Looking into buying a new welder I have a Lincoln 180 but need a new one now and want to purchase the miller 255 multimatic but also been seeing bad reviews on it with the mother board and different issues but wanted to know if you have had any problems with yours or costumer service on replace parts.
@@fleetwood9142 I have mine personally at my shop for more than 2 years, and 3 years for one at my day job. Both get ran hard and honestly I haven’t had a single issue
@@fleetwood9142 of course, I would make sure your local supplier would handle Warranty work. But of the three machines I use there hasn’t been anything come up
I have had my 255 for just over a year. I love it for the most part. I just upgraded the software, and it seems to be working great. I was having issues with burnback using dual sheild .045 wire. I haven't tried the dual sheild again since I updated the software. We will see.
Nothing beats experience and having a years worth of welding behind your comments is really appreciated! I was on the fence about buying one, I think I just jumped over, huge thanks!
I would like to thank everyone! Working on some new videos with a different camera setup, hopefully will have some stuff up soon! I know I’m bad about posting videos, but if you subscribe, you won’t miss future content
Thank you for mentioning that it’s basically the baby brother to the 350p. When I ordered mine my local dealer didn’t believe me that it’s capable of 300amps. I basically only use pulse for anything that comes in my shop. And I have the push pull gun and runs like a dream.
27+ years of the old school machines and possibly switching jobs to a company using pulse. This was helpful to understand how the machine functions and sets up. Auto set looks nice, but feels like it takes some of the art out of the trade. I learned to weld with my ears and to interpret the puddle. But you gotta roll with the times right?
You don’t have to use the pulse function or pre-sets. You can definitely manually dial in your settings, and then save them. I never thought I would own a machine that used a USB port for firmware updates and diagnostics. But that’s where we are haha
Running production shop and we use these machines, never hit the duty cycle. One problem is ground clamps and wire get too hot especially on pulse. I have Multimatic 255 in my personal shop and I have upsize all lead wires including the short one that goes to drive rolls and swapped for a full on brass clamp.
It didn't hurt it, machine doesn't see heavy use in my personal shop, so I can't say if it helped or not. I do recommend swapping a clamp for a better quality.
I have the Multimatic 255. Same machine except can stick and DC Tig as well. Both 255s have a 60% duty cycle maxed out. You’ll never hit the duty cycle. Mine replaced my Lincoln 180 after I burned it up making fence panels for a customer. The difference is night and day and I run it on pulse 90% of the time when using the mig process. The stick runs so good I can barely notice the difference between it and my Miller Trailblazer engine drive which is the finest stick welder I’ve personally used. Sure there are Miller 400s and SA 300s and all. I hear they are amazing. Never touched one. For my type of work and needing more generator power to run plasma cutters and electric air compressors at the same time as I’m welding, the Trailblazer cannot be beat IMHO.
I didn’t end up purchasing the multimatic just because I already have a dedicated DC/AC TIG machine, that from time to time I arc weld with. With bigger stick jobs I have an old Ranger. Thanks for stopping by!
@@HondaCrf450r. In order to hit a 60% duty cycle on this machine, you’d have to weld for 6 out of 10 minutes at 230 amps. I don’t know any welding job that would require that amount of welding short of ship building but you would use a totally different set up for that. I’ve hit it on rare occasions when I had a Lincoln 180. That was 30% duty cycle at 130 amps. If you think about all the fitting, adjusting, checking for warpage and all that goes into welding something, there’s a lot of stopping and starting in welding out something. So in my opinion, I wouldn’t try and run a business on a 30% duty cycle machine. Totally fine for hobby and occasional use. A 60% at a decent amperage rating in that 230 realm is gonna be your standard requirement for a professional environment. You’ll want something capable of more amps if needed. The 255 will push out 350 amps maxed out. I’m sure your at 20% or 30% at that point but again, who short of ship builders welds at 350 amps for that long? Sure you have factories and stuff that have robots welding widgets 24/7 and that’s a different set up as well. For your guy welding in a shop building trailers, bbq pits, equipment repairs, fabrication, the 255 or any comparable machine, red, blue, yellow, name your brand, should handle all you can throw at it.
