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Lokking for welders opinions

66354dream

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I've been wanting to buy a welder for a long time for general use around the house but I've NEVER welded anything in my life, I have my eye on this Hobart welder http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009X43F38/?tag=atomicindus08-20 . Would this be a good welder for a beginner? I'm pretty much planning on doing small projects like brackets and such around the home/ garage so I dont need a 220V super fancy expensive unit. Sorry to come off so ignorant but like I said I have 0 experience in welding, thanks.
 
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ishiboo

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Yes. Hobart is owned by Miller. I had a Handler 130 or 135 (a previous model). Very nice welder.

You'll be very happy with it and it's a long-term machine other than it's limited size... once you start welding heavy stuff, or mention building a car trailer with it and get flamed by 20 people, you'll wish you had gone with a 220 unit. :)

If you can swing it, a step up would be the Miller 211 that's a steal right now in the Hot Deals forum... it's almost 2X the money, but it's the lowest price you'll see on it.
 

koditten

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Good on you doing your research. That would be an awsome, around the home, welding machine. I have several 230 volt machines, but have often thought about that same machine for smaller jobs and ease of storage.

Later

Ko
 
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66354dream

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yes you do need a 220 machine[/QUOTE

I appreciate the input but would like to stick with a 115V machine for now, I feel the price and my experience level fit well with " less " of a welder,,,,, for now :D . Maybe later once I master this one I will move onto the big boys.
 

cat06

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read the hot deal thread on the miller 211 they are going for just a little more than that hobart
 

matt_i

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If you get it you should tell nobody. Once they learn it plugs into 120vac *everyone* you know will want to borrow it for a little project.

The nice thing about 240vac machines is that your friends likely won't have the hookup for it, or if they do, they already have a more serious machine.

As far as portability, great if you have a manufacturing plant and need something that can go *everywhere* in the facility without question of power. But are you really going to move it from your shop with the gas bottle attached? An extension cord is likely not heavy enough, you should resolve that issue with the appropriate outlet (& wiring) next to the garage or man door. Argon shield gets blown away with the slightest wind.

Also, the capacity of that unit would be 1/4", but you will not get a weld reasonable enough to join that thickness of material by butting up two pieces of 1/4" plate. You will have to back-bevel the joint (meaning grind the flat edges to a thin "V" edges) and then go wide-open-throttle on the amperage, on both sides.

Can be done but don't forget about the large amount of prep work that an undersized machine requires. In general, in welding, you want to be at the point where a glowing ball of molten metal is about to fall on the floor minus about 20 amps. That's just a euphemism that you want a *lot* of heat.

My vote is no, look for good used name brand AC/DC stick welders before an undersized mig unless its pure sheetmetal, and it doesn't really do a great job on that. Anything sensitive meaning small or lightweight I'd use either a tig welder or silver braze 56% before I attempted to destroy it with a mig welder.
 
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trackwelder

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A dual voltage is a wise choice, you won't regret it if your serious about wanting to learn and build, repair your stuff.
 

countryroad82

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I've had my trusty Hobart 135 for 15 years now. It welds everything I need it to. But most of my welding is autobody panels, patch panels and such. I've repaired a few frames with it and yes I had to bevel my sections to ensure good penetration. But for an all around the house welder a 110 is fine. That's not to say I would like to upgrade one day, but for now I'll stick to my 135.
 

rsanter

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Yes it would be a good welder for you.
However if you can spend a little more a miller 211 would be an even better welder for you.
The 211 will make you think you have natural welding skills....

Bob
 

nimrag

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I got an 140 about 10 years ago. I knew nothing about welding, either. I have had zero issues and I have gone through many spools of wire. Invest in a nice auto darkening helmet, also. I started with a fixed shade helmet and it was frustrating. When I switched to the auto darkening helmet it made a huge difference.
 

BOONEY7750

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Lincoln 210mp. Does both voltages and a nice stick machine. Programming makes it easy for a newbie.
 

Nick_Wa

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For that same money or less you can get an Eastwood MIG with a spool gun, 3 year warranty, but it's 240 volt.

http://www.eastwood.com/mig-welders-175-amp-mig-welder-w-spool-gun.html


I know you want a 120 volt unit..........but..........
Sorry to hijack but would this Eastwood mig be a suitable replacement for a Lincoln stick AC/dc 225? I picked one up to learn to start welding but I think I would be more suited to a mig. I have some body work to do and otherwise maybe i would build some shelf brackets, exhaust repairs, and lawn mower repairs. Should I sell the Lincoln and buy the Eastwood?
 

Showkey

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^^^^^^^^^^^
I have 45-55 year old AC stick welder ( I have owned over 37 years) ........purchased from a high school weld shop sale where I worked. ( I was in the auto shop) Never failed, still works, heavy as hell, I used it for every thing from 40 -200 amps.........but..........

I have not used it ( stick) since the MIG ( Eastwood) purchase. The stick still sitting collecting dust..........was thinking of selling but fiqure it would not bring $$$ and I could thaw pipes or some job will come along that will need a stick ?????
 
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iminocca

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I think there's a lot more guys with 110v welders that wish they had or could upgrade to a 220v welder that guys with 220v welders thinking that they should have just stayed with the 110v machine...

My first wire feed machine was a Lincoln SP100 (110v) running flux core wire, it worked for what I used it for. Then I upgraded to use gas and the machine worked well for what used it for. A couple of years later I bought a MM 210 and this machine will work well for anything I will ever want to use it for! If you buy a MM211 today and you are a hobby welder like me you will never need anything else and you won't wish you spent just a few more $$$ the first time around....
 
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sberry

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I feel the price and my experience level fit well with " less " of a welder,,
I think there's a lot more guys with 110v welders that wish they had or could upgrade to a 220v welder that guys with 220v welders thinking that they should have just stayed with the 110v machine...
If you buy a MM211 today and you are a hobby welder like me you will never need anything else and you won't wish you spent just a few more $$$ the first time around....
first quote is speculation, the next 2 fairly accurate. Hobart has good 240 models too. Its isn't jut the machine but 120 is a boor voltage to weld from. The circuit is always tapped out.
 
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shawnspeed

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dual voltage is the way to go....also check in the local community college and see if they have any intro to welding classes, or the local community (high school vocational programs sometimes have night classes as well)...take one , and then you will KNOW what you need...JMO...Shawn
 

Showkey

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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

It's better than nice it's a great welder........just.........twice the OP original budget
 

metalmagpie

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A small 220 volt MIG welder loaded with .023" wire is damn handy to have around. I keep one around even though I have a MillerMatic 252 with spoolgun. I've used 110V welders including Hobart's and truly don't think they weld as well.

Also, I've heard a rumor that Hobart/Miller is discontinuing support for some of its Handler series. Be very sure you can buy tips, nozzles etc before purchasing.

metalmagpie
 

Falcon67

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A small 220 volt MIG welder loaded with .023" wire is damn handy to have around. I keep one around even though I have a MillerMatic 252 with spoolgun. I've used 110V welders including Hobart's and truly don't think they weld as well

Unless you don't have a 240v plug everywhere. And most people do not except behind the stove or the dryer. And the dual models are double the 140 price. I have a 140 - yes, I'd rather have the 210 MVP but can't afford it right now. BUT - the 140 has done a tremendous amount of work and it's a great machine. Yes, if you can go another $400 for a 210 you'd not have to worry about another welder but if you are not building race cars, trailers or using well pipe to build baseball backstops then the 140 is plenty of welder. I have done .125 pipe and plate with a 140 with sufficient penetration but it's not easy to do. But it can be done with care.
 

ishiboo

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A small 220 volt MIG welder loaded with .023" wire is damn handy to have around. I keep one around even though I have a MillerMatic 252 with spoolgun. I've used 110V welders including Hobart's and truly don't think they weld as well.

Also, I've heard a rumor that Hobart/Miller is discontinuing support for some of its Handler series. Be very sure you can buy tips, nozzles etc before purchasing.

metalmagpie

Handler parts will be around for a long time. I'd have no worries there.

Welding quality varies. I think my 252 welds a lot better than my old Handler did, but I think most or all of that is just the power. For weld quality comparing the same amperage machines, they are probably pretty close to the same.

At the time I bought it, the competing Miller model was almost identical... the only major difference was the Hobart had the thermoplastic wire feeder, whereas the Miller had the cast aluminum one... which is now standard on the new Hobart.

I'd probably have the IronMan 230 right now if Zoro didn't have the 30% deal on the 252.
 

ez-duzit

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I'd much rather have one of these than some 110v wire feed.

ac-225-after.jpg
 
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66354dream

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You guys have some good advise, if anything I've been reading up on that miller 211 and it seems perfect, it's a good welder that will allow me to "grow". There's an Airgas location right by my house and I was reading up on the rebate offer Miller has going on right now, I think I'll stop by and have a look before the end of the year. I don't mind budgeting a little longer if it will have a better turn out, I'm a bit OCD when it comes to buying more expensive "toys" I believe the whole " you get what you pay for " thing is a lot more evident for the more expensive stuff.
 
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Kaizen

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i'll throw my welder into the mix. hands down miller is the best and of course 220 but on my budget I went with the eastwood 135 mig. There are a few others out there with different names on them and the same machine. 300 bucks on sale delivered.
Remember you still need to get 150 or so in safety equipment and a tank for another 150.
The 110 v mig I have does body panels great. if you have to do thicker stuff like 1/8 inch plate or that trailer you are talking about you just reverse the polarity on it and put in a roll of flux core wire. I boxed a frame on my car and the voltage was only on like 4 out of 10. It says you can do 1/4 inch but I think that's too thick for any 110 machine.
Its a good machine to start with. My drive wheel motor just died after 5 years of use and leaving it out in my tent garage and I bought another for 35 bucks. I was looking at the Hobart for 500 or so and really wasn't impressed when I compared them. The only possible upside is the Hobart lasting longer but that's really subjective. A miller you can get any part for as opposed to these if you fry the board out of warrenty its a boat anchor. good luck. before I got mine I never tried welding. Now I love it. grinding not so much.
 

ASHMAN_AZ

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I've been wanting to buy a welder for a long time for general use around the house but I've NEVER welded anything in my life, I have my eye on this Hobart welder http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009X43F38/?tag=atomicindus08-20 . Would this be a good welder for a beginner? I'm pretty much planning on doing small projects like brackets and such around the home/ garage so I dont need a 220V super fancy expensive unit. Sorry to come off so ignorant but like I said I have 0 experience in welding, thanks.

^^ thats a very good choice I started on the same hobart welder (was the 135 back then). Thin materials and small projects its great.

I quickly got into projects with 3/16 and 1/4in thick material and was always on the hottest setting slowing the wire speed to get some penetration. Wasnt good quality but got many things built... You also hit the duty cycle very fast, even when welding thinner material like .120 tubing a big project is a PITA. In 10min you can only weld for a short few min and need to let the welder cool down, They do not shut off so you likely keep welding and make poor cold welds.


If I started with the 220V 180 I might not have upgraded, now Im on a miller 210 and have no need to every upgrade it for the kind of projects I do.

Rhino brand auto dark hoods are nice and cheap.
 

brownbagg

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i got a miller 140 mig, and its the biggest pos i ever played with, yes it weld, there nothing wrong with it. it just not powerful enough for anything but autobody sheet metal
 

sberry

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I am a Hobart fan and hey have good 240V compact models I believe but the 180 Linc from Home Depot is very good and down in the price range. Seems to me I have seen it for under 700. Hobart might have a 190? The red one is right on the button with 030 solid and for 200 more delivers 2x the punch of a 120 model.
I still use one. It and AC/DC buzzer are the 2 best machines I have ever owned. The tapped settings on the SPT make it super easy to hit it right every time.
 

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BD1

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Go local for the 211 and take the FREE SPOOLGUN and REBATE OFFERS !

Buy once cry once, money well invested !
 

maxpower_hd

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OK. I'll ad my 2 cents.

I had a 110V machine I started with and I outgrew it in about an hour. I know many others that have done the same thing. It's kind of like buying your first motorcycle. You get a 250 and by the end of the week you need a 550 and by the end of the summer you need a 1000..... you get my point.

Because of funds I ended up buying a Hobart Handler 187. I have had it for several years now and still love it. It is small and easy to store but packs a pretty good punch unless you have a need to weld REALLY thick stuff. I can easily burn through 1/4" steel with it. I use someone else's larger Miller at work on occasion and I find myself missing my little Hobart. Maybe it's just what I'm used to.

You won't go wrong buying a 220V machine but you may wish you got the bigger one if you go with the 110 model. Just my opinion.
 

sberry

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The 187 is a super good machine. The 180 it replaced was about the last really lame unit in the lineup and is about as good as the Linc, they really run neck and neck and its so close I doubt anyone could tell in a blind test.
Its why you don't see them for sale used. Its a keeper and no one trades them even when moving up. I wouldn't even consider selling it and have been offered dam near as much as I paid for it, all worn out. Only downside on a couple of them is they do not have fan on demand, you get used to it.
 
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sberry

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As an additional point, I like the taps. Anyone that needs a finer adjustment than these machines have is at a pay grade above anyone asking which welder. Danny you find on Miller ranks right up there with Jody to test a machine likes most or mostly tap units.
I really don't care about the technical. Could care less about what the wire speed or what amps or what the V is. I want the result and the red one with the 5 speed has 3 settings with 030. Thin, medium and thick with it being on thick or wide open for the most part for that unit and wire. I almost aways need a compelling reason to turn it down, a big gap on a thin piece and while this "240" volt machine seems massive it isn't.
Its always a challenge to wring the top out of it, not a problem to turn it down. As for the above post where he misses his 187 at work, there is valid reason. Its cant miss really good is why. While the machine at work may be bigger it may not be better and or wire size and settings more in line with the nature of the work.
 
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For my home use, I have an old Lincoln 100 and a later 140. I keep the 100 loaded with .023 and the 140 with .030. These cover the small gauge stuff I tinker around with in the garage. One thing I do like about the 115 VAC units is they are portable. I have done several fence jobs and the 100 is a 15 amp unit, plug into anybody's power.

I'm going to sell one of them when I get the new Lincoln 210, which weighs only 40 lbs and also pulls just 15 amps. Also operates on 220 which I have in my garage.
 

MarkG

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I have a Hobart 140. Nice machine for sure, welds great, but, yes, it has limitations. I've built a bike work stand, wood-burning stove, and welded a lot of patch panels with it, all effortlessly (after a lot of schooling and practice, I should say!)

Yeah, if I were to buy again, I might pop for a 220V machine, but you can do a lot of things with a smaller one too. Just depends what you anticipate using it for. At least with a bigger machine you have the option to weld thicker plate. Not having 220V in the garage was probably the only reason I didn't get a 211 or something like that.
 

capww8

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I bought an MM180 about two years ago, and it has done everything I've asked it to, but that 211 deal at the moment would be really REALLY hard to pass up.

I second / third / 20th the opinion that 220 or MVP is the way to go. I added multiple 220v outlets in my garage to support the welder, air compressor, and air conditioner... no big deal.
 

sberry

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Most of the time they are at a home, occasionally they get moved but a 211 class machine is very cord friendly. I personally use number 10 as they are multi purpose but 50 ft of 12 doesn't hurt one at all on 240.
I got enough on I don't even have to mess with moving to another recept.
 
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