lately i've gotten bored of having to clean up every weld (stick) even though i like being able to weld thicker plates. been looking for a mig found the hobart 140 @479 and real gear usa (gts welco) 140 @327 and then i stumbled on eastwoods 135 any comments on their welders or the real gear usa brands?
eastwood welders
- Thread starter yotarover
- Start date
sberry
Banned
Stay with the Hobarts. The Eastwood may be good, may not?? Hobart is a sure bet.
ZRX61
Well-known member
Eastwoods are well known for buying OPC (other peoples ****), rebadging it as their own & upping the price by 100 to 500%.. so whatever it is, it's more than likely available elsewhere for half the price.
Agree 100% on this. Buy a welder from a company that sell welders and you will get support from people that know welding.
sberry
Banned
Lots of cost involved in the related equipment, kind of foolish to try to save 150$ there on the most important piece. It would be one thing if the good one was 500 and the junker 100 but at 350 its no bargain and it doesn't work as good too boot. Best bargain bang for the buck quality machine made today is the small 240V machines, easy choice is a Hobart 187. Hard to get a machine that works better and certainly not in that price range.
Bigpigdave
Well-known member
If you are going to weld thicker plate, remember that any mig you get is going to have to be higher amperage than a comparable stick welder. To weld 3/8 plate will take a real 180 amp or higher and it goes up from there. Look at some of the Lincoln products I have four of their welders and have been very happy with them all.
crewchief888
Well-known member
i'd spend my $$ on the welder. check out CL/garage sale/pawn shop for a chop saw and grinder.
dont hate me for saying this , but ive had pretty good luck with HF 4 1/2" grinders, got em n sale for $9.99 almost 4 years ago, and they get abused.
just recently replaced a 4 year old HF chop saw (on sale) $49.99, with a ridgd, on sale at HD for $120. i buy my lincoln welding wire at HD or lowes. usually $10-15 cheaper than any welding supply
just my $0.02
scooby074
Well-known member
Thicker plate and mig = $$$, Bigger than a 140A for sure (I got a miller 135)
$700
better save up or look for used.
Dont bother with the "off brands",get a miller, Lincoln or hobart. Better quality IMHO and consumables will be available pretty much everywhere. Not some one off, only available from the place you bought it.
If you want to mig "thicker" stuff, look at at least a 220V machine (something like a miller 212), bigger the better. Ive never seen anyone complain about having too big a Mig.
$700
better save up or look for used.Dont bother with the "off brands",get a miller, Lincoln or hobart. Better quality IMHO and consumables will be available pretty much everywhere. Not some one off, only available from the place you bought it.
If you want to mig "thicker" stuff, look at at least a 220V machine (something like a miller 212), bigger the better. Ive never seen anyone complain about having too big a Mig.
Brandon_K
Well-known member
We have a Hobart 135 that I've been very pleaed with. 3/16" plate, 1 pass, no issues (on 75/25 gas). If you go to flux core, you can go a little thicker yet on single pass. Past that, you're doing multiple passes or you need a 240v machine. The 240v machines will almost always have a higher duty cycle as well.
Not to long ago I saw a number of ~200A Millers and Lincoln's on CL used, going for less than what we paid for our Handler 135. I should have jumped on one, but didn't have the scratch in the toy fund. They were all in great shape. It just seemed like every new body shop in the area close in a 1 month span.
Definitely stick with a big name. Better yet, find out what the closest welding supply to you is and see what they carry. ESAB makes some great machines, but if you have to drive an hour to get consumables, it will definitely put a bad taste in your mouth about that brand.
Not to long ago I saw a number of ~200A Millers and Lincoln's on CL used, going for less than what we paid for our Handler 135. I should have jumped on one, but didn't have the scratch in the toy fund. They were all in great shape. It just seemed like every new body shop in the area close in a 1 month span.
Definitely stick with a big name. Better yet, find out what the closest welding supply to you is and see what they carry. ESAB makes some great machines, but if you have to drive an hour to get consumables, it will definitely put a bad taste in your mouth about that brand.
nate379
Banned
Sounds like Snap On's Bluepoint line!
How thick of plate do you need to weld? I have welded 3/8" with my Lincoln 175 without trouble. Multiple pass weld though. I do 1/4" single pass.
How thick of plate do you need to weld? I have welded 3/8" with my Lincoln 175 without trouble. Multiple pass weld though. I do 1/4" single pass.
Professur
Well-known member
kmacht
Well-known member
I recently bought an Auto-Arc 130 from amazon. It was once manufactured by miller but is now being produced as a hobart. The manual for it is on the miller website. I paid $370 for it with free shipping and it came with a regulator and a cart. The ad states it comes with a fixed regulator but the one I recieved was adjustable. I have done some 3/16 metal with it in one pass with fluxcore and it got full penetration. Thicker than 3/16 and you should probably look at a 220 machine. It worked real well on thinner sheetmetal was well. I hooked up a bottle of 75/25 and tried it on a few patch panels. They made nice even welds with very little distortion. Being a miller/hobart, all parts can easily be bought through the local welding store. If you are looking to save about $100 over the hobart 140 plus get a cart with it you might want to check this one out.
Keith
Keith
sberry
Banned
The 140 is a fine machine but is basically underpowered for bumper and cage work, for a flatbed for that matter, just doesn't have the top end, like trying to run a 4 cyl engine in a 1 ton truck.
sberry
Banned
140, think Ranger 4 cyl, 175-187 = 150 class truck with zippy 6, 210 = 150 with small V8. It isnt that the small machines are bad, just small, 120V supply is just so limited, like watering a lawn with soda straw.
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crewchief888
Well-known member
ive welded more than one cage, fabbed up more than one bumper,built spring mounts, and crossmembers with my lincoln 140.
true, sometimes it takes more than one pass, but i havent had anything break or fall off, and making multiple passes is time consuming.
the cage in my blazer survived a slow speed rollover.
i'd love to have the lincoln 255 i have at work sitting at home, but that aint happening.
patience is key.
true, sometimes it takes more than one pass, but i havent had anything break or fall off, and making multiple passes is time consuming.
the cage in my blazer survived a slow speed rollover.
i'd love to have the lincoln 255 i have at work sitting at home, but that aint happening.
patience is key.
IronTrap
Alliance Vendor
Hi guys,
I wanted to clear up a few of the concerns on our new Eastwood welders that I have seen questions about on a handful of message boards. (Professur- I figured the questions you were asking were because of a discussion on a message board, hope I can clear things up here)
1.These are NOT rebadged or rebranded welders made by another large company for us with our name on it.
-These welders we designed and tested in house here at Eastwood. They were designed to be EQUIVALENT to the Lincoln Mig Pak 10 (our 135) and the Mig Pak 15 (our 175). We oversaw every step of the production process to make sure these were designed to our specs and expectations. Our main concern is to give you a welder that is built to the same specs and quality as a industrial welder, but priced towards a serious hobbyist.
-We go so far as to back our welders with a 3 year warranty. That is backed by Eastwood Company, not by a 3rd party company, like people seemed to be confused about. We didn't begin offering these for a "quick buck", in fact we are working on designing further products to add to our welding product line (can you say affordable TIG and Plasma cutters?)
2. Consumables- Our welders are made with a Tweco style gun (the same as most major companies including Lincoln use). Therefore all consumable parts (nozzle, tips, etc) are available at any local welding supply store. We are enthusiasts here ourselves, and we know the frustration of needing a part or supplies halfway through the job and not being able to get it! (for me this past weekend it was running out of mig wire at 5:30PM on a Sunday and realizing the only local "Farm" store that would have wire closed at 5
)
3. As far as the concern of them being made outside of the U.S., even Lincoln products use foreign electrical parts internally (made for them). They may be assembled in the U.S., but if you tore them down piece by piece, I can assure there is more than one item internally that was built by a foreign country. This doesn't always make a product bad or faulty.. everything is built to our specifications, regardless of where it is made. Again we back the product with a 3 year warranty, if we thought these were of a questionable build quality, we wouldn't offer a warranty that extensive (or possibly at all).
