Actually, Hobart was an old welding-machine manufacturer bought by Miller
about 10 years ago (as I recall). Miller now tends to sell similar models
as Hobart, ofter with a feature or two left off from the Miller model.
If you want to start a Lincoln vs Miller spitting contest, take a look at
the plastic inside the wire-handling section of the Lincoln, then look at
the metal used in same places in the Miller.
That said, you'll have a better machine with a name-brand model, and at
least Hobart/Miller/Lincoln will be able to sell you parts in 10 years.
Maybe you can adapt available parts for liners and guns, but internal
machine parts are difficult to substitute.
If you can save enough and don't mind throwing it away when it inevitably
breaks and you can't buy parts, the cheap model might be an accceptable
choice. For me, it's not an option. I don't believe that "you get what you
pay for", but I know that you *never* get *more* than you pay for ;-)
As far as flux-cored vs gas-shielded, it depends on what you'll be doing.
Flux-cored is just not that good for thin stuff, it spatters, and leaves
residue. With gas shielding the welds are more smooth and consistent,
spatter less, and stay cleaner. If you're doing only heavy-material
repairs, flux is OK. Gas is much nicer overall.
Karl
> Not really I think the Lincoln 180C is the best product in the small
> light weight MIG type welders
> Hobart is a Miller clone.
>
> Kind regards
> Ed
>
> Jim Stone wrote:
>> I am getting ready to buy a new MIG Welder and have some questions of the
>> group. To date, I have only used two types of welders: the professional
>> ones
>> at the welding class I took a few years ago and a very cheap flux core
>> welder
>> (hi/low and slow/fast switches) that a neighbor gave me. Whatever I buy
>> will
>> only be used occasionally. I want it for light auto repair/restoration
>> and
>> for home projects.
>>
>> So, on to my questions. First, is getting a 220V one worth the loss of
>> versatility? I have 100 amp 220 service in my garage where most of my
>> welding
>> would be done, but this would certainly limit my ability to take it
>> anywhere.
>> Am I better off just going with a decent 110V model? Something like a
>> 140 Amp
>> Hobart Handler
>> (http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200306073
>> _200306073)?
>>
>> Second, how much better will something like the Hobart be with flux core
>> wire
>> than the cheapo one I have now? Stated differently, do I really need to
>> go to
>> the trouble of renting a gas cylinder for my occasional use? It seems a
>> shame
>> to go to the expense of renting something that is going to sit unused 350
>> days
>> a year. I know shielding gas will give me a much cleaner weld (and also
>> know
>> what a crap job my current unit does). Will I be unhappy with flux core
>> regardless of how much I spend on the welder?
>>
>> Finally, shopping around I notice that Northern Industrial sells units
>> under
>> their own name. Their 135 amp model
>> http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200332691_
>> 200332691) has similar specs to the Hobart, but is $100 less. Does
>> anyone
>> know anything about this? Is the Hobart worth the difference?
>>
>> As always, thanks in advance!
>>
>> Jim
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