Another welding question, I've searched the threads, but this ?? is a bit more specific. After doing some research on welders prices seem to vary between the Hobart Handler 180 vs Millermatic 175 vs Lincoln SP-175, its about a +$100 each increase in that order. I am looking at a Hobart Handler 180, it seems to do the same as the others but at a cheaper price, without the sacrificing quality. I understand some of the internals/gears? of the HH 180 may be plastic, but I have not heard anything on that being a problem. Each has its own advantages but will a "hobby" welder notice a difference. Who has a HH 180, or its predecessor the 175? Pros / cons?. I am looking to use it for: subframe swaps body work For the majority of bodywork I use 18-20 gauge sheetmetal, so each of these can handle that I am sure with some fine tuning, however the most powerful machine on here when comparing specs is the Lincoln, but by a small margin. My main concern though again is being able to handle frame and ch***is work, I know all of then can, but can sleep at night knowing some of you guys have proof. Or should I save my pennies for the Lincoln SP175, is it that much of a difference? Then of course comes the tank and gas etc... Thanks Rey
It was about this time of year that I bought my Miller a few years back, went in to get a 175 and found that they had the 210 on sale for the price of a 175 and I got a spool gun to boot. Check with your local dealer as this is the time for deals... I love the 210 and don't think I could do with anything less anymore. It'll weld anything I need frame wise.... I'm a Miller fan, so it gets my vote...
I have a Lincoln 175 and was looking at the Miller. After reading reveiws I chose the Lincoln because it went down to 25 amps and the Miller only went down to 40 and the guy giving the reveiw had said on thinner sheet metal he kept blowing through with the Miller. I seem to weld more sheetmetal so I went with the Lincoln. Its done well on the bigger jobs also. They were priced about the same.
I started with a miller 110 then went shopping, the guy I bought my HH175 from just started the line at the time, he gave me a great price. The first year or so I would look at the new Millers and say to my self I wish I stayed with Blue, but after using the hobart the last six or seven years I have not one complaint. So I guess all I can say if you buy the Hobart you will not be disapointed, and after years of use I don't regret getting mine. In my case it was brand loyality to miller, but now I guess the Hobart was the right choice it saved me money and has worked perfectly for many years.
I started with a Lincoln 100, now I have a Hobart 250. I've loved them both. I've heard that licoln quality has dropped (mine is 8 years old) but I couldn't tell you. The Hobart seems very well made and I wouldn't hesitate to recomend them to anyone. For the money I'd choose Hobart.
Good question, I am looking at a Hobart 180, Lincoln SP-175, Miller Millermatic 175, and the Craftsman 175. I'll be looking forward to any input on these. BTW, the Hobart seems to be the lowest cost. Ive seen them for around $630 including a cart. Craftsman w/cart $700 Miller w/cart $760 Lincoln w/cart $780
THe Hobart would hold up fine for "hobby" work, but the plastic parts might not be the best bet for daily production work. I haven't looked at the new H180 close, but the 175 did not have the "infinite heat control" (Think of a rheostat) that the Miller does. It has more of a lo-med-hi-max rotary switch. Also, I have found that Miller tends to be very conservative in their marketing info when it comes to metal thickness capabilities. As for the Lincoln, if you are paying as much as or more than the Miller, make sure you get the one with the rheostat-type controls. They have both kinds, and some dealers have trouble keeping straight which is which. I have the Millermatic 135. I like it a lot, and I have done a lot of welding on 1/4" steel with it, never hitting the duty cycle. My budget wouldn't allow for the 175 when I got my machine (about 1.5 yrs ago), but I have never really regretted not being able to get the bigger one. Now if I could just afford a Syncrowave 250....
I have a miller 175 and it's a great machine. For as much as I use it I have not had one problem.. Welds real nice on anything for 18ga to 1/4". I can only vouch for the Miller. Don't have much experience with hobarts.
I like Hobart machines, they seem to have a more even current. I have been using a Handeler 135 for a while and I am pleased, does really well on sheet metal. Hobarts have some feed problems from time to time, but for the money they seem like a good investment.
I have a HH125 that I picked up used for $150. I haven't used it hard but I'ved played around with it a little and it seems to work pretty decent. Now I haven't welded alot so that may not mean anything. I was told that Hobart was bought out by Miller, is this true? later shawn
I'll agree with that 100%. I have the Millermatic 175 and I do like it, but sometimes you can't turn the heat down enough. You just have to learn to pulse it. It's damn frustrating, though. I went with the Miller because I'd heard that it was better quality and better parts, but I don't know for sure.
