Hobart 180 vs. buzzbox

[Horsehead]

I've been reading all the reviews in this section of the miller 175, hobart 180 and the good ole lincoln stick welder. but ive still got questions. right now i have a brand new lincoln weld-pak 100hd, and its great for minor body work. but i need a 220v for my suspension and frame work. as always, money is an issue here. some have told me to sell my little welder and move up to the hobart, but i know i wont get much for it to offset the new costs. but one thing i can afford is the buzzbox, and i wont have to second guess strength issues with it. should i just wait and save up for the hobart w/ gas, and is it realiable enough for solid frame welding? or will the stick welder be the way to go...... :confused:

[Pin Head]

Sure.
As long as you can stick weld then it will be good for anything from 1/8 to about 1/2 inch. A good buzz box will always be worth $100 used.

[YellowIH]

I am having the same issues as Horsehead.......I am looking to buy a welder. Migs are hot but I know nothing about them....however I can and have used a lincoln ac/dc stick welder for years with no problems.

I am torn between what I know and what appears to be better......

[Gummi Bear]

I am having the same issues as Horsehead.......I am looking to buy a welder. Migs are hot but I know nothing about them....however I can and have used a lincoln ac/dc stick welder for years with no problems.

I am torn between what I know and what appears to be better......

Just in the last year or two have I gotten to use a MIG welder at all. I am not in the slightest bit disappointed in my Hobart 180. I used to stick weld a bit when I was a kid. If you get a buzzbox, get one that is capable of both AC and DC welding. I saw that Tractor Supply had a Hobart buzzbox that fit this descriiption a little while back for quite a bit less than a MIG. It looks like a good value. I can weld much prettier with the MIG, with just a little practice.

[Horsehead]

i have done limited amounts of welding with a mig, and no experience with a stick.... but it is something i really want to learn and practice, whether in a class or with a buddy who knows what the hell he is doing. i guess my main problem here is what i can get for my barely-used little welder to offset the cost of a new unit. i like the idea of how powerful the buzzbox is, where down the road i wont have to second-guess the welds.... and i can use my little welder now for the small stuff. but the miller 175 or hobart 180 is so appealing, and you can use it for building an entire vehicle..... so im still stumped. my main issue at this point is weld strength on lifeordeath areas like extending the frame, suspension work, etc.. but i know down the road ill need a welder more for body work, and good looking welds. im really leaning more towards the hobart 180 now (i found a local place that said they would take reasonable trades). I'd appreciate some voices of experience here, will the hobart 180 or miller 175 give me what im looking for? :smokin:

[Dick Hertzer]

I have a Hobart 135 and love it. The 180 would do anything and everything that you could possibly want to do. I guess it all depends on if you want a stick or a mig.