I gave the video a like as you asked! Very helpful. I have 2 millermatic 350p's. Kinda looking at this machine to have something smaller setup that will do short circuit mig. I have ran the 252 before and slightly smaller machines seem to have a really nice short circuit arc. I have one setup with push-pull gun and aluminum all the time and other one i usually run dual shield or metal cored but getting kinda tired switching machine and drive rolls out and gas out as carts only hold one tank. Have you ran the 260 lincoln for comparison?
Mine had electronic issue out of the box. 5 month later and a failed repair from Miller, I still have it and Miller haven't replaced it yet. Worst investment of my life.
Originally I was going to get the Miller 215, but then noticed the Millermatic 255 has MIG Pulse. My local weld shop sent me a price quote for the 255, but this weekend I noticed several TH-cam video’s of people having wire burn-back and wire feed issues especially during the last 10% of a wire roll and often with Pulse mode. The feed rollers seem to point upward, which is not inline with the wire during the last half of the wire roll. Even after adjusting the wire roller tension, they said it did not help. I’m wondering if the 15’ gun cable length is too much resistance for the duel wire rollers? One guy got his to mostly work if he made sure the gun cable was on the floor in a semi-circle and had no bends in it. Now I’m afraid to buy the 255. The 355 has a 4 wire drive wheel setup, but that machine cost twice the 255! Anyone experience this issue, or should I not worry about it and buy the 255?
I have probably 6-8 spools through my 255 at work, and my 255 at home. I haven’t had that issue. Did they check the tension of the roll itself? I make sure the spool is just tight enough it so it turns easy.
@@SteelDogFab , thanks for the great feedback, that gives me hope. One of the the guys that had feed issues said he tried numerous roller adjustments with no luck. Miller replaced the gun cable for another guy and it did not help either. I think one of those guys were at least running Hobart wire, so that’s always a good idea to run clean premium wire. Another guy said with the rollers cranked down, he still couldn’t make the wire bend-over out of the gun when holding a piece of wood a few inches in front of the gun, the wire just stopped (I’m guessing the rollers were still spinning, he didn’t say). Maybe they have roller issues, I would change those out too. Supposedly they changed everything in the wire path with no success. I would feel better about the 255 if I could get a 10’ gun instead of the 15’ due to those complaints, but I do not think it’s possible. It’s also hard for me to believe Miller would sell this class of welder with a bad flaw in the design. I was hoping to get a Everlast 325-EXT TIG and would prefer to get a Pulse Miller or Lincoln MIG and not an Everlast MIG. I still have some decisions to make. The most troubling part is Miller quit responding to these guys’ complaints.
@@rays9033 I’m sure more often than not, you hear about the bad things a machine does vs the good. I have had good luck but that doesn’t mean everyone else will. I need to figure out a camera setup so I can actually film welding it it
@@SteelDogFab thanks for the reply! I agree, you typically hear a lot more about problems than success from customers. Unfortunately the main reason I was interested in the 255 over the 215 was to get MIG Pulse, but the added power of the 255 would be helpful too. I guess the most troubling video of the 255 is a YT titled “Millermatic 255, may be the answer to Pulse burn-back issues”. A number of comments there with very similar symptoms. Hopefully those people all had clean premium wire and clean rollers with correct tension. My real job is as a software developer, so I’ve seen most problems are typically user-error. But it would be more reassuring if I’d see these folks reply back in those comments on any solid solutions instead of more crying…like I’m doing right now, and I don’t even own a 255. 😀
I bought a Miller Multimatic 255 from Baker’s Gas, and they advertised a Baker’s Bucks program that I would get $75 in Backer’s Bucks to spend at their store for every $1000 that I spent. They even have an example on the youtube video with Andy. “Example $3000 = $225 Baker’s Bucks”. After spending $6194.55 they issued a $100 gift card. Steve N’s position was basically that it was an old video. False advertisement is what it is. I wish Miller wouldn’t allow unscrupulous vendor’s to sell their products.
I have two of these machines and have put them through hell. They are expensive but sometimes you get what you pay for. They are great machines. One simple thing that pisses me off about Miller, give us a longer ground lead. And also recommend switching consumables on gun to Bernard centerfire.
I have this machine but the Multimatic 255. Mine is multi process but the mig settings are the same. Not sure about 98/2. It has a 90/10 setting. I couldn’t find that mix so I’m running 92/8 just leaving it set on 90/10. Runs fine. 98/2 may work though. In Spray transfer you may just have to keep adjusting your stick-out setting till it quits popping and runs with that nice hiss sound. If you try that, do let me know how it works out. It would be good to know.
