Howdy,
> OK, so I'm close to convincing myself to buy one. Information
> on the net is mostly old or scattered; it seems that the
> bigger names are Hobart, Lincoln and Miller, and they all
> make low-end machines that are great. I'm really looking for
> a 110V machine.
...
> Anyone have good thoughts about the current market? Are Hobart
> and Miller still the same company?
My main thought, having used both 110vac (Miller) and 220vac (Lincoln
SP-175) suitcase MIGs is that you'd much rather have the 220vac version
unless you really can't get 220vac power.
The power difference is quite noticeable, even to my
"non-certified-welder" status hands. The Miller 135 (I think it was?)
that I used at a friends had all it could do to weld properly prepared
1/8" angle, and my Lincoln SP-175 is happy welding up to 1/4" stuff with
no issues.
As to brands... Check out your local suppliers. Around here, Miller seems
to be much more common and were I doing it again, I'd go with them. I
also think Miller's quality is a little higher, but I've never had any
issues with my Lincoln to speak of. Still, the plastic drive roll holders
just look crappy to me (though they seem to work just fine).
I'd go with the Miller if I wanted the best. If I was a little more price
conscious, I'd go with the Hobart (which, when I was looking, was cheaper
than the Miller or Lincoln).
One feature (again, when I was looking) the Miller & Lincoln had that the
Hobart didn't was a continuously variable voltage adjustment (at least I
think it's voltage... I mean the one that isn't the wire speed). I'm not
sure this particularly matters though... Seems like small adjustments here
aren't that common & technique can make up for a lot in any event.
When I was looking, http://www.weldingmart.com/ seemed to have the best
prices around.
Mark
Mark
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