looking for a bigger welder

[bigdreamin]

I am currently looking for a 220v mig welder, I have a Hobart handler 135 and I like it, it just doesn't have all the power I need some times. I have been looking at the Hobart 175/180 anyone else have one? It seems like everyone has a hard on for Lincoln and I never undertood why. Thanks for the input guys.

[YJTypeR]

I suggest going for the brand with the most support in the area. Both the big guys make good machines. I love my Miller 175.

[D60]

Well, never mind that it's been beat to death time and again, what is your budget? What are you wanting to do, ie thickness, type of builds, etc. Is spool gun capability important?

[bigdreamin]

Well, never mind that it's been beat to death time and again, what is your budget? What are you wanting to do, ie thickness, type of builds, etc. Is spool gun capability important?

Sorry for not being clearer, I didn't mean for this to be a "let's find me a welder that fits my needs thread" I'm more or less looking for some reviews from people who own or have used/owned a hobart/miller 175/180. Like I said I like the hobart I have now I just need something bigger and looking to get some reviews.

[cj7jeep81]

http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/

[D60]

I still contend that more PBB rigs have been built w the Hobart 175/180 (and the Harbor Freight 20T hydraulic press but that's neither here nor there) than any other machine. Why? 'Cause it's relatively cheap, readily available and can do 1/4" plate without much trouble. Plus it's relatively portable and easily stored in hallways, closets, etc for those who have to work outside.

It's arguably the best value in a 220V wire feed when price is compared to performance. IOW, value.

[HalfFastFord]

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_passport/

Love mine. It's a big machine, it's a small machine, it's a shop welder and it's portable. Don't let the price scare ya! I got mine and purchased my C25 bottle with a flow meter for 1300 out the door. And that's with OKs 8 percent sales tax.

[bigdreamin]

Hey Ohio isn't to much less than 8%, 6.75% and we have state income tax, but anyway. That a pretty neat welder however maybe a little overkill for me. But I'm glad to see no ones said they've had a problem with one so thats a plus. Thanks for the input guys.

[Hero]

I have a Miller 175, and love it. Have put prolly 4 10lbs spools of wire thru it. It has fabricated 90% of what is on my truck now. I have also used it on many non truck related projects, from flimsy sheetmetal widgets to thinwall tube structures for my fathers garden art to some pretty hefty repairs on my brothers tractor and debris trailer. Only a very few times have I wished for more capicity or a longer duty cycle.

[SirMrManGuy]

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_passport/

Love mine. It's a big machine, it's a small machine, it's a shop welder and it's portable. Don't let the price scare ya! I got mine and purchased my C25 bottle with a flow meter for 1300 out the door. And that's with OKs 8 percent sales tax.
Just curious but are the fittings for the 12oz bottle the same as a paintball gun? Because thats feature is cool as shit.

[Roy's Rustbucket]

I bought a "reman" Hobart 180 from ToolKing.com for $529 shipped just two months ago. I love mine.

Roy

[DUEL]

Im running a ESAB Mig Master 250. the smothest Mig Welder ive ever used.
-Matt-

[bigdreamin]

Im running a ESAB Mig Master 250. the smothest Mig Welder ive ever used.
-Matt-

ESAB is big $$$ isn't it?

[steveh]

Mine is a Hobart 175 I bought used, works fine.

[BOSTON4RUNNER]

I am currently looking for a 220v mig welder, I have a Hobart handler 135 and I like it, it just doesn't have all the power I need some times. I have been looking at the Hobart 175/180 anyone else have one? It seems like everyone has a hard on for Lincoln and I never undertood why. Thanks for the input guys.

..depends on what you are welding? I have a $75 dollar arc from sears, that was beat up and used when I got it. I tend to do all of my heavier welding with that,,,and my miller 135 for sheetmetal work. if you are looking for something that will run the gamet, I would go for a Miller synchrowave to allow for an array of projects and metal types. I recently picked one up, complete but basically new for 750.

[HalfFastFord]

I'm not sure about the fitting sizes. I've never compared it to a paintball CO2 bottle, and I don't own one to check it. the great thing about that bottle is that the welding companies can''t fill them. They do't have the capabilities to pressurize the bottle that high. I have to take it to the local soda manufacturer to have it done. they don't know what to charge for it or how to charge for it either, so I get it for free.

[Twisted Minis]

I have a Miller 175. I am very pleased with it. I have built tube arms with it, and done many a frame modifications, yet it will still do fine wth sheetmetal. I got it for $700 shipped, that came with a regulator.

[James_Fendley]

Last week I went from a HH 175 to a MM 251. I don't know if the 175 will ever be used again.:D

[bronco23]

i can vouch for the mm 251, runnin it at a mild -heavy use at a shop and it kept me happy.i will be sure to add this machine to my miller collection someday.

