Great video bud. No fluff. I absolutely love my millers and Lincoln's. Both are good machines. My miller engine drives are a 325 trailblazer diesel with excel power, and a Bobcat 250 efi. Both have their place. They definitely are reliable and crank all day. I normally run them a full 10 to 12 hours at a time when welding. I normally burn 6010 and 7018 and 99% of the time it is vertical up or overhead. I weld mostly ibeams and heavy plate. I've also run my miller 12vs extreme on it with fcaw-s Lincoln nr212. Both welders make short work of it. All I've done service wise, is the routine maintenance at its scheduled intervals. Only thing I would change would be having a longer fuel hose to the fuel filter. That would make the fuel filter easier to change on the Bobcat. I've run a grip of bridges and parking garages with Lincolns, and honestly dont have anything bad to say about them. I just prefer my current millers. The millers are a lot easier on fuel.
My first was a Lincoln 250GXT,Miller Bobcat250 next-just sold it.Miller Pipepro 400 with the Mitsubishi is my new machine,not looking back! this thing is a beast
I really enjoyed your video, sound was good and clear and you didn't shake while videoing - I have the same and really like its performance and fuel economy. I'm going to look into this fuel pump issue and make sure I have a backup. I was thinking about a new mpx330 but it isn't Eli amd runs full tilt while using power tools - no thanks
I got two of them same models both have issue with the 110 v plugs breakers won't reset . Have a brand new 2018 model no issues . FYI they Tig weld awesome pulse is great for the paper thin stuff .
I’m looking at getting one of these machines, what’s the difference between the ones with the face plate like yours and the ones with the orange around the welding mode knob? It seems like the other ones have more leds or something but I was wondering if there was a actual difference in the machines
To all the people on here . One major thing . Do not jump start the welder if battery goes dead . Only Trickle charge . You blow the pc boards .that a Expensive repair .
Thanks for the warning about the pump. This is enough for me not to buy one. I expect machinery to work every day for many years trouble free. I have gotten away from Miller welders in general as all of them I’ve used have been very unreliable. Local warranty service is spotty at best due to them shipping the machine off for repairs rather than fixing it locally. You might without it for months. No one in the local dealership welds but are just sales people yet each talks about their machines as though they use them every day!
I actually replaced this one with a new one with arc reach. A video on that coming. I thought about a Lincoln, but they have the same engine. The engine is the problem. I am not sure what the answer is. Diesel maybe, but not with the truck I have now. It's too close to overloaded to carry a diesel.
@@LostSkills the government doesnt want us to have good engines thats why they outlawed the Onan engines and make all diesels have computers so they will break faster.
it is funny to hear the welder salesman talk like he has been a pipeliner for 20 years when he was selling used cars 3 months before. i have seen millers for sale that wont weld and i saw one blow smoke out of the welder end and stop working and it wasnt turned up very high.
I have replaced this one with one just like it only with arc reach since this video posted. I had trouble with the fuel pump on the new one, but it has been flawless on the welding side.
I have the exact same machine. Same features too. Very sweet. I only have 16 hrs so far. Just built a 5000 lb road roller. A lot of 220 amp welding on that project. Runs 7018 so much easier than my plug in unit. The hot start works through the 7018 scale on the tip of the electrode so I don't have to deal with the restrike issues. I just need to get the vertical up welding technique learned and then I will be rockin good. I contemplated getting the diesel upgrade for 5k extra cuz I hate carbs so much. Then found the EFI for $230 extra. Agree. Kinda makes the diesel obsolete. They say some sites don't allow gassers cuz of the potential for sparks out the exhaust. Aren't you producing hellaciouse sparks at the electrode? Am I missing something?
survivalguy fyi Yeah, I got turned away from a site because of that. Totally BS. I was told it was geared more toward small gas engines like generators and pumps. Obviously a gas welder is no more dangerous than a diesel. My solution was a diesel spare welder. It's a 500 amp Lincoln SAM 400 from the 60's. It weighs 2000 lbs, so not good for my truck. It's on a trailer. It is important to have a spare engine drive. They will all break eventually. I agree that the 325 stick welds better than anything else I have. Huge amount of hot start for 7018. Runs 6010 really well too.
