Your take on MIG welder

[harshard]

I went to TSC store today and looked at a Hobart Handler 140, it is on sale here for $449.00 reg. $479.00. I am looking for a MIG welder to do patch work on my '71 and other odd jobs around the house. I know that Lincoln and Miller are trusted names but not sure about Hobart. Would I be wasting my money by choosing this brand of welder or does this sound like a good deal? Thanks, Shawn

[NuBomb]

There are definitely a post on this either on the faq or paint and bodywork section. From what I remember the Hobart had high marks. I plan to get one, but I don't think I was good enough this year. I think it may be made by Miller.

[nds1968]

Hey there is a whole section devoted to welders in the Paint + Body section. I am Miller guy but I'm sure the Hobart will be fine.

[wancosc356]

Hobart is made by Miller. It is their more "affordable" line. I hear pretty good things about them.

[fine69]

http://www.mig-welders-tig-welder.co...mig-welder.htm


BTW, i have one. Great machine for the money.

[fredm98]

I have one of those too. Works great for me! Hobart is made by Miller. My trigger actually says "Miller" on it.

[hchad18]

I haven't heard anything bad about Hobart's and 140 amp should be fine. Nothing smaller though.

[harshard]

I am planing on shorting my long bed to a short in the future, would the Hobart 140 handle the job or would I need to go with a larger unit? Shawn

[energiesource]

theres a lincoln 180 welder pack at canadian tire (for us canadians) for like.. 579. comes with alot of **** too, wire, brushes, gloves, soap stone, and a chipping hammer. pretty good deal to me. dont know how it works though. don't the welders without gas make ****ty/sloppy welds?

[shortbed70]

Made by miller and I think you'll be fine with 140 for frame work. I have a 130 amp mig (clarke) and It work well on thicker metal but hasd to be cranked up with .030 wire. I could step up to .035 but then panel welding becomes a pain. If your concerned save you money a few more months and get a miller 221 or equivellent 220 volt. Thats my next purchase. Our 221 miller will weld 1/2" plate like its nothing.

[nds1968]

I guess I just like the Miller blue. If you buy a Miller the only trouble you'll have is when you run out of wire.

[harshard]

No, not at all. I have seen some beautiful welds with flux wire. You usually grind the weld any way for body work.

[Bus Ted Knuckle]

It is a good machine, but you can find it at a better price than that.

[harshard]

Well I have a short frame, what I have to weld is the bed back together. I just thought I would ask you guys for your thoughts. This is a great site for info. Shawn

[harshard]

Well, I will be buying it on farm use(if I buy it) and that will save me the TAX. I will be paying 449.99.

[BarryB]

I'm usually a Miller man myself, but at the time I couldn't justify buying a miller for as often as I use one at home, But My Dad had purchased a 220v mig welder from Harbor Freight, so far it's been a good machine, I used it to build my utility trailer, I couldn't (as with any small welder) run continous beads all day long. I could do a few of the heavy beads then let the machine rest for about 5 minutes.
BUT again hobart is a good affordable machine also.
I'm saving for a millermatic 251 so when I need to weld a frame I can do it.

[Blue_71]

i have a hobart handler welder from TSC; i think mine is the 140. mine is just the plain flux core. so far ive only used .030 wire in it (i did try the .035, but it overheated the welder QUICK) the welds arent real pretty untill you chip at them, but ive done everything from cab patches, to welding together a truck frame into a truck-bed trailer. the trailer i used my little hobart to weld has hauled 5300 lbs of scrap in it, so i would say it penetrated pretty dang good. i definatly recomend them

[dwaite72lnghrn]

I have the Hobart 130. I bought at TSC about 7-8 years ago. I paid about $379 on sale. I welded with flux until I could buy the tank for it. The tank was about $200 (blue pony) what a difference welding with gas, The best thing is you can weld with .23 and up wire. No burn through on sheet. It is rated to 1/4" thickness in multiple passes. The best part is it is really portableYou can get a 12gauge or better extention cord and take it out in the yard to get at things that just aren't within reach of the garage and 220v.