[HalfFastFord]

MM251 is schweeeet.

[jstarnes]

I got one of these last month for 1780$ sold my MM250 (96 vintage) for 1700$
http://www.thermadyne.com/evolution/productLiterature.asp?mernbr=1&div=tai&catnbr=100&subcatnbr=113&pdtnbr=218

I love it

[WILLIE]

Hobarts are a fine machine. I have no complaints.

[nissancrawler]

I have the HH 175, works great for me. It will weld circles around the miller and the 275 amp century we had on the farm (ease wise, not thickness, of course). One thing that I've noticed, and can't explain at all is this: with the century, welding outside in a 10 mph wind was NOT an option...you could crank the gas to 35 p.s.i. and it still wouldn't work. The hobart will weld in a 20 mph wind at 25 p.s.i. with no impurities....no clue why that is. I got so frustrated when I tried using my dads century a few weeks ago outside. I got mine for about $610 with cart, welder, helmet, etc.... Sold the helmet for $30, bought a $150 miller auto darkening large lens helmet...couldn't do without it. I bought the bottle for $30 on ebay (size b).

Edit: I've noticed more than a few parts inside it are stamped with the miller "m".

[bigdreamin]

..depends on what you are welding? I have a $75 dollar arc from sears, that was beat up and used when I got it. I tend to do all of my heavier welding with that,,,and my miller 135 for sheetmetal work. if you are looking for something that will run the gamet, I would go for a Miller synchrowave to allow for an array of projects and metal types. I recently picked one up, complete but basically new for 750.

Read post #4

[bigdreamin]

I have the HH 175, works great for me. It will weld circles around the miller and the 275 amp century we had on the farm (ease wise, not thickness, of course). One thing that I've noticed, and can't explain at all is this: with the century, welding outside in a 10 mph wind was NOT an option...you could crank the gas to 35 p.s.i. and it still wouldn't work. The hobart will weld in a 20 mph wind at 25 p.s.i. with no impurities....no clue why that is. I got so frustrated when I tried using my dads century a few weeks ago outside. I got mine for about $610 with cart, welder, helmet, etc.... Sold the helmet for $30, bought a $150 miller auto darkening large lens helmet...couldn't do without it. I bought the bottle for $30 on ebay (size b).

Edit: I've noticed more than a few parts inside it are stamped with the miller "m".

Yea the gun on my 135 says Miller right on it, I'm pretty sure Miller and Hobart are one in the same now.

[jeepnchris]

Have you looked at the Clarke 180? I have one and it has been outside for over 2 years and runs fine, no issues (it is covered with a tarp).

It will do 1/4 no problem with gas.

I would buy extra liners if it is stored in wet/high humidy area.

Cheap - $337.00 (weldingdepot.com) http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/weldingdepot/scan/fi=products/st=db/sp=results/co=1/sf=category/se=Mig%20Welders%20220%20Volt/op=eq/nu=0/bs=1/ml=15/tf=description/to=x/se=1/sf=inactive/op=ne/sf=tax_category/se=1/op=eq/va=banner_text=/va=banner_image=.html


I also have a Lincoln Precision TIG 185 - but that stays inside.

Chris

[yarddog]

I've got a Miller 175 and no compliants. It's had a lot of wire through it and I haven't had to do any maintenance at all. cyberweld.com has the HH180 for $683 and MM175 for $743. Keep an eye out there for sales. I got the MM175 w/cart for $660 shipped 3 years ago.

[mudslinger99]

Yea the gun on my 135 says Miller right on it, I'm pretty sure Miller and Hobart are one in the same now.
There have been a few threads on here that say the only difference between the 2 of them is, the Hobart uses some plastic parts VS the Miller uses metal..

[BigEd36]

I have the Hobart Handler 180, it's been a good one for me, no problems at all. Hobart and Miller are both owned by ITW (Illinois Tool Works), and the Hobart and Miller mig welders use the same guns and consumables.

TSC (Tractor Supply Co.) has the Hobart Handler 180 with a cart for $648.63. Best deal I've found. You can check it out at HERE (http://www.mytscstore.com/detail.asp?pcID=1&paID=1011&sonID=600&page=1&productID=15364&zz=46706&x=12&y=4)

Ed

[Flashover Mfg]

I got one of these last month for 1780$ sold my MM250 (96 vintage) for 1700$
http://www.thermadyne.com/evolution/...113&pdtnbr=218

I love it

X2. We have been using one for about 9 months now and have run about 100 lbs of wire through it. It works great. Got it on E-bay brand new for about $1300, although I don;t see them that cheap there anymore. Thermal Arc seems to make a pretty decent machine.

[bigdreamin]

I am going to talk to our Miller Rep. here at work, hopefully I can get some kind of deal seeing how the plant has bought about 40+ Miller welders.