New guy w/ equipment Q's

[Paychk]

Hello to All

Glad I found you all, this place is the answer to prayers. I have a MM200 S/N JE744531, equip with the SKP-35 spot/pulse panel and a Tweco # 2 gun. It also has the Spoolmatic # 1 gun attachment, though I haven't used it yet. I bought this machine used and I'm looking for some info.

Is there any know issues with this machine or it’s components? What should I do to keep it in good repair?

Is it possible to add some switches to independently control the gas valve and the wire feed? The reason for this is to purge to gas line when switching bottles and to jog the wire up to the gun after changing spools.

What would a fair value be for this setup? I paid $1500 for it, as described including shipping, but without a gas cylinder.

Thanks!

[Scott V]

Here is my friends view on the Miller 200.I was taking about the vintage,and every other model that has been out since.He has welded with them all,and sells every other brand of machine.He said the vintage never matched the 200 in the arc department.It has the best arc of all the Miller all in one transformer machines.He always compares every new Miller machine to the 200,and none has surpassed the 200 yet in the welding arc.Here is another point, you also get a real copper transformer(lucky you). This should make a few diehard 251 owners mad. The 251 is a real slick package though,maybe their new model 252 will match the 200?

[Paychk]

Sounds like I got lucky, I was trying to find an old MM35, that is what I used to use in my youth. The MM35 was a sweet machine, at least compared to the old Airco Dipstick 160 that I learned to MIG with.

Thanks for the input!

[cope]

Re: New guy w/ equipment Q's

Originally posted by Paychk
Hello to All

Glad I found you all, this place is the answer to prayers. I have a MM200 S/N JE744531, equip with the SKP-35 spot/pulse panel and a Tweco # 2 gun. It also has the Spoolmatic # 1 gun attachment, though I haven't used it yet. I bought this machine used and I'm looking for some info.

Is there any know issues with this machine or it’s components? What should I do to keep it in good repair?

Is it possible to add some switches to independently control the gas valve and the wire feed? The reason for this is to purge to gas line when switching bottles and to jog the wire up to the gun after changing spools.

What would a fair value be for this setup? I paid $1500 for it, as described including shipping, but without a gas cylinder.

Thanks!

Watch for ROCK or one of the other moderators to post regarding how to put a purge/inch switch in. That is a valuable feature that few manufacturers bother to add, and the cost is negligible. You should be able to do it with a single rocker switch, but one of the factory guys should be able to tell you how to do it best. My PowCon has the feature from the factory, and Century incorporates it on their machines.

[Hobart Expert Mike]

Paychk,
You can order a manual for that welder from our literature department at: 920-735-4505, ask for the literature department for ordering manuals. You can also download an Owner's Manual from our website at www.millerwelds.com, under "Service & Support". The manual will have a circuit diagram in it and you should be able to figure out how to add a purge feature with that. If you have any specific questions you can ask them here and one of us will do our best to answer, or you can call us at 920-831-4898.
I know a lot of people really liked that MM200 and it's arc, but it is not the copper transformer that made the difference, it is solid state electronics. The MM200 and machines like it are a tapped transformer and use relays and contactors that wear out, because every time you pull the trigger on the mig gun the points in those relays and contactors arc and eventually burn out. Machines like the MM251 being solid state do not have output contactors or relays to start the drive motor.

Have fun ... Mike