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Happy Hobart Handler 187 users out there?

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Scott

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Dec 21, 2005
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139
Location
Bothell, WA
I am in the market to add a MIG welder to my garage and after some searching, it looks like a lot of people like the Hobart Hander 187 for an entry level 220v machine. Most people seem to say it is a good starting point over a MM180 due to the tapped voltage. I have not heard good things about Lincoln customer service either.

Any opinions good or bad about the HH187? They are available factory refurbished for about $520.
 
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Senorpablo

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Jun 21, 2006
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411
Location
SoCal
Can't speak to the 187 specifically, but I have a HH130 and it's been amazing.

I've been extremely happy with tapped heat settings.
 
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eschoendorff

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Feb 6, 2005
Messages
8,991
Location
Michigan
Senorpablo said:
Can't speak to the 187 specifically, but I have a HH130 and it's been amazing.

I've been extremely happy with tapped heat settings.
Click to expand...

Similar feedback here... I have an HH140 and absolutely love it. High quality, made in USA and easy to use.
 
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KCHOTBOAT

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Joined
Jun 1, 2005
Messages
186
Location
Olathe, KS
I bought Hobart 187 a couple of weeks ago and love it. I ordered mine from Northern Tools which was offered free shipping and a free cart. I did look at Millers at the KC world of wheels but it was more money and would also have to pay sales tax. I have the 12 year wanting to go out and weld every evening now.
 
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rickairmedic

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May 31, 2005
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4,165
Location
louisville ,Ky
I am looking at the ironman 210 myself although it is more expensive than the 187 it is much more machine even more than the HH210 . The duty cycle on the Ironman is alot higher than the HH210 . I have researched alot and for what I will be doing I doubt I will go beyond its abilities and if I do then I guess I will just have to fire up the old Dialarc250 stick machine .


Rick
 
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Lyaec350

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Nov 17, 2007
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somewhere...
I really like my IronMan... I would never try to single pass anything thicker than 3/8" so I don't need the 250, and the gun on the 210 is smaller and easier to get in places. Similarly, the 210 is great on 1/4" stuff and absolutely beautiful on 1/8" which is the majority of what I do, so it really is the perfect machine for me. Added bonus is that it comes with running gear and the rack is big enough to hold an Argon bottle as well, should you decide to go with a spool gun.
 
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nissan_crawler

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Jan 12, 2008
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Wichita, KS
I have the hh175, the predecessor to the 180, which is the predecessor to the 187. I have no complaints, it welds like a champ. I can't explain why, but both dad's century and miller welder can't compare to it when mig welding in wind. The Hobart does circles around them and produces good welds even under half decent wind. Why? I can't explain it, it makes no sense, but that's how it is. The century craps out with a 5 mile an hour wind, the miller isn't a fan over 10 or so, and I've welded in my driveway with the hobart in 15-20 mph wind and never gotten a porous weld.

I've welded with it on the "3" heat setting (only 4 taps on my model) for over 2 hours NON STOP, and never had it hit duty cycle. I've had it on the highest setting and welded for over 30 minutes, and this was right after the above "3" setting. I have NEVER been able to hit duty cycle on it (by duty cycle, I'm referring to the welder kicking off, not actual posted duty cycle).

I would like a 187, just for the additional voltage taps, but mine works fine.
 
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engnerdan

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Apr 18, 2007
Messages
316
Location
Minnesota
We had the first 110 Hobart migs HH120 or 125 in HS (around 1997) and those things would be used for hours and hours and hours and I don't think they ever shut down. I know after 4 years of that abuse one had a rectifier burn out but that was 4 years of hard abuse. I have had my HH 135 for 6 years now, gone through countless rools of wire, unknown number of bottles of gas, a dozen or so tips and one liner but never once had a problem with it.

I would not hesitate to buy another Hobart welder.

-Dan
 
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Namocsid

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Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
151
I've got a HH187, and it's a nice machine. I've only had it for a few months, but I'm satisified. I got mine from BR welder, shipping was free, cheapest price I could find on the web.
 
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Stanger

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Oct 25, 2006
Messages
1,298
Location
Alton, IL
I love my 187. I did a lot of research and everything came back to this machine. The only machine I would take as a replacement would be a MM212 or HH210. The arc characteristics on these machines are sweeeet.
 
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JeepsAreBuilt

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Nov 24, 2006
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The Beautiful NorthWest
Before you jump on that hh187 deal.. did you look into prices for a spool gun incase you ever want to weld aluminum ? The lincoln powermig 180c's are about $150 more brand new shipped on ebay. And their spool gun kit cost is pretty good comparing to HH or Miller.
 
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JeepsAreBuilt

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Scott said:
You mean the spool gun is $150?
Click to expand...


I meant that the lincoln powermig 180c is about $150 more than the refurb HH187.

I did a search on Ebay, there is a lincoln spool gun buy it now for $180 shipped.. for the powermig 180c. I could not find the correct HH spool gun on ebay. I did a google on the spool gun for a hh187 - and found prices in the $400 range. Also on HH's website, they say to use a spool gun on the hh187 you also have to buy a spool gun control unit in order to use it.
 
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Stanger

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Oct 25, 2006
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Alton, IL
The SGA 100 that is required is about $200. The spoolgun is an additional $600. You can get some combo deals on ebay where you get everything for about $600 I think. If you are wanting to seriously weld aluminum I would recommend a tig anyway. Good point on accessory pricing though.
 
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