If you guys have any other questions or concerns feel free to ask me and I'll do my best to answer them!
***In fact I can offer anyone that is on the fence about one of our welders the chance to try it for 30 days with a hassle free return policy. Buy it, use it to weld your rusty project car, patch a frame on the same project, your sons go-kart, your fence in your yard, your neighbor's shed doors, whatever... If you don't like it or it doesn't meet your expectations (which I highly doubt!), than give us a call and we will be gladly take it back and refund your money.***
Hope that cleared up a few questions and concerns.
-Matt/EW
I wanted to clear up a few of the concerns on our new Eastwood welders that I have seen questions about on a handful of message boards. (Professur- I figured the questions you were asking were because of a discussion on a message board, hope I can clear things up here)
1.These are NOT rebadged or rebranded welders made by another large company for us with our name on it.
-These welders we designed and tested in house here at Eastwood. They were designed to be EQUIVALENT to the Lincoln Mig Pak 10 (our 135) and the Mig Pak 15 (our 175). We oversaw every step of the production process to make sure these were designed to our specs and expectations. Our main concern is to give you a welder that is built to the same specs and quality as a industrial welder, but priced towards a serious hobbyist.
-We go so far as to back our welders with a 3 year warranty. That is backed by Eastwood Company, not by a 3rd party company, like people seemed to be confused about. We didn't begin offering these for a "quick buck", in fact we are working on designing further products to add to our welding product line (can you say affordable TIG and Plasma cutters?)
2. Consumables- Our welders are made with a Tweco style gun (the same as most major companies including Lincoln use). Therefore all consumable parts (nozzle, tips, etc) are available at any local welding supply store. We are enthusiasts here ourselves, and we know the frustration of needing a part or supplies halfway through the job and not being able to get it! (for me this past weekend it was running out of mig wire at 5:30PM on a Sunday and realizing the only local "Farm" store that would have wire closed at 5
)3. As far as the concern of them being made outside of the U.S., even Lincoln products use foreign electrical parts internally (made for them). They may be assembled in the U.S., but if you tore them down piece by piece, I can assure there is more than one item internally that was built by a foreign country. This doesn't always make a product bad or faulty.. everything is built to our specifications, regardless of where it is made. Again we back the product with a 3 year warranty, if we thought these were of a questionable build quality, we wouldn't offer a warranty that extensive (or possibly at all).
If you guys have any other questions or concerns feel free to ask me and I'll do my best to answer them!
***In fact I can offer anyone that is on the fence about one of our welders the chance to try it for 30 days with a hassle free return policy. Buy it, use it to weld your rusty project car, patch a frame on the same project, your sons go-kart, your fence in your yard, your neighbor's shed doors, whatever... If you don't like it or it doesn't meet your expectations (which I highly doubt!), than give us a call and we will be gladly take it back and refund your money.***
Hope that cleared up a few questions and concerns.
-Matt/EW
ZRX61
Well-known member
IronTrap
Alliance Vendor
Not sure how I could make it anymore clear if you read my entire response? These welders are made by our own manufacturer for us by us with no other 3rd party company making them. We are NOT buying another company's welder and marking them up (with the price we are offering these at that would be hard to do regardless). This is not a case of "huge well known company A making these for us and we stick our labels on them" This is a case of Eastwood designing and testing the product from step 1 and working directly with OUR OWN factory to design and manufacture the product.
Sometimes pointing the finger is easier than believing the facts. Again if anyone has any concerns or is actually on the fence about buying one and not liking the quality.. try it for 30 days and return it if you hate it or think it is inferior. You won't find this is a product that you will get with our sticker on the side but "comapny A's" name on all the bits.. This all Eastwood, by Eastwood.
Hope that response is a little more clear cut for you. Feel free to hit me up if you have any other concerns.
-Matt/EW
In fact here are 2 photos of EARLY pre- mass production models we were testing and spec'ing here in our R&D shop.
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Matt,
while you are correct parts are made in china and assembled in the US, please note that lincoln,miller,hobart, thermadyne has great customer service which counts for $.
so with that in mind,two questions for you.
1) what kind of of circuit boards are in your welder mosfet or igbt?
