Help me select a MIG welder

[dmw16]

I have decided to purchase a MIG welder to use for hobby work. I have an older race car that needs some patching (or will) along with making brackets and other bits and pieces from time to time.

I've narrowed my choices down to the following 3:

1. Miller Millermatic 141
2. Hobart Handler 140
3. Lincoln 140 (model #K2480-1)

The Miller is a good bit more (~$200) than the other two. But it offers autoset which the others don't.

The cost is important, but all 3 are within my budget. However, I don't want to spend more than I need to.

With all 3 I'd be welding with gas (not flux core).

Thanks.

 

[evildky]

Hobarts are made by Miller usually cheaper. The supply house I deal with sells and services all 3. You might want to check with your supply house to see what they sell and service, it's nice to know your local supplier have the parts and experience should there be an issue. I have lincoln gear, my local supplier prefers the miller or hobart due to the wire feed, mine has never been an issue and i got it from a supply house that did not sell miller or hobart and is no longer in business.

 

[zmotorsports]

Hobart is basically a Miller without the blue color.

For the most part I bleed blue (Miller fan), but I don't have anything bad to say about any of the ones you listed. We have a small 110volt Lincoln @ work and it gets the **** abused out of it and keeps on going.

One thing I have found out and this may or may not be an issue for you but Miller will send parts right to your home doorstep if needs be. Lincoln you have to get the parts through one of their dealers, as they won't deal with the end user on a one on one basis. Again, that may or may not even be an issue.

I have a small Miller Passport that I used to carry in our race trailer and a buddy of mine has the Hobart 110 volt welder that he really likes. At my home shop I have the Miller MM251 (replaced now by the MM252) and really like it. My brother has the 250 amp Hobart version and no complaints from him either but these are a bit larger machines with much higher duty cycles.

Mike.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd have no issue buying either the Hobart or Miller but I'd take a serious look at stepping up to a 220V machine for your first and only welder.

 

[dmw16]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. It sounds like I wouldn't really go wrong with any of them. The Hobart is cheaper (w/ Northern Tool coupon) than the Lincoln. The Miller is obviously a big price jump.

So I guess the question more becomes is the Miller worth the jump.

I'd have no issue buying either the Hobart or Miller but I'd take a serious look at stepping up to a 220V machine for your first and only welder.

For now 220 is out because of permit restrictions in my townhouse with adding additional 220 lines. Otherwise I'd be inclined to agree.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

Since you need to be 110, I'd get the Hobart. If there is a Tractor Supply around you check with them before you buy.

I was at the welding supply store the other day and Miller has come out with a sweet 'suitcase' welder, does MIG, stick and DC TIG. Runs on both 220 & 100, just change the plug. Was a bit over $1800 for MIG/stick and the TIG kit that includes flow meter, peddle and torch was under $400. The welder weighed in at 29 lbs. , was major self control to not buy it on the spot.

 

[csp]

There are deals out there that are better than Northern Tool, even with a coupon. That place seems to have a high markup to begin with, so the coupon brings it back in line with the rest of retailers.

 

[Tyberius]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. It sounds like I wouldn't really go wrong with any of them. The Hobart is cheaper (w/ Northern Tool coupon) than the Lincoln. The Miller is obviously a big price jump.

So I guess the question more becomes is the Miller worth the jump.



For now 220 is out because of permit restrictions in my townhouse with adding additional 220 lines. Otherwise I'd be inclined to agree.

Where's your panel in relation to your welding area?

 

[toofart]

I'd get the Hobart 210MVP since it's close to your budget, does everything the 140 can do and can run both 115/230. Futureproof your purchase even if you can't run 230V now.

 

[dmw16]

Where's your panel in relation to your welding area?

Depends. For the most part the outlet is right near my work bench. However, in the case of the car if I need to fix a spot underneath it will really depend.

I know that it's not good to run a welder on an extension cord. And if I ever had to I'd want it to be massively heavy gauge.

There are deals out there that are better than Northern Tool, even with a coupon. That place seems to have a high markup to begin with, so the coupon brings it back in line with the rest of retailers.

I did a little looking, and at least at first glance $450 seems like a pretty good price for the Hobart.

 

[Tyberius]

Depends. For the most part the outlet is right near my work bench. However, in the case of the car if I need to fix a spot underneath it will really depend.

You could easily add a temporary circuit to run a 220 welder.

ETA: I see you said "outlet" and i was asking about the breaker panel.

 

[readhead]

Every machine in our shop is on an extension cord. It is pretty easy to add a 240 outlet near the breaker panel. If there is a dryer plug nearby you could use that also.
Auto-set is a marketing ploy. It will get close but may not be right. Everyone needs to know how to set up their machine.
All three are good choices and will get the job done. I am a red guy but when you are done, the weld you just put down is color blind.

 

[sberry]

I will add a little caution here too, a garage circuit in a townhouse already is suspect, if it was built spec may even be 15A Personally would hide the work, put in outlet like its always been there id it was humanly possible,, hahaha
Lincoln is now copying the Chinese and really getting the cost down,, ha

 

[BD1]

Go for the MILLER 211. AWESOME rebate in progress PLUS a FREE spoolgun !!!
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/special-offers.html

http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/Spoolmate_RebateFlye.pdf

http://www.millerwelds.com/landing/...m_medium=specialofferspage&utm_content=online

 

[dmw16]

Where's your panel in relation to your welding area?

Sorry, missed that. It's pretty close.

I'd get the Hobart 210MVP since it's close to your budget, does everything the 140 can do and can run both 115/230. Futureproof your purchase even if you can't run 230V now.

Thanks, I'll take a look at that one too. Nothing wrong with future proofing so long as I can keep the cost somewhat in line.

Every machine in our shop is on an extension cord. It is pretty easy to add a 240 outlet near the breaker panel. If there is a dryer plug nearby you could use that also.
Auto-set is a marketing ploy. It will get close but may not be right. Everyone needs to know how to set up their machine.
All three are good choices and will get the job done. I am a red guy but when you are done, the weld you just put down is color blind.

If extension cords are an option that changes things a bit. I have 220 in my garage but it's up on the wall. I had it installed when they built the house to run a heater. So that may open things up a bit...

Go for the MILLER 211. AWESOME rebate in progress PLUS a FREE spoolgun !!!

I'd love to, and it seems like a killer deal, but it's over the budget.

I would be reaching a little at the 141. I'd much rather stay in the price range of the Hobart and Lincoln options, but would stretch for the 141 if autoset was a must have feature...sounds like it's not.

 

[darwyn]

What's your budget and where are you at? I bought the Miller 211 on the deal listed above, and am looking to sell my Hobart 210MVP. It's less than a year old, although I bought it as a refurb.

Speaking of refurbs, keep an eye on Amazon. Hobart puts their refurb welders on there, some pretty good deals to be had for the patient.

 

[NUTTSGT]

For now 220 is out because of permit restrictions in my townhouse with adding additional 220 lines. Otherwise I'd be inclined to agree.

I thought that could be an issue (gets mentioned occassionally here) and knew when somebody else read that, they would post up this . . .

I'd get the Hobart 210MVP since it's close to your budget, does everything the 140 can do and can run both 115/230. Futureproof your purchase even if you can't run 230V now.

 

[sberry]

If money is a deal get the Hobart. None of them works better.

 

[dmw16]

What's your budget and where are you at? I bought the Miller 211 on the deal listed above, and am looking to sell my Hobart 210MVP. It's less than a year old, although I bought it as a refurb.

Speaking of refurbs, keep an eye on Amazon. Hobart puts their refurb welders on there, some pretty good deals to be had for the patient.

My budget would be around what I could get the Miller 141 for (so say $700), but realistically, for what I am doing the $450-$500 Hobart is probably where I should stay.

If money is a deal get the Hobart. None of them works better.

Money is and isn't a deal. I was willing to step up for something like the Miller if I was really getting a lot more for my money. But it sounds like for my applications I can do just fine with the Lincoln or Hobart.

With the Hobart their website says their spool guns don't work with the 140. I don't plan to do aluminum welding right now, but perhaps I may want to down the road. With the Hobart will that not be an option? Both the Lincoln and Miller work with a spool gun.

 

[AnthonyJ124]

I'm in exactly the same boat. I've added the Hobart to a cart on NT a few times just to make sure the coupon still works... Some days I wake up and I'm in a go for broke mood and want to spend the money once on a 220 machine... Other days I'll log on to buy the 140 and just can't pull the trigger. It would be purely for hobby/art/furniture, so I'm 75% sure that I would be completely happy with the handler. But that MORE POWER side of me itches for a bigger machine.

I don't have any immediate need, and I have the 220. So I'm half waiting for a smoking deal on the Hobart and/or half waiting to fully talk myself into a bigger machine.

Regarding the gentleman that mentioned northern tool not being the cheapest- if anyone can supply a link for a new handler 140 for under $449 shipped, I'll PayPal them a dollar.

 

[BD1]

'' Regarding the gentleman that mentioned northern tool not being the cheapest- if anyone can supply a link for a new handler 140 for under $449 shipped, I'll PayPal them a dollar.''

If you can find a new one for that price you better order it. Farm and Fleet is
$479.00. http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/764170-hobart-handler-140-115v-mig-welder.html
That is the lowest I have seen.

 

[dmw16]

I'm in exactly the same boat. I've added the Hobart to a cart on NT a few times just to make sure the coupon still works... Some days I wake up and I'm in a go for broke mood and want to spend the money once on a 220 machine... Other days I'll log on to buy the 140 and just can't pull the trigger. It would be purely for hobby/art/furniture, so I'm 75% sure that I would be completely happy with the handler. But that MORE POWER side of me itches for a bigger machine.

I don't have any immediate need, and I have the 220. So I'm half waiting for a smoking deal on the Hobart and/or half waiting to fully talk myself into a bigger machine.

Regarding the gentleman that mentioned northern tool not being the cheapest- if anyone can supply a link for a new handler 140 for under $449 shipped, I'll PayPal them a dollar.

I've almost bought the Miller 141 a few times. But held off. Glad I did because I think it's more than I need (and more than I need to spend).

I am close on the Holbert, but hung up on possibly not being able to add a spool gun don the road.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'd have no issue buying either the Hobart or Miller but I'd take a serious look at stepping up to a 220V machine for your first and only welder.

Concur ! Better yet get one that can do 120/240V.

Make sure you can get a gas setup for it (likely on those brands). Some of the cheap ones are flux core only.

 

[theoldwizard1]

So I guess the question more becomes is the Miller worth the jump.

Some of the "name brand" Chinese welders are pretty good and a lot less money. Longevity, Eastwood, Everlast.

Check reviews on YouTube.

 

[bczygan]

Some of the "name brand" Chinese welders are pretty good and a lot less money. Longevity, Eastwood, Everlast.

Check reviews on YouTube.

Which 240V ones?

 

[brownbagg]

I've narrowed my choices down to the following 3:

1. Miller Millermatic 141
2. Hobart Handler 140
3. Lincoln 140 (model #K2480-1)


none of these are good machine, brand name they are great but these are too little of machine for anything but sheetmetal, and they are not good at that. for mig you need to be around 200 amp and no less than 240 voltage

 

[spectre6000]

110V/220V kind of depends on what you want to do with it... The 110V welders are certainly limited in what they can handle. If memory serves, they top out around 1/4" or 3/8" thick mild steel. If you're doing automotive stuff, that's pretty much the outer limit for even the most dastardly off road behemoth. On the other hand, they're very mobile since 110V outlets are everywhere and 220V are most definitely not. If you're doing some thick plate stuff, you'll need the 220V though.

I bought a Hobart Handler 110 in 2009 or 2010. I don't weld professionally, and certainly not every day, but I go through a few cars a year that almost always require at least some metalwork, and it's held up to everything I could throw at it. I've never had an occasion to crank it to the max. The only limit has been my skill. I've never done aluminum though, but I figure if I get to that point (aluminum is only in very expensive/exotic or very new cars, neither of which I really care to mess with) I'll step up to a TIG. If the Hobart meets your price floor, you're in good shape. Do it and get some projects done.

 

[dmw16]

110V/220V kind of depends on what you want to do with it... The 110V welders are certainly limited in what they can handle. If memory serves, they top out around 1/4" or 3/8" thick mild steel. If you're doing automotive stuff, that's pretty much the outer limit for even the most dastardly off road behemoth. On the other hand, they're very mobile since 110V outlets are everywhere and 220V are most definitely not. If you're doing some thick plate stuff, you'll need the 220V though.

I bought a Hobart Handler 110 in 2009 or 2010. I don't weld professionally, and certainly not every day, but I go through a few cars a year that almost always require at least some metalwork, and it's held up to everything I could throw at it. I've never had an occasion to crank it to the max. The only limit has been my skill. I've never done aluminum though, but I figure if I get to that point (aluminum is only in very expensive/exotic or very new cars, neither of which I really care to mess with) I'll step up to a TIG. If the Hobart meets your price floor, you're in good shape. Do it and get some projects done.

That's my thoughts as well on the aluminum welding the more I think of it. Nothing on any of the cars I'm working on (currently a 1988 325i that I race) is aluminum other than stuff I've fabbed up. But when I build out of aluminum it's all bolt/rivet joint type work.

The Hobart is certainly the right price and plenty for starting out. And I guess if I really need to upgrade down the line, it seems like units that go up on Craigslist sell quickly for decent money. So I don't stand to lose much.

 

[Carl_WI]

I was in the same dilemma last fall. I did the research and one of my friends has a Real Gear 140A mig welder. He really likes it and I did some welds on it. I liked the price so I purchased one at Praxair for $300.00. For small stuff it works great. Around here Tractor supply had the best deal on gas but just closed there store.

 

[spectre6000]

FWIW, get the biggest gas tank you can afford. Cheaper in the long run, and way less hassle since you don't have to keep refilling. One less thing to worry about while you work.

 

[Strouty]

I would just like to throw out the miller 211 again. The current rebate offers either $200 off the machine and a spool gun or you can buy $400 in accessories and get $400 back plus the spool gun. If you hit a zoro sale, you can get it so cheap that it would be within $100 of the 141, except you would get a free spool gun and $400 in accessories. Oh and the welder is more powerful.

 

[cagullett1]

I would just like to throw out the miller 211 again. The current rebate offers either $200 off the machine and a spool gun or you can buy $400 in accessories and get $400 back plus the spool gun. If you hit a zoro sale, you can get it so cheap that it would be within $100 of the 141, except you would get a free spool gun and $400 in accessories. Oh and the welder is more powerful.

Second this! I got the 211 (and $400 in accessories) at Zoro for $1291 OTD. I then mailed in a rebate that will return $400, and I will be receiving a spool gun. I happened to order a spool gun as part of my $400 in accessories, and plan to resell both spool guns (in an attempt to get the price of the welder lower, since my budget limited me to buying something along the lines of the OP).

After I sell both spool guns and receive my rebate check, I will have a Miller 211, welder cover, welding jacket, 11lb mig wire, auto darkening helmet, some consumables, and gloves for $500. With a little effort, this is an amazing deal!

 

[Strouty]

I have been thinking about buying another one just to resell, I figure I could make money on the deal pretty easy.

 

[dr_clyde]

The 211 would get my vote as well. It's a good dependable little mig. I have one, and it's perfect for the small little brackets and stuff that are always popping up.

 

[zkling]

For the MM211 lots of capability and versatility.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Someone asked about an electric dryer outlet. Is there one near where you'd be using it? I run my welder (and my air compressor and garage oven) on our dryer outlet. I made an extension cord out of a 10 gauge extension cord and changed the ends.
If there is a dryer outlet close enough, you may consider the Hobart Handler 210MVP.
Or, as someone else already mentioned, a 220V Eastwood welder. Or a used 220V welder.

 

[motofool33]

if you can Swing a MVP welder definitely the difference in weld quality and penetration of a 200amp welder is huge.

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/Equipment/Pages/product.aspx?product=K3963-1(LincolnElectric) if you could find one of these it would give you a lot of versatility.

 

[dmw16]

Second this! I got the 211 (and $400 in accessories) at Zoro for $1291 OTD. I then mailed in a rebate that will return $400, and I will be receiving a spool gun. I happened to order a spool gun as part of my $400 in accessories, and plan to resell both spool guns (in an attempt to get the price of the welder lower, since my budget limited me to buying something along the lines of the OP).

After I sell both spool guns and receive my rebate check, I will have a Miller 211, welder cover, welding jacket, 11lb mig wire, auto darkening helmet, some consumables, and gloves for $500. With a little effort, this is an amazing deal!

Hadn't considered that approach. It's worth considering...thanks to the couple guys who raised it as an idea. It's just a big outlay up front, but that might not be the end of the world.

 

[dr_clyde]

Miller welders tend to hold their value pretty well. I'd be confident that if you changed your mind down the road a year you could get most of your money back on a MM 211.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Regarding the gentleman that mentioned northern tool not being the cheapest- if anyone can supply a link for a new handler 140 for under $449 shipped, I'll PayPal them a dollar.

Does factroy refurb count ?

http://www.hobartweldshop.com/factory-refurbished-hobart-handler-140-mig-wire-welder/


For the OP, Here's more factory refurb, a Hobart 190 for $530 and a 210 MVP for $730. Although the shipping might kill the deal, it wouldn't hurt to check them out.

190.
http://www.hobartweldshop.com/factory-refurbished-hobart-handler-190-mig-wire-welder/

210MVP
http://www.hobartweldshop.com/factory-refurbished-hobart-handler-210mvp-mig-wire-welder/


EDIT: oops, I didn't realize the 190 & 210 MVP were out of stock.