Comments on used MIG Welder

[bakerhillpins]

All,

I've got a friend who is clearing out some stuff from his father-in-laws estate and one of the items is a Millermatic 130xp with helmets, cart, gloves, gas cylinder $350. It's clean and low hours. Looking at folks opinions on the cost/value position and any questions I should be asking. I've already asked him to get the date off the gas cylinder to determine if it's expired or soon to be.

Any comments appreciated.
Thanks

[69rtse4spd]

I have both a Miller mig & tig, can't go wrong with Miller. As long as it's not to old you should still be able to get parts. In Ind. you need papers when you buy tanks, unless he rented them then they should still be on file with the company or he should have a rental agreement. Go on the web site to get the year & specks, & see if it will work for you, but at that price could resale at profit. I use my mig way more than the tig. Call a dealer & ask them about it if you can if not we have a dealer close to me, I cam get there number or you can send me the model & serial number & I will contact them for you.   

[bakerhillpins]

I have both a Miller mig & tig, can't go wrong with Miller. As long as it's not to old you should still be able to get parts. In Ind. you need papers when you buy tanks, unless he rented them then they should still be on file with the company or he should have a rental agreement. Go on the web site to get the year & specks, & see if it will work for you, but at that price could resale at profit. I use my mig way more than the tig. Call a dealer & ask them about it if you can if not we have a dealer close to me, I cam get there number or you can send me the model & serial number & I will contact them for you.  

What qualifies as "too old"? Assuming I need serial # for year from website.

I think it's good for up to 1/8" which should suffice for all automotive sheet metal and Chrysler uni body stuff.

A friend just filled and simply exchanged his old for new at the gas supplier with no paperwork.. Just like exchanging an old propane tank.

Some pics:

[keepat]

Nice welder for the price, buy it!
Pat

[bakerhillpins]

So apparently the unit is new in 2001 and the bottle has never been used. They either welded without shield gas or a different bottle.  We are going to look it up and see about parts.

[Troy]

I can't believe you're still debating... that would have been gone on Craigslist in an hour here.

Other than the auto start feature (and the bump to the 140 name), I don't believe the design has changed much in forever. Even if it has, the odds of you needing any new parts this century are pretty slim. And get a real tank!

Troy

[Musicman]

So apparently the unit is new in 2001 and the bottle has never been used. They either welded without shield gas or a different bottle.  We are going to look it up and see about parts.

The wire currently loaded on the machine in the pic's is a Flux Core (Self Shielding) wire. Great for structural applications with square tube, angle iron, flat bar etc, especially old dirty stuff. Not much good for thin body panel work though.

[bakerhillpins]

I can't believe you're still debating... that would have been gone on Craigslist in an hour here.

Other than the auto start feature (and the bump to the 140 name), I don't believe the design has changed much in forever. Even if it has, the odds of you needing any new parts this century are pretty slim. And get a real tank!

Troy

LOL... I bought it Tuesday afternoon. He's bringing it into the office on Monday. 

A real tank?  I can't imagine that the cert on the tank is still valid after 16 yrs so I either have to retest it or get new. Are you suggesting getting a larger size?

[69rtse4spd]

Yes, depending on how much you use it, the large one or the medium one, I have the latter. Just about the right size for me to man handle.     

[6pkrtse]

I have a Miller 135 that I bought used I have had it for over 25 years & have done nothing to it but add wire & change out the bottle when empty. It has to be a least 35 years old now & gets used a lot in my garage even for home use. I also have a used Miller 250 that I got for free & put about $280.00 into it to get it back working again & has been flawless since. It is about 20 years old & used to get used 10-12+ a day. They are both still going strong. No complaints about Miller from me.