2) 3 yr warranty so what happens 2yrs 11 months and 29 days when the welder dies what is the warranty send back to you for repair or on phone diagnosis and part sent?
while you are correct parts are made in china and assembled in the US, please note that lincoln,miller,hobart, thermadyne has great customer service which counts for $.
so with that in mind,two questions for you.
1) what kind of of circuit boards are in your welder mosfet or igbt?
2) 3 yr warranty so what happens 2yrs 11 months and 29 days when the welder dies what is the warranty send back to you for repair or on phone diagnosis and part sent?
IronTrap
Alliance Vendor
“Matt,
while you are correct parts are made in china and assembled in the US, please note that lincoln,miller,hobart, thermadyne has great customer service which counts for $.
So with that in mind. Eastwood has stood behind every one of our exclusive products for over 30 years and will continue to do so going forward. You can also call our product manager directly through the 800# and he can walk you through any issue; which counts for your $
1) what kind of of circuit boards are in your welder mosfet or igbt?
The boards are mosfet design, the rectifier utilizes direct lay down 13mm press fit diodes on aluminum heat sinks with thermal overload protection. The transformers are electrical grade steel with 3.5% silicon laminations with C110 copper windings on both the primary and secondary transformer
2) 3 yr warranty so what happens 2yrs 11 months and 29 days when the welder dies what is the warranty send back to you for repair or on phone diagnosis and part sent?”
2yrs, 11 months and 29 days is still inside the 3 yr warranty so yes we will replace the unit if the welder dies. As for out of warranty issues simply call the 800# talk with Mark the Product Manager and you can trouble shoot over the phone or send the unit back. If a new unit is what the customer wants, we can sell them a new one at a discounted price for staying a loyal Eastwood customer. If at that time we have a newer model, or the existing customer wants to upgrade, we will again sell him a unit at a discount . Ask your other manufacturers if they have a similar program. "
I actually had Mark R. our product manager (and designer of our welders) help me with some of the technical info on the internals of the product since he is a little more familiar. Can't get much more of a technically direct answer than that (I can weld, but when it comes to circuit boards and the different types, etc. I am a little lost!)
-Matt/EW
while you are correct parts are made in china and assembled in the US, please note that lincoln,miller,hobart, thermadyne has great customer service which counts for $.
So with that in mind. Eastwood has stood behind every one of our exclusive products for over 30 years and will continue to do so going forward. You can also call our product manager directly through the 800# and he can walk you through any issue; which counts for your $
1) what kind of of circuit boards are in your welder mosfet or igbt?
The boards are mosfet design, the rectifier utilizes direct lay down 13mm press fit diodes on aluminum heat sinks with thermal overload protection. The transformers are electrical grade steel with 3.5% silicon laminations with C110 copper windings on both the primary and secondary transformer
2) 3 yr warranty so what happens 2yrs 11 months and 29 days when the welder dies what is the warranty send back to you for repair or on phone diagnosis and part sent?”
2yrs, 11 months and 29 days is still inside the 3 yr warranty so yes we will replace the unit if the welder dies. As for out of warranty issues simply call the 800# talk with Mark the Product Manager and you can trouble shoot over the phone or send the unit back. If a new unit is what the customer wants, we can sell them a new one at a discounted price for staying a loyal Eastwood customer. If at that time we have a newer model, or the existing customer wants to upgrade, we will again sell him a unit at a discount . Ask your other manufacturers if they have a similar program. "
I actually had Mark R. our product manager (and designer of our welders) help me with some of the technical info on the internals of the product since he is a little more familiar. Can't get much more of a technically direct answer than that
(I can weld, but when it comes to circuit boards and the different types, etc. I am a little lost!)-Matt/EW
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IronTrap
Alliance Vendor
Just a follow up, we recently made a short video comparing our Mig 135 with the Mig Pak 10. Thought you guys might enjoy!