My dad bought a Hobart 175 floor model for pretty cheap, we had trouble getting it to work... probably because it was a floor model and everyone was flipping with the switches. We ended up taking it to a shop to get it fixed, but it was under warranty so that was no problem. What Slide said abou the heat control is dead on, I kept blowing holes in thin stuff and it was on the lowest setting. I've heard though that they fixed that on the 180 and its more sheetmetal friendly now.
I have a Hobart 175. I was told at the time by the salesman it was actually made by Miller (he also sold miller equipment) and the only difference was the plastic housing that holds the feed mechanism, which is no big deal. The gun is Miller and even says so right on it. I bought mine at a farm show brand new for $525 with a cart. I don't think you could go wrong with the Hobart. It will do sheet metal and frame work as well.
Great input, colorado51, I am not familiar with the Craftsman 175, but do have a 11 year old craftsman flux core welder that I have run the **** out of and is still running. If the quality is consistent throughout the years and machine types then that sounds like looking into also. Slide You are right as a hobby welder the Hobart is a good choice, I dont think the plastic internals are a problem, so they should hold up. I am wondering if the infinite heat control is that big of a factor though for the extra $$ the HH 180 has 4 settings as opposed to the Miller, but HH180 comes down to 25 Amps as opposed to the Miller 175 which only comes down to 30. Zman, A Miller 210 would be awsome, but in my case may be overkill, literally if I brought that home to the wife .shed kill me over and over and over. Also on the HH180 I read the cart was not worth the extra 60 -70 bux. I am going to hit the tractor supply companys near by, I read they have really good deals sometimes on Hobart machines. Thanks
I have the Lincoln 175 with the infinite controls and really like it. I have had the older Miller with the "heat range" co**** adjustment And I had good luck with it and it made life alittle simpler because of the limited adjustment. Sometimes I miss that simplicity. The Lincoln I use now needs a finer touch on the adjustments but with a little experience you can make it weld nearly perfectly in any situation. I have used the Lincoln on some heavy stuff and have always felt that it had enough power. I have also welded alot of really thin sheet metal and had good luck. I learned that if I have trouble welding a thin section of body with the Lincoln it should have been cut out a repaired properly anyway!
You can take this for what it's worth, but here's my take on that: When I weld on inconsistent-thickness metal (like formerly-rusty stuff), then there are times when I would want something between a 1 and a 2 on the heat setting. True, you can kinda compensate for this with wire speed, but this fine-tuning ability can occasionally be a life-saver. Occasionally being the key word. How often do you expect to need this extra control? Only you can answer that. Personally, I can't live without it, but that's me and what I am used to. The same applies to having the ability to go down another 5 amps. Again, you can compensate with wire speed, but if 90% of your welding will be on thin stuff... That said, a friend of mine back in NC has the H175, and he likes it. He said he's missed the "infinite heat control" only a couple times, and that even then it wasn't a real big deal. Not trying to sway you one way or another, just tryin' to help you get what will be best for you!
I currently own three Hobart welders at this time...first One I bought in 1978......I recommend them.
I Have Had My Lincoln For About 4 Years Now And Have Welded Everything From Sheet Metal To 1/2 In.{tapered Of Course} And Have Never Had A Problem..i Use A Miller A Work And Get A Little Frustrated With It Sometimes..one Minute You Can Lay Down A Perfect Bead And The Next, Nothing But Splatter..so My Choice Is Lincoln
bought my Lincoln about 5 years ago. before i bought i went to a few full time welders i know & asked. the answer was "LINCOLN" ALL THE WAY! i never used the other brands much so i cant say BUT i wouldnt trade my Lincoln fer nuthin! i wanna buy a lincoln, spend my evenins drinkin!
I have used all of the big three welders mentioned extensively. The Hobart was without a doubt the smoothest of all, but that was before Miller bought them out. I was always a Lincoln man until I bought my 250. It's a real pain in the *** to get set right. I have never seen a machine so touchy. It went back to the shop numerous times and never got any better. Maybe I have a freak one. All three companys are equally good overall though. The most important thing is to find a store that is convienient to you and find one that is authorized to repair it if you do have problems. Being on good terms with a welding store is important if you are going to be needing supplies in the future, and they will be able to answer any questions about anything related to welding, unlike the Home Depots of the world. The do have good prices, but they certainly are not qualified to help you any further than the front door.
The Jalopy Journal
