PRIMEWELD Mig 285 Review
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- Опубликовано: 11 фев 2023
- For more fabrication content Check out the channel @amcustomfab
this is a open box review not a long-term use review.
there are things that I like about this machine and things that I don't like. The goal for this video is to provide you the consumer with examples of features and performance so you can come to your own conclusions on whether this is the machine for you. 😎
Video time stamps
What comes with this machine 1:48
Machine Walkaround and fetchers 6:10
Mig Proses and wire/gas set up 11:27
Advanced Settings 17:26
Dual shield flux core 24:36
Lift Tig 25:50
Aluminum spool gun 28:05
MMA/STICK 31:14
MY Finale Thoughts And opinions 36:04
For 10% off at Weld metals on line use promo code AMCF10 at check out through the link below
weldmetalsonline.com/?ref=gdu...
find this machine at
primeweld.com/products/primew...
For business inquiries please email us at: alex@amcustomfab.com
Shipping Address:
AM custom fab
P.O. Box 151
Scappoose ,OR 97056
DISCLAIMER:
Due to factors out of the control of Amcustomfab, we cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Amcustomfab assumes no liability or responsibility for property damages or injury incurred as a result of any information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Amcustomfab recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and/or with tools seen in this video. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Amcustomfab. Be safe!
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Gotta say, seeing you and your grandpa laughing together like that is a real nice thing.
I just got my PW MIG-285 in last week. Have only done stick 1/8 7018 with it so far, but got in some .045 self shielded flux core. I’m gonna see how it does with no gas. Great review, btw! I much appreciated yougoing thru the processes and functions! Looking forward to your further work with this machine. I also have the Cut 60 plasma unit from Primeweld, and like it very much.
Nice review, I actually just stumbled onto your page recently, and I’m enjoying the content. I’ve always been a “top 3 brand” type of person, but these primeweld machines are catching my eye lately. This seems like a good machine and like many others have said before the customer service is a major selling point. I have to agree with you on the awkwardness of trying to fine tune the voltage.
Wow! Just Wow! I have both the PW 225x tig and the Cut 60 plasma cutter and love them both, and after watching this I think I really want to replace my old Lincoln mig welder with this! Love the spot weld and stitch weld features as they will all be identical allowing you to go much faster when doing them. LOVE IT!
Thats awesome grandpa running some stick welding with you man ... Cherish these moments brother good on you getting Grandpa into the shop with you man your going to look back and have all these moments on video and the fact thought you shared him with us is awesome mucu love and respect for you and your Grandpa!!!! Keep dragging rod and pushing MIG as Meltin metal Anthony would say lets go !!!! 🤘🔥🤘🔥🤘🔥🤘🔥🤘
Thanks for the support 👊🙏😎
Great videos... But str8 up honest, subscribed to hear both you and your grandfathers opinions. A 40 years experience OG shipyard stick welders comments are worth a ton of gold in sweat, blood & tears. So thank you both.
Nice thorough review. Love watching your grandpa go at it.
Thank you so much for the review, I have a few emails to Gene at Primeweld this week. I am pulling the trigger this after noon on this machine after your excellent review.
I am a Pimeweld fan. I have a lot of their stuff, love their equipment !
Wish I had the money, I would buy one right now,
Love this Machine, Been waiting for them to come out with it for a while they talked about it and talked about it's about time.
Heat, heat, heat,
Wow.
Hi to Grandpa, I'm glad to see you one old timer to another old timer. Hi, hope you're doing well . ❤️ you must do more videos. We missed ya. 👋
Good review as usual Alex. You keep it lite and informative. I just purchased the MTS 200. Getting all my consumables ready. Looking forward to giving it a working out. Been using my Prime weld cut60. A real fun machine 2 use. Your grandpa looked like he was having fun. 😊 Take care. J.
Thanks for watching appreciate the support 🙏👊😎
Grandpa was having fun
Yeah is was LoL
Hey Alex. Great review. Watching you I was a bit intimidated by what this machine can and cannot do. My other choice was a Miller (more expensive) but pulled the trigger....pardon the pun, a few minutes ago and put in an order for this machine through Greatwesternsaw in Saskatchewan. I actually do more TIG but wanted to get back to essentially a MIG box and what sold me is that its geared for thin sheet metal as well as other features - I'm a 16 to 22 gauge guy regardless of what type of welding. Very excited. And I have owned Primeweld products before foolishly selling them. Wish I didn't. Glad to be back with the Primeweld Family. And Gene from Primeweld. If you're reading this. Hello! Best CSR guy in the business.
