The Hobart Handler 140

[CTyankee]

Newbie welder here and looking at buying this unit. Mainly for small simple repair jobs and some light fab work. The deal breaker would be if it wouldn't be up to the task of repairing/replacing the rocker panels on my Jeep Cherokee. My researching leads me to thinking- maybe.

Looking for some expertise to be sure. I do have an old Miller Thunderbolt(ac), but usable 220 access is not readily available. Even if so, I'd rather learn on something that I'd be more likely use more often. Thanks.

 

[slopdog]

I have a 140 Hobart Handler 110 volts and have put on more rocker panels than I can remember . I use 023 wire with gas

 

[CTyankee]

I have a 140 Hobart Handler 110 volts and have put on more rocker panels than I can remember . I use 023 wire with gas

Thanks for the response. I'll definitely take your advice on the gas.

 

[Jeeper75]

I have the 140 also and love it, got it because I don't have 220 in garage. I use .030 with C25 gas. No professional but it does everything I need.

 

[PoorOwner]

It always did everything that is needed on the car, body, exhaust, brackets or removing broken bolts.
But if you are doing a trailer hitch which is typically 1/4 steel it would be tricky.

Are you buying new?

I am selling my welder if you are interested to save some.

 

[barracudadave67]

Had mine since it first came out, and it welds great. I'm not a pro, but I get good welds on the cars i work on. It will weld anything on an Auto. Couldn't be happier with it.

barracudadave67

 

[L.Cheapo]

If you can increase your budget a bit, the Miller 211 will do everything that 140 will on 110v, and gives you the easy option of 220v if you end up with that power outlet some day or somewhere. Plus it has infinite adjustments instead of just 5 taps, and the Autoset feature. It also weighs 20 pounds less. I bought mine in December when they had a very good promotion on them.

 

[nine4gmc]

I have one and use gas on thinner stuff, .030 flux core with thicker metal and it's fine for home use.

 

[Mgnu]

Love mine! Got it for about $380 form AWD. Keep your eyes open, and you might get one too. I see them pop up there fairly regularly. I am a total amateur. Got it to teach myself. My day job is about as far away as you can get from welding....

 

[vertguy]

I bought one for the same needs last year and have zero complaints. Mine was from Northern Tool using a readily available $50 coupon, coupled with free shipping... Making it 450 to my door.


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[sberry]

They are very good auto body machines.

 

[Autorotica]

I have a Hobag 125 with gas and .035 wire in it for heavier work.

Chris

 

[Tehvine]

Love mine. I've had one for just over 2 years now. First welding I ever did with it (and first time I have ever picked up a welding torch) was a 2" hitch adapter for my ATV. I didn't like the single-bolt ball hitch, so I made a larger bracket with u-bolts and the factory point. Been working great for 2+ years with plenty of abuse.

Ran 035 flux core on 1/4" steel (That's all I leave in the thing). That long piece of 1/4" is actually ****-welded together with it in the middle. No issues with getting heat penetration with this machine on 1/4". I have not tried anything thicker yet, but I don't believe it will be too happy with higher than that unless you preheat.

I've ripped out stumps with it, pulled landscape rakes, you name it. The picture of it on the quad is from right now as it sits 2 years later. Still holding up great even with my newbie welds.

 

[montanafordman]

I have the Hobart 140 and I'm using it to do the body work on my 1931 Ford Model A and I'm pretty happy with it. It has a nice stable arc and works great with the 16 and 18 guage sheet metal on my Model A. Sure I would love to have a bigger 220v unit but I don't have 220 in my garage and I'm on a bit of a budget so this will have to do for now and honestly - for my car restoration this will suit all my needs. Sure a $3,000+ TIG machine would be ideal but for the average novice you can do decent body work with a quality 110v MIG and the hobart has it. I got the Harbor Freight welding cart with mine, took off the central welding logo with some acetone and added a couple hobart decals. I have a good hobart auto darkening helmet, gas and .024 ESAB easy grind wire to go with it.

I also got the dust cover!

