New MM210 / 251 owners READ ME...

[ronnielyons]

A while back someone posted a snipit on the boards, and thanks too them I was able to score a new mig gun, so I wanted to repeat it for the newcomers.
I recently bought a new MM210. After setting it up I learned from the boards that Miller and Bernard Welding (http://www.millerwelds.com/about/news_releases/2006/articles169.html) have an exchange program going, where new Miller guns can be returned to Bernard for a free exchange / upgrade to the Bernard Centerfire gun.
As soon as I read this I called Bernard and they were kind enough to go ahead and swap me, even though I had open boxes and a "set up" machine. Apparently on the new welders, theres a hang tag that explains the exchange program, and tells you to not open the box, but call Bernard first. I contacted Bernard anyway and worked out an exchange, since my welder had been assembled by the welding store, the box had been opened so it was sorta beyond my control.
I got the Bernard gun in and it is nicer than the Miller...I'm anxious to get it up and running. So, long story short, if you're interested give them a call.

Ronnie Lyons
Meridian, Idaho

[fun4now.]

glad it worked out for ya.:D

[89coltgt]

I am glad I read this, thinking about buying a mm210.

[383bigblock]

Let me tell you guys I just bought a MM251 today (ordered it from BR Welding Supplies...ebay) and sent Bernard Welding an email asking about the trade-in on the guns. The lady (Barbara) was the nicest person you could ever speak with. Not only did they call me back within an hour of sending an email they let me pick which model, size, style gun I wanted with no hassles. GREAT Company!!! I upgraded to the 300 amp model with a swivel head and a longer cord without costing me a dime. I hope these baby's are as good as people describe and if so this was about the easiest deal that I've ever done. In addition, they're building my gun and sending it out right away without waiting on me to receive mine from Miller. BONUS...she's giving me a prepaid UPS ARS tag so that I don't have to pay to ship mine to them and they picked up the shipping charges to me. WOW.

Michael

[wallythacker]

I'm speechless. What incredible service. I've read a few Miller guns are having trigger problems so you made a wise choice.

[fun4now.]

glad to here they treated you right, wish every one did buisness like that.:D
congrats on the new MM251, i'm still saving for the MM210. you must be one happy camper about now, all thats left is the hard part, waiting for it to show up in the mail.LOL:p cool that they sent the new gun out now, it would be a bummer to get the new welder and not be able to play with it till the new gun arives. congrats again.

[mingoglia]

I wish I would have read this last week as I just bought a new MM210. Two days ago I returned to the welding shop with my torch as I was having a trigger problem...we replaced the trigger and I was on my way...but it would have been nice to know I could have traded in my unused torch after I got my welder. :(

Mike

[383bigblock]

Mingoglia,

It wouldn't hurt to call Bernard Welding and see if they would still swap it out. Like I said above they were more than gracious to me and being that they make guns for Miller I don't think it really costs them much to do the swap. The worst they can do is politely say no and you're no worse off than you were before you asked. Tell them how you heard of them and the good press they are getting as that might help influence their decision. You can't buy marketing like this especially at such a targeted audience.

Time to go prioritize my projects for when my baby arrives. The tank is already in place waiting on the unit.


Michael

[mingoglia]

Mingoglia,

It wouldn't hurt to call Bernard Welding and see if they would still swap it out. Like I said above they were more than gracious to me and being that they make guns for Miller I don't think it really costs them much to do the swap. The worst they can do is politely say no and you're no worse off than you were before you asked. Tell them how you heard of them and the good press they are getting as that might help influence their decision. You can't buy marketing like this especially at such a targeted audience.

Time to go prioritize my projects for when my baby arrives. The tank is already in place waiting on the unit.


Michael

I think I'll give it a try... like you said, it can't hurt. I do have the original box still and can replace the tip even...

Mike

[Diverbill45]

I purchased a new Miller 251 in June of last year and at the same time bought a Tweco gun. The reason for the extra gun was in case of a breakdown, I'd have a backup gun instead of down time. The Tweco is being used as the main gun and the Miller is still in the box, even though the box has been opened, it has never been removed. Over the years, all the fab shops I've worked in used Tweco guns with very few problems arising. Just thought I'd stick with a proven product.

I guess I'll have to give them a call and see if I can trade for a Bernard. Having never used a Bernard gun before, at least I can't remember ever using one, I'm wondering if the extra liners and tips for the Tweco will interchange with the Bernard?

Can anyone shed some light on the interchangeability of these parts between the two brands, or if these parts do interchange, is the Bernard and Tweco one in the same gun, with just a different brand name on each?

[383bigblock]

Diverbill45,

The Bernard Gun in the swap program uses their "centerfire" technology. Unless Tweco uses the same setup (taperd tips, threaded nozzle etc) they most likely won't be compatible. The Centerfire system is quite a bit different than the standard guns out there. Their site explains the components quite well and you could probably figure out their compatibility in about 5 minutes of surfing the site.

Michael

[Diverbill45]

Michael, .................... Thanks for the info. After I posted I went to their web site and read the info. I just got off the phone with Bernard and they are sending me a new gun, with a free shipping package, so I can trade in the Miller gun I now have.

I was really surprised how well informed, helpful and friendly their reps were. I explained that I had purchased my 251 in June of last year, but had never taken the Miller gun out of the box. The lady I talked to said that there would be no problem with the exchange and that she would be sending out the new Bernard gun this afternoon.

Not remembering if I have ever used a Bernard gun before, I'm going to try it out and I just might be putting the Tweco gun on the shelf as a backup. The only drawback is that I'm going to have to purchase a few consumables, for the Bernard, because nothing will interchange. Oh well, that's life.

Any of you guys compared the Tweco and Bernard guns? What's your opinion of both? I'm just trying to get some idea of how the 2 compare against eachother.

[383bigblock]

Man I love a happy ending!!!!!

These guys are great. I wish all companies ran their business that way.