Happy to hear it thanks for watching 😎
Awesome video and another great machine from PW.
Good seeing your Grandpa again. Still got it at 80 years young :)
Very thorough review. Btw, I finished my welding table today using the table top from an old craftsman table saw! For the base, I used a steel table base from a glass top desk.
That's awesome would love to see it DM me some pictures on IG at amcustomFab
Functionally it looks amazing, but man that user interface is hurting more than it's helping. Push and hold for 3 seconds and respond in 3 or do it again. Scroll though 10 options to get to the one you want. Press and hold to change inductance. Wanna fine tune amps, here's a percentage, deal with it. Wanna use a spool gun? Here's two options, and only one of them works. We don't have enough characters in our 1980's calculator display, so now you get to look at a blinking alternating abbreviation in the left window. Why did you do this MIG285? I wanted to love you! Now it will be a love hate relationship 😠
Agreed with the interface definitely leaves something to be desired especially the voltage control. My goal for this video is just to provide the information so the consumer could make an educated decision. Thanks for watching appreciate the support on the channel and I also appreciate your honest opinion 😎
What a great video you will cherish this video for a long time. Grandfathers are wise men🙏
Great review!
Thanks for the video. I'm not a menus fan, nor do I need a MIG setup at this time. Stick and TIG will do most of what I need. Come on 325! (the sound of me putting money into the new welder piggy bank)
Nice video it will be nice to see how it holds up thanks.
Good video! On my side, I deal 95% with aluminum. I have a yeswelder 250 pro, but I find the menus to be super stupid. I am likely going to save up for a push pull rig, so if you see any lower cost units or attachments for that, I would definitely watch. My dream is get a lightweld rig, but I haven’t won the lottery yet.
Mine arrived last Monday. What an awesome machine. Not that I didn’t think it would be lol
Thought I had decided in the 180 but man this one is making me think!
Grandpa sure has a steady hand!
Very interesting review. Thank you. I've got 2 Everlast MTS welders which I have about 3 hours of time on the 2 (need a lot more!) and I'm looking forward to gaining more experience on both of them welding on the project welding table I'm building (from your video)..
That's awesome would love to see your results on the table DM me pictures at amcustomFab on Instagram I would love to see what your work.
@@amcustomfab Will do when I get back to my summer home July 1st.
I feel like that stitch weld would be best for thin sheet metal to put less heat in it
Tuning in now! It's between this and the mts 200. Doubt I'll need the 285 want is definitely playing a factor 🤣
Gramps can weld and primeweld makes a very good machine that keeps up with the others. I own 225 tig and love it.
You're the first guy with a video review of this beast, great job my friend!
Nice review, good video.
Glad you enjoyed it
Also, a great review!
Niceeeeeeee Machine but wen can u do a review on th 325x tig machine my man got my eye on it it looks like an incredible machine it’s just like th 225 but more horse power in it💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽thank u for all ur content always incredible 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
Good video. I recently found you when I was researching the Primeweld TIG225. I subscribed, and bought the TIG welder. If you ever want to collaborate on something, feel free to reach out. Keep up the good work.
Man you're one great family out there, you Grandpa is a gentleman not one inappropriate word and great skills even at his age. Your welds are fantastic I have seen many of your videos.
I have been waiting for your review as the final nail to the coffin with the name "buy it" on it. Well, it just did exactly opposite for me... I need to occasionally weld something thicker able to do aluminum as well and this would fit the bill. I was very excited when I started watching it and after seeing like a million of settings my excitement was disappearing. The electronics is waaaay too complicated which leads me to conclusion this machine won't last. The simpler it is the better. I actually needed only mig but doesn't mind MP welder. Was looking into Eastwood mig 250 much more simplistic which I totally prefer but here in Canada it is almost 1800 bucks whilst this Primeweld 285 is little over 1400. It seems that my initial focus on Forney MP 220 for 1350 is gonna come back. I have their Forney Easyweld mp 140 and it's fantastic, just cannot weld aluminum.... That bothers me a lot. Thanks a ton for the review though. God bless
Understood agree there definitely things that could be better on it my goal is just to provide the information so people could make their own educated decisions thanks for watching I appreciate the support on the channel. 😎
@@amcustomfab
Appreciate the response. Keep up the good work, thanks for many good ideas, good demeanor and honesty. That is very much appreciated! Would you have a recommendation for me knowing what I am looking for? Something simple that can handle 1/2 and aluminum as well? Would be greatly appreciated. No problem if you don't want to say under this video. :)
For simplicity I would say an old Lincoln 255mig it's a much larger roll around machine but once you replace the factory stinger on them which was garbage. They were both simple reliable and perform well.
