So many stories of how they bend over. backwards for customers. It's rather impressive. I'm looking forward to being able to really put it to the test. Just need a good project for it that requires a lot of welding. I've been thinking of building a gantry crane for the shop but steel is still too expensive to justify it. I have an I beam, but need to find some material for the uprights and a way to make it adjustable so I can fit it inside when I need it.
I looked at all the comments but couldn’t find anything on those SQUARES in the background. Can you give me some info on getting those? They look like a kit that “you weld” at home? Thanks
They are downloadable files on my Etsy shop. You can use a plasma cutter or waterjet to cut them from sheet steel and then weld them together. www.etsy.com/shop/MyLilMule/
I have yet to really push it. I need to get some .045 wire and a liner for the gun and see how hot I can run this thing. Maybe try to push it to do spray transfer. The stats seem to suggest it can.
I want to learn a little more about the hot start and arc force functions on it for stick, as well as get some CO2 to try some dual shield flux core. But it is a very nice welder so far.
That welder has hot start according to what it says online, if your having trouble you might wanna bump that up. 7018s are a pain if you dont use them frequently.
I'm hoping to give that a try sometime. I'd like to see just where it's limits are. Might be a better test with some .045 flux core to get there. When it warms up a bit, I might try that.
@@mabmachine Definitely. Trouble is I'd need to buy an 11 pound spool, and some of it ain't cheap. I don't do much, almost never, any kind of structural welding, so I have no constant need for dual shield as a process. It'd end up going to waste. Limited budgets and all.
Are you running on a 60 amp breaker? I am considering buying one and have my shop wired with 50 amp outlets. The inrush amps according to the specs are 53.
Actually, 30 amp breaker. The wire to the outlet will handle 50 amps, but I purposely have an undersized breaker on it. I have never tripped it, but I haven't gotten this thing near max amps. I think I would need .045 to get it maxed out, and that will require a different liner.
Thx very much. The spool adapter is just what I am looking for as I have quite a few 2 lb rolls. I have no idea how to print out the thing. Can I purchase one somewhere?
Check the O ring on the whip where it plugs into the 175 Hobart. You’re not getting full coverage with gas. The O rings dry out and cause problems as you described.
Changed those out a while ago before this video. That wasn't the solution, unfortunately. I eventually fixed it by machining a new gun connector (I made a video on it) and subsequently passed the machine on to it's next steward. I don't really need 6 welders, and I could certainly use the room. Thanks for the comment!
@@MyLilMule If my big Miller didn't survive the fire (won't know until I get power restored) I may look into getting something like this to replace it.
You're absolutely right! Not sure how I screwed that up. Thanks for letting me know! I fixed it and here's the actual link: www.thingiverse.com/thing:4402180
Very much. I don't use it as often as I would like. I need more welding projects! 🙂 I've added a PrimeWeld MIG 180 to the herd and sold my O.G. Hobart 175 transformer MIG welder. Didn't really want to sell it, but I have a small shop and could use the room. And the money. 😉
Pro tip. As you are making little circles with your weld, go the other direction. You always want to "run away" from your weld on the bottom circle and "run back into" your weld on the top of your circle. This will help you "stack" your weld. You will also get less undercut on your vertical plate because you not cutting into the plate and dragging it down. This is not a law, it's not written in the bible, you're not wrong if you don do it this way but it will help some of y'all. 👍
Thanks for the video. I was looking at this machine to replace a transformer Lincoln I have. I want to run high nickel wire (Royal 44-30 for example) for occasional stainless and cast iron welding in addition to ER70S-6 for mild steel. High nickel wire needs a lot of voltage and the MIG 285 looks to be able to do it, but I hate how there is no manual mode. If you look at the chart they give you it says the welder will do up to 28.2 V @ 394 IPM if you set it to 100% CO2 with 0.045" wire. The welder doesn't really care what gas and wire you give it so I was hoping I could set it up so I can access the settings I need but use the filler I want. I am going to call Prime Weld and see what they think about this. With the limited voltage control I'm hoping I can dial it in from there. The chart only shows settings up to a certain point, but the instructions say the machine can do up to 708 IPM. What happens if you turn up the wire feed speed above where the chart shows numbers? Does the voltage continue to scale? I need to be able to hit settings like 24 V @ 300 IPM, 25 V @ 400 IPM and 26 V @ 500 IPM. All seem to be in range for the machine, but the user interface appears to make it difficult.
