Are you looking for a welder with multiple functionalities? If the answer to this question is yes, Miller Maxstar 150 STL is a product that you should know about. It is one of the popular welders by Miller Electric which is one of the main US based manufacturers of welding equipment. Miller Electric has established reputation in the industry with the production of quality welders. Maxstar 150 STL is an excellent workmanship for which the brand is known for. The welder is strongly created with the best technology, namely, DC inverter technology. The welder boasts of impressive versatility. Whether you are a professional or a beginner, you will be able to make use of this product for welding and yet achieve an impressive welding result. However, before you jump into conclusion thinking that you have found a perfect product, you need to take time to read this reviews which examines the features, specification, pros and cons of the product. It will help you to determine whether the product will meet your requirements or not.
Features and description
This TIG welder is a product that boasts of impressive versatility as it can be used to weld a number of metal materials. It has Stick functionalities as well as TIG functionality. As a product with dual functionality, it easily switches from Stick welding technique to TIG technique on the STL 150 interface. Given the dc inverter technology used in producing this welder, it is a portable welder. Given its portability and lightweight of 13.7lbs., you can use it to welder in different locations. You will be able to move it from one job site to another without requiring another person’s help. It is not bulky that you need a truck to transport it to your job site. When welding in a job site or a workshop, you can easily move the machine from one position to another. Given its small dimension of 9 inches height and 5.5 inches width, it does not consume much space in a work site. The portability of the product is enhanced by the shoulder strap that it comes with. Another aspect of this product that improves on its portability is its dense and close-packed design.
Miller 150 STL is created to be used for welding in different applications and under different environments. It can be used for light industrial applications. Welders in food and beverage industry can make use of this product in welding. Welders in dairy industry as well mechanical contractors can make use of the product. It is suitable for work in steel erection. It is one of the tools that do-it-yourself hobbyist should have in their tool collection. With it, you will be able to carry out a lot of works around the house such as maintenance and repair work. The reason why the machine can be used under a number of environments is because it comes with the basic features required for majority of DC stick or TIG welding applications.
Users will not have any problem connecting this welding machine to 115-230 VAC single-phase power thanks to auto-line power management technology circuitry that it comes with. With this technology the connection to 115-230 Vac is automatically done without requiring you to remove the cover so that you will be able to link the power source again. Another feature of this product that enhances the functionality and ease-of-use of the product is the Low OCV Stick which when the power source is not being utilized brings down the open-circuit voltage to 12-16 VDC. You don’t require any tools in order to connect the machine to 115 or 230 V receptacles. All you need to do is get a plug that matches the receptacle for connection to the power cord.
Miller 150 STL is a strong welding machine created to last for many years. Besides being created with strong materials, it comes with features that enhance durability. A typical example of such feature is the thermal overload protection. There is the possibility of the airflow being blocked or the duty cycle being exceeded. Occurrence of any of the above mentioned problems can damage a welder. But if you are using this product, you don’t have to bother about your machine being damage as a result of these problems because it comes with thermal overload protection which protects the machine from damaging in event of any of the above.
This welding machine offers quiet operation thanks to its Fan-On-Demand feature which also reduces power consumption. It also helps to reduce the quantity of airborne contaminants that enters into the welder. In this way, obstructions to the performance of the machine are eliminated or reduced. The power supply of this machine remains stable. No damage will be done to the machine as a result of power fluctuation. Damage or hazards resulting from power fluctuation can reduce the welder’s life span. But this welder is free from such occurrence because it comes with Line Voltage Compensation (LVC). Users will not experience any electrode sticking when they are welding with the machine thanks to the adaptive hot start of the machine.
It has dual voltages of 115V and 230V. When you are using this product, you can easily set the amperage accurately on the voltage primary power you are using be it 115V or 230V. The machine does not require high frequency in order to provide TIG arc starting thanks to the lift-arc start feature that it comes with.
The unit comes with an internal air flow system created with a Wind Tunnel Technology which enhances reliability and performance by preventing debris, dust and dirt from getting to the electrical components and PC boards of the system.
With this welding machine, bulky torch with a gas valve is not required as the machine comes with a built-in gas solenoid. Operators of this welder must not carry out any critical work in order to crater out owing to its full function remote control.
Specifications
Brand: Miller Electric
Part number: 907135016
EAN: 0715959391085
Material type: Steel
Rated output: Stick 230V 150 Amperage @ 26 VDC, 30 percent duty cycle, Stick 115V 100 Amperage @ 24 VDC, 35 percent duty cycle, TIG 230V 150 amperage @ 16 VDC, 30 percent duty cycle, TIG 115 volts 150 amperage @16 VDC, 30 percent Duty Cycle.
Input Power: 115/230 volts, 1 phase, 50/60 Hz.
Welding amperage Range: Stick 230V 20-150 amperage, Stick 115V 20-100 amperage, TIG 115V 5-150 Amps, TIG 115V 5-150 Amps.
Net Weight: 13.7lbs. (6.3kg)
Pros
- It is a portable and lightweight welding machine.
- It is versatile and multifunctional (it can be used for TIG and Stick welding).
- It is a durable machine and comes with thermal overload protection which protects the machine from damage.
- It offers quiet operation.
- It is easy to use thanks to its user-friendly interface.
Cons
- It does not have any foot pedal.
- Its output does not go higher than 150A.
- It is not used to weld different kinds of metals such as aluminum.
Conclusion
The various features of this product have been explained in this review which also throws light on the specification of the product. In the final analysis, we can say that the product is a good value for money. If you need a versatile machine that you can use for light projects of different kinds under different environments, you should consider purchasing it. However, the final decision as regards whether the machine meets your requirements is left for you to take.