Pick my new mig welder for me

SasaniFab · Oct 31, 2017

So I sold some of my parts today and im thinking about buy a mig welder. Im looking at the Hobart line, I was thinking maybe the Hobart Handler mvp210, I dont really need anything crazy as I have a good tig welder. Im even considering a handler 140. But for 300 more dollars i can get the 210 with dual voltage and spool gun capability. what you guys think

lasthope05 · Oct 31, 2017

I have both TIG and MIG machines. Automotive wise, a 110v machine is all you really need. There's really nothing it can't do and its much more portable. I wish I went that route instead of my 220v Lincoln. The dual voltage and spool gun doesn't add any value since the Tig will handle your aluminum and heavy duty steel welding and do it much better. I have both machines on 150cu ft "S" size tanks so they are not very portable.

It's nice to have a smaller machine that you can carry around and plug in anywhere.

jakelandry · Oct 31, 2017

Even though you mentioned the Hobart line I figured I would share this. I used to work in automotive collision repair and we used a Lincoln 140 for everything. Worked perfect for pretty much any thickness metal you find on a car. Fast foreword 8 years and I go buy a Lincoln 140 for my car stuff from lowes. Complete trash. Tried lots of different wire, settings, etc and can't even get it to weld 1/8" plates for my roll cage. I've heard that the line of 140 machines you get at conventional home repair places and the ones you get at dedicated welding stores are different but either way, I don't recommend a Lincoln 140 from lowes. May sound ignorant but I wish I would have saved that 700 dollars and bought something else.

cano86 · Oct 31, 2017

I've used that Hobart Handler 140 about 3 years ago, personally I like it and I do plan on getting another one. I used it to repair the rear subframe on my E46 BMW, which was torn apart and performed very well.

SasaniFab · Oct 31, 2017

jakelandry said:
Even though you mentioned the Hobart line I figured I would share this. I used to work in automotive collision repair and we used a Lincoln 140 for everything. Worked perfect for pretty much any thickness metal you find on a car. Fast foreword 8 years and I go buy a Lincoln 140 for my car stuff from lowes. Complete trash. Tried lots of different wire, settings, etc and can't even get it to weld 1/8" plates for my roll cage. I've heard that the line of 140 machines you get at conventional home repair places and the ones you get at dedicated welding stores are different but either way, I don't recommend a Lincoln 140 from lowes. May sound ignorant but I wish I would have saved that 700 dollars and bought something else.

Oh yes, i did my research before i bought the tig. Homedepot sells the lincoln weld pack vs the pro mig, the weld pack is only like 60 dollars cheaper and has a plastic guide roller assembly vs the metal in the promig. Tractor supply has the hobart line in its stores

steve · Nov 2, 2017

I've got an MVP210 and the spool gun. At the time both were on-sale and if you signed up for a store credit card that took a couple hundred off. I just checked and the same store is $100 cheaper than tractor supply so you might want to shop a bit.

So far I've only used it to burn some flux core wire on 110v and can't remember what I was welding. It worked great and I had several projects planned for it but sadly it's been more of a paper weight. The outlay has long since been absorbed and I don't regret upselling myself.

joemamma · Nov 2, 2017

love my hobart too for mig have lincoln for tig

SasaniFab · Nov 2, 2017

steve said:
I've got an MVP210 and the spool gun. At the time both were on-sale and if you signed up for a store credit card that took a couple hundred off. I just checked and the same store is $100 cheaper than tractor supply so you might want to shop a bit.

So far I've only used it to burn some flux core wire on 110v and can't remember what I was welding. It worked great and I had several projects planned for it but sadly it's been more of a paper weight. The outlay has long since been absorbed and I don't regret upselling myself.

which store are you referring too

donniekak · Nov 2, 2017

I have a Lincoln tig 200, and a Hobart handler. I can weld anything automotive between the two of them.

A big mig machine makes more sense for farm use, or heavier type fab work. But you may as well stick weld stuff that big anyway.

bastarddsm · Nov 2, 2017

I've always sort of thought that way, but every time I use my buddies miller 252, I'm reminded of how awesome they are. I do agree though, if you have a 200A TIG, you can get by with a small mig, and just stick weld the heavy stuff.

Anyway, I have a 250A tig I made out of an old stick welder, and then a cheap 110v mig from my dad that he bought off the MAC tools truck in the 80's. It works, but it's equivalent to a harbor freight unit, I think it's about 100A. It's handy for tacking things, but it needs a little more ass. I made a driveshaft loop, and it struggled to tack some .25 plate together. I haven't used my dads new 110v miller (135 maybe?) mig in a while, but I think it would have gotten it done easier.

On a side note, I bought a 110v 80A inverter stick welder from menards. I love that thing. Cheap china tig torch plugs right in, and you can scratch start tig with it. If your really crafty and determened you could even weld thin aluminum with it. Giant (5/32+) red tungsten, and DCEP.

