Farmhand 115 verus Hobart 125?

[ZJim]

For Christmas I got a welding setup. I also got a welding/cutoff oxyacetalene torch to go with it, but my question is about this Farmhand 115 setup that I got. It was 329 bucks, complete with a welding hood, some gloves, a few vice grips, and a big cart for the welder to roll around on. I had been looking at a Hobart 125, but it was the same price and didn't come with any of the goodies like the welding hood or gloves. It all came from Tractor supply company, and I could exchange this Farmhand 115 for the Hobart without anything coming out of my pocket. But should I? The Hobart can weld up to quarter inch, while the Farmhand one I have now is only 3/16s. I won't be doing any heavy fabrication, just welding on some axle brackets, building some sliders, etc. Should I return this setup in favor of the Hobart 125, or just stick with this one? Supposedly, the guy at the store told them that the same company makes Hobart and the Farmhand welders, but that seems unlikely to me. Any suggestions?

[ZJim]

Hmm.. I did a search for the word Farmhand and didn't really bring up much. Any advice?

[PAToyota]

Haven't heard of the Farmhand brand. Hobart is made by Miller. I don't think that the Farmhand is rebranded Hobart, but it could be a rebrand of something else. I'm assuming that the 115 is the amperage, so the Hobart would give you ten extra amps of output. Other thing to check would be duty cycle. If the Hobart is giving a certain duty cycle and the Farmhand is giving significantly less, I'd consider swapping. Final thought would be any repair/replacement issues. Miller, Lincoln, Hobart -- you know where you can go for any issues. Farmhand, unless TSC does the service direct, you have already found that there really isn't any information out there.

Just my thoughts.

[ZJim]

According to the box, Farmhand is just a brand off of Campbell Hausfield which kinda concerns me. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna take this welder back and get the Hobart. I might even pop for an extra hundred bucks and get the Hobart 140 instead. Or possibly a Lincoln. From what I understand, you can't really go wrong with Lincoln or Miller.

[hammer74]

If this Farmhand is made by CH be the first one in line to exchange it. CH is junk whatever the application so get the Hobart. Even though Hobart is Millers entry line product a lot of guys use them with no probs and seem to like them. If you can opt for the Lincoln thats even better.
Good luck.

[ZJim]

I'm looking at the Lincolns that Home Depot sells. They seem to have a better duty cycle as well.

[braxton357]

While the CH isn't "junk", it isn't as powerful as the hobart and it has a shorter duty cycle. I'd trade. I'd also learn how to use the gas welder too.

[ZJim]

Ended up buying a Lincoln Pro Mig 135 today. Thanks for the advice guys. I liked it better than their 100HD model because it came with the regulator and all the stuff for gas shielding, plus it goes up to 135 amps and has a good duty cycle it seems.

[Madzooki]

Ended up buying a Lincoln Pro Mig 135 today. Thanks for the advice guys. I liked it better than their 100HD model because it came with the regulator and all the stuff for gas shielding, plus it goes up to 135 amps and has a good duty cycle it seems.

Good thing because the diffuser on the Farm hand costs $39 direct from CH. Guess how I know? Every welding house in town couldnt match it because CH makes them left hand thread. It had to come from them. Good thing its not my welder. It welds decent for a small machine, but I cant wait until I get my 220V machine in the spring.

Paul

[hammer74]

While the CH isn't "junk", it isn't as powerful as the hobart and it has a shorter duty cycle.

CH "isn't" junk? I'm sure someone that buys their tools from Walmart would say the same thing.