Anyone own a Miller Passport?

[Cobra06]

Was wondering what users think of it. I like the portability, and it uses and inverter, which supposedly gives a nicer, smoother arc, which I probably wouldn't notice. The 110/220 option is a nice feature as well.
Thanks
David

[CuriousGeorge]

What are planning to use the mig for? I have a millermatic 135 and found it to be great for up to 1/8 steel. With 0.024 wire and trimix gas. On the 110v models gas plays a more important role than on the 220v models. For 220v I use co2, but found co2 didn't give the same penetration as trimix for the 110v models
My concern is while the pasport is a great looking machine, will you get your money out of it? At almost double the cost of a millermatic.
hope this helps
Pete

[Cobra06]

Auto restoration, fabrication, some chassis work. I think because it will live in the shop, I'll take a look at the millermatic 210 or Lincoln Power Mig 215. Confusing, if you read each manufacturers comparisons, they both sound good. Seems more are going with the mm210.
The passport is a interesting machine, small bottle of gas internally, extremely portable, but I don't do road shows so, I guess that's the answer and you're right, cool looks and new tech won't get my money out of it.
Thanks
David

[captainkirk]

I have the Miller 210 with a spool gun and I also have the Miller 135 I have to say it is well worth getting the 210 over the smaller unit even for light gage work. I have found that it isn't so much the voltage settings but the better control of the wire feed on the 210 that makes a world of difference. I am in no way an expert in welding (nor anything else for that matter) its just my two cents having had both for a number of years now.
I use CO2 in both because I'm fiscally challenged.

[PJMonty]

David,

I own a Millermatic 135. I am now considering the purchase of a Passport. The 135 is a great machine, and one of the reasons I bought it is because it's light enough to transport. The Miller 210 is a great machine, but at 200 pounds, it wouldn't go anywhere other than my garage. I find myself welding at other people's houses on a regular basis, so portability is a must for me.

In addition, the Passport not only is portable, but it runs 110 or 220 automatically, and will weld heavier material than the 135 when hooked to 220. Plan on welding framerails for a car, or putting a suspension in? Then get something than can handle heavier material.

I just purchased a Miller Dynasty 200DX for pretty much all of the above reasons. It's great, and while I wish it was cheaper, it was the perfect TIG machine for me. It also puts out a killer smooth arc. I haven't tested the Passport in person yet, but I'm sure it works as well as the Dynasty.

Thanks,
PeterM

[Purf_man]

not to mean to hijack...

but your dynasty does good work on sheet? I don't have the room for a fullsize TIG or the service so I was looking at the smaller portable TIG's plus I figured I will never tig anything over 1/8" anyway since that is a better job for a MIG or SMAW process.

[Kerry Pinkerton]

I visited the Miller trailer at Oshkosh several times getting them to tack the body pieces of my aluminum girl together. They definitely preferred to use the Dynasty over the larger Syncrowaves for the .050 aluminum but used both at different times because the Dynastys were occupied. Even I could tell the difference in weld qualities.

[PJMonty]

Nick,

You can go down to something like 5 amps of output power, so it very usable on sheet metal. You can also crank it up to 200 amps, and melting a hole in 1/4" or 3/8" steel (or actually doing something useful like welding) is a piece of cake.

I did a lot of thinking before I bought it (due to cost), and tested one at a local weld shop. Like I said, expensive, but I think it's a great machine.

Thanks,
PeterM

[Purf_man]

I was just noticing that a full sized machine with the same features runs about the same amount but has a higher capacity (like 300+ amps) to me it seems if you are blasting heavy stuff control isn't as critical. well I guess I need to start saving up now...

[Nathan Logsdon]

Let me just say that this is one helluva machine. I started out with a miller 135 and I also have a miller 175, but when it comes to performance and portablilty- the passport is simply better. The dual voltage is a blessing if you ever have to work outside the shop and with a decent 110 connection you can still get full penetration on 1/4 inch steel. The onboard bottle lasts long enough for most site work but you will still need a large bottle for shop work. I have had this machine for over a year and have convinced 4 others to buyit. The only thing I don't care for is the gun. Replace it with a tweco or something that has a strain relief. This machine rocks.

[Stanger]

I also have a miller 175
How do you like it? I am looking to purchase a 175A class machine and am doing research. I have heard good and bad about every machine in this class. It seems that the WST is the MM175's downfall, does it bother you? I need it to weld sheetmetal extremely well as that is what I do 99.9% of the time. Does it perform well on the thin sheet, 20-22 guage? Thanks
Grant