Best Welder for under $999.00
- Thread starter vjjack04
- Start date
welcome to GJ you won't get a better welder for this kind of money i had the same welder the hobart 187 mine was not spoolgun capable this one has the spoolgun with it
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CGZNMM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CGZNMM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
rsanter
Well-known member
I bought my miller 211 on promo for just under $1000 tax included. Best welder IMO for the home shop
Bob
Bob
70satellite
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- Mar 27, 2013
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Hobart Handler I have run my 187 for six years and havent maxed the duty cycle yet. Their customer service is great they sent me a new liner no questions asked.
Ign
Well-known member
Hobart 210MVP
ProCharger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2015
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- 69
If you can find the Miller 211 under $1000 I would go that route otherwise the Hobart 210mvp will probably be the next best option. They are very very similar machines.
Beemer533
Well-known member
Northern tool has the 210 for $900 with free shipping..
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200479230_200479230
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200479230_200479230
I have had my Hobart 185 for about 12 years. It came as a package with a cart, bottle, mask and several extras for about $600. For $1k you should be able to step up to a 210 level welder with a bit of shopping around. Consider the power requirement before buying.
that same welder the other day was $819 i was thinking of this one to, heck VJJACK didn't even say what he was gonna be welding gonna be a lot of others jumping in thats for sure the reason i said the hobart 190 was because the spool gun came with it but the 210mvp is a nice welder and very versatile being you can run it on 115v or 230v i just sold my millermatic vintage because it is not spool gun capable and was gonna buy the hobart 230 iron man w/spool gun for $1,849 and they went up $200 over night kind of crazy.
the hobart 190 and 210mvp are both nice welders i think (sberry) has them both heck i may even buy the 210mvp myself w/spool gun but i do like the longer whip on the 230 thats 15ft and the spool gun is 20ft on the 230 and you can weld 1/2in with it theres a lot to look at when purchasing a welder and one big thing is, is it gonna get used every day or very seldom and how big do ya really need it it could go on and on you know what i mean?
225
Well-known member
Everlast has a good mig welder. I've built so much stuff with mine it's unreal
sc105b
Well-known member
Another vote for the Miller 211 MVP. Was a very nice deal during Zoro's 30% off sale...
texasfiremedic
Well-known member
These being so new to the market. Has anybody seen one or used one of these in the wild. Because the multiprocess is big plus.
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hobart 210 mvp it pops up every now and them from them for 800$ plus free shipping
http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/678611-hobart-handler-210mvp-mig-welder.html
http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/678611-hobart-handler-210mvp-mig-welder.html
texasfiremedic
Well-known member
If you are in the Dallas area look on Craigslist. Seen a Hobart 210MVP for $550.
Sorry forgot to say I have one and I love it but it is my first machine. From what I heard from the dealer is that they are selling very while and had no complaints so far. It is very smooth
bcradio
Well-known member
I have never heard this once. The Miller 211 is a better machine no doubt. I could see an argument being made that the Hobart is better (for the money) than the Miller, but it is not a better machine overall.
I say get the Hobart 210 unless you can find a Miller 211 in your price range.
Askme42
Well-known member
The BEST under a thousand?
E.Marquez
Well-known member
You might want to say what your needs and wants are for welding... .. recommending welder and having only a $$ number to make a suggestion on is a bit difficult.
I would stick with Miller or Hobart as a brand for MIG...Lincoln is a name brand, but lets face it, Mig process welders are an afterthought for them.
I have a Miller 135 set up with flux core wire for welding on the go or windy conditions outside and a Hobart Ironman 250 for in the garage.
The pair does me well and has for more than 10 years now.
So what do you want to weld? And where? (under what conditions?)
I would stick with Miller or Hobart as a brand for MIG...Lincoln is a name brand, but lets face it, Mig process welders are an afterthought for them.
I have a Miller 135 set up with flux core wire for welding on the go or windy conditions outside and a Hobart Ironman 250 for in the garage.
The pair does me well and has for more than 10 years now.
So what do you want to weld? And where? (under what conditions?)
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They are both made by the same company but u are getting a few things for the extra money. Like an infinite voltage adjustment instead of 7 taps. The auto set feature which I have grown to like. And also the miller has a metal drive housing instead of the plastic on the Hobart. But it all comes down to what is important to u.
I'm backpedalling.
I looked around more carefully, and I think the differences that I had noted are subtle. Things like more top end power, softer arc, less spatter. But I believe it'll be hard to tell--the machines are really quite similar.
Looks like Hobart upgraded to a metal drive roller housing
http://www.amazon.com/review/R2H4810AAG1X74
The taps vs continuous voltage, again, I have no real experience, but people seem to feel 7 taps is enough. Other possible advantages were, more top-end power, exactly repeatable settings for voltage, less parts to fail.
Just pointing out things I found were not intuitive to me.
Ign
Well-known member
The M211 vs H210MVP debate has been going on ad nauseum all over the web.
The 2 machines are so similar you're better to save the $$ on the Hobart and put it toward a hood, other PPE, or shielding gas.
AutoSet-never needed it before, one more thing to fail.
Voltage taps-meh, it works fine. At this class of machine it's really laughable to speak of "professional" use -- both machines are meant to be hobby despite Millers semantics of "industrial."
The Miller is like a Ford Focus w leather seats, the Hobart is a Ford Focus w cloth. At the end of the day they're both econo-boxes.
If you want to have a MEANINGFUL discussion about stepping up, the BIG floor models like the Ironman and Miller 212?? (I can't keep up) offer far more duty cycle and more economy of scale as they can accommodate 33# spools (much cheaper per lb) and large T cylinders on their running gear.
My Ironman 210 (no longer made) has been going strong since 2003 with "plastic" gear feed, so whatever. Going to the shop to weld up a gate with my plastic, resume the debate of Focii
The 2 machines are so similar you're better to save the $$ on the Hobart and put it toward a hood, other PPE, or shielding gas.
AutoSet-never needed it before, one more thing to fail.
Voltage taps-meh, it works fine. At this class of machine it's really laughable to speak of "professional" use -- both machines are meant to be hobby despite Millers semantics of "industrial."
The Miller is like a Ford Focus w leather seats, the Hobart is a Ford Focus w cloth. At the end of the day they're both econo-boxes.
If you want to have a MEANINGFUL discussion about stepping up, the BIG floor models like the Ironman and Miller 212?? (I can't keep up) offer far more duty cycle and more economy of scale as they can accommodate 33# spools (much cheaper per lb) and large T cylinders on their running gear.
My Ironman 210 (no longer made) has been going strong since 2003 with "plastic" gear feed, so whatever. Going to the shop to weld up a gate with my plastic, resume the debate of Focii
Major Ramifications
Well-known member
If you want to do aluminum right away, then the Hobart Handler 190 w/ spool gun is $850 from Northern Tool. Otherwise, I would say the 210MVP, which is $899 at Northern.
If you need a chunk of that $999 for bottles, gas and PPG, then consider Eastwood's 175 amp unit with spool gun and cart for $529.
If you need a chunk of that $999 for bottles, gas and PPG, then consider Eastwood's 175 amp unit with spool gun and cart for $529.
2nd hand 220V Miller welder. I have bought a couple of Millermatic 250 welders, one for $800, one for $1,000, the later included a spool gun. Both were in like-new condition. If you can find a Millermatic 252, even better.
There's a big difference in output and duty cycle between these and the MVP. Also, the Snap-on Muscle Migs MM250SL can occasionally be found used for around $1,000 as well. These have excellent duty-cycle performance.
All of the above are very reliable machines, and if you buy one in excellent used condition, it is likely to last you a lifetime as long as you are not in a production environment.
There's a big difference in output and duty cycle between these and the MVP. Also, the Snap-on Muscle Migs MM250SL can occasionally be found used for around $1,000 as well. These have excellent duty-cycle performance.
All of the above are very reliable machines, and if you buy one in excellent used condition, it is likely to last you a lifetime as long as you are not in a production environment.
Copper head
Member
I've had both the Hobart 210 (non-MVP) and the Miller 211,.......and I prefer the Miller. It has a much smoother Arc and even though the Miller Auto-Set feature is a sort of a gimmick,...... I do like it at times when I'm in a hurry.
FWIW,....
I bought a 175amp Hobart Mig-Welder from my local Airgas welding store in 2004. I used it for 8 yrs and it never let me down. Gave 600 for it, and sold it for $350. I welded a lot of stuff for the $250 that it cost me.
LOL
FWIW,....
I bought a 175amp Hobart Mig-Welder from my local Airgas welding store in 2004. I used it for 8 yrs and it never let me down. Gave 600 for it, and sold it for $350. I welded a lot of stuff for the $250 that it cost me.
LOL
Guys,
I knew I'd get a lot of good comments from this forum. Thanks much. As for what I am welding...metal stuff in the garage. I have had a cheap Century MIG for over 10 years (120v) and its "worked" for quick stuff but want to step up to a more powerful welder doing work on automotive frames and light fabrication. I like the Miller and Hobart models you all are referencing, and this will be the last welder I buy. Thanks.
I knew I'd get a lot of good comments from this forum. Thanks much. As for what I am welding...metal stuff in the garage. I have had a cheap Century MIG for over 10 years (120v) and its "worked" for quick stuff but want to step up to a more powerful welder doing work on automotive frames and light fabrication. I like the Miller and Hobart models you all are referencing, and this will be the last welder I buy. Thanks.
Ok, fellas, I bought this one:
http://www.weldersupply.com/P/275/MillermaticAutoSet11
This is the price with the gas set up and a cart and Miller gloves...with free shipping and no tax, it seems like a good deal. This should be the last welder I purchase. Thanks to you all for the advice.
http://www.weldersupply.com/P/275/MillermaticAutoSet11
This is the price with the gas set up and a cart and Miller gloves...with free shipping and no tax, it seems like a good deal. This should be the last welder I purchase. Thanks to you all for the advice.
E.Marquez
Well-known member
No such thing 
Then comes the small uber portable 115v flux core for welding outside in windy conditions
Then comes the TIG
Then comes the spool gun to weld AL
Then comes the bigger MIG to run the spool gun when you realize how many more AMPS you need to run a spool gun for AL on thicker material.
Then........
Congrats.. Have fun gluing metal.
Might go find a community college or Vocational school that has a welding course.. best thing ever for me,, was to spend the time to learn WHY and HOW I was able to do what i figured out on my own, so I could get to a constant and proper weld the first pass
you got a nice welder, and when you say gas set up with it.
did you get a tank of gas also free
or? anyhow thats a good set up Congrats Vjack
you got a nice welder, and when you say gas set up with it.
did you get a tank of gas also free
anyhow thats a good set up Congrats Vjack
No, about the tank, but i already have that because I had a 110v Century (read:Chinese) for 12 years with which i hack welded....
you got a nice welder, and when you say gas set up with it.
did you get a tank of gas also free
anyhow thats a good set up Congrats Vjack
nice set up
BD1
Well-known member
The MILLER 211 gets my vote too. Go local and get a package deal price for CASH. The rebates ended at the end of 2014, maybe local supplier my have some info on next rebate special.