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Falcon67
Well-known member
I have the Handler 140 - it's a fine machine. I did do a cage with it, but you best be spot on with .120+ wall tube. Edge bevels, heat the pipe, clean/clean/clean. If you do not bevel the edges and set a small gap, you will not always get the penetration you'll want. If you plane to do .125 or better regularly, get the 180. If I'd had any idea how much better these units were than my old Century 70 I'd have got the 180. But the 140 does 99% of what I need, so I'm good.
Rich1028
Well-known member
I'm looking at getting a mig soon,and I have been looking at the Eastwood Mig 135
mrholeshot
MEMBER EMERITUS
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2010
- Messages
- 8,043
Friend of mine bought one and has been using it several months without problem. I layed down a few beads on some roll cage and it welds nice. He's burned dow about 4 8 lb rolls so far. I have to say I was pretty impressed with it. I'm a ******** Lincoln guy but I can't say anything bad about the Eastwood. Really nice for the money.
wearetheromans85
Member
duty cycle pretty important too. nothing's worse than trying to weld a project than having that thing over heat.
I too have been considering the Eastwood welders. I'm going to eventually get a mig unit in the 170-180 amp range. Got it narrowed down to the Hobart 187, Lincoln 180 or the comparable Eastwood unit. FWIW, I've read a lot of reviews on other sites and I have not read anything negative about the Eastwoods by anyone who's actually OWNED one.
IronTrap
Alliance Vendor
This is a perfect example of someone with no knowledge of the product whatsoever posting incorrect information.
While I can understand the want to stay with one of the "Top 3" brand welders, there are others out there looking for something that performs the same, but is within a hobbyists budget. I never would suggest this unit can out perform a industrial grade Lincoln, Miller, etc.; but it CAN perform equally as well as one of their units in the same class.
This is exactly it. Most negative posts are by misinformed and uneducated
posters that don't actually know anything about the product. I don't think we had a return of a welder yet that was for it under-performing, or being different than we advertise.
We have actually "abused" our welders holding them at the highest setting, and just running continuous beads on I beams to TRY and hit the duty cycle, with little success. You either have to be really abusing the machine, or using it for something a much, much larger welder should be doing. Same with doing quick continuous spot welds, no issues what-so-ever.
I am by no means trying to make a sales pitch here. Only trying to respond to questions, and set any incorrect, comments straight. If anyone has any specific questions or needs any pictures, video, etc. about one of our welders, feel free to post or PM me directly.
-Matt/EW
P.S.- Check out our video for our next addition to our welder line; our "TIG 200" true A/C-D/C TIG machine.
HHHhhhhhmmmmm, where did you come up with this? The label on the front panel of the Eastwood welder clearly says it's made in China.
This is an entry level welder targeted a specific price point-- $300. It has been on the market long enough for Eastwood to have sorted out some early problems (the original carts that shipped with these units had a design flaw that prevented the welder door from opening without the user lifting the unit out of the cart.)
Eastwood is bringing a nice little unit to a niche market. The one big disadvantage is that Eastwood does not maintain a service department for these units. It's the Walmart microwave mentality-- if it breaks, exchange it for another unit-- if there is one on hand. (From time to time there has been a delay in the supply of units shipping from China.)
There's nothing wrong with the philosophy if you understand it going into the purchase. You'd have to ramp up the price a couple hundred dollars to get a same class Lincoln or Hobart, but after three years you're still going to be able to get parts and service for those units. Matt says Eastwood will work with customers whose units fail outside the three-year warranty, but without this being in writing... well you get the idea.
One thing is for certain, it takes fortitude for a manufacturer's rep to jump into the flames of a forum like this. He deserves a measure of respect for making the leap.
keywestjack
Well-known member
Well said. It also speaks well for Eastwood.
ramtuff
Well-known member
If you live close to Eastwood and are interested in the 135 welder, they have some rebuilt ones for $199. I received an e-mail notice about them the other day.
Verdict is in for me. Purchased Eastwood Company Mig 135 on May 1st, 2011, received June 2 here (we're a 100 miles north of Montana in that strange foreign country called Canada). Used 3 times and turned on this morning and....click, click, but no power to the tip and that hasn't changed. No customer 'service" on weekend so will call in on Monday to start the process to hopefully return this pos and get my money back. Time I finished paying the freight I saved $50.00 buying this over a Lincoln Handy Mig 140 and it has been the most exaperating experience ever. If you're on the fence, in Canada at least, and you're thinking about this welder I'd recommend you skip the headache+exasperation. Buy a Lincoln.
