Garage Welder Question

[OVERKILL 19]

I went with a 350P with a 30A spool. Only reason I went with the 350P is the pulse function for aluminuim. The bonus funtion is the timer I use it alot...but not nessary at all. I use it cause I can. The 211 or 252 are great welders Period. You just need to sort ort your needs vs $$. I intended on buying a 252 but dude talked me into the 350P due to I can have both guns hooked up at the same time, so I can weld 3/4" steel plate to a frame..set it down, go over pick up my 30A spool gun and weld a polaris tunnel back together..lol It was the simplisity of the system once set up is what sold me. Just buy blue you wont regreat it. Origanally I had a Aluma Pro gun but switched back to a Spool gun. For the little I weld aluminuim the big rolls dont work for me. IMO it would take me 2 years to go through a big spool, so IMO you get into oxadation issiues with such a old spool. thats why i like the little spool, easy cheap and can buy different flavours to try without the big cost of a giant spool U might only use once.

 

[the_real_wild1]

I have never used the timer. Are you using it just to keep the puddle nice and uniform? Kind of like tack then tack then tack together? I am not sure if that makes sense?? I think I know what you are doing, but just do it by trigger instead of timer. We have a 350 at work I could buy for the right price but the owner is having trouble with the right price.

 

[OVERKILL 19]

I use the timer for tacking in upside down awkward places. Also for a plate butt weld when u need say 10 stitch welds. I set the timer to say 15 seconds then all 10 are very close to the same length. Like I said U don’t need it, lots of welders take offence to the very thought of it...lol but it’s a gadget I like to play around with.

 

[the_real_wild1]

Might have to play with it some if I get a welder with the option. Or the ones at work.

 

[OVERKILL 19]

Might have to play with it some if I get a welder with the option. Or the ones at work.

thats what i like about miller...it makes a poor welder look good! cause thats me a poor welder!

 

[Stompin Tom]

I went with a 350P with a 30A spool. Only reason I went with the 350P is the pulse function for aluminuim. The bonus funtion is the timer I use it alot...but not nessary at all. I use it cause I can. The 211 or 252 are great welders Period. You just need to sort ort your needs vs $$. I intended on buying a 252 but dude talked me into the 350P due to I can have both guns hooked up at the same time, so I can weld 3/4" steel plate to a frame..set it down, go over pick up my 30A spool gun and weld a polaris tunnel back together..lol It was the simplisity of the system once set up is what sold me. Just buy blue you wont regreat it. Origanally I had a Aluma Pro gun but switched back to a Spool gun. For the little I weld aluminuim the big rolls dont work for me. IMO it would take me 2 years to go through a big spool, so IMO you get into oxadation issiues with such a old spool. thats why i like the little spool, easy cheap and can buy different flavours to try without the big cost of a giant spool U might only use once.

a year or so back I was demo'ing the 350P with the spool gun, had it set on pulse and was able to weld on the rim of a beer can. That was impressive.

 

[OVERKILL 19]

a year or so back I was demo'ing the 350P with the spool gun, had it set on pulse and was able to weld on the rim of a beer can. That was impressive.

You sir are impressive! I will have to give that a whirl! ....I think there might be some MT cans in the shop LOL

 

[OVERKILL 19]

I truly belevie Miller should put me on thier pay role! Ive talked so many people into buying blue its sick! But its a easy sell. What sold me is we still have our origanal miller mig my dad bought 40 some years ago...it still works good and would probably work great but we cant find a gun to work on it now they have changed to much. I plan on giving my Son this welder 350P. And all my tools....at least thats what I tell my wife when I buy something cool off the snap on truck...."its all for the kid Dear" and for some un known reason she just shruggs her shoulders, call me a idiot and never brings it up again........if my son only knew how many times Ive been called a idiot for him! LOL

 

[the_real_wild1]

Wellll I am bringing my new used welder and plasma home tonight. Got a 2050 spectrum plasma and a 350p mig. Should do the job. Now just need to get my 220 hooked up. Gotta convert 3 phase back to single phase with both machines too.

 

[Stompin Tom]

Wellll I am bringing my new used welder and plasma home tonight. Got a 2050 spectrum plasma and a 350p mig. Should do the job. Now just need to get my 220 hooked up. Gotta convert 3 phase back to single phase with both machines too.

