PrimeWeld MIG 285 - First Impressions

[@Wintersmachineshop]

Nice review, love my 225x . Honestly for the price primeweld is hard to beat . And their customer service seems to be second to none .

[@MyLilMule]

So many stories of how they bend over. backwards for customers. It's rather impressive. I'm looking forward to being able to really put it to the test. Just need a good project for it that requires a lot of welding. I've been thinking of building a gantry crane for the shop but steel is still too expensive to justify it. I have an I beam, but need to find some material for the uprights and a way to make it adjustable so I can fit it inside when I need it.

[@BlizzardOfOdds]

I looked at all the comments but couldn’t find anything on those SQUARES in the background. Can you give me some info on getting those? They look like a kit that “you weld” at home? Thanks

[@MyLilMule]

They are downloadable files on my Etsy shop. You can use a plasma cutter or waterjet to cut them from sheet steel and then weld them together. www.etsy.com/shop/MyLilMule/

[@oneangrycanadian6205]

You can adjust the trigger sensitivity. Just open the gun and bend the copper contact back and it’s not so sensitive .

[@MyLilMule]

Thanks for the tip! I'm going to do that soon!

[@mcfwelding]

I love my primeweld machines. looks like a nice welder

[@MyLilMule]

I have yet to really push it. I need to get some .045 wire and a liner for the gun and see how hot I can run this thing. Maybe try to push it to do spray transfer. The stats seem to suggest it can.

[@frankocharles8467]

What a great review! Very helpful! THANKS!

[@MyLilMule]

Glad it can be of use.

[@johnmacmillan627]

Thx very much. The spool adapter is just what I am looking for as I have quite a few 2 lb rolls. I have no idea how to print out the thing. Can I purchase one somewhere?

[@MyLilMule]

This one might work: amzn.to/4eMh4Uc

[@FlyinTrapezious]

Are you running on a 60 amp breaker? I am considering buying one and have my shop wired with 50 amp outlets. The inrush amps according to the specs are 53.

[@MyLilMule]

Actually, 30 amp breaker. The wire to the outlet will handle 50 amps, but I purposely have an undersized breaker on it. I have never tripped it, but I haven't gotten this thing near max amps. I think I would need .045 to get it maxed out, and that will require a different liner.

[@mabmachine]

Great video. Primeweld makes some excellent machines. I'd love to see this machines pushed hard in MIG mode with some heavy wire.

[@MyLilMule]

I'm hoping to give that a try sometime. I'd like to see just where it's limits are. Might be a better test with some .045 flux core to get there. When it warms up a bit, I might try that.

[@mabmachine]

@@MyLilMule Maybe some ESAB Dual Shield or Lincoln Outershield?

[@MyLilMule]

@@mabmachine Definitely. Trouble is I'd need to buy an 11 pound spool, and some of it ain't cheap. I don't do much, almost never, any kind of structural welding, so I have no constant need for dual shield as a process. It'd end up going to waste. Limited budgets and all.

[@procyonia3654]

That welder has hot start according to what it says online, if your having trouble you might wanna bump that up. 7018s are a pain if you dont use them frequently.

[@MyLilMule]

Appreciate the tip

[@Fix_It_Again_Tony]

Thanks for the video. I was looking at this machine to replace a transformer Lincoln I have. I want to run high nickel wire (Royal 44-30 for example) for occasional stainless and cast iron welding in addition to ER70S-6 for mild steel. High nickel wire needs a lot of voltage and the MIG 285 looks to be able to do it, but I hate how there is no manual mode. If you look at the chart they give you it says the welder will do up to 28.2 V @ 394 IPM if you set it to 100% CO2 with 0.045" wire. The welder doesn't really care what gas and wire you give it so I was hoping I could set it up so I can access the settings I need but use the filler I want. I am going to call Prime Weld and see what they think about this. With the limited voltage control I'm hoping I can dial it in from there. The chart only shows settings up to a certain point, but the instructions say the machine can do up to 708 IPM. What happens if you turn up the wire feed speed above where the chart shows numbers? Does the voltage continue to scale? I need to be able to hit settings like 24 V @ 300 IPM, 25 V @ 400 IPM and 26 V @ 500 IPM. All seem to be in range for the machine, but the user interface appears to make it difficult.

[@MyLilMule]

That's the downside of synergic welding. It sets it for you. I have heard that they are going to make changes to that, but I don't have any specifics. If I set the machine for C100, .045, the maximum I can set it to is 394@28.4v, with C25, it goes down to 394@23.0v. If I switch to .030 wire, I can get 708@24.2V. I also would like to be able to set each independently, but I would imagine there are going to be limitations.

