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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Mig welders

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Mark

11-13-2003 08:28:31




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My son and I are looking at replacing our old Lincoln Buzzbox with a mig welder. Seems like the best deals are on the 220V 175 Lincoln and the same 175 Hobart. What experiences have people had with both. Appreciate your input.




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Mark

11-17-2003 15:13:22




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 Re: Mig welders in reply to Mark, 11-13-2003 08:28:31  
Thanks for all the input guys. We are going with the Hobart. It was by far the best deal.



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John K

11-16-2003 23:31:05




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 Re: Mig welders in reply to Mark, 11-13-2003 08:28:31  
I repair welders and recommend Miller or Lincoln. Hobart welders are ok but hard to get parts in this area. Esab is a welder that has been out for about four years or so, they do put out a nice weld, but they also keep me very bussy reparing them. One welding shop that I do maintanace, had 4 go out at the same time. Convinced them to go back to True Blue Miller.



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mark

11-16-2003 10:38:11




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 Re: Mig welders in reply to Mark, 11-13-2003 08:28:31  
Thanks for the input guys. We got a great deal on the Hobart. Can't wait to put it to work.



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Skinner

11-17-2003 03:06:44




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 Re: Re: Mig welders in reply to mark, 11-16-2003 10:38:11  
Your going to enjoy it. Since I bought my HH175, I keep 1-1/2" Sq. Tubing in stock all the time because fast fast projects you can't beat it. Quick chop saw cuts and welds that going on nice, when your done, it looks store bought.

Thousht about the Iron Man from Hobart, but I wanted portability, so I went with the 175. I'll buy a larger one for the shop someday.

I have a couple of suggestions. Buy some of those wire cleaners that go inside the mig and cleans the wire before it goes into the rollers, and two, keep it covered when not using it.

About once or twice a year, I get that weird sweat thing in my shop. When the wire spool gets wet and gets a small amount of surface rust on it it then becomes a bugger to use. Now I keep the machine covered and havn't had the problem anymore. Keeps the everyday dirt, dust, and grinding dust out of the machine as well.

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T_Bone

11-17-2003 14:53:17




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 Re: Re: Re: Mig welders in reply to Skinner, 11-17-2003 03:06:44  
Hi Skinner,

A foam ear plug works well for precleaning the wire. Just poke a hole in the ear plug and let it rest up against the drive roll.

T_Bone



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Mike

11-14-2003 18:41:12




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 Re: Mig welders in reply to Mark, 11-13-2003 08:28:31  
Mark, being that I have an SP-250 mig and a Square Wave Pro 175 tig I should be solidly behind Lincoln,but after lurking on the hobart board since last winter if I were going to buy a mig it would be a Hobart Handler 175.It is a good looking machine and gets lots of good words from the users on the board and you will get good support from Miller/Hobart.I have looked at them at TSC but cannot justify another machine.I can't say the Lincoln machines are bad or anything(I really like mine)but in this case I believe the Handler has an edge and sounds as though it would do you a good job.
The first thing to do is find a retailer that has machines setup and "take them girls for a twirl" and see which one YOU like.

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T_Bone

11-13-2003 22:03:55




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 Re: Mig welders in reply to Mark, 11-13-2003 08:28:31  
Hi Mark,

I personally would pay a little more and stay with a 225a, 250a machine for Mig. 175 for innershield wouldn't be too bad but for short arc it's still lacking some capibiltiys.

I would also stay with Lincoln or Miller. Yes I know that Hobart is now owed by Miller but Hobart has always left a bad taste behind in the past 35yrs. Cheap made machine with bad arc stability.

You also want to look at the Mig torch. Tweco makes the best torch out there with resonable priced consumables. A number 10cup with .035 wire works well. A couple cups, 25-tips, extra liner, couple cup insulators, should last you awhile. The longer a torch lead the better. A 12ft lead is a PITA to use on a Mig as you always are having to move the machine.

What your looking for is a machine that will weld 1/4" plate in one pass with good pentration under all conditions. You then can weld any thickness with multi-passes.

T_Bone

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Cliff Neubauer

11-13-2003 20:14:46




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 Re: Mig welders in reply to Mark, 11-13-2003 08:28:31  
As the others have said any name brand welder should do the job and there really isn't much difference between the big 3. I have a Lincoln and would buy another in a heart beat. I suggest you go to your local welding supply store and see what they say, they should also have some you could try out before you buy one. I would say getting parts for the Lincoln may be a little easier since they are mostly sold by welding supply dealers and the Hobarts seem to be sold by chain stores by people who don't know a whole lot about welders. From what I have seen the welding supply stores are slightly more expensive than the chain stores but it is worth it having a reliable dealer.

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Dr.EVIL

11-16-2003 08:41:49




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 Re: Re: Mig welders in reply to Cliff Neubauer, 11-13-2003 20:14:46  
HI CLIFF - My welding supply store sells Miller & Lincoln. I bought Blue because Miller uses a standard TWECO gun and Lincoln uses a Special (higher priced) gun of their own. Also on that size machine Lincoln uses a plastic feed drive housing while Miller uses diecast. With today's plastics it's a toss-up which is stronger! I agree with staying with the welding supply company. If You use shielding gas You'll have to get it from someplace so You'll be going back there anyhow! Get a LOT of good advice there too.

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AD Trailer

11-13-2003 09:33:10




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 Re: Mig welders in reply to Mark, 11-13-2003 08:28:31  
Mark, It depends what you are using the welder for. I have used the hobart 175, 210, and 251 models. For general purpose work, I like the 210 or 251 models, mainly because of the increased power for stronger welds. The 175 is a nice, compact, decent welding unit, but has its limitations if you are trying to weld anything thicker than 1/4".

Just in case no one else comments on it, when welding with mig welders and using the gas and uncoated wire, is for use inside/sheltered areas only. If you are trying to weld outside your CO/2 or Argon gas would blow away, and it will ruin your welds. A flux-coated wire is available for the mig welders, but is a little more expensive.

From my past experiece, Lincoln welders are very good welders (mig, stick, etc) also.

If you have any other questions, please post them, and I will try my best to answer them.

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Mark

11-13-2003 09:52:48




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 Re: Re: Mig welders in reply to AD Trailer, 11-13-2003 09:33:10  
Appreciate the information. The 1/4" capacity is fine for us. We were just wondering which brand people had had more success with.



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AD Trailer

11-13-2003 12:55:06




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 Re: Re: Re: Mig welders in reply to Mark, 11-13-2003 09:52:48  
Mark, John said it well. All 3 manufacturers(Miller, Lincoln, and Hobart) are good ones. I would suggest buying a new one so you would have a warranty, just in case.



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john

11-13-2003 10:50:22




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 Re: Re: Re: Mig welders in reply to Mark, 11-13-2003 09:52:48  
Miller, Hobart and Lincoln all make first line hi quality machines... miller is on the commercial end of the scale Hobart ( a division of miller) is their consumer model. Lincoln has been around for ever... you'll not be disappointed with any of these... I think you'd doo fine with the 175... but that extra 30 or so amps with the 210 is nice to have... but then you're talking 400 more dollars... check with some of the welding supply houses for returned lease units... might find a good deal..

john

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