Hey man I plan to become a pipeline welder or independent welder of some kind structural or other... but idk what I should start to invest in so that I can get working after I get my certification. I may still continue on to underwater welding im unsure
If you want to do mobile stuff, you will need a truck. At least a 2500. You don't need to waste money on lift kits and big tires. Stick that in the bank for when things are slow. As far as welders go, there are lots of opinions. I feel that a fuel injected gas welder, blue or red, is the most versatile for the money. Some people will look down on a gas welder, buts it's great place to start. I have replaced the one in this video with the same thing, just newer. Some guys just buy a cheap harbor freight generator and an electric welder. Not a professional image, but it works. Regardless of welders, you will need a truck, so I would start there and keep my eyes open for a good gas welder with digital readout.
Nice video - couple questions - What oil are you using? Also, you think about adding the electronic pump? The install does not remove the pulse pump, but you prolly could. Thanks for posting the vid.
I have been using regular 10w 30 engine oil. I change it every 100 hours. I have thought about an electric pump, but I have not done anything about it yet
Now I have a question, How do you change polarity on it, I know the bobcat 250/260 & 302 Tb have a handle/ switch you turn and it’s not present on this machine, so my question is, How do you do it?
Hey I have the same machine.. I'm having a little bit of trouble.. maybe you had the same problem.. on the flux core mode CV it seems like it dies and fires back while welding.. I tuned it up.. but didn't make much of difference maybe you have an advice.. thank you very much
If it only does it on the flux core mode then it's not the engine. I would want to make sure that the problem is isolated to one mode. The 325 has two negative connections, one for stick welding and one for the wire feeder. Not sure if that is your problem.
It is possible that someone could require a diesel welder for what they would consider safety reasons. I have ran into that. It's all nonsense. I diesel welder is no safer than a gas welder. It's just a way for a company to protect their in crowd and give you a bs excuse for not being able to work for them. I have a 500 amp diesel Lincoln for such occasions. Diesel welders are more expensive so sometimes a company also uses that to weed people out who are just starting out.
I had one for 3 years exactly and it got stolen in Knoxville TN last year. I replaced it with a 302 air pac jump start electric fuel pump air water separator it uses about twice as much gas. The 302 is a good machine. Also lost a dodge w a Cummins 2016 20 foot enclosed trailer and about 30,000$ in equipment and the cops don’t care. It hurt
That sounds like no fun. I actually replaced this welder with the new version with arc reach. Haven't bought the stuff to use arc reach yet. Maybe next year .
Tool theft is epidemic for a long long time -- yeah your right -- the COPS dont care -- they cant pull shit out of their ass and the legal system says you have to PROVE the stolen tools were yours -- whats that about? I engrave ALL of my tools every socket every wrench screw driver hammer everything -- I also take pictures over everything and keep receipts -- WITH PROOF of ownership ( Engraved names -- embedded serial numbers ( your business own numbers )( Factory Serial Numbers ) the cops can actually do their job a little better but when people dont care to document their own stuff then why should the police care if you dont care -- a city that size makes well over 150,000 reports per year -- COPS only investigate something they can prove in court. I have had tools stolen as well -- IT SUCKS for sure but I dont blame the cops -- there are things we can do to make us HARD TARGETS and not EASY TARGETS
Come on bud, you had to of started that very recently before this video. I use these machines all the time. You didn't even pull the choke and it started no lag at all in that kind of cold
This was the first competent review I've seen on this machine. Time to upgrade the bobcat and this helped with the decision. Thanks.
I love your set up. I think it would be cool to get a walk through of your truck. Good video
Thank you for the unbiased review.
Great video bud. No fluff. I absolutely love my millers and Lincoln's. Both are good machines. My miller engine drives are a 325 trailblazer diesel with excel power, and a Bobcat 250 efi. Both have their place. They definitely are reliable and crank all day. I normally run them a full 10 to 12 hours at a time when welding. I normally burn 6010 and 7018 and 99% of the time it is vertical up or overhead. I weld mostly ibeams and heavy plate. I've also run my miller 12vs extreme on it with fcaw-s Lincoln nr212. Both welders make short work of it.
All I've done service wise, is the routine maintenance at its scheduled intervals. Only thing I would change would be having a longer fuel hose to the fuel filter. That would make the fuel filter easier to change on the Bobcat.
I've run a grip of bridges and parking garages with Lincolns, and honestly dont have anything bad to say about them. I just prefer my current millers. The millers are a lot easier on fuel.
My first was a Lincoln 250GXT,Miller Bobcat250 next-just sold it.Miller Pipepro 400 with the Mitsubishi is my new machine,not looking back! this thing is a beast
Really informative video. Great job staying out of the picture and simply showing and telling about the welder. Thumbs up and subscribed.