No need to convert the 3 phase back to single phase for those machines, all you have to do is use a 3 phase plug and only hook up the ground as well as two of the positive wires, just leave the 3rd positive terminal in the plug unused.

 

[Stompin Tom]

You sir are impressive! I will have to give that a whirl! ....I think there might be some MT cans in the shop LOL

it had nothing to do with my skills, it was all the machine, believe me!

 

[Stompin Tom]

Wellll I am bringing my new used welder and plasma home tonight. Got a 2050 spectrum plasma and a 350p mig. Should do the job. Now just need to get my 220 hooked up. Gotta convert 3 phase back to single phase with both machines too.

When I bought my package I bought a Hypertherm 1000 plasma cutter, I really like it, but the key to it is making sure its always hooked up and ready to go, otherwise your always tempted to just pull out the torches for smaller job. Also a very good air dryer system is a must.

 

[the_real_wild1]

No need to convert the 3 phase back to single phase for those machines, all you have to do is use a 3 phase plug and only hook up the ground as well as two of the positive wires, just leave the 3rd positive terminal in the plug unused.

Well this is what I was thinking. Use the current 3 phase plugs and install one below my panel. Does it matter which of the two I use? From what I know it doesn't. I know a fair bit of 110v stuff but just learning 220v. I have to double check my garage panel to make sure I have everything set up there, but looks like I just need a 60 amp breaker that will snap in. Need enough wire to go from the breaker to the plug which will be mounted right under the panel. Need a box and a plug. Plus depending on what wire I use I will have to either use conduit or compression fittings with that sealed wire stuff. I have some stuff left over that is a water proof layer over flexible conduit. I think I can use it but have to double check. I think it was 10 or 8 gauge wire?

 

[the_real_wild1]

Well my easy plug plan just went out the window. My main panel only has a 40 amp breaker supplying the garage panel. The wiring looks a little small too. Maybe 10 gauge?? I might have to put in my big breaker in the main panel and just run it out to the garage instead right to the plug.

 

[OVERKILL 19]

Well this is what I was thinking. Use the current 3 phase plugs and install one below my panel. Does it matter which of the two I use? From what I know it doesn't. I know a fair bit of 110v stuff but just learning 220v. I have to double check my garage panel to make sure I have everything set up there, but looks like I just need a 60 amp breaker that will snap in. Need enough wire to go from the breaker to the plug which will be mounted right under the panel. Need a box and a plug. Plus depending on what wire I use I will have to either use conduit or compression fittings with that sealed wire stuff. I have some stuff left over that is a water proof layer over flexible conduit. I think I can use it but have to double check. I think it was 10 or 8 gauge wire?

The panel on the side has a bracket u switch over from 3-1phase. Read your manual.

 

[the_real_wild1]

Didn't get a manual. The welder is used. I downloaded one but I didn't see anything about a bracket. I thought it said it sensed it automatically. I will look again.

 

[OVERKILL 19]

Didn't get a manual. The welder is used. I downloaded one but I didn't see anything about a bracket. I thought it said it sensed it automatically. I will look again.

On the non wire spool side mine has a panel u take off. And in there u remove 3or 4 screws and flip a bracket/or tab to switch from 3 to 1 phase. Not sure how to describe the tab I guess u could call it a panel or cover. But any way u move it from it original spot to a flipped position. Once I get the kid to bed ill take some pictures

 

[the_real_wild1]

Well doesn't matter anymore. Loaded up my trailer to come get the welder. It is the higher input version. The 400-500 volt one. So unless I can wire in a 400 volt plug in my garage it is a dead deal

 

[OVERKILL 19]

It's been a year or so... My memory is probably off but I know for sure mine had a tab u had to flip over or move to line up the single phase

 

[OVERKILL 19]

Well doesn't matter anymore. Loaded up my trailer to come get the welder. It is the higher input version. The 400-500 volt one. So unless I can wire in a 400 volt plug in my garage it is a dead deal

I didn't think there was a 3phase only 350p??? Are ya sure millers manual can be a little confusing. You have to go deeper into the manual to find the single phase instructions. The higher input stuff is in the front as that's how they come from the favtory. And most end up 3 phase.