@amcustomfab
Thanks for the recommendation! I looked into it, not a chance to find Mig 225 in Canada let alone for a good price worth the old machine. So I decided to buy that Forney MP 220 I mentioned. Have been looking into it for over 3 months and so I called the company wanted to order it. And? They just went out of stock!!! That typically happens to me. Lol. 😂
So I watched your reviews for Primeweld mig 180 and MTS 200 again. I decided I am gonna buy one of those. You have convinced me! 🙂 Both handled 1/2 steel beautifully in mig. Yes, they have those settings and stuff but will I find a better machine for what I need within that price range and with that customer service? I don't think so. Help me to decide please. I am leaning towards that 200 mts. Welds looked great (although it was your great skill in it no doubt, but penetration was certainly there) has higher amperage and it was obvious you liked it. But I will listen to your advice.
Welding plates occasionally up to 1/2 lots of diy projects, tables, little devices for my kids and stuff around the shop and house, some aluminum trailer for my workhorse vw Golf diesel 😁 and etc. What do you say? I would appreciate your opinion.
Will buy their ac/dc tig (based on your review again) later on God willing.
if you plan to buy AC DC TIG welder in the future I think I would recommend the 180 it comes with the spool gun. I find it a little more pleasant to use just because of it's simplicity. And it performs very well even if you are welding thicker material you can do a little preheat and or put larger wire in it and get great results.😎 Thanks for the support on the channel 🙏👊. cheers.
Good video . I wish primeweld would have let you release it before Their sale of the machine started . I got their e-mail before they released it ,But I didnt know anything about the machine . maybe they will let you preveiw their new Tig machine before the sale starts.. I bought the Tig 225 because of your video's.
That was the original plan but some unforeseen circumstances delayed it. Appreciate the support.
I am curious how to change the inductance on this machine. Could you please inform me
4 drive rolls ❤
I wonder if it would be possible to spray weld with it?
Hello, can you see if you can weld 1/16 alumn square tube, looking to get this machine, but not sure it can do that, thx, great review
Messed around 1/8" is probably the low for the school game on this machine I had good luck with 16th in aluminum with the mig 180 though
I just purchased this and it is expected to arrive today. What is a good basic flux core wire to start of with for general MIG welding?
If you're talking about gasless flux core check out this video Mike does a very good job of showing results.
ruclips.net/video/_WylABpczww/видео.html
If you're referring to shielded flux core I don't have a ton of experience with it so I couldn't tell you.
I like the size and weight, I have a few transformer machines that hog the room. When I talked to them pre last summer they were talking about a fall release a bit late but glad to watch your video before pulling the trigger, really your video explains more than the web site by far, on the tig function you mentioned dc only so I take it you would need ac to do aluminum with tig? and couldn't you just change the small jumper from positive to negative to get your ac for the tig? I agree with you and another guy in comments the percentage up or down and figuring out that, that's odd.
So did they give you any discount codes for your viewers?
Nice job on the review always like seeing your grandfather throw down some beads
Correct you would need an AC machine to be able to weld aluminum, no no discount codes unfortunately they already run pretty tight margins to provide these prices. If you sign up for their email list they do give $25 off though.
@@amcustomfab so this machine does not have ac capabilities for tig by switching the short jumper cable? I am finding more information from your videos then their website, really they should have on the mig 285 page another clickable button called accessories that would be specific for that machine, instead you have to either sort through the all the accessories and try to determine if it is specif for that machine or have to call them to find out.
No it does not
Great video. Seems legit.
I'm going to be ordering the 225 mig today. But after watching your other videos. Can you show your other fab machines you got in your shop. Drill press and machine tools please. I'm actually a machine/equipment hauler. I'm getting ready to leave the trucking industry after a long 32 years and going into fabrication. Lol after doing many years of fabrication on my own truck. But before I do I wanna pick up the essential machines.
Absolutely here's a video that shows my setup thanks for watching. 👊😎🙏
ruclips.net/video/JGAWyyU36as/видео.html
@AM Custom fab what would you choose for your first welder? The pw 225 tig vs the pw 285 mig?
