Millermatic 211 1st Impressions

[Big D]

Bought a new Millermatic 211 today and thought I would give some feedback for potential buyers. I sold my Passport awhile back so I can make a good comparsion.

I set up the 211 with 75/25 gas and Lincoln L56 .030 wire. I plugged it to a dedicated circuit with a 20 amp breaker. Switched on the machine and using the auto set for .030 wire at the 3/16 setting which is max for 110 volt. It was VERY smooth and layed down super nice bead on the 3/16 angle. I attached 2 pictures.

I was unable to complete the 2nd bead before the circuit breaker tripped. On the Passport I could max out the machine on the same 110 volt circuit and it was never an issue. The 211 ran just as smooth as the Passport on 110v.

I decided to start stepping down the amperage from 3/16 to 1/8 to 14 gage and finally 16 gage. It tripped the 110v 20 amp circuit breaker on each setting until I reached 16 gage. At the 16 gage setting it ran fine. Since this is a transformer machine obviously it uses alot more current than the Passport which is an inverter.

I then switched to 220 volt and gave it a test run starting with 1/4" and down. The arc was much different than on 110v. It was very crisp if not a little on the harsh side for my tastes. It still layed down some nice looking beads and no issues with the circuit breaker. On 220v the passport runs just as smooth as 110v.

It would be nice if Miller listed the maximum imput amperage instead of just the "rated" 20 amp input at the 20% 90amp 110v duty cycle rating. I think one of the big draws for the 211 is the 110v capability however in the real world of plug and play with 110v I am wondering how effective it is compared to other 110v welders and imput amperage draw.

Over all it is still a versatile machine and even though it weighs 75 pounds it is still very portable when you consider moving a full size welder with 210 amps of power.
I also purchased the spoolmate 100. I'll give some feed back on it once I get some wire.

Big D

[Desertrider33]

Thanks for posting your experience with the 211. Crisp versus soft arc on the 211 vs Passport is exactly what I found when my friend and I tested his 211 with my Passport back to back. The 211 is an excellent machine for the money and the best deal going in dual voltage migs, no doubt. I'll never give up my Passport though, I like it too much!

[FusionKing]

Threads like this make me raise an eyebrow.
As some know I bought a 211 for my buddy so he could get my price.
It has already DIED! Used very little. Took the cover off and nothing obvious wrong. It was working great and the next day nothing.
Hard to find the time to take it in.
I would like to see Miller introduce a more powerful Passport in the near future.

[Miller Kevin]

Fusionking,

I'm sorry to hear your friend is having trouble with his Millermatic 211. Has he gotten it to a service location or need help locating one? Let me know if I can help.

[crawler]

Kevin,

I'm getting ready to buy a Millermatic 211. Can you tell me if this welder has any more reliability problems due to having dual voltage compared to something like a Hobart handler 210?

Thanks,
Charles

[Miller Kevin]

Charles,

The most common issues we have with the dual voltage is people either cutting the cords off then hooking them up wrong or they make an adapter and put 230 volts into the unit with the 115 volt adapter on the cord. In either case it is not good for the unit.

[crawler]

Charles,

The most common issues we have with the dual voltage is people either cutting the cords off then hooking them up wrong or they make an adapter and put 230 volts into the unit with the 115 volt adapter on the cord. In either case it is not good for the unit.

Kevin,

Thanks for the info.

Charles

[Danny]

For strictly 230v usage, the more I read about the crisp arc of the MM 211 the more I suspect that I'd prefer the Hobart Handler 210 over the MM 211. A crisp arc tends to translate into sluggish weld puddle wet out. A crisp arc also tends to produce a harsh arc and heavy spatter in the upper voltage range of short circuit transfer that the MM 211/HH 210 cover.

[Desertrider33]

If you like the arc of a Millermatic 175, then you would like the 211. If not, then you would not like the 211. My MM175 and my friend's MM211 have very similar arc characteristics, we both agree. I prefer the softer arc of my Passport.

[Big D]

If you like the arc of a Millermatic 175, then you would like the 211. If not, then you would not like the 211. My MM175 and my friend's MM211 have very similar arc characteristics, we both agree. I prefer the softer arc of my Passport.

Desertrider33,

I agree with you 100% about the Passport arc. After spending more time with the 211 it really makes me miss my Passport. I very much prefer a soft arc. The other thing that stands out is the power consumption on 110v with the 211.

I was checking the input amperages for the Passport versus the 211 and at the 110v rated 90 amp out put the Passport it requires 15 amps and the 211 requires 20amps. The Passport will also output 110 amps at the rated 20 amp input.

For more comparsion I thought I would dig a little deeper for information on imput amperage draw for for the Lincoln 140c 110 volt welder. To my surprise, on the bottom of page 11 of the Lincoln 140C operators manual it has a notation;

REQUIREMENTS FOR MAXIMUM OUTPUT
In order to utilize the maximum output capability of
the machine, a branch circuit of 25 amps at
120 volts, 60 hertz is required.

http://content.lincolnelectric.com//...r/im/IM890.pdf

After reading this I really starting missing the Passport as I never had any issues with circuit breakers tripping. Clearly the Passport inverter power source is much more effient.

Big D