it all week and I'm impressed. The auto-set feature seems to work great. I have a lot better, cleaner welds with more penetration and less blow thru. This is probably due to me not having old welder set correctly. With the $75 rebate and carefull shopping, I have less than $900 in it. Worth every penney.
I recently bought a Miller 212. It's identical to the 211 except it has a direct connection for a spool gun. And it has technology that automatically selects which gas to use when moving from torch to spool and back.
Its a very nice rig.
I found a place on-line that was running a 10% off sale and free freight. I had a voucher for an additional 15% off from a welding show I attended and there was a $100 rebate on the welder.
So, I was able to get it for under a grand as well.
After using a Miller 135 and and an old Lincoln 175, this will make a hack welder like me look like I'm a pro.
Uses the 44# spool of wire and comes with a 15' lead instead of the 12'. Has built in bottle rack ... lots of little things that make the machine easy to use and work with.
This genre of machine isn't cheap, but with some smart and creative shopping they can be affordable.
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Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 6
From: Raphine, Virginia
I've had my 211 since March and am on my third spool of wire. Welded everything from 20 gauge to 3/16" with the .030 wire on 110v. I couldn't be more pleased. I don't weld anything thicker, but I'm sure its capable on 220v. Rated for 3/8" on 220v, but as Ford_Six stated proper welding techniques are the key. If there is a better all around welder for the money, I haven't found it.
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afinepoint
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Jun 8, 2007 04:22 PM