Really depends on the type of things that you want to do. If you're looking to do mostly steel repairs I would say the Mig 180 if you're planning on building stuff with fresh clean material I would say the tig 225
@AM Custom fab I decided on the 225 tig... plus I ordered all the add on's argon tank, water cooler and so on. Next week I'm gonna order the mig 285 and the plasma cutter. I really enjoyed your belt sander build and diy welding table... I actually have an old craftsman table saw... I think I'm going to buy another one as well to build a belt sander and disc sander along with a 3rd table to build my own multi purpose grinder and polishing wheel... Thank you fir the awesome ideas
I'm surprised it doesn't have a automatic vavle for rhe tig like a Miller 253 multi I think I said the wrong numbers but not sure
I had to find out what a 285 REVIWE is. Do a follow up on the Prime Weld 200. Your grandfather was great on the first test run.
I have not done the follow-up on the 200 have not quite had it for a year like to wait a year plus to do the second review. But Grandpa is in this one as well 😎
It seemed like grandpa was wishing he had a welder like this one to use when he was welding back then (i.e. during his career). He looked like he did not want to stop having fun. Like said before Cherish the time with him.
39:28 on the video so you are saying that you can cut the pre dial stuff off.
Yup...Im going to need that. Hope you do a review of the new TIG325X as well. I'm thinking of purchasing both machines as well as their cooler for a nice complete setup.
I plan to as soon as I get one. 😎
Thanks for watching appreciate the support 👊😎
Mine is on its way! What Brand Mig wire do you run? plan on running .035 wire
Most the time I run either forney or this brand from Amazon but this stuff was something I picked up in my local supplier don't remember the brand.
What gas did you use for the dual shield .045 flux core wire?
C25
I am looking to get my first welder to make offset smokers. Will be working mainly with 1/4” material. Would you advise spending the additional bread to get this machine or will the MIG180 suffice?
The 180 will do the job I would put your additional money towards a chop saw and maybe some abrasives
@@amcustomfab I appreciate the response! Also thank you for these reviews!
Actually, if you're going to be making smokers you would probably benefit most from a cheap plasma cutter. To spend the extra on
Great Review. Where did you find .035 contact tips for your 035 wire. I couldn't find any online specifying capability with primeweld.
It's a twico torch so that's what I look for for compatibility. Thanks for watching 😎
@@amcustomfab oh okay...Tweco Mini/#1 ?
It's a model 300
@amcustomfab 300 amp? Oh, I think those are #3 mig guns.
I looked at the website, and there was no spool gun for this machine. Had one that was compatible for with the other two MIG welders, but not this one.
It does not come with the machine it has to be purchased separately. The spool gun they sell on the website will work with this machine.
@@amcustomfab I'm just going with what the website says, which says specifically that it does not work with this machine.
@@wiredforstereo I doesn't mention the MIG 285 in the product listing for that spool gun, it states it doesn't work with the TIG225x, and it does work with the MIG 180 & MTS 200, but those are the only models it specifically mentions. The MIG 285 is new, and I'm sure they haven't updated the product listing to list the MIG 285 yet.
Will the spool gun from the 180 work on this machine?
Yes
Could you do a more in depth video with it doing dual fluxcore or do you already a similar video
Any thing specific ? Have a real video coming up then I'm going to primarily use dual shield.
@@amcustomfab just how you think it runs really
Loving it has lots of power my only complaint is I really don't like the way the voltage has to be changed as a percentage .
@@amcustomfab what gas do you use for dual shield?
75/25
Can the voltage be changed to not move as a percentage?
Not currently. I'm hoping they can change that in the future.
Wished they'd come out with a pulse welder for aluminum. I have the 225... All i do is aluminum full time.
That would be sweet I tried one of the ferroneous aluminum pulse welders out at fabtech last year was pretty crazy what it could do.
@@amcustomfab did you make a video on it?
No unfortunately I was to busy playing with it
@@amcustomfab I'll look one up. How much does the one you messed with cost? If it's okay for me to ask.
It was spendy I think it was around $7k
Looks nice how are you liking it at 6 months as far as durability and function? As well as how is the duty cycle? I see at 285 amps it is 30% have you noticed any issues with that?
