To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

New Welder recomendation's

To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

35mastr

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 6, 2007
Messages
2,534
Location
Norcal
I would recommend a Miller.I even do lots of welding outside without any problems using 75/25.I just put up portable welding shield if it gets breezy.
 

mmg440

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
360
Location
Dixion, Missouri

sam 8

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 6, 2008
Messages
253
Location
Sierra Foothills, Nor. Calif.
I would take into consideration the closest repair / dealer facility in my decision.
I have a family member who just got his little 120 handler back from a repair, it was gone for a couple of months. I have been told, but cannot confirm that Miller has bought or otherwise absorbed Hobart.
I have a Hobart 120, a Lincoln 255c and a Miller plasma. Honestly, I'd go Lincoln or Miller.
 

slacktide

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 9, 2009
Messages
77
I have a Hobart 187, it's been awesome. Pics Got a great deal on a refurb unit at toolking.com, $520 with free shipping. They don't show any refurbs of that unit now, but you can always watch and hope...

Hobart is still an independent company. They do buy their Mig gun assembly from Miller, so it's easy to find consumables.

Dan
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Merrill.D

Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2008
Messages
6
Have a Hobart Beta Mig 210 that i've used for 20 + years. Countless rolls of wire ran through it. Only thing i've had to do to it was change gun asy. Upgraded to a Tweeco asy. and loved every minute of it.
 

bugdust

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 2, 2008
Messages
580
Location
Middleburg, FL
You can't go wrong with any of the Miller, Lincoln or Hobarts. I'd say something in the 175-210 range will be fine. I have a Lincoln 255c.

Miller & Hobart are both part of ITW and do share some components from what I've read. They are separate companies, just owned by the same conglomerate. ITW is huge!!
 
Last edited:

Tman

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 29, 2006
Messages
543
Location
Black Hills of South Dakota
I was looking at the miller 180 and the hobart 187. $200 diff between the two.

I got the Hobart 187 paid less than 600 for it. Works very well. Run Argon/co2 mix.

And mine did come with a Miller gun. from the way our welding supply guy talked not all of them have the Miller gun. Must vary from time to time based on supply?
 

Senorpablo

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 21, 2006
Messages
411
Location
SoCal
I have a Hobart 187, it's been awesome. Pics Got a great deal on a refurb unit at toolking.com, $520 with free shipping. They don't show any refurbs of that unit now, but you can always watch and hope...

Hobart is still an independent company. They do buy their Mig gun assembly from Miller, so it's easy to find consumables.

Dan

Hobart and Miller are brands within the same company. The welders share many parts.
 

38Chevy454

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 26, 2006
Messages
4,036
Location
Cincinnati, OH
I agree with the general consensus here. You need a 230v MIG to do 1/4 inch. I have the smaller Lincoln SP-135 which is a 115v model. It does not do as good on anything thicker than 1/8 inch. It will do more, but you can tell the penetration is not as good. For real thick stuff I use my stick welder, but really need to upgrade someday to a 230v MIG.
 

greg

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2006
Messages
201
Location
Eden NC
Miller or Lincoln 21x model, or a 21x Hobart. Will give you enough room to grow into.

X2 I run a Miller 210 and it does everything well for me . The best part of going with a better welder is that you get a better duty cycle .
 

ket-tek

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 28, 2009
Messages
1,289
I've been looking to replace my current gas mig. I've had a 115v Thermal Dynamics FP120 for years and it has been great for most stuff here at home. Is was inexpensive and I haven't had any problems with it.

It says it welds 1/4" but it doesn't seem to really have the umph to do it well. I think 230v is going to be a huge improvement..

There is a miller dealer close to my house where I can get parts and service.

I've been trying to decide between two units, the Miller 180 and Miller 211.. The dealer quoted $849 and $999 for the units, only a few dollars more than what they can be had for on ebay at $810 and $970 so I'd prefer to give the dealer the business.

Does anyone have experience with either of these two? They seem to be almost identical other than the 211 can be changed to 115v or 230v which I don't think I'd need..
 

autoclassicnut

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 24, 2007
Messages
1,382
Location
Montana
I just picked up a Lincoln Mig 180, and I really like it. I had a Lincoln mig 100, It's been good for several years but runs on 110V. Now I can rock with 240V.
 

mag99

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2008
Messages
116
Location
tuttle, ok
I have a Lincoln sp175+ at home and, at work we have the same one, and I have at least 3 friends with the same machine. Works great! No complaints from any of us. I like the size, its small enough to be portable, (if ya got 220). Welds 1/4" and can be turned down enough to weld sheet metal. I think thery were @ 750.00? prolly more now.

I agree, stick with a well known brand name and you will be fine.
 

PurdueSD

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 25, 2006
Messages
1,577
Location
Indiana
I have a millermatic 212 and love it. Bought it from cyber weld without any issues.


The new model 212 even have the auto set....
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom