Is this welding machine worth it?

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

I'm still fairly new here and would like your opinion on this welding machine. I work for a company that is no longer in need of this shop welding machine and I really want to learn how to weld. I want to shave most of my truck and even work on some frame and bumper mods. Please bare with me since I don't know much about welding, but very eager to learn and learn very quickly.

Anyhow, on to what I think may be a good score. Do you all think this used Miller 250 is worth $300? He's gonna throw in the tank and regulator, as well. I'm told it's in good working condition and only has about 50+ total hours on it. It just sits in this open area and has gotten caked up with dirt over time, but it doesn't matter what it looks like anyway...just as long as it works and I can use it for what I need to do. One of the shop guys is going to run it for me and show it to me working, to make sure. So, what do you all think?

[Stitch]

it's a Miller...if it works and burns metal I'd buy it for $300

[Moostifer]

I'd be all over that like a duck on a june bug!

pretty sure that's a 220v model, so make sure you have the right setup to use it (correct breaker)

[Techy]

Former(possible still) rental welder, i would assume the 50 hours is

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Originally Posted by Techy

Former(possible still) rental welder, i would assume the 50 hours is

No, this was a machine they purchased for rental, but changed the status in our systems to "Internal Use". Fortunately, I work in IT and looked in the our rental system to verify the usage and status. Good catch, though.

[faribran]

like said above.... " like a duck on a Junebug"

[tkeduk8r]

buy it!!!!! and have a professional weld shop go through it.... that is a GREAT welder.... a new one (Miller 252) retails at a shade over 2K.... That can weld anything from 1" plate (with .045 flux core) to 22ga sheet stock with .023 and ArCO2 shielding gas... I have welded professionally and now teach welding at the high school level. Prolly the most versatile welder I have used... Now the negative is that Miller MIG is not the most user friendly/easy to learn how to use machine out there... My advice... buy it, and take a class at a vo-tech school or community ed offering and youll set your self up fo rwhat ever you want to do at home and make some $$$ on the side... hope that helps...
--Mike

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Originally Posted by tkeduk8r

buy it!!!!! and have a professional weld shop go through it.... that is a GREAT welder.... a new one (Miller 252) retails at a shade over 2K.... That can weld anything from 1" plate (with .045 flux core) to 22ga sheet stock with .023 and ArCO2 shielding gas... I have welded professionally and now teach welding at the high school level. Prolly the most versatile welder I have used... Now the negative is that Miller MIG is not the most user friendly/easy to learn how to use machine out there... My advice... buy it, and take a class at a vo-tech school or community ed offering and youll set your self up fo rwhat ever you want to do at home and make some $$$ on the side... hope that helps...
--Mike

SWEEEEEEEEEEET!!! Thanks for the info! Looks like I'll save some money for that class then! I'll post some pics after I pick it up Friday. Thanks, guys!

[Gemp]

You can't go wrong for $300....

[jdurant]

Seriously great score! That's a good verstatile machine that is easy to find parts for. In fact, if you need any welding stuff or need somebody to work on it, or whatever--The best welding supply store (IMO)in the Houston area is right off of Wilson Rd. on Rotary Dr. Ask for Brett or Justin.

[powerdriver 1958]

Neighbor has one just like that, Great machine.I have used it a bunch, Just my opinion but probably the best for a beginner

[irishman999]

Thats a terrible deal, those guys are ripping you off. Can i have their number?

[mongoose]

it's actually worth way more than that.. especially if he's throwing in the tank and reg.

[LEEVON]

is it in your garage yet? that's a steal. try finding a full size tank, filled with regulator for that price and the welder becomes free...

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Originally Posted by jdurant

Seriously great score! That's a good verstatile machine that is easy to find parts for. In fact, if you need any welding stuff or need somebody to work on it, or whatever--The best welding supply store (IMO)in the Houston area is right off of Wilson Rd. on Rotary Dr. Ask for Brett or Justin.

Excellent! Thanks for the information. I've always gone to Northside Welding Supply on 59N for my nitrogen refills on my bagged S10 I use to have. These guys sound like they're closer, so I'll have to hit them up.

Originally Posted by LEEVON

is it in your garage yet? that's a steal. try finding a full size tank, filled with regulator for that price and the welder becomes free...

Not just yet, but I should be picking it up on Friday. I'm gonna go into the shop during lunch and the guys out back are gonna run me some beads to show me it's working properly. I may even pay them to teach me to weld during lunch times, since I know jack about welding right now.

Thanks for all the info. I'll post up some pics once I've got it actually IN my garage. I appreciate it, guys!

[ERASER5]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

is it in your garage yet? that's a steal. try finding a full size tank, filled with regulator for that price and the welder becomes free...

FOR SURE! It would take $300 just for the lease, and then more for the bottle! That unit new is near 2 grand. Get it NOW!

[red69ss]

looks like a great deal as already stated the bottle would be almost that much or more, one question that came to my mind was is the power where you work three phase or single phase ? I "think" you can get one converted from 3 to single phase if it is 3 phase, most industry is likely to be 3 phase ,make sure you find out this info since your home shop is single phase....... (disclaimer: I'm no electrician)

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Alright, guys! The Miller 250 is FINALLY in my garage! WOOOOHOOOO!!! Here are some pics of her after I wiped her down. They ran a couple of beads for me yesterday before I loaded it up, too. All I need now is some lessons and LOTS of practice! Good thing I have a really good grinder and plenty of discs!

[thesledhead]

Originally Posted by Techy

Former(possible still) rental welder, i would assume the 50 hours is

doubt it was rented. Bet it was used in the shop, RSC doesn't rent mig welders just arc.

thats a smokin deal for 300 hell a bottle is 280 around here

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Originally Posted by thesledhead

doubt it was rented. Bet it was used in the shop, RSC doesn't rent mig welders just arc.

I've worked for Atlas Copco, the company that previously owned RSC, for over 13 years now so you are correct in that statement. I was told by the location manager that it was used in the shop to fix rental equipment that needed any welding. I just noticed that there is a name, "Larry", etched into one of the front plastic pieces, so SHE is now a HE and I shall call him "Larry".