Millermatic 211

[Tooch]

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_211_autoset/

So I've decided to suck it up and buy a welder.  It might not be purchsed for another month or so, but after reading tons of reviews and what not, the Millermatic 211 seems to be a great bang for the buck and will allow me to do everything I could possibly need to do.

With that being said, the link above states that it comes with:

Power source
6 ft (1.8 m) power cord and MVP™ plugs
10 ft (3 m) M-10 MIG gun and cable assembly
10 ft (3 m) work cable and clamp
Smith® Argon and AR/CO2 mix regulator/flow gauge with hose
Spool of Hobart® .030 in (0.8 mm) solid wire
Two contact tips for .030 in (0.8 mm) wire and two contact tips for .035 in (0.9 mm) wire
Dual groove quick-change drive roll for .024 in (0.6 mm) or .030/.035 in (0.8/0.9 mm) wire
Factory-installed gas solenoid valve
Set-up and operation CD
Information/settings chart
Material thickness gauge (#229 895)

What else do I need to get other than a mask, jacket and gloves?

I plan on taking a class over the winter to learn how to properly use it, that's why I'm asking now.

[jps4jeep]

buy some .035 wire.

you'll need 75%-25% co2/argon gas and tank.  you can get it at arco welding supply in everett, best price around, just the guy behind the counter can be a dink if you start asking stupid question.

I suggest getting 2 masks, auto dimming and non auto dimming. learn to weld with the non-auto dimming. I found that it will make your hands steadier while welding. that is simply my point of view, argue if you want, but the old buck that taught me to weld made me use this method and I think I am a better welder because of it.
Or just buy the auto dim, harbor freight sells decent ones cheap. I am a big fan of Jackson masks. I get the most out of a set of batteries.

Buy the gloves cheap at home depot. I have not found them cheaper anywhere else (except mail order, but add shipping and they cost the same) When I was welding for a living, I went through a pair every couple months, regardless if they were expensive or cheap, so I just get cheap now.

Screw the jacket, save money and just buy some leathers or what I did was go to salvation army and got a leather jacket for $10 and cut the sleaves off and took the liner out.  Just make sure it's not pleather.. it will go up in flames faster than a gay convention.

[Tooch]

So in reality teh only other thing I'll need (other than safty equipment) is a tank and the co2/argon?

What size tank?  does it matter or should I go bigger so I don't have to fill it as often?

[Twisty]

I say go flux-core and forget about the tank.   

[Tooch]

I was going to ask about that, but didn't want to be asking stupid questions about it. 

I understand that flux core has the gas in the middle of it, but will you get the same results as if you had a seperate tank?

[Twisty]

Flux core is a bit messier, makes more smoke, creates slag, and burns hotter.  It is harder to do sheet metal work with flux core (especially .035 wire...ask me how I know).  But, no gas required.

I'd probably have a tank if I wasn't welding outside, in the wind most of the time.  

[98xj]

Just make sure it's not pleather.. it will go up in flames faster than a gay convention.

 

[Ian]

i love the 211.  you won't need another welder ever again.  it welds very nice even on 110.  one thing to consider is a welding cap or fire proof rag for you head.  i burn my head while welding on my trailer. 

get a good brush, that helps out a ton. 

[jps4jeep]

See I can't stand flux core.. Plus your welder is coming with a regulator and the welder is currently set for welding with gas, why not use it.

I got my tank leasing agreement more than a couple years ago, I have i think a 80cf tank now, costs a tad bit over $30 to fill after all the taxes and fee's. I got my entire cage welded on about a half a tank. (maybe 2.5 hours of continous welding??)

It's not the really small side kick tank or the ones thats the same height, but wider, but it's also not the full size tank

[navman 5.0]

We welded for almost 8 hours on my frame etc. on a large tank that was already well used and still didn't run out (m200).

[Tooch]

Ok, I guess in the next month or so I'm going to look for a good tank, mask, gloves, blanket, etc.  Then once I get the accessories, then welder will be purchased.  

So to all those craigslist officianados please keep your eyes out for me for:

good size tank
masks
welding blankets
leathers

[Tooch]

On another related question, the amperage on the plug?

It says that it's max draw in 120V is 20A and 240V is 25A.  I was going to put in a 240V 30A circuit but everyone says to get a 50A circuit.  Why?  If it's only going to use 25A at MAX draw, why double the power if it's going to be the only thing on the breaker?

[navman 5.0]

The tank you can get as part of the lease or whatever on the larger ones I believe. Look into that first before you purchase. Someone on here knows more about that for sure.

Go to a 50 amp, length of wire will cause loss, so if you ever need to run an extension or second plug for it your all set now. If you ever use a tig there it can pull more than the mig.

[Tooch]

So the reasoning has nothing to do with the usage, but more for the planning of the future?

[navman 5.0]

Length is very important, for the wiring too. Make sure the wiring is large enough for both the outlet rating and the wire length. There is a chart for voltage drop over distance. Lower voltage means higher amprage draw on the same load. The feed for my garage is on the small size and it really affects my tig when welding aluminum of any thickness. You have to keep turning up the heat to make it right. Unfortunately the po was a good carpenter but was a cheapskate when it came to electric. I've rewired most of the house already, and I'm debating running a new feed for the garage or just having Mass elec drop a seperate line. I guess what I'm saying is don't skimp now it's not worth the aggrevation later.