Between my 3 welders there isn't much I can't get done.

steve · Nov 3, 2017

amsrn13 said:
which store are you referring too

https://www.farmandfleet.com/produc...iK9LVzFTKU1rT62T3J3scRlcAuwNX9qAaAjYdEALw_wcB

brian9397gsx · Nov 3, 2017

I have had the hobart 140 mig for about 8yrs now without a single issue. I also have a 200 amp tig. I love the hobart and especially like how it uses miller consumables since it's just a lower line miller. I've weld up to 3/16 witch I believe is the machines maximum without issues with .030 wire. Then I keep .025 I think (whatever the thinner wire is ) for doing 18g and below and it's great. The only issues I had was thinking that I can use. 030 on everything which is a given use thinner wire on thinner metal makes everything happy.

My buddy has the lincoln 140 and that's a great machine but it draws more current. He was constantly popping 20amp breakers and it wasn't a wiring issue as the garage was just rewired and the outlet was a dedicated 12g 20amp circuit. We ended up wiring a 30amp 120 and never had an issue afterwards.hope that helps some sorry it's a little long.

daughters-car · Nov 3, 2017

I've had a Hobart Handler 110V (I think 140 model) for 15 or 16 years now. Absolutely my favorite and most used tool! The portability is great. Many times I've had to take it outside to weld something and being able to just string out a long heavy extension cord and still use it is great. I have been able to run aluminum wire through it without using a spool gun, but it was a little finicky - still possible in a pinch though.

cookb8419 · Nov 3, 2017

I don’t know what your budget is but a welder is something I don’t skimp on. I just picked up this kit and LOVE it. I can do MIG TIG or stick and the machine sets everything ie. wire speed or amp, for you depending on what your doing. It can also run on 220 or 110 depending on what you have. The power cord has two different ends, so depending on what end you put on the machine knows what power your using. I’m not in any way indorcing this website but it was the first link I found with the whole kit. Hope this helps.

https://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc....MI64bM5KOj1wIVA7jACh33wg9SEAQYAiABEgLxvfD_BwE

joemamma · Nov 3, 2017

brian9397gsx said:
I have had the hobart 140 mig for about 8yrs now without a single issue. I also have a 200 amp tig. I love the hobart and especially like how it uses miller consumables since it's just a lower line miller. I've weld up to 3/16 witch I believe is the machines maximum without issues with .030 wire. Then I keep .025 I think (whatever the thinner wire is ) for doing 18g and below and it's great. The only issues I had was thinking that I can use. 030 on everything which is a given use thinner wire on thinner metal makes everything happy.

My buddy has the lincoln 140 and that's a great machine but it draws more current. He was constantly popping 20amp breakers and it wasn't a wiring issue as the garage was just rewired and the outlet was a dedicated 12g 20amp circuit. We ended up wiring a 30amp 120 and never had an issue afterwards.hope that helps some sorry it's a little long.

hobart is the lower line miller
rather get the hobart and a quality tig fo about that price and that would not be skimping

95FullSend99 · Feb 7, 2020

Sorry to revive a thread.
I am about to buy my first welder. I have never welded anything before and I really dont know what to get. Eventually I have the goal of tubing the front end of my 2g due to some damage up there. What products do yall recommend?

brian9397gsx · Feb 8, 2020

Well I think if you read what's been posted you'll have a good idea. I still like and use my handler 140 I love it with .025 wire its great on sheet metal.

95FullSend99 · Feb 8, 2020

brian9397gsx said:
Well I think if you read what's been posted you'll have a good idea. I still like and use my handler 140 I love it with .025 wire its great on sheet metal.

3 years is a long time and alot of new products can come in. Also 3 years is a long time to review an item. Maybe it broke 4 months in and it wasnt put here? How would I know. Which is why I asked again. But thank you for the input.

brian9397gsx · Feb 8, 2020

95FullSend99 said:
3 years is a long time and alot of new products can come in. Also 3 years is a long time to review an item. Maybe it broke 4 months in and it wasnt put here? How would I know. Which is why I asked again. But thank you for the input.

Yeah I get that that's why I included my experience with the Hobart 140. It's made by miller uses all miller consumables and parts. I've been using it for 9yrs or better and have only had to change the torch liner. Parts are cheap and available everywhere.

The Top DSM Community on the Web

Pick my new mig welder for me

SasaniFab

lasthope05

jakelandry

cano86

SasaniFab

steve

joemamma

SasaniFab

donniekak

bastarddsm

steve

brian9397gsx

daughters-car

cookb8419

joemamma

95FullSend99

brian9397gsx

95FullSend99

brian9397gsx

Similar threads

Latest posts

Build Thread Updates

Vendor Updates

Latest Classifieds