welder/welding machine question

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volaredon

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I have a Millermatic 185 that I bought new around 1997-98ish. been a great machine. I bought that one at the time because I was dead set on a 220v unit as Id burnt out 2 lesser 110 machines already. I bought the one I did specifically over the bigger millermatic 250 for 1 reason; it openly advertised that it was already prewired for, and would take a spoolgun attachment if I ever wanted to get one. the 250 didnt say either way. Ive never Tigg'd (attempted it once or twice) but do run into need to fix aluminum occasionally.
I wasnt happy that Miller had a promo a few years after I bought mine where they were throwing in a free spoolgun if you bought the same machine I have. Ive looked on ebay and at swap meets, etc and most I see are crazy priced even used. Up until recently I had an outlet for aluminum repair, but that buddy has since retired (welding teacher at local career center) so up until that happened I had aluminum repair covered. No more buddy not only retired but moved. not terribly far, but downsized, no room at home now for welding gear or working space.
There is a rural king not far from here thats closing, and has had everything 30-80% off reg prices. Ive been to that store 3x since the sale started. last weekend welding stuff was 40% off, yesterday it was 1/2 off. I got an extra spool of o.o24" wire (I usually run 0,035" in my machine but I have some auto body sheet metal work coming so for 1/2 off I know itll get used.)
Also they had 3-4 Hobart "spoolmate 100" left, reg $269 I got for $135. I know Hobart is owned by same company that owns Miller welding. respective machines are the same except labeling.
The packaging showed both Miller and hobart compatibility only they dont make my exact machine anymore. I think mine is what they now call the "210".
Can anyone here confirm or deny that that spoolgun will work for my '97 Millermatic 185?
 
I have the 250 unit and I bought a spool gun for it but never tried it yet. Miller are great machines and last forever.
 
if the plug for the spool gun is the same as the welder it will work there are a few diff plugs .my millermatic 250 is a 97 also and i run a spoolgun and it is a 10 pin plug i think .
 
azaustin said:
I bought the 211 on sale a few years ago and love it. The spool gun came in the package, but I’ve never used it.
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I think that's the current version of my machine
If this one doesn't work for me that I bought would you be interested in selling your spool gun??? I won't be able to know until at least Xmas morning as I had to put it in the cart since my wife has no clue about such "garage stuff".
 
i hear good things from guys running the china spool guns i never used one but 300 bucks to the millar 2500 bucks .
 
I own a welding shop (29years)and I am still using my miller 250 on 220vac
I have the miller spool gun. You need to run the wire feed really fast compared to steel. It’s about wire speed with aluminum not so much heat. Unless you’re trying to weld like 1/2” or thicker.
As for Chinese units- amature hour.
Miller is also kinda weak as if you drop it the wrong way which happens- the spool holder is not the most robust. It is plastic.

All my other spool guns are made by a company called Profax. One was run over by a 25ton excavator and with bolt on parts lived another 5years.

As for the Hobart - sorry I screamed thru the post - really long for my old and tired eyes. You can make almost any spool gun work with any welder if you know the Wiring diagram and operating voltages and pin layout. Miller uses a 14pin airplane style plug.
I dont know the Hobart plug but you can get adapter harnesses and be done with it. I run miller because I need to count on my stuff. Hobart is nice but not the same caliper for a professional weld shop in my humble opinion.

There are a few connections-
Power off the transformer, your imbical cord. And your gas which does not typically get controlled by the welder (mig) but is controlled by the trigger on the gun. Also you need either a Argon or a helium argon mix for gas coverage for aluminum- if you don’t know that already.

PM me directly if you need assistance- I will help where i can.
Syleng1
 
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This isn't something I've wanted for full time usage, more of a "get me out of a bind" quick fix, small fix sort of thing. I was wondering when I was actively looking for a spool gun closer to back when I got this mig, why they were so expensive.
 
I have owned a Millermatic 251 with the optional spool gun for 20 years. Does your 185 have the multipin connector on it for the gun? There is a dial on the spool gun for the settings, and it must communicate with the machine. I know my questions do not answer your question - but might lead you to an answer.
 
There is a multi pin receptacle on the front of the machine that was told to me when I bought it (brand new!) is for a spool gun. That's all I currently know
That and when we were in that store that's closing I bought a spoolmate 100 because they had it on a hell of a sale/ and told my wife to "give" it to me for Christmas.
 
I have a Miller Auto Arc from the 90's (will have to check what model) I was told years ago they sold a kit for it but was discontinued. I'm following to see if I have any options.
This pic isn't mine but looks just like it.
:popcorn:

Miller-auto-arc-mig-welder-1.jpg
 
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volaredon said:
There is a multi pin receptacle on the front of the machine that was told to me when I bought it (brand new!) is for a spool gun. That's all I currently know
That and when we were in that store that's closing I bought a spoolmate 100 because they had it on a hell of a sale/ and told my wife to "give" it to me for Christmas.
Click to expand...
Maybe look inside the machine and see if those pins are wired internally to the controls. If so, it might be ready to rock.
I use the spool gun for welding thicker aluminum that doesnt need to be beautiful. Comes in handy.
 
The first job I have in mind is some thinner stuff, probably 1/16 or so
Where mig wire is sold in many thicknesses I only saw 0.030 in the small aluminum spools. Hopefully that's what this unit takes.
 
volaredon said:
The first job I have in mind is some thinner stuff, probably 1/16 or so
Where mig wire is sold in many thicknesses I only saw 0.030 in the small aluminum spools. Hopefully that's what this unit takes.
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Just plan on spending some time on practice material. You want to push the aluminum spool gun (not pull), and you will move much faster than when running steel. At that thin, you will likely be on and off the trigger. Make sure your joints are tight!
 
volaredon said:
This one does.... I don't know what you're considering "older". There is definitely a plug there for one and I remember there being a sticker over it bragging about the fact that it's there when I bought it brand new from what is now air has.
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By older I meant, the Manual I selected from millers website was the first generation of that series since I didn’t have your serial number. I selected the first one on the list. Did you enter your serial number and download your manual? If there is “definitely a plug there for one” then why are you asking if your machine can run a spool gun?
 
Because I want to know basically if this particular one is plug and play I know my machine is supposed to be capable of running "a" spool gun but I don't know if it will work with "this" one.
 
Watch millers set up video. Does your machine have the switch? It will be inside the unit above the drive motor.
9E331803-533D-4A06-94CE-7D5DD62EC430.png


 
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