Thanks. Some people could have made that into an hour video. I like short and no fluff.
Very nice setup thanks for sharing 👍
Thank you dude I have same thing I like it a lot
I really enjoyed your video, sound was good and clear and you didn't shake while videoing - I have the same and really like its performance and fuel economy. I'm going to look into this fuel pump issue and make sure I have a backup. I was thinking about a new mpx330 but it isn't Eli amd runs full tilt while using power tools - no thanks
I got two of them same models both have issue with the 110 v plugs breakers won't reset . Have a brand new 2018 model no issues . FYI they Tig weld awesome pulse is great for the paper thin stuff .
thanks for the review
Good review. 👍
The current version of the 325 EFI has an electric fuel pump as standard equipment now.
I’m looking at getting one of these machines, what’s the difference between the ones with the face plate like yours and the ones with the orange around the welding mode knob? It seems like the other ones have more leds or something but I was wondering if there was a actual difference in the machines
To all the people on here . One major thing . Do not jump start the welder if battery goes dead . Only Trickle charge . You blow the pc boards .that a Expensive repair .
Thanks for the warning about the pump. This is enough for me not to buy one. I expect machinery to work every day for many years trouble free. I have gotten away from Miller welders in general as all of them I’ve used have been very unreliable. Local warranty service is spotty at best due to them shipping the machine off for repairs rather than fixing it locally. You might without it for months. No one in the local dealership welds but are just sales people yet each talks about their machines as though they use them every day!
I actually replaced this one with a new one with arc reach. A video on that coming. I thought about a Lincoln, but they have the same engine. The engine is the problem. I am not sure what the answer is. Diesel maybe, but not with the truck I have now. It's too close to overloaded to carry a diesel.
@@LostSkills the government doesnt want us to have good engines thats why they outlawed the Onan engines and make all diesels have computers so they will break faster.
it is funny to hear the welder salesman talk like he has been a pipeliner for 20 years when he was selling used cars 3 months before. i have seen millers for sale that wont weld and i saw one blow smoke out of the welder end and stop working and it wasnt turned up very high.
Thanks for the review, looking at this guy vs. the Diesel now. Appreciate it.
I have replaced this one with one just like it only with arc reach since this video posted. I had trouble with the fuel pump on the new one, but it has been flawless on the welding side.
The 325s start fine in the cold the 302s were the ones that didn’t like starting in the cold
Starting cold or even warm if they have sat for a while. I have never been able to find a solution for that. If you know one please share it.
I have the exact same machine. Same features too. Very sweet. I only have 16 hrs so far. Just built a 5000 lb road roller. A lot of 220 amp welding on that project. Runs 7018 so much easier than my plug in unit. The hot start works through the 7018 scale on the tip of the electrode so I don't have to deal with the restrike issues. I just need to get the vertical up welding technique learned and then I will be rockin good. I contemplated getting the diesel upgrade for 5k extra cuz I hate carbs so much. Then found the EFI for $230 extra. Agree. Kinda makes the diesel obsolete. They say some sites don't allow gassers cuz of the potential for sparks out the exhaust. Aren't you producing hellaciouse sparks at the electrode? Am I missing something?
survivalguy fyi Yeah, I got turned away from a site because of that. Totally BS. I was told it was geared more toward small gas engines like generators and pumps. Obviously a gas welder is no more dangerous than a diesel. My solution was a diesel spare welder. It's a 500 amp Lincoln SAM 400 from the 60's. It weighs 2000 lbs, so not good for my truck. It's on a trailer. It is important to have a spare engine drive. They will all break eventually. I agree that the 325 stick welds better than anything else I have. Huge amount of hot start for 7018. Runs 6010 really well too.
Hey man I plan to become a pipeline welder or independent welder of some kind structural or other... but idk what I should start to invest in so that I can get working after I get my certification. I may still continue on to underwater welding im unsure
If you want to do mobile stuff, you will need a truck. At least a 2500. You don't need to waste money on lift kits and big tires. Stick that in the bank for when things are slow. As far as welders go, there are lots of opinions. I feel that a fuel injected gas welder, blue or red, is the most versatile for the money. Some people will look down on a gas welder, buts it's great place to start. I have replaced the one in this video with the same thing, just newer. Some guys just buy a cheap harbor freight generator and an electric welder. Not a professional image, but it works. Regardless of welders, you will need a truck, so I would start there and keep my eyes open for a good gas welder with digital readout.
