Millermatic 211 for starter welder

[bigpig]

Hey all,
New to welding and looking at the millermatic 211. I am going to be doing alot of light work (55 gal drum stuff) and 1/4 inch mild steel.
I plan on building my own bbq smoker using an old propane tank and 1/4 inch plate.
Do you think this welder is good for such a project. I know the best thing to do is buy as much welder for your dollar but the dollars are not really there.
I have been looking for a good used miller on craigslist etc. with no luck. I do like the option of running 230 or 110.
and the easy set seems like a nice feature for a beginner like me.
any thoughts?
oh.. most of my material will be rusty so should I use fluxcore or gas. I will be welding outside no cover no wall to break wind. So I am pushing towards fluxcore.
what you pro's think.

[Desertrider33]

Definately use self sheilded fluxcore wire for those conditions. E71T-GS or E71T-11 in .030 or .035 will work best for what you want to do.

It is always best to grind off the rust, paint and mill scale before welding, regardless of what process or filler you're using. Fluxcore is more tolerant of dirty metal than solid wire and gas but you should still clean it up some.

Yes, the 211 will be a good machine for what you want to do with it. My friend/helper bought one and it is a very good machine, welds very nice.

The auto-set feature does not work with fluxcore wire, it is only for solid wire and 75/25 gas. We found that out when we tried the auto set with fluxcore and the settings were way way off. It welds fluxcore great with normal manual settings.

[davedarragh]

BigPig: Congratulations on your choice of welders. The MM 211 has been a BIG seller so far, and have provided excellent results.

To echo Desertrider33, FCAW would be your best bet outdoors. The 211 accepts up to .045 flux-cored wire, but .035 should suffice, as you would have to change your liner.

When using FCAWss, change your polarity to DC-. This has to be physically done at the terminal block on this machine. The ground then becomes + and the gun becomes -.

Most FCAWss wire is "perforated" and doesn't require "snips" to cut it.

A .035, 10# spool (8" dia) of Lincoln NR211 goes for around $55.

Might want to consider Miller's flux cored nozzle for the M-10 gun. It's a "bakelite" plastic cone that replaces the brass MIG nozzle, enabling you to see the wire and keep proper "stick out" while FCAWss welding.

The nozzle part number is 226190, and retails for $6.75, and is available from Cyberweld.

Hope this helps

Dave

[Desertrider33]

I have used the Miller fluxcore tip/diffuser shield thingy on my M10 torch. It does work and is an improvement (better visibility of the weld, easier access to small areas, less shorting the tip to the work) over using the gas nozzle and it doesn't cost much, under $10. Very easy to install too, just pull the nozzle off and push the fluxcore shield thingy on, no tools needed. However, it is only made of plastic and it does burn up if you do alot welding with it, especially overhead or running hot.

A better solution is to convert the gun to Bernard Centerfire frontend and use the Bernard NS-FLX fluxcore tip holder kit. I use that one on my QGun and it stands up great to very hard use with alot of overhead welding. The insulator piece that goes over it is also easily replaceable and doesn't cost much. To convert your gun, you would need the Bernard Centerfire conversion kit for Miller M10 gun, the diffuser DS-1, the fluxcore tip holder kit NS-FLX, and then the Centerfire tips, T-035 for .035 wire, as you would no longer be using Miller tips at all on the gun.

If you want to switch to solid wire and gas after converting to Centerfire, just remove the NS-FLX and put on any Bernard Centerfire gas nozzle made to fit the DS-1 diffuser. It just screws off by hand, no tools needed. Same tips are used for both the fluxcore and gas frontends.

Out here, a 10-lb 8" roll of .035 NR-211 sells for about $40 at Home Depot, which is cheaper than the local weld supply shops, even with my discount.

[bigpig]

Thanks for the great advice champs!
Sure do appreciate the help.

[davedarragh]

I have used the Miller fluxcore tip/diffuser shield thingy on my M10 torch. It does work and is an improvement (better visibility of the weld, easier access to small areas, less shorting the tip to the work) over using the gas nozzle and it doesn't cost much, under $10. Very easy to install too, just pull the nozzle off and push the fluxcore shield thingy on, no tools needed. However, it is only made of plastic and it does burn up if you do alot welding with it, especially overhead or running hot.

A better solution is to convert the gun to Bernard Centerfire frontend and use the Bernard NS-FLX fluxcore tip holder kit. I use that one on my QGun and it stands up great to very hard use with alot of overhead welding. The insulator piece that goes over it is also easily replaceable and doesn't cost much. To convert your gun, you would need the Bernard Centerfire conversion kit for Miller M10 gun, the diffuser DS-1, the fluxcore tip holder kit NS-FLX, and then the Centerfire tips, T-035 for .035 wire, as you would no longer be using Miller tips at all on the gun.

If you want to switch to solid wire and gas after converting to Centerfire, just remove the NS-FLX and put on any Bernard Centerfire gas nozzle made to fit the DS-1 diffuser. It just screws off by hand, no tools needed. Same tips are used for both the fluxcore and gas frontends.

Out here, a 10-lb 8" roll of .035 NR-211 sells for about $40 at Home Depot, which is cheaper than the local weld supply shops, even with my discount.

Desertrider: I didn't know Bernard had a conversion kit for the M-10 gun?

The XR-EDGE needs adapter 1380018 and the M-25, XR-30A, XR-W, Roughneck, and Python guns change over with standard Bernard Parts.

The M-25 takes the same contact tips as the M-10, but nozzles, diffusers, etc are different.

Look on Bernard's website under "Q" series guns, and they have a cross- reference chart for all major manufacturers. I don't see the M-10 listed.

Your right about the NS-FLX kit, I have a couple for my Q-300 as well as the M-25 on my MM 212.

Dave

[strictlycarved]

Hey congrats on your welder purchase, i have the mm210 and i love it so im sure your mm211 will do a great job.

[Desertrider33]

I'm not certain they have one for the M10. I assumed they did cause it is probly the most popular mig gun around since it has come on so many of Miller's smaller migs. If they don't, my appologies to the original poster. I have the .pdf file for Bernard conversion parts, I'll have to look it up.

Looked it up. You're right, no listing for M10. I suppose it's possible it may fall under one of the Tweco listings. Would have to call Bernard about that probly.

[SpcR]

You can adapt the centerfire consumables to the M10/H10 guns using a 1/8" x 1/4" brass hex bushing. (Sold in plumbing stores) The bushing threads onto the gooseneck of the Miller gun, and the Bernard diffuser threads onto the bushing. You have to use the Bernard insulator, I think it's a part number 4323R?? Not a 100% sure. But I've done this, works well. :cool:

[Desertrider33]

You can adapt the centerfire consumables to the M10/H10 guns using a 1/8" x 1/4" brass hex bushing. (Sold in plumbing stores) The bushing threads onto the gooseneck of the Miller gun, and the Bernard diffuser threads onto the bushing. You have to use the Bernard insulator, I think it's a part number 4323R?? Not a 100% sure. But I've done this, works well. :cool:

That is great to know! Thanks!

Yes, 4323R, if I remember the number right, is the insulator that fits the DS-1 diffuser.