[@Fix_It_Again_Tony]

@@MyLilMule We can only hope they are reading this. I am also looking at the HTP MIG 200i. I do like the Prime Weld machine's drive system and it has more power than I will ever need, but if I can't set it up to weld what I need then it's not going to work.

[@MyLilMule]

@@Fix_It_Again_Tony I'm not sure if they are reading this, but I know they respond to their customers and they LISTEN. If you aren't already, go join the PRIMEWELD USERS group on Fakebook. Dustin and Gene are on their a lot and respond to customers. They really wrote the book on customer service.

[@MyLilMule]

@Fix_It_Again_Tony - they listened: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5qYdZiZh8-khNE

[@shaunsmuder1637]

This has been changed you can change IPM and volts manually now on all machines moving forward, prime weld listens to their customers. And yes this welder will weld way outside the charts suggestions. It does spray transfer really nice 👌 100% hands down. You cannot touch a welder of this caliber for this price.

[@PatHagen-p7i]

Are you still liking the Primeweld Mig285, thinking about buying one

[@MyLilMule]

Very much. I don't use it as often as I would like. I need more welding projects! 🙂 I've added a PrimeWeld MIG 180 to the herd and sold my O.G. Hobart 175 transformer MIG welder. Didn't really want to sell it, but I have a small shop and could use the room. And the money. 😉

[@PatHagen-p7i]

Thank you@@MyLilMule

[@shaunsmuder1637]

I wish you would've show us how you change the inductance. I have this welder and do not know how to change the inductance

[@MyLilMule]

Push in on the Volts knob (right knob) and you can adjust the inductance.

[@shaunsmuder1637]

@MyLilMule ok great, thank you, sir.

[@checkertail01]

Great video. Is the link to the printed spool adapter correct? It does not look like the one in your video.

[@MyLilMule]

You're absolutely right! Not sure how I screwed that up. Thanks for letting me know! I fixed it and here's the actual link: www.thingiverse.com/thing:4402180

[@paulmuff9883]

Excellent video, just 1 point you should always drag with flux core not pushing like you did, you will find the weld finish will improve a lot 😊

[@MyLilMule]

Great point!

[@hilltopmachineworks2131]

Looks like a nice machine for the money. Are the consumables generic so you can pick them up anywhere, or are they Prime Weld specific?

[@MyLilMule]

Generic Tweco 300 consumables. I picked up a bunch of extra contact tips from my local welding supply.

[@hilltopmachineworks2131]

@@MyLilMule If my big Miller didn't survive the fire (won't know until I get power restored) I may look into getting something like this to replace it.

[@johnmacmillan627]

Good one. Thks!

[@MyLilMule]

You're welcome!

[@kevinthorrington2131]

Check the O ring on the whip where it plugs into the 175 Hobart. You’re not getting full coverage with gas. The O rings dry out and cause problems as you described.

[@MyLilMule]

Changed those out a while ago before this video. That wasn't the solution, unfortunately. I eventually fixed it by machining a new gun connector (I made a video on it) and subsequently passed the machine on to it's next steward. I don't really need 6 welders, and I could certainly use the room. Thanks for the comment!

[@OldGuy70s]

If its considered a good Tig Machine, does that mean it would also be a good Stick Machine...?

[@MyLilMule]

I don't understand the premise of the question.

[@KirkRagland]

Pro tip. As you are making little circles with your weld, go the other direction. You always want to "run away" from your weld on the bottom circle and "run back into" your weld on the top of your circle. This will help you "stack" your weld. You will also get less undercut on your vertical plate because you not cutting into the plate and dragging it down. This is not a law, it's not written in the bible, you're not wrong if you don do it this way but it will help some of y'all. 👍

[@MyLilMule]

Thanks for the tip. Always interesting in trying out different ways.

[@RG-gk4yi]

Great review. Are you going to show lift tig?

[@MyLilMule]

I would like to, but I don't have a torch that I can do that with. I'd need one with the right connectors and a valve for the Argon. I've never done lift tig before (I have a Tig 225 that has HF start) so it would be fun to give it a try.

[@jdmccorful]

Appears to be quite functional. As always with something new, practice, practice, practice. Thanks for the look and comments.

[@MyLilMule]

I want to learn a little more about the hot start and arc force functions on it for stick, as well as get some CO2 to try some dual shield flux core. But it is a very nice welder so far.

[@connormarek1028]

Those poor 7018s :( That machine looks awesome though. Might pick this one up.

[@MyLilMule]

LOL. It is a great machine.

[@kirkragland7563]

If you think you have contaminants in your liner, disconnect it from the machine and use a aircompressor to blow it out. But it's far more likely your wire has contaminants especially if you don't weld often.

[@MyLilMule]

It's not the wire.

