Quicky 251 question

[383bigblock]

Hey guys,

I'm about to pull the trigger on buying a MM251 ( I talked myself out of the 210....for no real good reason) and I plan on buying it tomorrow. I need to pickup a spool of wire since I don't believe it comes with any. Can anyone tell me what size this beast can digest. The owners manual that I downloaded only refers to 1 and 2 pound spools. Can I put a 12lb spool in this thing or am I better off with a couple of smaller spools say in .030 and .035. I think most of what I will be welding will be fine with .035 (5/16 and up material).

Also, been constantly reading about feeding issues and how some are not happy with the M25 gun. Is it worth inquiring about the Bernard Centerfire swap out?? I know nothing about them or am I better just sticking with the M25.


Thanks
Michael

[MicroZone]

It should easily handle the 10 and 11lb spools.

[MicroZone]

Capable wire diameters are:

Solid steel: .023 - .045
Stainless: .023 - .035
Flux: .030 - .035

edit:

It also states in the Options section of the PDF spec sheet, " capable of handling 12 inch aluminum rolls..."

[383bigblock]

Thanks, I was hoping to buy a 12lb .035 and 12lb .030 to cover me for awhile. I didn't want to have to deal with a bunch of small spools since my requirements won't change much and I don't think it goes bad sitting in the machine.

[TubularFab]

12lb is a small spool. Put a 30lb spool in there and forget about it for a while.

[Doolittle]

If you can get the bernard gun, do it. And man, are you gonna like that welder.

[383bigblock]

I went to the Bernard site using the link from another post and went through the configurator to identify a replacement gun for the swap out program. I am hoping they will still offer the swap. I haven't called them yet but that is next. I am hoping to swap the 250amp Miller gun for their Q300 model with Centerfire consumables. They claim in their ad that they will do an even swap but we'll see what happens when they respond.

Thanks for the spool info. I think I just might go with a 30lb spool Lincoln L-56copper clad .035 wire since not all of what I will be welding will be extremely clean.

Michael

[Corm]

I have had my 251 for about 3 years. I'm on my 3rd 33lb roll of wire. I know by a lot of standards that isn't a lot of wire, but I've got the standard gun that came with the unit, and it has been flawless. I don't know anything about any other guns, just thought I'd throw this out for comparison purposes.

[Diverbill45]

Michael, .............. Forget about the small spools and throw on a big 30 pounder and get to welding. The 30 lb. spools is all I use.

I bought the 251 last year and a Tweco gun. I was going to just use the Miller gun as a backup. Contacted Bernard today and have a new gun being shipped this afternoon.

You're going to enjoy the 251. I don't know why I didn't buy one sooner.

[backuproller]

i got a tweco gun on mine, only because someone ran over my miller gun with the forklift. no problems with either gun. use the 30 lb spools. i never change from the .035. it will handle anything from the little to the big. most of my stuff is 1/2" or smaller. i run about 1 spool a month. you planning on running in gmaw or fcaw. the gas bottles seem to be lasting about 1 3/4 spools. as long as no one turns them on and walks off. even though i check for leaks, if someone turns it on on fri night and i come in on monday the machine is still on and gas on, i loose gas. i am tired of and yelling so i just say "it ain't money".

[383bigblock]

The Fed-Ex gal called today to schedule delivery of the 251 tomorrow before 2:00pm. Looks like Miller drop shipped that sucker fast since I bought it last Friday. Need to take the Truck to the office tomorrow so the guys can load it up. I went ahead and ordered the 30lb roll in .035 (copper coated Linlcoln L-56) should handle everything I need. The only issue I might have is that my bottle is pure Argon not a mix, left over from my TIG machine. I hate to take this bottle back and swap it out since the local gas passer won't give me a break. I was thinking 90/10 mix anyway to keep spatter down as I begin my wrought iron fence (steel not true wrought iron). I read that the 90/10 will produce a smoother and flatter weld profile.....not sure if thats true.

Michael