IronTrap
Alliance Vendor
Sorry to hear about the issues, we are working on getting a Canadian vendor currently to avoid the high shipping issues. If you haven't handled this already, let me know and I can take care of it for you. Sorry to hear about your experience!
-Matt/EW
-Matt/EW
Pro-Painter
Well-known member
First off let me say that I have the Eastwood 135 AMP welder and have used it a lot over the last two years. I bought it when my Lincoln weld-pak 100hd welder died. I bought the Eastwood on a budget and was surprised when it turned out being an upgrade from my weld-pak. It's a damn fine auto body welder. I'm very happy with it and would recommend it to anyone in need of a great welder at a great price.
However, Ive got to question matt's claim that Eastwood welders are made solely for Eastwood, because Northern-tool offers a house brand welder called "Northern industrial" that is the exact same welder as the Eastwood.
They have the same accessories, the same specs, and they even sell them reconditioned like Eastwood does. Ive personally seen the insides of both welders and they are identical down to the warning/use stickers with the only differences being Northern's are yellow and have a slightly different face plate and little design differences.
Now maybe I'm wrong and they are not made by the same manufacturer. I have no way to prove otherwise. But if that's the case someone is stealing the other ones welder design and marketing. They are that close to each other. Ive always assumed that they used the same manufacture. Both have great reviews, and both seem to be great welders. I chose the Eastwood due to my long standing commitment to Eastwood and their products.
However, Ive got to question matt's claim that Eastwood welders are made solely for Eastwood, because Northern-tool offers a house brand welder called "Northern industrial" that is the exact same welder as the Eastwood.
They have the same accessories, the same specs, and they even sell them reconditioned like Eastwood does. Ive personally seen the insides of both welders and they are identical down to the warning/use stickers with the only differences being Northern's are yellow and have a slightly different face plate and little design differences.
Now maybe I'm wrong and they are not made by the same manufacturer. I have no way to prove otherwise. But if that's the case someone is stealing the other ones welder design and marketing. They are that close to each other. Ive always assumed that they used the same manufacture. Both have great reviews, and both seem to be great welders. I chose the Eastwood due to my long standing commitment to Eastwood and their products.
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Major Ramifications
Well-known member
I applaud Eastwood for filling the niche, or should I say chasm, between the HF welders and the "big 3" welders. I have recommended them on here to people looking for their first welder.
I do not need another welder, but if I were in the market for one, I would look long and hard at the Eastwood 220V MIG 175 that even includes a spool gun for $540.
To put it another way, I just bought a vacuum pump for A/C work. Of course, I wanted an American made JB or Yellow Jacket, but for something that I will hardly ever use, I couldn't justify it. I looked at the HF units, but spent just a bit more and got a Robinair.
I would say that Eastwood welders are the Roinairs of the vacuum pump world. Not the absolute best, but plenty good enough.
To all the guys who keep chiming in about the consumables being expensive, IT HAS A TWECO TYPE GUN, so you can get tips at Home Depot or Lowes, along with any welding shop.
I also have recommended Campbell Hausfeld welders, especially the Maxus line, which feature all-metal drive systems.
I do not need another welder, but if I were in the market for one, I would look long and hard at the Eastwood 220V MIG 175 that even includes a spool gun for $540.
To put it another way, I just bought a vacuum pump for A/C work. Of course, I wanted an American made JB or Yellow Jacket, but for something that I will hardly ever use, I couldn't justify it. I looked at the HF units, but spent just a bit more and got a Robinair.
I would say that Eastwood welders are the Roinairs of the vacuum pump world. Not the absolute best, but plenty good enough.
To all the guys who keep chiming in about the consumables being expensive, IT HAS A TWECO TYPE GUN, so you can get tips at Home Depot or Lowes, along with any welding shop.
I also have recommended Campbell Hausfeld welders, especially the Maxus line, which feature all-metal drive systems.
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