miller 130 or 180

Date 10-26-2012 16:05

my dad is thinking about getting a small wirefeed and he is looking at two machines (both used) both are Millers, one is a 130 and the other is a 180. he is wanting something for tacking small peices of thin metal mostly art projects (making leaves and the like)
i havent used these types of machines much at all. both machine is there anything that he should know or any advantag of one machine over the other

By jwright650 (*****)

Date 10-26-2012 16:34

The 180 may be a bit more versatile in that it has a little more guts(power) than the 130. You can still turn the 180 back to tack small stuff together. I have a 135 Hobart(same machine, different paint than the Miller 130) and I use it for all sorts of projects, it just needs a little more umph at times. For what it is, it does a good job though. The 130 isn't quite as heavy, so it may be a bit more portable if you have to lug it around by the handle.

By grizzzly (**)

Date 10-26-2012 17:08

thanks for the reply
thats kinda what i was thinking

By DaveBoyer (*****)

Date 10-27-2012 03:10

In general, the 115 volt machines are operating on the low end of the scale, due to limited input power. This makes these machines extremely sensitive to incoming line voltage drop.

Long runs from the breaker/fuse box to a shop or garage, or the use of extension cords can make these machins perform really poorly. If You end up with a 115 volt machine [the 130] a #12 or better, a #10 wire run to where the machine will plug in helps a lot.

Having said all that, You would probably be better off with the 180, as it is a 230 volt machine.

By Sberry

Date 10-31-2012 01:11

For little bit more you get twice the machine with a 180, it will output double the watts.

By jwright650 (*****)

Date 11-06-2012 20:15

I'm not sure of the budget, but Miller also has a dual voltage(115/230), small multi-process CV/CC machine that just came out called the Miller Multimatic 200.
Pretty slick little machine, that does SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, and GTAW...all in one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWMzzvaPrkk