Note: We’ve updated this article for the NEW Summer 2024 Miller Build with Blue Rebate Promotion. View the current rebate information here!

Spring has sprung, bringing new savings opportunities through Build with Blue!

Miller’s second Build with Blue rebate promotion for 2024 is now underway, running from April 1st through June 30th, 2024. If you’re in the market for a new Miller welder, generator, wire feeder, or helmet this quarter, be sure to check out the current promotions to save on your next purchase! The Miller Build with Blue rebate program offers a straightforward way to save money on your new welding equipment.

Through the Spring Savings rebate, you could save up to $800 on select purchases of Miller welding equipment and accessories!

What is the Miller Build with Blue rebate promotion?

For those who might be new to the welding world, Miller offers a quarterly rebate initiative that allows customers to receive cash back after purchasing qualifying items during the promotion period. The Spring Savings rebate for the second quarter of 2024 presents two rebate opportunities:

1. Purchase an eligible Miller machine, generator, wire feeder or welding helmet during the rebate offer period.
2. Add Miller accessories or Hobart Filler Metals to your purchase to receive another rebate!

• Buy an additional $150 in Miller/Hobart products – get another $50 rebate
• Buy an additional $300 in Miller/Hobart products – get another $100 rebate
• Buy an additional $500 in Miller/Hobart products – get another $200 rebate
• Keep in mind that buying more Miller welders and plasma cutters (while we support it!) do not count as accessories and cannot be used to claim the additional purchase rebate.
• Otherwise, you can purchase any Miller products or Hobart consumables to reach the rebate threshold… as long as it is on the same invoice as your machine or helmet.

To claim your rebates, submit your rebate request (with required documentation) online at the Miller Rebate Center within 30 days of your purchase date.

• You will need to provide an electronic copy of your receipt or invoice (uploaded as an image file) and input the serial number of the purchased machine. Helmets do not require a serial number.
• It will take around 6-8 weeks for Miller to process your claim and mail out your cheque. 

What’s new in the Spring Savings rebate compared to previous promotions?

Get a $500 Rebate on the Miller Bobcat 200 Air Pak Engine-Driven Welder!

This is the first time we’ve seen this model of Bobcat available for the machine rebate. If you’re interested in a new Bobcat 200 Air Pak, now is your chance to save!

Both Digital Infinity Series and Digital Elite Series welding helmets are included!

Usually we see one welding helmet series on promotion, but this rebate offer includes both Digital Infinity and Digital Elite! Get a $75 Rebate when you purchase either of these welding helmets.

What Miller machines and helmets are eligible for the Spring Savings rebate offer?

Multiprocess Welders:

• Miller Multimatic 220 AC/DC Multiprocess Welder (907757) – $500
• Miller Multimatic 220 AC/DC Multiprocess Welder with Dual Cylinder Welding Cart (951000070) – $500

Plasma Cutters:

• Miller Spectrum 375 X-TREME with XT30 Torch (907529) – $200
• Miller Spectrum 625 X-TREME with 12-ft. XT40 Quick Connect Torch (907579) – $250
• Miller Spectrum 625 X-TREME with 20-ft. XT40 Quick Connect Torch (907579001) – $250

TIG Welders:

• Miller Syncrowave 210 TIG Welder TIG/Stick Only Package (907596) – $600
• Miller Syncrowave 210 TIG Welder TIG/MIG Spoolmate 150 Package (951684) – $600
• Miller Maxstar 161 STL 120-240 V TIG Welder (907710) – $500
• Miller Maxstar 161 STL 120-240 V X-Case, Contractor Package (907710001) – $500
• Miller Maxstar 161 STL 120-240 V with X-Case, Fingertip Contractor Package (907710002) – $500
• Miller Maxstar 161 STH 120-240 V TIG Welder (907711) – $500
• Miller Maxstar 161 STH 120-240 V with X-Case, Contractor Package (907710001) – $500
• Miller Maxstar 161 STH 120-240 with X-Case, Fingertip Contractor Package (907710002) – $500

Stick Welders:

• Miller Maxstar 161 S 120-240 V Stick Welder Package (907709) – $500
• Miller Maxstar 161 S 120-240 V Stick Welder Package with X-Case (907709001) – $500

Engine-Driven Welders:

• Miller Fusion 185 Engine-Driven Welder, Kohler with Recoil Start (907781) – $200
• Miller Bobcat 200 Air Pak Engine-Driven Welder, Kohler Engine (907706) – $500

Welding Helmets:

• Miller Digital Infinity Series Helmet – Black (289714) – $75
• Miller Digital Infinity Series Helmet – Black Ops (289715) – $75
• Miller Digital Infinity Series Helmet – Departed (289720) – $75
• Miller Digital Infinity Series Helmet – Stars & Stripes (288420) – $75
• Miller Digital Infinity Series Helmet – Relic (288722) – $75
• Miller Digital Infinity Series Helmet – Imperial (288725) – $75
• Miller Digital Infinity Series Helmet – Honor (280054) – $75
• Miller Digital Infinity Series Helmet – ’22 Custom Kindig-it (292933) – $75
• Miller Digital Elite Series Welding Helmet – Black (289755) – $75
• Miller Digital Elite Series Welding Helmet – Black External Grind (288924) – $75
• Miller Digital Elite Series Welding Helmet – Lucky’s Speed Shop (289756) – $75
• Miller Digital Elite Series Welding Helmet – Inferno (289762) – $75
• Miller Digital Elite Series Welding Helmet – Vintage Roadster (289764) – $75
• Miller Digital Elite Series Welding Helmet – Stars and Stripes II (289759) – $75
• Miller Digital Elite Series Welding Helmet – Raptor (289768) – $75
• Miller Digital Elite Series Welding Helmet – Gear Box (289844) – $75
• Miller Digital Elite Series Welding Helmet – Blue Rage II (281010) – $75

If you have any questions about this quarter’s Build with Blue promotion, contact us at Kristian Electric today! We are proud to be not only your independent Miller Welders distributor – but your local welder service, repair and warranty depot for Alberta and Saskatchewan.

If you’re considering the purchase of a new Miller welding machine or equipment during the 2024 Q2 Build with Blue promotion, our team at Kristian Electric is ready to help you out! With branches located in Calgary, Edmonton, and Saskatoon, we have machines in stock and over 100 years of combined experience to turn your welder dreams into reality.

What is the best part about buying your welder from Kristian Electric?

🔹 We are your authorized Miller warranty depot! Having problems in the first year? Bring your machine right back to us, and we will handle the warranty claim and get you back up and running.

🔹 We are your authorized Miller service & repair depot! We can break in your engine driven, install a positive air shutoff system, install a Webasto heater, winterize your rig, complete a tune-up, or replace a board.

🔹 We offer welding supply and parts! Whether you are looking for repair parts, consumables, or just welding accessories… our showrooms and warehouses are stocked up to get you what you need when you need it.

🔹 We are an independent, locally-owned-and-operated business! Studies show that local businesses like us reinvest in the local economy at a higher rate than national and international chains.

Download the latest 2024 Miller Build with Blue flyer below:

Attention all welders! We are thrilled to announce a special pricing offer on Hobart 7018 welding rod!

Hobart 7018 is a premium-quality electrode that offers superior performance in a variety of stick welding applications. With its low-hydrogen formula, Hobart electrode provides excellent weld quality with minimal spatter and porosity. The 7018 rod is ideal for welding steel with a thickness of 3/16 inch or more, making it a go-to choice for many welders.

And now, for a limited time only, we are offering a special pricing deal on Hobart 7018 welding rod. Since we swear by Hobart Filler Metals in our Kristian overhead crane fabrication shop, we’ve decided to make Hobart as accessible as possible for any welder or fab shop who would like to give it a shot.

