mig welder of choice
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 59
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mig welder of choice I am looking at buying a mig welder and I know that you all are going to say that I should buy a 220v but I don't have money money or set up for that I have been looking around and found out that the hobart and miller are pretty much the same thing but the hobart is a lot cheaper but there is always lincoln too I have been looking at all threes 140 series just wondering if anyone had these and what do they think of them
I have a lincoln 140c and love it. I've never used a lincoln I didn't like. Never really liked Miller but I've used less Millers than lincolns so maybe I just haven't used the right Miller. Never used a Hobart. I did recently see a thread somewhere where the guy replaced his Lincoln with I think it was a Hobart because the lincoln had a few issues. He said the welding shop he got it from said Lincolns come back with the most problems.
I bought my 140c brand new on ebay with free shipping, I don't think I paid this much but this was the best price I found
http://cgi.ebay.com/LINCOLN-ELECTRIC...item5ad218895b
Sometimes you can find refurbished ones for a little less from the same guys that sell them new.
I wouldn't go with any model lower than the 140c even though they are cheaper, they don't have the same adjustablity for wire speed and voltage.
I bought my 140c brand new on ebay with free shipping, I don't think I paid this much but this was the best price I found
http://cgi.ebay.com/LINCOLN-ELECTRIC...item5ad218895b
Sometimes you can find refurbished ones for a little less from the same guys that sell them new.
I wouldn't go with any model lower than the 140c even though they are cheaper, they don't have the same adjustablity for wire speed and voltage.
TECH Regular
Joined: May 2010
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Can't go wrong with a lincoln, miller or a hobart, I've welded with all three and they all weld great. Esab also makes good welders. My personal fav is the miller 252 with the all digital controls, absolute dream to weld with. I will vote for miller, that's my perferance.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2010
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Well I have been thinking that I am going to stay away from the miller I used to weld with all three in high school and the millers were my favorite they are just to expensive and have found out that hobart is made by miller I found the hobart for $440 and the lincoln for $560 so I guess I'm wondering is the lincoln worth the extra $120 I'm not really thinking so
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Ohio
Hobarts for the most part are Miller, they are made on the same line. I prototype tested the Handler 140 when it was being developed in Troy Ohio (Hobart had a factory and still operate a welding school there). I bought another one a few years back and the wand was imprinted with Miller. One of the best 120v welders I have used.
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2009
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i have a hobart handler 140. i bought it from tractor supply. I LOVE IT. i use it frequently and have great luck with it. tractor supply carries alot of replacement parts for their hobart welders. hobart is made in the usa, lincoln is mexican. thats the only reason i bought it over the lincoln at lowe's or hd.
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Miller migs have always worked great when everyone using them knows how to use them the proper way and dont distroy the tips. Lincons are good welders as well. I think most welding equipment failures are due to improper use and maintness. Never used a hobart and i have heard of the company but never seen there welder before
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i have a hobart handler 140. i bought it from tractor supply. I LOVE IT. i use it frequently and have great luck with it. tractor supply carries alot of replacement parts for their hobart welders. hobart is made in the usa, lincoln is mexican. thats the only reason i bought it over the lincoln at lowe's or hd.
This is the first MIG welder I ever really used and I have been very happy with it. I have welded up to 1/2" (not very good penetration but it held) with it but I normally weld 16 guage stainless exhaust pipes. Just performs great. Got it from TS too.
I'm not really familiar with the diffent Hobart models but one thing I would suggest is make sure whatever you get has an infinitely adjustable amperage ****. I might be wrong but I think I remember some of the cheaper welders I've looked at had ***** that just had set positions for amperage
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2010
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That's what I was hearing that the difference between hobart and miller are but if that is the case and they are the same thing I wonder if I can just get the switch from miller and put it in the hobart
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 129
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From: Ohio
My buddy just picked up a 140 Handler tonight from TSC. Now I get to teach him how to weld..
I've been doing all kinds of welding in dif shops and in the field for about 10 years now. I would have to say that millers are easier to set up and more user friendly. IMO millers are king of the shop and Lincolns rule the field.