Cheap miller welders

[quitereal]

I want to give a tip for anyone looking to buy a welder, specifically millers. We're in a special position in canada in that there was a period of time where miller would rebadge their welders for canadian distributors. The most common one you'll see are orange acklands - see an orange acklands welder? Thats a miller. Red canox? Thats a miller. Red airco? Thats a miller.
They change the name but the serials are always within the miller s/n sequences.

Alot of the time those guys that have orange acklands know damn well its a miller and even list it as such along with a miller pricetag, but sometimes they don't know, think its an off brand and list it for super cheap.

I got this gem, an xmt304 for $300 because it was red:

So if you want a deal on a miller, keep an eye out for orange!

 

[Megar arc 5040dd]

Yup got a giant orange Acklands n-250 ac/dc/p/hf. It's just an orange Miller Dialarc. Picked it up in 2012 for $400 and it still welds great. I was tickled to get a 300 amp ac/dc tig machine for that cheap. I absolutely love it. Only down side was it was a pain moving a 400lb welder when I got it.

 

[Tom O]

Then building the cart.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

I've read conflicting posts about certain models having lower cost internals and parts etc, but others exclaiming they are part for part the exact same across the board, just different colours/names. If I had to guess I'd say it's not a blanket rule and model dependent, but yeah, you do see them listed much cheaper than a miller would be some of the time.

I'm pretty set for welders right now, but am keeping my eye out for an engine drive/generator for cheap. It's the only thing I can see me buying as I won't be able to take advantage of the benefits of any other welder with my limited 40amp circuit right now.

 

[CWret]

I have a Miller 220ac/dc that I bought new from Air Liquide 5+ years ago. I love it. Works perfectly & it is just as advertised.

Regrets - none.
Expensive- yes
Would I do it again - absolutely.

I have heard - but not substantiated- that the Lincoln welder that Canadian Tire (or other box stores) sells is not the same Lincoln that you’d get from Praxair or Air Liquide. Even though the specs may be similar the product may not be. I have no proof of this. Just gossip.

Also - I get all my welding supplies and gases from Air Liquide. If i have a question- they likely can answer it. If I need something unusual- they likely have it in stock. It’s nice to have an established relationship - which is not likely to happen at Canadian Tire.

 

[Jswain]

I have a Miller 220ac/dc that I bought new from Air Liquide 5+ years ago. I love it. Works perfectly & it is just as advertised.

Regrets - none.
Expensive- yes
Would I do it again - absolutely.

I have heard - but not substantiated- that the Lincoln welder that Canadian Tire (or other box stores) sells is not the same Lincoln that you’d get from Praxair or Air Liquide. Even though the specs may be similar the product may not be. I have no proof of this. Just gossip.

Also - I get all my welding supplies and gases from Air Liquide. If i have a question- they likely can answer it. If I need something unusual- they likely have it in stock. It’s nice to have an established relationship - which is not likely to happen at Canadian Tire.

The welding supply Lincoln's are definitely nicer. Better wire feed system. Infinite dials on both wire speed & amperage.

That being said, the box store units weld great too, I would hold out for one with a,b,c,d,e taps at least though.

 

[Stuart Samuel]

Yep! We have an orange Dialarc 250HF at work, bought new by a coworker in the early 80's. Works fine!

 

[millwrightgoose]

Then building the cart.

View attachment 52627

I have the same machine in a Canox sitting in my barn, not enough juice to run it in my current shop. If my memory serves it requires 131 amps of 230v single phase so just the dynasty 200 in the shop for now

 

[Tom O]

I’m just using regular Calgary’s power 220 volts and I haven’t had any issues with it.

 

[Martin w]

I have the Miller Thunderbolt and the Aklands Ziipper and they are literally identical.

 

[Megar arc 5040dd]

I have the same machine in a Canox sitting in my barn, not enough juice to run it in my current shop. If my memory serves it requires 131 amps of 230v single phase so just the dynasty 200 in the shop for now

My machine according to the book required something like 90 or 100 amps. I have been running it on a 50 amp circuit and never had a problem. I am not running it at full power continuously. I don't think I have ever cranked it to 300amps. I don't have a tig torch that could support that without melting and I don't do carbon arc gouging.

 

[millwrightgoose]

My machine according to the book required something like 90 or 100 amps. I have been running it on a 50 amp circuit and never had a problem. I am not running it at full power continuously. I don't think I have ever cranked it to 300amps. I don't have a tig torch that could support that without melting and I don't do carbon arc gouging.

I run another machine for carbon gouging, I had this machine running in my shop for a bit. On a 50a circuit it would only run for about 3 mins at 275 amps welding ac on aluminum. I would love to be using it as it welds very nice and the extra amps would go a long way in aluminum. But for now I’m limited to 100 amps in the shop so it resides in the barn.

 

[Tom O]

For gouging I have the Hypertherm plasma cutter if I will ever need it.

 

[CWret]

I have not done gouging with an air arc - but I’ve observed it being used and seen the results. IMO plasma gouging is technologically a big step ahead. But if you have a welder, then air arcing is a great option and does not require the purchase of another machine. Using my Hypertherm plasma cutter is a joy. When gouging it is: easy to use; easy to learn; accurate; easy to control; and is not as noisy or violent as an air arc. My 2 cents worth.

 

[Megar arc 5040dd]

I have not done gouging with an air arc - but I’ve observed it being used and seen the results. IMO plasma gouging is technologically a big step ahead. But if you have a welder, then air arcing is a great option and does not require the purchase of another machine. Using my Hypertherm plasma cutter is a joy. When gouging it is: easy to use; easy to learn; accurate; easy to control; and is not as noisy or violent as an air arc. My 2 cents worth.

I have worked with a guy who would always get mad when I used are arc for gouging because of the noise. We had a nice hypertherm plasma a and I gouged with it a few times but I much preferred using carbon arc gouging. I just felt it gave more precise control as well as more option to fit the job. I could use small round rods or large or any size in between or my personal favourite flat rods. also had the ability to aim the air without having to change your torch position when you found a comfortable position. Been many years since I did heavy welding, I do miss burning 1/4" 7018. Honestly I could down size my big acklands welder since it will do up to 300 amps and I never use more than 150 at most.

 

[CWret]

but I much preferred using carbon arc gouging. I just felt it gave more precise control

As I said - I have no hands on experience with using an air arc. I based my opinion on watching one welder that i observed on a couple of different jobs. Maybe he was a bit crude or agressive - but it sure was not pretty. Nor were the holes he cut by air arc gouging.