Ignoramus27036 wrote:

A local auction house will put it up on sale in a couple of weeks. I
looked at the manual from millerwelds.com, and realized that I really
want that machine, provided that it is in a good shape.

I believe that is a good choice. I bought one recently.

My question is, when I go there, what should I pay attention to? I do
not think that they will power it up.

That machine came with a regulator/flowmeter and a hose. Check to see if it's
there. If it doesn't, be prepared to spend about $75 to replace it, or more. If
it doesn't have the MIG gun, be prepared to spend $125 or more to replace it. If
it doesn't have the ground lead, that will cost too.

You can tell really a lot by just looking at it. Open the side panel where the
wire is installed, and look at the rollers and just look at it. It wouldn't hurt
to find your local welding repair place and call the guy up and ask him what
goes wrong on these, and check out whatever he suggests.

On the front panel (the one the leads go through, that has the dial on it) look
to see if there is a spoolgun module installed. If so, it's worth quite a bit
more than if there isn't one. If it actually comes with a spoolgun, it'd be
worth maybe $300-600 more than if it doesn't, believe it or not.

Ernie recommends you pitch the gun it comes with and buy a Tregaskis "Tough
Gun". I don't know where to get those and won't be following his advice yet, not
until this machine earns its keep for a bit. I did add the spoolgun module,
though. It was not easy to find.

Stick welding sure is cheaper.

Also, tey will be selling several clausing production floor
drills. Are those much better than a inexpensive home improvement
store drill press, for a unsophisticated user like myself?

If those are the standard Clausing variable speed DPs, in good shape, they are a
better drill press, yes. But stuff coming out of industry can be beat to death,
so let the buyer beware.

GWE