So I'm getting ready to buy my first Miller 211 welder soon and am going to buy an upgraded ground clamp. I've read that Tweco ground clamps are awesome but not sure if I should get the 200 amp version or get a higher rated version just to be safe seeing as there's only $10 between each version. Also the higher the clamp is rated for does that mean the clamping force will be stronger and the clamp harder to open? I've read that investing in a top quality ground clamp is a good idea so you get the best welds. Also I'm hoping to make the only reason for a bad weld would be my experience which is the reason for this upgrade. The more variables I can eliminate the more I can be sure it's just me lol.
Ground clamps
apierce1289
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So I'm getting ready to buy my first Miller 211 welder soon and am going to buy an upgraded ground clamp. I've read that Tweco ground clamps are awesome but not sure if I should get the 200 amp version or get a higher rated version just to be safe seeing as there's only $10 between each version. Also the higher the clamp is rated for does that mean the clamping force will be stronger and the clamp harder to open? I've read that investing in a top quality ground clamp is a good idea so you get the best welds. Also I'm hoping to make the only reason for a bad weld would be my experience which is the reason for this upgrade. The more variables I can eliminate the more I can be sure it's just me lol.
I would agree on the smaller 200 one. You don't have thick enough cable for the larger one. The small one may need a copper sleeve around the cable to fit better in the opening. The old days the clamp came with thin copper sheet to wrap around the stripped cable end so the set screw has a firm surface to lock on to. IF it does not come with the copper you could cut up soft copper tubing to fill the void.
Don't forget the CURRENT REBATE ! http://www.millerwelds.com/products/special-offers.html :blob3::blob3:
Don't forget the CURRENT REBATE ! http://www.millerwelds.com/products/special-offers.html :blob3::blob3:
a store bought ground clamp? as a welder you may be able to make one yourself that has to be just as good if not better than anything at the lws.
The MM211 comes with 10' of 6 gauge ground cable. I replaced the clamp with a tweco 200A brass cub clamp and the cable with 15' of 2 gauge cable. Dont go buying the cheapest cable you can find, i originally ordered "welding cable" off ebay and returned it because it wasnt flexible, it was more like car audio power cable. The good welding cable I got pretty cheap $36 at Temco Motor in fremont Ca. I picked it up locally but they sell on ebay. The exact same length/gauge cable at ace hardware was $90.
Also the clamp didnt come with the copper sleeve, so i went to ace and picked up a copper pipe coupler (or was it a plug of some type? cant remember, but it was like a buck and it slipped perfectly over the stripped wire and fit into the clamp). Anyway it slid right over and I crimped it on in the bench vice. Then inserted into the clamp.
The thing about those tweco clamps is they seem to be designed for welding table use. The springs are really tight and you cant open them really wide like you can some of the others unless you have super strength. But if I did it again, I'd buy the same clamp.
Also the clamp didnt come with the copper sleeve, so i went to ace and picked up a copper pipe coupler (or was it a plug of some type? cant remember, but it was like a buck and it slipped perfectly over the stripped wire and fit into the clamp). Anyway it slid right over and I crimped it on in the bench vice. Then inserted into the clamp.
The thing about those tweco clamps is they seem to be designed for welding table use. The springs are really tight and you cant open them really wide like you can some of the others unless you have super strength. But if I did it again, I'd buy the same clamp.
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I have the 211...and love it...
I mostly weld on hot rolled material for my projects...so I switched to a magnetic type clamp...and found it much easier and better to use (for me). It stays put...won't twist off when I reposition work...look into one for steel work.
I mostly weld on hot rolled material for my projects...so I switched to a magnetic type clamp...and found it much easier and better to use (for me). It stays put...won't twist off when I reposition work...look into one for steel work.
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I'd just get one of those magnetic deals and put that on the end of the stock ground lead. Never know when you want to weld on something round.
http://www.amazon.com/Magswitch-810...VTQBUXU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1433259568&sr=8-4&keywords=magnetic+ground+clamp
http://www.amazon.com/Magswitch-810...VTQBUXU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1433259568&sr=8-4&keywords=magnetic+ground+clamp
In my cousin's fab shop they use c-clamps with a tab with 2 holes each welded onto them, with the stripped end of a 2/0 cable bolted to the tab using little u-bolts. Clever idea, but they never clean the surface rust off any of the surfaces so not sure if the connection is as good as it could be.
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They never work as advertised on that aluminum pipe.
I know I've been trying to get mine to stick on stainless all day, what's up with that?
You need glue or duct tape. WTF???I know I've been trying to get mine to stick on stainless all day, what's up with that?
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I know I've been trying to get mine to stick on stainless all day, what's up with that?
I think it's cuz they're Chinese. Yep.
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Didn't say, one way or another
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I use a smaller version of that style magnetic "clamp" with the factory cable. This setup works very well on clean steel with my 211.
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