It's been running strong I have not hit duty cycle on it yet but I also don't use it as a production machine have done a couple larger projects where there was some pretty constant dark time mostly been running 045 dual shield through it and it welds that beautifully
@@amcustomfab Ok good to hear, I’m not going to be using it for production either just small welding jobs and some larger ones here and there. Chances are I won’t be tacking it at 285 amps all the time either I suppose. Mostly doing 1/8” 1/4” and some 1/2”. But you haven’t had any issues with the feed mechanism having too much flex yet?
Nope not at all it's been a great machine super powerful and I believe the percentage thing that I mention in the video has been changed by primeweld
@@amcustomfab Yup I heard Primeweld was sending out new boards to people that asked for them. Thank you for all the help awesome videos👍
Either Im dumb or something but it seems it was never mentioned if this machine can use a foot pedal or not which is kinda important
No, this machine cannot
Hi, I recently bought a Amico electric, 200 amps multi-purpose 3 in1 welder, from Amazon. I got the the welder. However i discovered, it have a factory defect,(the wire speed dial isn't working). I informed Amazon about it. They asked that I return the item. However to do so is costing more than i bought it for. I am outside the usa. So I am left stuck with a a defective product. So i am looking for a solution.
Sorry that is not good situation.
@@amcustomfab thanks for reply. Any suggestions were I might get some help?
Question. Does it have the ability to spray transfer?
Not by manufactur design
That machine will spray transfer. Your gas has to be 90/10 minimum at 28V , 98/2 is better and a tri mix like AirGas Gold Gas will get you in at 24V .
Typically, inductance is displayed as a percentage in most machines.... do you know how the -10 to + 10 translates to the typical percentage readout of other machines? IE does "0" = 50%, -10 = 0%, and +10 = 100%? (more than 100% is possible, so the scale could vary...)
I like the features and capabilities of this machine a lot and will probably end up getting one soon, but I do not like the variance from industry norm for the adjustments like Inductance I mentioned above, and the voltage by % adjustment, is just completely dumb... I understand what they're trying to accomplish (IE - "X" wire speed is recommended at "Y" voltage which the machine sets as you adjust wire speed.....but you may inc/dec "Y" by p% if desired) , but it's just atypical and unrelatable to the norm. Having to wait the 3 seconds to confirm and readjust the setting is also a bit ridiculous....just letting me push the button to confirm would be much more efficient.
Not sure to the first part of the question totally agree to the second part 😎 thanks for watching 👊
Do you have a one year review on the mig285
I do not yet I should do one
Is it still working good for you?@@amcustomfab
What kind of gas do you use for the Mig?
75/25 mix
Great explanation of the great features on this machine.
PrimeWeld has once again listened to it’s customers and created a professional grade machine in the MIG 285, I am impressed with all the improvements especially with how well it handles 7018 5/32 easily striking an ark with this low hydrogen rod.
The MIG 225 is defiantly on my wish list and will be my next purchase.
I have owned PrimeWeld machines for over three years, I have a MIG 180, MIG 200, and a TIG 225 all performing flawlessly to this day.
PrimeWeld’s products, warranty and customer support is the best I’ve encountered in forty 40 plus years in manufacturing.
@@maniresendes3563 thanks
This machine welding aluminum. Stainless steel.......Metal only I need one❤
Does this model Plasma cut?
No it doesn't unfortunately
What about spray arc?
It does not do spray
@@amcustomfab No reason the machine shouldn't, but you can't realistically achieve spray arc with 75/25, you need to run at least 90/10 (or ar/ox, or others....) to actually achieve actual spray arc, change your gas and crank it up, a 285 amp machine should spray without much issue.
Agree it should spray, using 90-10 and its ability to go up to 30 volts and 285 amps. .035 starts spraying at 26 volts with 90-10. I'm ordering one this week. Thanks for the review, almost bought a yes welder until I saw this.
You should cut the wire before every start
Can you run a foot pedal on this machine?
No not on this one
Will it run .030 wire?
Yes...😎
I think the reason why you can't change voltage on the fly and have to change it by percentage then wait is bad computer programming
It's probably a cheap machine. I hope I'm wrong. Im getting my Mig180 Monday and hope it's quality.
I've been super happy with my mig 180 it's never failed me
No... no... No!! I bought the 180 because of your video. I'm tired of your badass reviews causing me to buy more stuff. Stop it!
😂 sorry I guess 🤷🏻♂️👊😎
Only 30% duty cycle sucks.
At 285 amp it completly normal. You will need a 15000$ miller to beat that!