Thank you for your video I did hear you say in the beginning of the video you welded an inch and a half with this machine is this true? Because you said the thickness material only goes up to half inch. And if you put two pieces of half inch together is that considered 1 in? Thank you
I have a fronius transpuls synergic 2700 and it is awesome. Smoothest welder I've ever used and the pulse for aluminum is great. Basically if I'm welding aluminum it's on pulse. And the synergic settings for everything Ive welded are spot on once trimmed to your taste. Which isn't very far from factory settings. Wether welding at 30 amps or 230 amps I don't have to go back to the machine to change settings ever. You can weld all day and change everything on the mig gun with a read out to tell you what your setting are. Amazing welder. And the special 4 step trigger function for aluminum is must once you use it you will be hooked. Good luck.
New Video up, unboxing a Miller T94i-R PAPR hood!
th-cam.com/video/YQb2arQxLmI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=9K5rYTC20B5HD342
Looking into buying a new welder I have a Lincoln 180 but need a new one now and want to purchase the miller 255 multimatic but also been seeing bad reviews on it with the mother board and different issues but wanted to know if you have had any problems with yours or costumer service on replace parts.
@@fleetwood9142 I have mine personally at my shop for more than 2 years, and 3 years for one at my day job. Both get ran hard and honestly I haven’t had a single issue
@SteelDogFab okay 👍 thanks for the fast respond.
@@fleetwood9142 of course, I would make sure your local supplier would handle Warranty work. But of the three machines I use there hasn’t been anything come up
I have had my 255 for just over a year. I love it for the most part. I just upgraded the software, and it seems to be working great. I was having issues with burnback using dual sheild .045 wire. I haven't tried the dual sheild again since I updated the software. We will see.
Nothing beats experience and having a years worth of welding behind your comments is really appreciated! I was on the fence about buying one, I think I just jumped over, huge thanks!
You are more than welcome. That’s why I started making these videos!
I would like to thank everyone! Working on some new videos with a different camera setup, hopefully will have some stuff up soon! I know I’m bad about posting videos, but if you subscribe, you won’t miss future content
I just ordered one for my High school auto shop class. thanks so much for the great video review of the Millermatic 255 Mig welder
That’s awesome, wonderful machine. I’m glad you found this helpful!
That is the review I just needed. Be professional welder for several decades but only used high end industrial welder never purchased one for home use
Thank you for commenting, did you end up purchasing one?
Thank you for mentioning that it’s basically the baby brother to the 350p. When I ordered mine my local dealer didn’t believe me that it’s capable of 300amps.
I basically only use pulse for anything that comes in my shop. And I have the push pull gun and runs like a dream.
27+ years of the old school machines and possibly switching jobs to a company using pulse. This was helpful to understand how the machine functions and sets up. Auto set looks nice, but feels like it takes some of the art out of the trade. I learned to weld with my ears and to interpret the puddle. But you gotta roll with the times right?
You don’t have to use the pulse function or pre-sets. You can definitely manually dial in your settings, and then save them. I never thought I would own a machine that used a USB port for firmware updates and diagnostics. But that’s where we are haha
Running production shop and we use these machines, never hit the duty cycle. One problem is ground clamps and wire get too hot especially on pulse. I have Multimatic 255 in my personal shop and I have upsize all lead wires including the short one that goes to drive rolls and swapped for a full on brass clamp.
That’s a good idea!
Make a difference?
It didn't hurt it, machine doesn't see heavy use in my personal shop, so I can't say if it helped or not. I do recommend swapping a clamp for a better quality.
Yeay might just get one now good review
Thank you. I’m still in love with my machine. If you look at a couple of my new videos you will see it in action,
Well done!
Thank you!
I have the Multimatic 255. Same machine except can stick and DC Tig as well. Both 255s have a 60% duty cycle maxed out. You’ll never hit the duty cycle. Mine replaced my Lincoln 180 after I burned it up making fence panels for a customer. The difference is night and day and I run it on pulse 90% of the time when using the mig process. The stick runs so good I can barely notice the difference between it and my Miller Trailblazer engine drive which is the finest stick welder I’ve personally used. Sure there are Miller 400s and SA 300s and all. I hear they are amazing. Never touched one. For my type of work and needing more generator power to run plasma cutters and electric air compressors at the same time as I’m welding, the Trailblazer cannot be beat IMHO.