That's the downside of synergic welding. It sets it for you. I have heard that they are going to make changes to that, but I don't have any specifics. If I set the machine for C100, .045, the maximum I can set it to is 394@28.4v, with C25, it goes down to 394@23.0v. If I switch to .030 wire, I can get 708@24.2V. I also would like to be able to set each independently, but I would imagine there are going to be limitations.
@@MyLilMule We can only hope they are reading this. I am also looking at the HTP MIG 200i. I do like the Prime Weld machine's drive system and it has more power than I will ever need, but if I can't set it up to weld what I need then it's not going to work.
@@Fix_It_Again_Tony I'm not sure if they are reading this, but I know they respond to their customers and they LISTEN. If you aren't already, go join the PRIMEWELD USERS group on Fakebook. Dustin and Gene are on their a lot and respond to customers. They really wrote the book on customer service.
This has been changed you can change IPM and volts manually now on all machines moving forward, prime weld listens to their customers. And yes this welder will weld way outside the charts suggestions. It does spray transfer really nice 👌 100% hands down. You cannot touch a welder of this caliber for this price.
If you think you have contaminants in your liner, disconnect it from the machine and use a aircompressor to blow it out. But it's far more likely your wire has contaminants especially if you don't weld often.
Excellent demo video. Very impressed with what this welder can do. Wish I saw this before I dumped 1K into a used Millermatic that may or may not run and still have to buy a gun for it and who knows what else. Thanks for sharing, Ken
I would like to, but I don't have a torch that I can do that with. I'd need one with the right connectors and a valve for the Argon. I've never done lift tig before (I have a Tig 225 that has HF start) so it would be fun to give it a try.
Also if you do not like the fact that it has synergic welding and only allows you to change the A & V about 15% you can contact primeweld and they can send you a board to fix that, but I iu have to have the nerve to put it in.
I set my voltage then my wire speed. I adjust from there... Voltage remains constant I adjust wire feed accordingly. This welder seems annoying and aggravating
I don't like the Fan On Demand Option...! The Fan's not bothering any1... But i'd be bothered if my Machine Burned uP because i 4got to turn on the Fan.!
They made a change to the board. All new machines come with the new option, older machines can be upgraded by swapping out the board: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qi5DecRjqNo.html
Bizarre how you don't have independent control of voltage and wire feed Deal breaker... That's short circuit mig welding 101 There's more than one sweet spot for every voltage increment. If you had independent control over both I'd seriously consider purchasing this machine
Great call-out! I didnt catch that and that is most certainly a deal killer :( Ill give them a call tomorrow to see if there is n eta on an updated version and post back if so.
I called and inquired about this, the manual adjustment is +-15% within that setting to help prevent damage. So im thinking this isnt really all that bid of a negative as 15% should be plenty to dial it in... if it's not you probably need to change more than just that setting. It doesnt sound like they have any for sure plans to change this.
OK so they give you a $1,00.00 to $2,00.00 dollar machine and don't have expectations of a good review? Hello ! So many content providers, like yourself, are selling your subs out and are quickly becoming "infomercials" for free merchandise! Have a nice day, I un-subbed!
A. The machine is $999. B. Perhaps they have confidence in their product? C. My review was honest and even included what I didn't like. D. They never saw this video, or knew of its contents, until I published it - nothing to hide. E. I rarely do product review videos. F. Bye, don't let the door hit you in the a$$ on the way out.