 

[Loscaldazar]

Love my HH140 too. Done everything I've asked of it and it has the power to do 1/4" steel with flux core. It's an easy machine to set up and adjust, and if something isn't welding nicely, it's almost certainly an operator error. Relatively new to welding myself, but I've put down some very nice strong welds with it. Started off with welding 2 pieces together, and then using hammers, vise grips, hydraulic presses, etc to destroy the pieces to see what fails. Can do some very strong welds with it.

For autobody, you'll want some MIG wire with gas and not flux core wire.

 

[Jack Olsen]

My first welder was a HH140. Loved it. Even if you upgrade to a 220 machine one day, the little Hobart will always be more portable and a handy addition.

 

[by921]

Working on my Cherokee is the exact same reason why I bought my welder (Lincoln pro mig 140). They are good for light auto work but have since got a larger unit (Lincoln mp210) for frame stiffeners and larger projects.


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[morrillm06]

I have one as well and it has done everything I have asked of it and more

 

[BD1]

Not a Hobart but a 140 MILLER . Use .023 and 75/25 and works great. I use it for silverware stainless art work and stainless welding with trimix, love it.
I do have a dedicated circuit for it and no issues.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Good thing I found this thread, going to have to pick up a mig unit in the next few months.

My taurus has rocker cancer, I want to punch the engineer who thought it was a good idea cover them with plastic panels, caused the damn things to evaporate.

At least means I don't have to do a pretty job, probably just bend up some sheet, plug weld it and slap the plastic back on.

 

[Stooge]

the 140 was also my first welder, great unit and ran both gas and flux core through it without any issues. i wanted something with a little more capacity so when i bought my 211, the 140 went to a buddy's garage since i don't really need the portability or 2 mig welders. i wouldn't hesitate to buy one, cant beat it for the price along with its capabilities and ease of use.

 

[KM223]

The Hobart 140 is a fantastic machine. I did however go with the Miller 140 because of the rheostat current control vs. the click type current control on the Hobart. Also at the time the Hobart did not offer control for a spool gun. Maybe they do now. Something to think about.

 

[kcaz507]

I bought factory reconditioned unit from hobart weld shop. It just had a scratch on the side of it, otherwise didnt look to be used. http://www.hobartweldshop.com/factory-refurbished-hobart-handler-140-mig-wire-welder/

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ That's pretty good price of $420 for factory reconditioned.

 

[CTyankee]

It always did everything that is needed on the car, body, exhaust, brackets or removing broken bolts.
But if you are doing a trailer hitch which is typically 1/4 steel it would be tricky.

Are you buying new?

I am selling my welder if you are interested to save some.

Yes buying new. Thanks for the offer, but shipping would be an issue.

Love mine! Got it for about $380 form AWD. Keep your eyes open, and you might get one too. I see them pop up there fairly regularly. I am a total amateur. Got it to teach myself. My day job is about as far away as you can get from welding....

Good to hear from another amateur. What is AWD?

Good thing I found this thread, going to have to pick up a mig unit in the next few months.

My taurus has rocker cancer, I want to punch the engineer who thought it was a good idea cover them with plastic panels, caused the damn things to evaporate.

At least means I don't have to do a pretty job, probably just bend up some sheet, plug weld it and slap the plastic back on.

LOL, just scraped my Taurus wagon last month(for other issues)...but I totally understand what you're talking about.


Thanks for the feedback. Based of all the positive comments, I'll be picking one up soon. A TSC near me carries them for about 520. Will probably go that route, just so I don't have to wait for it I already have a nice Miller auto darkening helmet that was given to me, so that will be one less other extra I'll need.

Maybe someday I'll be able to hang in the Fab & Tech section....

 

[Adk Mike]

I have had one for it seems like ten years. I really enjoy it. I do plan to get a 220 unit of some type. More of a want then a need.

 

[velillen01]

AWD is Amazon Warehouse Deals. if you return an item and its not 100% it could end up as a AWD which is often a brand new item with like a small ding in the packaging but for a cheaper price. Just have ot check the condition but usually a very good means its as if you bought new, a good might mean a scratch. You have to pay attention though as they can get snatched pretty dang quick.


Ive been watching for a good deal on the 140 myself. Same reason as you. But the 210MVP has me interested too (120/240 machine).

 

[JimRB]

20 amp breaker fed with 12 gauge wire let these 120v machines do their best work.