I didn’t end up purchasing the multimatic just because I already have a dedicated DC/AC TIG machine, that from time to time I arc weld with. With bigger stick jobs I have an old Ranger. Thanks for stopping by!
Why won't you ever hit the Miller 60percent duty cycle?
@@HondaCrf450r. In order to hit a 60% duty cycle on this machine, you’d have to weld for 6 out of 10 minutes at 230 amps. I don’t know any welding job that would require that amount of welding short of ship building but you would use a totally different set up for that. I’ve hit it on rare occasions when I had a Lincoln 180. That was 30% duty cycle at 130 amps. If you think about all the fitting, adjusting, checking for warpage and all that goes into welding something, there’s a lot of stopping and starting in welding out something. So in my opinion, I wouldn’t try and run a business on a 30% duty cycle machine. Totally fine for hobby and occasional use. A 60% at a decent amperage rating in that 230 realm is gonna be your standard requirement for a professional environment. You’ll want something capable of more amps if needed. The 255 will push out 350 amps maxed out. I’m sure your at 20% or 30% at that point but again, who short of ship builders welds at 350 amps for that long? Sure you have factories and stuff that have robots welding widgets 24/7 and that’s a different set up as well. For your guy welding in a shop building trailers, bbq pits, equipment repairs, fabrication, the 255 or any comparable machine, red, blue, yellow, name your brand, should handle all you can throw at it.
A welder that cost $4500, doesn’t have HF start or AC tig is just insanity! Over priced is a understatement
I purchased mine a couple years ago before the multiple price hikes, but I agree, the prices of these machines are almost unattainable now.
I gave the video a like as you asked! Very helpful. I have 2 millermatic 350p's. Kinda looking at this machine to have something smaller setup that will do short circuit mig. I have ran the 252 before and slightly smaller machines seem to have a really nice short circuit arc. I have one setup with push-pull gun and aluminum all the time and other one i usually run dual shield or metal cored but getting kinda tired switching machine and drive rolls out and gas out as carts only hold one tank. Have you ran the 260 lincoln for comparison?
Sorry for the delayed response! Personally no I have not ran the Lincoln 260.
To my knowledge the 260 isn’t a pulse machine.
Nice job thank you
Anytime, thank you
Mine had electronic issue out of the box. 5 month later and a failed repair from Miller, I still have it and Miller haven't replaced it yet. Worst investment of my life.
That’s not good at all. I have had my unit at work for going on two years and never had an issue. Hopefully they get it sorted out for you
Did they resolve this issue? I'm looking to buy but don't wanna get absolutely ass blasted
@@MattHassig my money is getting invested with a alternative company
Having issues with mine
@@blessingslawn what issues are you having. I have one as well and no matter the settings, new liner, straight cable it has an inconsistent arc.
Originally I was going to get the Miller 215, but then noticed the Millermatic 255 has MIG Pulse. My local weld shop sent me a price quote for the 255, but this weekend I noticed several TH-cam video’s of people having wire burn-back and wire feed issues especially during the last 10% of a wire roll and often with Pulse mode. The feed rollers seem to point upward, which is not inline with the wire during the last half of the wire roll.
Even after adjusting the wire roller tension, they said it did not help. I’m wondering if the 15’ gun cable length is too much resistance for the duel wire rollers?
One guy got his to mostly work if he made sure the gun cable was on the floor in a semi-circle and had no bends in it.
Now I’m afraid to buy the 255. The 355 has a 4 wire drive wheel setup, but that machine cost twice the 255! Anyone experience this issue, or should I not worry about it and buy the 255?
I have probably 6-8 spools through my 255 at work, and my 255 at home. I haven’t had that issue. Did they check the tension of the roll itself? I make sure the spool is just tight enough it so it turns easy.
@@SteelDogFab , thanks for the great feedback, that gives me hope.
One of the the guys that had feed issues said he tried numerous roller adjustments with no luck. Miller replaced the gun cable for another guy and it did not help either. I think one of those guys were at least running Hobart wire, so that’s always a good idea to run clean premium wire.
Another guy said with the rollers cranked down, he still couldn’t make the wire bend-over out of the gun when holding a piece of wood a few inches in front of the gun, the wire just stopped (I’m guessing the rollers were still spinning, he didn’t say). Maybe they have roller issues, I would change those out too. Supposedly they changed everything in the wire path with no success.
