I have no formal welding training and next to no experience, most just heating stuff so I can get it loose. But, I've got it in my head I need a welder. I've beg, pleaded and paid for welding in the past but as I get closer to retirement age, I think I want to take up welding. To that end, I think the Hobart 140 looks like a good choice for a guy that might need to fix a body panel, odd things around the house and nothing thicker than a GS frame. Anyone know of a better welder in this price range? Under $500 seems within my tolerance for education. https://www.amazon.com/Hobart-50055...atcorr&keywords=hobart+handler+190+mig+welder
I have the Hobart 140 and I think it is the best bang for the buck. I read many many reviews about the H140 and I could not find any that were negative except from people that owned Miller 180's and higher model numbers. The Miller 180 with Auto-set works very well, but, I could not justify the extra money at the time. I decided to go with the Hobart 140 so that I could use it anywhere (115volt) and I wanted my money to stay in this country (made in USA). Northern Tool usually has it for a nice price, too.
Lincoln is a better machine, $ 585 at lowes, take an active military or veteran and get an additional 5% maybe 10% don't remember. If you want more versatility for later on the mp210 is an awesome machine will do everything, but its $800
Honart 140 is a good hobbyist welder. I ended up going with an Eastwood 175 due to the fact I wanted infinite power level control instead of just 4 present levels and I had 220 at my disposal. But I don't think the average hobbyist (myself included) would be hindered by the Hobart 140. Bang for the buck, it's a solid machine.
Hey Greg... I have a 185 Miller with a spool gun for aluminum. That machine has a 40% (?) duty cycle. Thats another issue to consider. Personally? Take a night school class, "Welding for Seniors". Since youve never welded, it sure wont hurt to learn some welding basics from the git-go. Classes can go from rudimentary "farm welding" to high frequency square wave TIG welding for exotic stuff, coupled with techniques etc. JMHO.... ws
I bought it's predecessor, the Hobart Handler 120 about 30 years ago. A great little welder that I am still using and haven't one lick of trouble with it in all these years.
I have the Eastwood 175 also. I could make sparks with a stick welder and welds that looked like lumpy turds. Took the night welding class at a local tech school. Picked up enough skill to make pretty, solid welds with the stick and my Mig. Yr ago I got a 200A Tig. Now I need to go back and figure out how to make it work.
I've had a Hobart 140 for about 10 years. I've used it a lot, and the only thing I've had to do was replace the drive wheel on it (it started slipping because, well, the wire groove was worn out).
More money but the Hobart Handler is awesome! https://www.google.com/search?q=hobart+handler&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari
Whatever you decide to get it should have the option to use shielding gas. Flux core wire is harder to use.
I have a Hobart 140 with gas conversion(don't even waste 1 second of your time with that flux crap) it is a fantastic little welder. It has been used on many cars doing everything from installing full quarter panels, quarter skins(lots of welding) , fabricated motor mount plates welded to frame, suspension brackets,etc. I spend the extra money and get the Argon/CO2 blend. Once you figure out your heat setting and wire speed for the material you are working on, you're golden. I also have a big Millermatic 200, and I only use it for really heavy duty stuff, like 1/4 thick plate steel car trailer frame,etc. I have used the big Miller in the past on sheetmetal, but it is overkill and harder to get dialed in for the thin small stuff.
Same here! Might be the Handler 90 tho. Been using it for over 30 years. Hobart was bought out by Miller about 10 years ago. IIRC, the Hobart line was downgraded a bit to be more of a hobby welder and the Millers were the higher end models. I upgraded to a TIG welder this year, an Alphatig 200. Cost about $700. It's amazing on sheetmetal and can weld aluminum too. Also can be used as a stick welder. It takes more skill to tig weld than a mig, but if you've done gas welding, you've got a head start as the technique is similar. A Hobart mig would still be a great choice for what you are planning.
I keep calling and asking and they trying to enroll me in a certificate-issuing day class program. I've given up and have friends that weld. I'll just rely on them to tell me what I'm doing wrong after I've watched all the youtube videos I can find.
I have the Miller equivalent, love it, have run many spools of wire through it with noting but good results. I agree that a solid wire and shielding gas is a must. I am a certified wilder with 25 years experience, not trying to seem smarter that anyone but I would go with .030 wire and 75/25 mix gas. I do not agree that the Lincoln is a better machine, in my experience Miller makes a superior product unless you are in the pipeline welding field, in which case those guys prefer the big Lincoln. You would have no regrets with the Hobart, go for it.
I have a Millermatic 135 and it is perfect for hobby use. I welded up these control arms with it. I believe the newest version is called the 140
I don't think so. For bang for buck, it was always this or a Lincoln and the Lincoln is a little more expensive for the same product specs.