[@KirkRagland]

Also if you do not like the fact that it has synergic welding and only allows you to change the A & V about 15% you can contact primeweld and they can send you a board to fix that, but I iu have to have the nerve to put it in.

[@MyLilMule]

I already did. I even put out an update video.

[@rich1953]

It doesn't have a hot start?

[@MyLilMule]

Yes, it does. Once turned on, you can set the time and the percent amp boost from 0 to 200%. You can also set Arc Force from 0 to 200%

[@josecid9986]

How get this at buy it

[@MyLilMule]

PrimeWeld.com

[@oneangrycanadian6205]

To get a nicer lower profile just try weaving in a c pattern instead of circles. You can make nice heat and bite into both plates nicely

[@MyLilMule]

👍

[@4GSR]

Excellent demo video. Very impressed with what this welder can do. Wish I saw this before I dumped 1K into a used Millermatic that may or may not run and still have to buy a gun for it and who knows what else. Thanks for sharing, Ken

[@MyLilMule]

Thanks for watching!

[@drumtwo4seven]

HOW CAN YOU BE IMPRESSED WITH A MIG WELDER THAT DOESN'T LET YOU SET VOLTAGE AND WIRE FEED SPEED INDEPENDENTLY ?

[@MyLilMule]

@@drumtwo4seven You need to chill out.

[@metalworksmachineshop]

nice machine.

[@MyLilMule]

It’s looking good so far.

[@jimlarkin1400]

looks more like the Lincolm backend to me

[@MyLilMule]

Not sure what you mean.

[@jimlarkin1400]

the Mig Gun rear end looks like a lincoln style@@MyLilMule

[@MyLilMule]

@@jimlarkin1400 Could be they are using the same style.

[@TheChewy78]

Looks like tweco 300 amp mig gun

[@FuegoWelding]

Imported? I thought primeweld was an American company?

[@MyLilMule]

Like many companies based in the US, some products they sell are manufactured overseas. You know, like Apple, Microsoft, Nike, IBM ...

[@OldGuy70s]

About $1400 for Canadian's then.......... wow

[@MyLilMule]

$1469 from Great Western Saw.

[@OldGuy70s]

There ya Go then... I got a Canaweld 162D...@@MyLilMule

[@drumtwo4seven]

I set my voltage then my wire speed. I adjust from there... Voltage remains constant I adjust wire feed accordingly. This welder seems annoying and aggravating

[@MyLilMule]

I understand they are working on a change, but I am not sure to what extent.

[@egabriel4113]

Control of voltaje and wire feed no good, trashed.

[@MyLilMule]

I understand they are fixing this.

[@MyLilMule]

They made a change to the board. All new machines come with the new option, older machines can be upgraded by swapping out the board: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5qYdZiZh8-khNE

[@OldGuy70s]

I don't like the Fan On Demand Option...! The Fan's not bothering any1... But i'd be bothered if my Machine Burned uP because i 4got to turn on the Fan.!

[@MyLilMule]

The fan comes on as soon as you strike an arc. I'd rather it be quiet until then.

[@drumtwo4seven]

Bizarre how you don't have independent control of voltage and wire feed Deal breaker... That's short circuit mig welding 101 There's more than one sweet spot for every voltage increment. If you had independent control over both I'd seriously consider purchasing this machine

[@MyLilMule]

I understand they are working on changing this, but I don't know what that will look like yet.

[@CPLBSS88]

Great call-out! I didnt catch that and that is most certainly a deal killer :( Ill give them a call tomorrow to see if there is n eta on an updated version and post back if so.

[@MyLilMule]

@@CPLBSS88 If I know anything about PrimeWeld, is they listen to customers. I don't know what they have planned, but I am excited to see it.

[@CPLBSS88]

I called and inquired about this, the manual adjustment is +-15% within that setting to help prevent damage. So im thinking this isnt really all that bid of a negative as 15% should be plenty to dial it in... if it's not you probably need to change more than just that setting. It doesnt sound like they have any for sure plans to change this.

[@MyLilMule]

@@CPLBSS88 Last I heard they were considering a couple of options. I'll have to message my contact and see what he says about it.

[@dinosworkshop6870]

You need to learn how to mig weld.

[@MyLilMule]

Why?

[@bigmotter001]

OK so they give you a $1,00.00 to $2,00.00 dollar machine and don't have expectations of a good review? Hello ! So many content providers, like yourself, are selling your subs out and are quickly becoming "infomercials" for free merchandise! Have a nice day, I un-subbed!

[@MyLilMule]

A. The machine is $999. B. Perhaps they have confidence in their product? C. My review was honest and even included what I didn't like. D. They never saw this video, or knew of its contents, until I published it - nothing to hide. E. I rarely do product review videos. F. Bye, don't let the door hit you in the a$$ on the way out.