<IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0"> The search hasn't been working for me lately, sorry...

I've got a little extra cash and I'm looking into getting a mig. These are the 3 main choices I've found:

Millermatic 175 (http://www.millerwelds.com/occasional/products/mig/M10561/)

Lincoln SP-175T (http://www.lincolnelectric.com/products/wprod/sp175t.asp) (or maybe step up to the 175 plus?)

Hobart Handler 175 (http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/handler175.html)

Anyone care to make a suggestion as to which one you'd pick (and why?) or a comment, warning, praise, etc. about one of the machines?

Thanks in advance <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

All are very good machines. I have used a Miller and I own a Lincoln buzz box and have nothing bad to say about either. You will probably pay more for the Miller than the others, but they have an outstanding reputation. That's the brand most professionals use. I have heard that the Hobart is a good machine as well, not much different from the Miller other than price. If it were me, I would spend the extra dough and get the Miller, just because it's a Miller.

Have you been here:
http://www.welders-direct.com

Best prices I have seen on any brands.

My $0.02 would be go with the Miller. I've used a Miller and A Lincoln, and I prefered the Miller, Mainly due to the infinate power adjustment, and the 30% dute cycle. The little welder I have right now is a 20% and I spend more time sitting than welding

I would recommend the hobart. I just got one a few weeks ago, and it works great. I am just starting out myself, but my girlfriend's dad who has been a professional welder for years, and has been teaching me some, was really impressed with the quality of the welds as well as the welder. He also said the penetration was excellent. I wish I had his skillz though.

Since hobart and miller are made by the same company, the quality of the machines is very similiar. I chose the hobart handler 175 for a few reasons. I believe you can attain a little lower voltage which of course allows you to weld thinner materials. It is a little bit lighter which I thought would make it a little more mobile. And it was around $100 bucks cheaper.

Either way with miller or hobart, you'll get a good machine.


busdrivah

ive used miller and lincoln and i could never weld worth anything with lincoln migs. ive alwys liked the millers but i know people that are just the opposite. could u try them out first? id go with the miller but thats me and my three cents

go with the millah <IMG SRC="smilies/massey.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/smokin.gif" border="0">

I was considering the same 3 and just purchased the Hobart, mainly because of price. I feel all 3 are quality units but I got the Handler for $535 delivered to my door...that was about $150 cheaper than I could find the Miller or Linc. I didn't think any of these had continously variable voltage except the Linc + which is hard to find below mid $700 range.


I think the Linc and Miller are more heavy duty and therefore maybe a little more reliable over a 5 year horizon, but also recognized that I am a very intermittant user who probably won't need that extra ability, but I do want good performance when I need to weld something. They all have the same duty cycle, so for my situation the Handler seemed like the best value...I'll let you know in 5 years if thats right <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0">

edit: I notice you are looking at the Millermatic, that is variable voltage...I was looking at the Challenger 172. OTOH thats more $$, It will be hard to find either the Linc or Miller for much under $700

[ 09-20-2001: Message edited by: Paniolo ]

I just bought a Challenger 172 (well, I bought half of it anyway). I think the Millermatic 175 will be replacing the 172 (I was unable to find the 175 on Miler's site just a week or so ago). The specs look identical.

The difference between the Hobart and the Miller is:

the Miller has an aluminum drive assembly whereas the Hobart is plastic

the Miller is full copper wound whereas the Hobart is copper and aluminum

like someone mentioned above the Hobart has a slightly lower...lower end.

I was able to get the Miller on sale for only $50 more than the Handler 175.

Charly

[ 09-20-2001: Message edited by: Charly ]

As far as the Millermatic 175 vs. Challenger 172, from what I'm reading on all the different sites the 175 is the new replacement for the 172. Actually if you download the .pdf specifications file from the miller site, it still gives you the .pdf for the 172...

And here are the best prices I've found:
Hobart for $565, Miller for $635, and Lincoln for $650 ($725 for the Plus, which seems like the way to go of the two Lincolns).

Millermatic Challenger 172, 130A @ 20VDC, 30% Duty Cycle amp range is 40-170

Lincoln SP-170T, 130A@VDC 20% Duty Cycle amp range is 30-170

Lincoln Sp-175Plus, 130A @20VDC 30% Duty Cycle amp range 25-175

I've used a the SP-170 for the last two years and it been pretty good.Just my .02 <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

I bought a Miller Challenger 172 jusrt a little while ago and it is great!

Personally I don;t think you could get a better machine for "garage monkey" welding. It handles about anything you will throuw at it for building a Jeep with ease and it will also do thin stuff great. I have had great luck with mine.

I have Not Seen This Miller 175 But I have The Miller 185
And I love It,,,,!!!!!!!!! Go Miller!!!!!!!!!


My .02 cents

Adam, Late

I am very partial to the Millers. I just sold a like-new Milermatic 185 in the price range you are listing for the others. You might want to also look at the used market (the Millermatic 185 lists for $1400, but sell used for about $700). I sold my 185 when I upgraded to a 250.

For the Handler, 130 amps @ 20 volts output, 30% Duty Cycle. Amp range 30-175.

Those are better prices than I found on the Miller & Lincs...are those to your door including shipping/handling/taxes? Those are better machines than the Hobart, just depends on if you think you need it. For the Handler call Norco Welding in Idaho. 1-800-458-0095 Talk to James, I got mine for $535 including delivery in the lower 48.

Oh, I would have been all over a used Millermatic 185 for low $700's...thats at least a class higher than what we are talking about. Thats a true commercial machine, I searched for a while for decent used ones but never found any <IMG SRC="smilies/crybaby2.gif" border="0">

[ 09-20-2001: Message edited by: Paniolo ]

Originally posted by Paniolo:
<STRONG>Those are better prices than I found on the Miller & Lincs...are those to your door including shipping/handling/taxes?
</STRONG>

Free shipping, no sales tax. www.welders-direct.com (http://www.welders-direct.com)
wwww.cyberweld.com has good prices too(only a few bucks more), and same free shipping deal.

FAWK, I just paid $630 out the door for a SP135 from Praxair. Where were you 3 weeks ago. <IMG SRC="smilies/crybaby2.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by fatDRM:
<STRONG>FAWK, I just paid $630 out the door for a SP135 from Praxair. Where were you 3 weeks ago. <IMG SRC="smilies/crybaby2.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

OUCH. I hate it when stuff like that happens!