I would feel better about the 255 if I could get a 10’ gun instead of the 15’ due to those complaints, but I do not think it’s possible. It’s also hard for me to believe Miller would sell this class of welder with a bad flaw in the design.
I was hoping to get a Everlast 325-EXT TIG and would prefer to get a Pulse Miller or Lincoln MIG and not an Everlast MIG. I still have some decisions to make.
The most troubling part is Miller quit responding to these guys’ complaints.
@@rays9033 I’m sure more often than not, you hear about the bad things a machine does vs the good. I have had good luck but that doesn’t mean everyone else will. I need to figure out a camera setup so I can actually film welding it it
@@SteelDogFab thanks for the reply! I agree, you typically hear a lot more about problems than success from customers.
Unfortunately the main reason I was interested in the 255 over the 215 was to get MIG Pulse, but the added power of the 255 would be helpful too.
I guess the most troubling video of the 255 is a YT titled “Millermatic 255, may be the answer to Pulse burn-back issues”. A number of comments there with very similar symptoms. Hopefully those people all had clean premium wire and clean rollers with correct tension.
My real job is as a software developer, so I’ve seen most problems are typically user-error. But it would be more reassuring if I’d see these folks reply back in those comments on any solid solutions instead of more crying…like I’m doing right now, and I don’t even own a 255. 😀
@@rays9033 lol well I’m glad you are here!
I bought a Miller Multimatic 255 from Baker’s Gas, and they advertised a Baker’s Bucks program that I would get $75 in Backer’s Bucks to spend at their store for every $1000 that I spent. They even have an example on the youtube video with Andy. “Example $3000 = $225 Baker’s Bucks”. After spending $6194.55 they issued a $100 gift card. Steve N’s position was basically that it was an old video. False advertisement is what it is. I wish Miller wouldn’t allow unscrupulous vendor’s to sell their products.
How old was the video at the time ?
How do you get .023" wire in auto set? I assume .023" needs to be run in manual mode?
I would have to check, but the rollers the machine comes with is 0.035” and 0.045”. I’m guessing you can buy a set that has 0.023” and 0.030”
I have two of these machines and have put them through hell. They are expensive but sometimes you get what you pay for. They are great machines.
One simple thing that pisses me off about Miller, give us a longer ground lead.
And also recommend switching consumables on gun to Bernard centerfire.
How long have you owned these Miller 255s ?
Does it have a setting for 98/2 gas if you wanna spray mild steel wire? Or do you just set it to 90/10 and its close enough?
Hey in the video @3:33 he cycles through the options and I believe I saw 98/2 in the settings
I have this machine but the Multimatic 255. Mine is multi process but the mig settings are the same. Not sure about 98/2. It has a 90/10 setting. I couldn’t find that mix so I’m running 92/8 just leaving it set on 90/10. Runs fine. 98/2 may work though. In Spray transfer you may just have to keep adjusting your stick-out setting till it quits popping and runs with that nice hiss sound. If you try that, do let me know how it works out. It would be good to know.
Are these inverta machines as durable as the transformer machines
It’s hard to say because the debate rages on. I think transformer machines are being phased out due to government regulations due to being inefficient
New Video about caring for your machine!
th-cam.com/video/U16-bE3akQI/w-d-xo.html
If it runs on gas get a Miller. If it plugs in the wall get a Lincoln.
Thank you for your video I did hear you say in the beginning of the video you welded an inch and a half with this machine is this true? Because you said the thickness material only goes up to half inch. And if you put two pieces of half inch together is that considered 1 in? Thank you
You are welcome. Yes indeed, but that’s running 0.045” dual shield multi-pass.
The 1/2” pre-set if for doing a 1/2” size fillet weld single pass.
I can't decide between this one and fronius 2700
I have a fronius transpuls synergic 2700 and it is awesome. Smoothest welder I've ever used and the pulse for aluminum is great. Basically if I'm welding aluminum it's on pulse. And the synergic settings for everything Ive welded are spot on once trimmed to your taste. Which isn't very far from factory settings. Wether welding at 30 amps or 230 amps I don't have to go back to the machine to change settings ever. You can weld all day and change everything on the mig gun with a read out to tell you what your setting are. Amazing welder. And the special 4 step trigger function for aluminum is must once you use it you will be hooked. Good luck.