Looking for a new welder and have narrowed it down to these two models:
Of the two which would you recommend?
Of the two which would you recommend?
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Which welder would you suggest, Holbart or Miller?
- Thread starter Sage55
- Start date
bcradio
Well-known member
211.
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
Between the two, Ironman for more power. Hobarts are very good welders, love my old HH175.
BreeStephany
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I've had a Miller 210 for about 12 years now and am VERY happy with it. Haven't had a single issue with it.
When I was looking at buying it, I did a fair amount of research, as I was between the Millermatic 210 and the Hobart equivalent. What I found was that they are more or less the same machine, however, at the time, a lot of people felt that the running gear in the Hobart was of lesser quality than the Miller, and that though it would likely stand the occassional use in a home setting, they generally did not last as long as the Millers did.
When I went to my local distributor, they more or less had the same comments on the Hobart and gave me a HELL of a deal on the Miller to help persuade me into buying blue. The Miller ended up costing the same as the Hobart and I got a tank, gloves, hood, a couple sets of consumables and two 35lb rolls of wire to sweeten the deal.
I would shop around and see what kind of deals you can get with a local distributor if you have one in your area.
Just my two cents.
When I was looking at buying it, I did a fair amount of research, as I was between the Millermatic 210 and the Hobart equivalent. What I found was that they are more or less the same machine, however, at the time, a lot of people felt that the running gear in the Hobart was of lesser quality than the Miller, and that though it would likely stand the occassional use in a home setting, they generally did not last as long as the Millers did.
When I went to my local distributor, they more or less had the same comments on the Hobart and gave me a HELL of a deal on the Miller to help persuade me into buying blue. The Miller ended up costing the same as the Hobart and I got a tank, gloves, hood, a couple sets of consumables and two 35lb rolls of wire to sweeten the deal.
I would shop around and see what kind of deals you can get with a local distributor if you have one in your area.
Just my two cents.
bmxdad
Well-known member
I'm going to guess that this is going to be like a Ford vs. Chevy thread .... comes down to personal taste.
Hobart FWIW
Hobart FWIW
3 Gun Shooter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2015
- Messages
- 880
Hobart and Miller are both good welders, both owned by the same company. Buy which ever you can get the best service/deal on.
I have Miller welders oldest is 45 years old and the newest is 40 years old, both weld great. I guess I bleed blue.
I have Miller welders oldest is 45 years old and the newest is 40 years old, both weld great. I guess I bleed blue.
ScottsGT
Well-known member
When I was looking at a 135, same boat. Went to the welding shop and the guy told me if something happened he could provide quick turnaround repairs and service. Go ask Northern Tools of Tractor Supply if they could provide the same service.
sberry
Banned
The old Hobart 210 and the old Miller 210 were different. The Miller was a better machine by a longshot. In the case of the 230 vs the 211 they are not the same, the Hobart is a vastly better machine, can make almost 2x the power of the 211 and can use large spools of wire. If time and money are the same thing, if it involves a significant amount of welding the 230 will save a lot on material cost. The wire is 1/2 the $ of small spool and the machine will lay down 2x with the same gas usage. Twice as fast for the same amount of weld, even at modest wages it pays for itself in short order. The Hobart is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy better for material over 1/4 and even on thinner stuff is speed is a concern.
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Trey T
Well-known member
I just found out that 211 is now an inverter type, not like the good ole transformer type.
Cope
Well-known member
The old Hobart 210 and the old Miller 210 were different. The Miller was a better machine by a longshot. In the case of the 230 vs the 211 they are not the same, the Hobart is a vastly better machine, can make almost 2x the power of the 211 and can use large spools of wire. If time and money are the same thing, if it involves a significant amount of welding the 230 will save a lot on material cost. The wire is 1/2 the $ of small spool and the machine will lay down 2x with the same gas usage. Twice as fast for the same amount of weld, even at modest wages it pays for itself in short order. The Hobart is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy better for material over 1/4 and even on thinner stuff is speed is a concern.
What Cary says.
DerekV
Well-known member
Totally different machines. For me, the 211 hands down. A much more versatile machine in every way...portability, dual voltage, finely tuned inverter arc that has an infinite sweet spot with all wire alloys and (within reason) sizes (all unlike transformers, which have a clearly noticeable sweet spot), fan on demand, smooth start, and still tons of power. 25.5v @ 230amps is nothing to sneeze at. Spray arc is no problem. And for the record, the duty cycle ratings are extremely conservative.
Things that could be better: the MIG gun is too small for its power, but its nice for small stuff. Same for the ground clamp and cable. Luckily, all of that stuff is easily upgrade-able. The wire drive mechanism is "pretty good", but no doubt is the Hobart one better. Just look at them side by side, no comparison, the Hobart one is industrial. Lastly, the 211 doesn't accept the larger 25-44 lb spools. Not a total deal breaker for many (myself included), but it is something to consider if you do a ton of welding.
At the end of the day, they're both nice. Just two totally different machines.
Things that could be better: the MIG gun is too small for its power, but its nice for small stuff. Same for the ground clamp and cable. Luckily, all of that stuff is easily upgrade-able. The wire drive mechanism is "pretty good", but no doubt is the Hobart one better. Just look at them side by side, no comparison, the Hobart one is industrial. Lastly, the 211 doesn't accept the larger 25-44 lb spools. Not a total deal breaker for many (myself included), but it is something to consider if you do a ton of welding.
At the end of the day, they're both nice. Just two totally different machines.
Trey T
Well-known member
DerekV: Are you saying that the newer 211 design has advantage over the old 211?
DerekV
Well-known member
DerekV: Are you saying that the newer 211 design has advantage over the old 211?
Absolutely.
Moose364
Well-known member
When I got my Hobart 140 when I unpacked it there was a miller gun in it. so the welder says hobart and the gun has miller on the side, I would do the Hobart 230 over the 211. now if you kick in the Miller 252 well that's a whole another story.
The new MM211 is inverter. I've known quite a few people who've blown boards up in them. I've had my inverter 211 for almost two years, and I haven't had any issues yet.
Hobart and Miller are both owned by ITW, yes, but the MIG welders specifically are manufactured in separate places: Troy, OH for Hobart, and Appleton, WI for Miller.
The Miller goes up to 230A, and the Hobart to 250A. The Miller is much more efficient, and the 110/220V can be handy. Much better duty cycle on the Hobart also, but the arc won't be as "crisp" as the inverter. No adjustable inductance, either.
Hobart and Miller are both owned by ITW, yes, but the MIG welders specifically are manufactured in separate places: Troy, OH for Hobart, and Appleton, WI for Miller.
The Miller goes up to 230A, and the Hobart to 250A. The Miller is much more efficient, and the 110/220V can be handy. Much better duty cycle on the Hobart also, but the arc won't be as "crisp" as the inverter. No adjustable inductance, either.