Our Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatoon branches are stocked up with 10 lb packages in three sizes – 3/32”, 1/8” and 5/32”. Take advantage of this amazing offer to try Hobart electrode out yourself and stock up on the best welding rods on the market.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get your hands on high-quality electrode at an unbeatable price. Contact your local Kristian branch today to place your order and take advantage of this special pricing offer while it lasts.

Speaking of welding deals, we also have Hobart Megafil 819R on CLEARANCE while quantities last! At only $4.81/lb, that’s more than 50% off! If you use this seamless, flux-cored wire in your shop and are looking to save big, contact us to access this exclusive clearance pricing.

Quick Links

• Hobart 7018 Welding Rod Information & Order Page
• Hobart MEGAFIL 819R Information & Order Page

Winter is nearly here, and if you’re a welder in Canada, you know it’s time to get ready for the cold. Here at Kristian Electric, we’ve spent nearly six decades serving Canadian welders and their equipment, so we understand the unique needs and challenges you face when winter hits.

Our teams in Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatoon are here to provide unwavering support to Canadian welders through our range of services, parts, and welding supplies. Today we will share some of our knowledge to help you prepare your welding equipment for the winter. Our goal is to ensure that your gear works smoothly even as the thermometer plunges, so you can continue welding regardless of the cold!

#1. Review your Owner’s Manuals

While reading your operation manual might seem obvious, the manual for your engine-driven welder contains specific maintenance schedules and recommendations vital for the well-being of your machine. Some manufacturers, like Miller, even post these schedules on the air filter cover and inside the engine compartment’s side door to simplify access. Ensuring your machine is maintained properly in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications is the cornerstone of winter readiness.

Lost your owner’s manual? Download it online from the manufacturer!

• Download your Miller owner’s manual
• Download your Lincoln Electric owner’s manual
• Download your ESAB owner’s manual

Looking for another manufacturer or questions about finding your owner’s manual? Contact Kristian with your machine model and serial number, we are happy to help you out.

#2. Check Your Oil

If you intend to operate your welder generator in temperatures lower than -20 degrees Celsius, it’s advisable to a lighterweight oil such as 5W-30. This change enhances the oil’s ability to flow smoothly within the engine, improving overall circulation. Another option frequently favored by our customers is transitioning to synthetic oil during the colder months.

Here’s why it matters: When your engine sits idle, the oil can settle, causing a delay in its flow when you start the engine, especially in chilly conditions. Synthetic motor oil, on the other hand, is specifically designed to flow quickly at low temperatures, providing better protection of your engine components to reduce motor wear.

Make sure you consult your owner’s manual to see what oil options are recommended for the specific engine in your welding machine.

It’s good practice to check your oil level before starting the engine, especially during winter months.

#3. Check Your Cooling System & Antifreeze

It’s also good practice to check your cooling system and antifreeze regularly during the colder months to ensure that your machine is set for the right temperatures.

Here at Kristian Electric, we go through your complete cooling system as part of our service procedure and top up if required. If you have a hydrometer, you can use it to test the strength of your existing antifreeze by drawing a small amount of coolant from the system to identify its freezing point.

#4. Choose the Right Blend, Additives & Stabilizers for your Fuel

Did you know refiners may formulate gasoline blends differently depending on the season? Summer blends, for instance, possess a lower vapor pressure to prevent engine vapor lock, whereas winter blends are designed for easier vaporization to facilitate smoother starts in colder weather.

If you don’t use your gas-powered welder often during the winter months, you might encounter issues with the standard 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline blend, such as phase separation. Phase separation happens when the fuel in the tank absorbs moisture and combines with ethanol, causing it to separate from the gasoline. This separation results in an ethanol-water mixture that can severely damage the fuel system and engine.

You can prevent phase separation by using fuel additives. Don’t forget to always try and keep your fuel tank as full as possible to limit air and moisture in the tank. Add a gas stabilizer designed for ethanol gas blends, since they have a shorter shelf life than pure gasoline.

For diesel engine drives, adding an anti-gel cold weather additive will prevent wax buildup in your fuel filter and improve flowability.

Treating your fuel with stabilizers and additives will keep it usable throughout the winter. However, if you are planning on allowing your welder to sit idle for an extended period, we recommend draining your carburetors of fuel just in case.

#5. De-Ice Your Carburetor

Cold weather can also cause carburetor icing, especially in conditions nearing freezing temperatures with high relative humidity. Ice can accumulate on the throttle plate and within the carburetor bore, causing the machine to stall. You can prevent carburetor icing by adding isopropyl alcohol to your fuel supply and minimize prolonged no-load idling. Here at Kristian Electric, we offer sales and installation of cold-weather kits for many air-cooled engines.

Once properly installed, the cold weather kit will block off intake of the cold outside air and pull heated air from the exhaust into the carburetor. Installing a cold-weather kit will improve engine starting and operation in extreme cold weather conditions to keep your engine performance at its peak.

Depending on your machine and engine model, our welder service teams in Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatoon can supply and install a cold weather kit for your engine-driven welder! We also sell the cold-weather kits with instructions should you prefer to install it yourself. All cold-weather kits are built to order.

Contact us today to see if a cold-weather kit is available for your welding machine!

#6. Install Heaters

Installing heaters is another option to enhance the efficiency and longevity of your welder during cold weather. Here at Kristian Electric, we offer the supply and installation of a few different types of heaters and additional accessories that can be added to your engine-driven welder.

Webasto Heater (Diesel Engine-Driven Welders) A Webasto Heater will bring your engine up to operating temperatures by heating and circulating your coolant without running the engine. Installing a Webasto heater will reduce wear and tear on your engine, maximizing its longevity and performance.

Block Heater (Gasoline Liquid-Cooled or Diesel Engines) A block heater will raise the temperature inside the engine compartment without running the engine. In extremely cold weather, the engine’s internal components and the engine oil can become viscous, making it difficult for the engine to turn over and start. A block heater warms up the engine, reducing this viscosity and making it easier for the engine to start.

Oil Pan Heater: An oil pan heater is designed to maintain the optimal temperature of your welder’s oil, especially in cold weather conditions. Installed on or near your welder’s oil pan (often with magnets) it ensures that your oil remains at the ideal viscosity for smooth operation. Installing an oil pan heater facilitates consistent welding performance by preventing oil thickening and reduces wear and tear on your engine in cold weather.

Our welder service teams in Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatoon can make a recommendation on what heaters may be beneficial for your specific application and install any of the above heaters in your welding machine.

Contact us today for a quote on adding a heater to your welder before winter comes!

#7. Protect your Welder with Covers

Investing in a protective cover for your welder will help shield your equipment from snow, moisture, dust and other environmental hazards that can cause damage and reduce its lifespan. Protective covers are a simple and cost-effective way to extend the life of your welder and keep your machine clean!

Kristian Electric can provide standard covers from your welder’s manufacturer including Miller and Lincoln Electric.

We also work closely with a local Alberta manufacturer to fabricate custom covers for our customers – made to order – for all models of Miller and Lincoln welding machines.

Contact us today for a quote on a custom protective cover for your welder!

#6. Install Heaters

Winter is coming… and we hope that we have helped you gear up for the cold with these engine-driven welder winter maintenance tips! If you have any questions or would like a recommendation, contact us at Kristian Electric today.

Our welder service teams in Calgary, Edmonton and Saskatoon are always ready to offer service, parts and welding supplies for whatever project you need to tackle. Winter may be on its way, but with these preparations, your welding equipment will be ready to tackle the cold. Canadian welders — stay warm and keep welding! Canada depends on you.