I got my Millermatic 251 about a week ago and now that I've had a chance to use it a little bit, I'm not all that impressed. Before, I had(Still have) a Lincoln 135 that I used with flux core wire. I really liked it, despite what a lot of people say about it. It was limited to 1/4" though where the 251 can weld 1/2" easily! I like how the 251 welds with 1/4" and thicker, but when it comes to .120" tubing, I think I'd rather use the Lincoln 135 with flux core wire...it makes NICE beads for me.

What settings are you guys using to weld 1/8" wall tubing with your Miller 251?

18-260 or 17-210

Mine will only weld with 035; 030 just isn't right - like a whole different welder.

18-260 or 17-210

Mine will only weld with 035; 030 just isn't right - like a whole different welder.


I have it loaded with .030 right now, so I guess I need to try some .035. I was playing around with the settings and I was in the area between 19-200 and 20-235. It is a little bit hot, but only undercutting slightly sometimes.

The thing I don't like is how big the bead is, especially at the start. I know that it is cold and not penetrating as much at the start of the bead and I tried less stick out at the start and going to a little more stickout once I got going, but it didn't really have much affect:confused:

As a side note, has anyone noticed that some of the recomended settings on the inside cover are WAAAAY off?

As a side note, has anyone noticed that some of the recomended settings on the inside cover are WAAAAY off?
I dont have the 251, but I got a lincoln 135, and my buddy has a miller 135. our settings are right on the money for everything, flux cored wise, but for mine when it shows the gas settings, it says weld highest power setting(D), with medium(5) wire feed for like 14ga, thats a joke.

I picked up a MM251 recently and absofreakinglutely love it. I have it loaded with a roll of .035 and I've been welding on .120-wall tubing (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=407738) with the machine set between 17-17.3 and 210-240. My welds still aren't the prettiest, but I don't have any complaints about the machine.

As a side note, has anyone noticed that some of the recomended settings on the inside cover are WAAAAY off?

I've had mine for 3 months using .035 wire and am very happy welding .120 tube up tp 1/2" thick using settings inside of panel, sometime only tweaking slighly depending on conditions.

I'm going to get some .035 wire and give it a shot. The welds I'm getting right now aren't bad, just not where I'd like them to be. It's kinda funny that I can make better beads with the Lincoln 135 and flux core wire!

Ive had my mm251 w/.035 for over a yr now and love it. Does everything I tell it from 18 gauge to 1/2 inch.:smokin:

Has anyone that's used a MM210 and MM251 actually noticed much of a difference in weld quality between the two?

Ive used both for a bout a year all day and prefer my 210 with 30 wire. Although I still want a 251 for the x-tra capacity and the ability to spray without killing the machine.

Ive used both for a bout a year all day and prefer my 210 with 30 wire. Although I still want a 251 for the x-tra capacity and the ability to spray without killing the machine.
I've talked to several people that have said the same thing, but do you think it's more a matter of your comfort level and familiarity with either machine or do you think the 210 actually produces better welds? I was just chalking it up to the difference between settings (dials vs. digital).

i have had my mm251 going on 3 years and absolutely love it..for .120 wall i am running .035 wire with a 18.5/232 setting.depending on what angle i am welding(upside down , vertical, etc) i may adjust the wire speed and heat to get the bead to lay down the way i want..i think one of your biggest problems is the fact that you are super used to your old machine..it has been my exp. that every machine is differnt and and so is the users preferences on technique so your settings may vary..just take some time and play with the heat and wire speed settings to find what works best with you. took me about a year(and a welding course) to get good on mine but my 251 was my first welder.

i have had my mm251 going on 3 years and absolutely love it..for .120 wall i am running .035 wire with a 18.5/232 setting.depending on what angle i am welding(upside down , vertical, etc) i may adjust the wire speed and heat to get the bead to lay down the way i want..i think one of your biggest problems is the fact that you are super used to your old machine..it has been my exp. that every machine is differnt and and so is the users preferences on technique so your settings may vary..just take some time and play with the heat and wire speed settings to find what works best with you. took me about a year(and a welding course) to get good on mine but my 251 was my first welder.

x2

I have an older 300cc/cv machine and it took a while to get used to when I switched from a 210.

I keep .035 in it always and weld everything...thin-thick material just play with the setting some more I'm sure you'll find the sweet spots.

new machine new settings...

i have had my mm251 going on 3 years and absolutely love it..for .120 wall i am running .035 wire with a 18.5/232 setting.depending on what angle i am welding(upside down , vertical, etc) i may adjust the wire speed and heat to get the bead to lay down the way i want..i think one of your biggest problems is the fact that you are super used to your old machine..it has been my exp. that every machine is differnt and and so is the users preferences on technique so your settings may vary..just take some time and play with the heat and wire speed settings to find what works best with you. took me about a year(and a welding course) to get good on mine but my 251 was my first welder.


X3

I can go between the Millermatic 130, 172, and our 250x's and notice differences between all of the machines. When getting used to a new machine, take some time and crank out a few beads on some scrap.

I've spent a few hours welding mostly tubing with it, like a lot of you guys suggested...I'm going to go to .035 and see what happens. FL-krawler is probably right, I've done A LOT of welding with my old Lincoln 135 and I just need to put in the time on the new 251 to perfect it. Thanks for the help!

I've talked to several people that have said the same thing, but do you think it's more a matter of your comfort level and familiarity with either machine or do you think the 210 actually produces better welds? I was just chalking it up to the difference between settings (dials vs. digital).

I was comfortable with both and actually used the 251 alot more. For me the 210's arc feels crisper tighter and a little easier to manipulate than the 251's but none the less I love both machines and wouldnt trade either.

So, you have one of each? Why not two of the one you like better?

I have had a 251 for over 3 yrs and I love it. I usually set my amperage to the next size up material according to the chart inside the welder. I usually run it thru a 30' 8 ga extension cord. I also run .045 tips on .035 wire. It helps to keep the wire from sticking, and still gives plenty of contact area.

I have had a 251 for over 3 yrs and I love it. I usually set my amperage to the next size up material according to the chart inside the welder. I usually run it thru a 30' 8 ga extension cord. I also run .045 tips on .035 wire. It helps to keep the wire from sticking, and still gives plenty of contact area.
I've found that if I turn the settings up too high, my welds just turn into big puddles and the welder puts down too much material too quickly. I haven't had any problems with the .035 wire sticking. Are you running a longer gun?

So, you have one of each? Why not two of the one you like better?

210 is at my house 251 was at work.

I have had a 251 for over 3 yrs and I love it. I usually set my amperage to the next size up material according to the chart inside the welder. I usually run it thru a 30' 8 ga extension cord. I also run .045 tips on .035 wire. It helps to keep the wire from sticking, and still gives plenty of contact area.

if I do that my welds get real splattery...