Mig Welder - What do you think??

RDDC

RDDC

New Member
Joined
May 30, 2005
Location
Davie County, NC
I would like some opinions on a good mig welder. Miller, Airco, Hobart - just let me know what you guys think. Either 110v or 220v - I have looked at the Hobart 140, but would like to hear some opinions. I would like to try and keep it under the $750 range. This is for home use only, like fab work. Thanks for the help.
 
I have a Hobart 175. The newer version is a 180??? ANyway, I have been very happy with it. It's 220v. Have been able to weld what ever with it. I have a friend with a Hobart 135, not as happy with it though, but he can take it more places than me because of it being 110v. But giving up the voltage, he can't run heavy wire thru it. Or if you want one to take anywhere, home, trail, office, mother n laws, PM me about Ready Welder
 
I have looked at both the 140 and 180 - I think I will probably go for the 180. I am not going to tote it around with me or anything so it would probably work out best. Have you ever used an Airco?? I have found very good deals on these welders, but not too much feedback from anyone.
 
I got the Hobart 175 with Argon CO2 mix and works awesome. But the welder isnt what makes good welds...it just helps. ;)

Sam
 
I had a 140 amp 110V Snap-On for about 8 years. Its a good little machine for sheet metal and body work. I traded for a 250 amp 220V machine this past spring. I love the new machine. I'd say go with as big a machine you can afford and try to stick with 220V and you will be satisfied. Also try to stay with a brand name you can easily find consumables for. Miller, Hobart(made by Miller), Lincoln are all good names.
 
RDDC said:
Have you ever used an Airco?? I have found very good deals on these welders, but not too much feedback from anyone.
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Airco is a company that is now know as BOC gases, None of there products are actually made by them, it is actually most likely a miller product, Machine and Welding supply is owned by BOC and would be able to give you the best info on them since they would have been the distributor, BTW, I used to work for BOC
 
I am thinking either the Miller 175 or the Hobart 180. It just depends on what deals I can find. I would like to find a used one somewhere. I will keep everyone updated. Let me know if anyone know anyone with a good used one for sale.
 
Got a great deal on our Hobart 175 from Tractor Supply Co. in Rock Hill, SC. Also, check out National Welders Supply.
 
Hobart Wire Welder Handler 135, 2 11 pound roll of wire, full tank and cart. $400. 704-502-8535 after 3:30pm

This was in a local sale paper. were others but out of your budgeted price. It's not the 220v but with tank, cart and 2 spools of wire it is a good deal.
 
I have a lincoln 175 and i realy like it, i got it from lowes for $615 and then another $200 for a tank and you will be ready to go. If i were you I would get a 220v a 110v is realy going to hold you back. try to get one that is at least 150amps and 30% duty cycle.
 
upnover said:
Hobart Wire Welder Handler 135, 2 11 pound roll of wire, full tank and cart. $400. 704-502-8535 after 3:30pm

This was in a local sale paper. were others but out of your budgeted price. It's not the 220v but with tank, cart and 2 spools of wire it is a good deal.
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Thanks upnover - that is a good deal, I just don't know if I want a 110v welder. I think I will regret it in the future. That is a good deal and a month ago I probably would have bought it.
 
krehel24 said:
I have a lincoln 175 and i realy like it, i got it from lowes for $615 and then another $200 for a tank and you will be ready to go. If i were you I would get a 220v a 110v is realy going to hold you back. try to get one that is at least 150amps and 30% duty cycle.
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Thanks, I haven't heard too much about the Lincoln's. Everyone always talks about the Hobart and Miller's. Good deal that will help me out a little while searching as well.
 
i got the linc 175 as well, and it works well, too well in fact, I can't keep my damn friends from using it... Its definitely comparable to the miller 175 that the local shop used to use. I can weld 1/2 with it no problem using .035 wire, but I usually rock the .023 on anything else... Got it from Lowes as well, it was on sale a while back, couldn't pass it up...
 
Punkskalar said:
i got the linc 175 as well, and it works well, too well in fact, I can't keep my damn friends from using it... Its definitely comparable to the miller 175 that the local shop used to use. I can weld 1/2 with it no problem using .035 wire, but I usually rock the .023 on anything else... Got it from Lowes as well, it was on sale a while back, couldn't pass it up...
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Thanks for the input Punkskalar - Another Lincoln man. Has anyone ever had to get any of the top three repaired in the W-S area?
 
Hobart 175 here from www.cyberweld.com

Skip the cart, make your own as a good starter project..
 
Guys, I am bidding on a Hobart 175 that looks brand new on Ebay. I am winning the auction right now, but we have about seven days to go. I will post a pic of it shortly. This Hobart 175 and the Lincoln 175 seem to be the welder of choice for everyone and that helps me a lot with my decision. Thanks guys and please keep the input coming. Also, what would you guys pay up to for the 175 on Ebay - considering everything works - doesn't come with bottle or anything, just the mig gun, ground, and regulator.
 
You'll pay under $600 shipped brand new from cyberweld... as a reference
 
I would like to get this one for $400 - by the time they ship it too me it will be $465. I will not go any higher because I can get a new one shipped free for a little more cash. That is probably the best route to take. Do you use the 175 for all you fab work at your shop Rich?
 
RDDC said:
Do you use the 175 for all you fab work at your shop Rich?
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Yup.. it'll do 3/8" nicely with some prep in one pass, plenty for what we do.
 
I assume this is what everybody is running. I am trying to get this one right now. We still have a while to go. Please don't go and outbid me.
 

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I also have the Handler 175. It was recently replaced by the Handler 180 and Northern Tool clearanced the 175s for $250-$300. My friend is an authorized repair shop for most welder brands and he went to all the Northern Stores and bought these 175s for his friends. The Handler is a great machine for welding 1/8 inch plus steel with the .030 wire. I would go smaller on the wire for sheet metal.
 
krehel24 said:
this is 1/4 steel on the 3rd heat seting .023 wire. lincoln 175
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Beat it till it fails, then let's see. Looking at the outside doesn't tell ya anything...

BTW, .023 is way small for 1/4".
 
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