Looking at a Miller 175 Mig

[BGKYK5]

I've had my eye out for a MIG welder for a while and just came across what looks like a good used one.

It is a Miller 175 and it is supposed to be almost brand new. Comes with a cart and two bottles, helmet (no other details), gloves, pliers, extra wire and tips.

What do I need to check out to make sure it is in good shape? He wants $475, sounds like a decent deal, no?

Will this work with a spool gun if I want to weld aluminum some day?

Will I kick myself for not getting a 210? I have been going back and forth between wanting a Hobart 210 or Miller 175 (about the same price). Do I want the extra current, or do I want more flexibilty with wire speed and heat? I can't really see needing to do more than 1/4" thick in a single pass.

 

[mudboggink5]

Ive had the miller 175 for about 4 years now, and ive got no complaints.
Ive used to weld cracks in the blazer frame, and also some nice size cracks in backhoe buckets. welds still currently holding. Its a great all around welder. i think the aluminum spool gun should work with that setup, not sure.

 

[rdn2blazer]

NO the Aluminum spool gun WILL NOT work with a 175. I talked with a Miller rep direct from Miller and was told it would not work. Hence the reason I sold my only 4 yr old 175 and bought the 180. $475 is a good price for a 175. I sold mine for $500. As far as the 210 goes I wanted that welder too but the cost almost doubles for the 210. Just not in my budget. My 189 kicks ass and although I don't have the AL spool gun yet its on my list. Its only like 200 bucks.
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[mordachai]

The miller 175 is a great little machine. We have a 175 and a few millermatic 250's and variants at the shop. the 175 is nice when you need to bring the welder to a sculpture instead of the other way around. Although we mostly use it for our overlay work and not heavy stuff.

sounds like a good deal for the price though. Might want to make sure the bottles are owned rather than leased. ask him for the ownership papers for them. alot of places around here won't touch a tank if you don't have the ownership papers...

 

[BGKYK5]

I was too late. The Craigslist posting went up at 11AM, I called about 5:30 after work and he said it was available. By the time I got home, grabbed a bite to eat, and called him back to get directions (about 6:30), somebody else got it.

I'll keep looking. I can't really justify buying new, but these are the prices I am seeing.

Millermatic 180: $805
Hobart Handler 187: $599
Hobart Handler 210: $799

The Hobart 210 is basically the same price as the Miller 180.

 

[rdn2blazer]

I bought my 180 thru cyberweld.com