Millermatic 211

Welder

I wanted a wire feed welder to use on the MGA restoration.  All I had was a Harbor Freight flux core wire feed welder but it is not very useful for delicate work.  It also makes a lot of splatter.  So, I purchased a Millermatic 211 welder.

I got it from weldersupply.com.  Ed and Dave were both very helpful and got the welder to me in three days.  Thanks Ed and Dave.

Since Miller had a rebate program, I also ordered the spool gun for aluminum.  However, I have no immediate plans to use it.  Maybe some day I will attempt to learn to use it too.

This is the welder and all the supplies I got from Welder Supply.

I bought a bottle filled with mixed 75% Argon/25% CO2 also known as C25 gas from Sidney Lee welding in Macon.  Don knew just what I needed for welding steel and had me on my way quickly.

I had already ordered a welding cart from Harbor Freight and it was on the way at the same time.  I modified it to hold the bottle more securely.

I used some pieces of 1-1/2" plywood I had left over from a shooting bench project.  It is just some 3/4" plywood glued to make it 1-1/2" thick.  I put some wood strips each side of the bottle and made a floor with a 7-1/8" diameter hole to keep the base of the bottle from moving.  

Now the bottle is much more secure.

My first attempt to lay a bead was a failure.  I was splattering the metal everywhere.  So, I took the time to watch some YouTube videos before trying again.  I was much more sucessful after seeing what to expect as I welded.

I learned the metal must be much cleaner than I had gotten it.  The rust and dirt was causing most of the problem.  I am used to stick welding burning the crud out of the way.

Then I cut some pieces of 18 gauge sheet metal and started welding it back together by small spot welds.  It took several tries, but I got better at it by practicing.

I will need a lot more practice before I will feel comfortable welding on the car anywhere it can be seen  However, the welds above are sound structurally and penetrated well.