If you get something that will do constant voltage you can add a wire feeder later on.
Nice video - couple questions - What oil are you using? Also, you think about adding the electronic pump? The install does not remove the pulse pump, but you prolly could. Thanks for posting the vid.
I have been using regular 10w 30 engine oil. I change it every 100 hours. I have thought about an electric pump, but I have not done anything about it yet
I have a Lincoln Ranger 305g with the same lawn mower engine. Mine has an electric fuel pump, so I'm sure you could add one.
Now I have a question, How do you change polarity on it, I know the bobcat 250/260 & 302 Tb have a handle/ switch you turn and it’s not present on this machine, so my question is, How do you do it?
I have quick connections right at the welder. I just switch the leads
Hey I have the same machine.. I'm having a little bit of trouble.. maybe you had the same problem.. on the flux core mode CV it seems like it dies and fires back while welding.. I tuned it up.. but didn't make much of difference maybe you have an advice.. thank you very much
If it only does it on the flux core mode then it's not the engine. I would want to make sure that the problem is isolated to one mode. The 325 has two negative connections, one for stick welding and one for the wire feeder. Not sure if that is your problem.
Check out my video, Miller Trailblazer 325 EFI Rough Idle and Throttle Surge Repair.
That's probably why Miller sells an electric fuel pump for that.
Does anybody know how to fix the excel power on these? Mine has gone out twice.
I am sure there are lots of things that can break on the excel power. The last time mine let go it was the EFCI outlet.
This welder vs Lincoln 330mpx... ?
I don't know. I haven't used a Lincoln 330mpx. My Lincoln is from the 1960's
Depending on where the location is that you’re welding you may be required to have a Diesel engine.
It is possible that someone could require a diesel welder for what they would consider safety reasons. I have ran into that. It's all nonsense. I diesel welder is no safer than a gas welder. It's just a way for a company to protect their in crowd and give you a bs excuse for not being able to work for them. I have a 500 amp diesel Lincoln for such occasions. Diesel welders are more expensive so sometimes a company also uses that to weed people out who are just starting out.
@@LostSkills
It's not that a diesel machine is safer than a gas machine...its that diesel fuel is safer than gasoline in general.
@@LostSkills I just slap a Cummins logo on muh rig and it gets me into all the jobs
300 hours is not good for a major repair like that. at least you didnt have any bent push rods.
I had one for 3 years exactly and it got stolen in Knoxville TN last year. I replaced it with a 302 air pac jump start electric fuel pump air water separator it uses about twice as much gas. The 302 is a good machine. Also lost a dodge w a Cummins 2016 20 foot enclosed trailer and about 30,000$ in equipment and the cops don’t care. It hurt
That sounds like no fun. I actually replaced this welder with the new version with arc reach. Haven't bought the stuff to use arc reach yet. Maybe next year .
If someone swiped my service truck it would really hurt. Trailers are hard to recover. They seem to just vanish
In 2015 there were over 800 vehicles stolen in Knox county its epidemic
Tool theft is epidemic for a long long time -- yeah your right -- the COPS dont care -- they cant pull shit out of their ass and the legal system says you have to PROVE the stolen tools were yours -- whats that about?
I engrave ALL of my tools every socket every wrench screw driver hammer everything -- I also take pictures over everything and keep receipts -- WITH PROOF of ownership ( Engraved names -- embedded serial numbers ( your business own numbers )( Factory Serial Numbers ) the cops can actually do their job a little better but when people dont care to document their own stuff then why should the police care if you dont care -- a city that size makes well over 150,000 reports per year -- COPS only investigate something they can prove in court.
I have had tools stolen as well -- IT SUCKS for sure but I dont blame the cops -- there are things we can do to make us HARD TARGETS and not EASY TARGETS
Is that Truck a gas or diesel?
It is a gas truck. It weighted less so I could haul more
Just curious -- WHAT SORT OF JOB DO YOU HAVE ? Are you self employed or do you work for someone else and what is your job title ?
I am self employed. I fix and weld whatever I can. I also do some excavation work when the welding is slow.
@@LostSkills COOL -- -- Wishing you a very successful 2019 -- ROCK ON
Come on bud, you had to of started that very recently before this video. I use these machines all the time. You didn't even pull the choke and it started no lag at all in that kind of cold
It's fuel injected. There is no choke.
@@LostSkills ours must not be efi then lol. My bad. That's impressive then