Miller Passport

[ElDiaOctavo]

I've been offered an essentially new Miller Passport - it's had maybe 10 minutes of run time on it. No regulator, no tank. $990

He says it is an "inverter" machine...and he loves it but is buying a $4k TIG machine and needs the money.

Does this deal make sense? Are these inverter machines good? I'm trying to add a photo...not sure how to do that so if no photo appears, I failed!

[KGIOR]

ElDiaOctavo,



That looks like it may be a non plus model (can't quite tell from the photo, the passport plus has an aluminum setting and can take a spool gun), so it may me a few years old without use. Look on the front of the machine and see if it has a aluminum setting. Just to point out to you the internal bottle and regulator that comes with the machine is there so you are saying that it doesn't come with an external reg, this is how the passport comes equipped (internal only).
It should have come with two plugs for the end of the power cord, one for 240v and one for 120v.
It also has a 2lb spool of wire on it now so make sure that you get the spool adapter that came with it for the larger spools of wire.

They are inverter machines with a very nice arc. They are 180 amp machines so you have to decide if that will fit your needs.

If it is a plus model I think that is a steal, if is an older one in that good of condition I think that is a good price.

I paid about 1600 for mine a few years ago (pre-plus model).

If someone offered me that deal I would now own two.

Good luck,
Ken

[Roger]

It's a very nice welder. Try before you buy. Internal shielding gas bottle is paint ball CO2 bottle. Passport is tuned to weld using CO2 shielding gas with minimum spatter. With external shielding gas you can use Argon CO2 mix.

[ElDiaOctavo]

ElDiaOctavo,

If someone offered me that deal I would now own two.

Good luck,
Ken

I emailed him to find out if it's the plus model.

I appreciate your strong endorsement...I'm seriously thinking about this machine. Thanks for the advice.

I don't know how to weld...I signed up for a welding class, which starts in two weeks, at the vocational extension school. Basically...I'm a farmer that needs to learn to weld and buy a machine for use around the farm. I need 180 amps and have been focused on a Hobart 210 at TSC. I thought about this one because it popped up on the radar.

So: Should I take an experienced welder with me to try it out or can I rely on it working?

[ElDiaOctavo]

ElDiaOctavo,



That looks like it may be a non plus model (can't quite tell from the photo, the passport plus has an aluminum setting and can take a spool gun), so it may me a few years old without use. Look on the front of the machine and see if it has a aluminum setting.
Good luck,
Ken

Ken, the sale listing says it can weld stainless steel - would that mean it's a Plus model??

[Dan]

For farm use the the 210 amp unit you were originally considering would be a better choice then a 180 amp unit. The additional output power that a 210 amp machine offers over a 180 amp unit is significant , and could be beneficial for 1/4" and thicker applications.

[KGIOR]

Ken, the sale listing says it can weld stainless steel - would that mean it's a Plus model??

No, the original passport has a stainless mode. The plus adds the aluminum mode.

If this welder is not owned by someone that you know I would never assume that it is working fine.

If you are using it outdoors around the farm you may use self shielding fluxcore more then mig. As stated above 210amps is a step up in power and will run .045 fluxcore better then 180amps. The passport runs .035 fluxcore nice but wasn't really designed for .045. If the 210 units have higher volts they would help for that wire.

The advantage of the passport as being an inverter it is only about 45 lbs as compare to 210 units at about 75 lbs.

I like that I can plug into 120 or 240 volts with it, but the new miller 211 can do that also.

To add one more thing I use mine for thin material 1/16 -1/8 mild steel mostly with .023 and .030 solid wire with co2, and occasional .035 flux core. I have never even run .035 solid wire in it, I have larger welders for anything heavier. If I was using this for my only welder around a farm it would be fine for fences and small projects but if I was wanting to use it on farming equipment it will be to small in my opinion.


Ken

[Roger]

Old style stick welder (SMAW) is still very useful around a farm. Solid reliable welders that have stood test of time for on site welding. They can do every thing you need welding thin to thick metal out in any weather you can handle. Long welding leads give you easy access to what needs welding. Welding generator also provides power for tools and when lines are down. There are good reasons every heavy equipment maintenance truck has engine driven stick welder.

They require more skill. Most given a choice will use a stick welder only when wire feeder can't be use.

You also need a gas cutting torch. Oxy Propane is good choice, but can't be used for welding steel.

You will know more about what to buy after your welding class.

[ElDiaOctavo]

No, the original passport has a stainless mode. The plus adds the aluminum mode.

If this welder is not owned by someone that you know I would never assume that it is working fine.

If you are using it outdoors around the farm you may use self shielding fluxcore more then mig. As stated above 210amps is a step up in power and will run .045 fluxcore better then 180amps. The passport runs .035 fluxcore nice but wasn't really designed for .045. If the 210 units have higher volts they would help for that wire.

The advantage of the passport as being an inverter it is only about 45 lbs as compare to 210 units at about 75 lbs.

I like that I can plug into 120 or 240 volts with it, but the new miller 211 can do that also.

To add one more thing I use mine for thin material 1/16 -1/8 mild steel mostly with .023 and .030 solid wire with co2, and occasional .035 flux core. I have never even run .035 solid wire in it, I have larger welders for anything heavier. If I was using this for my only welder around a farm it would be fine for fences and small projects but if I was wanting to use it on farming equipment it will be to small in my opinion.


Ken

I did some more study on this last night and think you're right. For the same money, I can buy a new Miller 210 amp machine OR I can buy the HH210 for less and upgrade my helmet or other tools (gotta ask about helmets next).

I don't need to haul the welder out in the field. If something is broke so bad I can't get it back to the barn I probably can't fix it myself anyway.

Roger: A farmer buddy of mine was laughing at me last night because I don't have a stick welder...and want a MIG. Says I can buy one for $100 these days that'll weld anything I break. I told him...yeah, but what fun is having a funky old tombstone...I want something shiney and exotic...like a new HH210!

Still...I know he's right. I'll have to buy one once I learn to weld.