Looking for a welder

[MESSMAKER]

Have been using a 220 volt 170 amp cheap Mig welder without much success. I am looking to upgrade. I can't really justify the price of a Miller even though I know they are very well respected. Is there anything in the sub $700 range that will work for farm equipment.

 

[WranglerX]

You are not going to find much in line of Miller, Hobart, Lincoln, or ESAB quality for size you want for what you have budgeted.... Guess Harbor Freight may have something that is useful for your budget numbers.... Personally I would go with either a Hobart Handler 190 or a Hobart 210MVP....I have a Hobart Handler 140 it's been good to me for 8 years, but its a 120 V machine and weld penetration gets a little sketchy above about 1/4 inch material.... Really wish I had gotten the Hobart 210MPV...

MIG Welders | HobartWelders

MIG welders and flux-cored welders from Hobart Welders are perfect for a variety of applications, such as steel, stainless steel and aluminum.

www.hobartwelders.com

Hobart and Miller are owned by one parent company, Illinois Tool Works, and share a lot of same parts.......

Illinois Tool Works - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Jerry/MT]

Have been using a 220 volt 170 amp cheap Mig welder without much success. I am looking to upgrade. I can't really justify the price of a Miller even though I know they are very well respected. Is there anything in the sub $700 range that will work for farm equipment.

If you're willing to go to stick welding, the Lincoln AC/DC machine can be bought for $500+/- new. There are good used welders on Craigslist in your price range. I bought a Miller 250 ac/dc stick machine used for $250 several years ago after I sold my Lincoln AC/DC for $400. If you have to have a MIG machine you might find a used one in your budget range or you can try Harbor Freight.

 

[DJ54]

I have 2, Millermatic 200 MIGS. Both bought at auctions for $400, and $300. Both work great, and I love them. You can weld up to 1/2" in a single pass. Didn't really need the second one, but for $300 I couldn't pass it up. Even had a full tank of 75/25, and extra complete gun, and NIB roll of .035 wire, and 3/4 of a roll of wire on the machine. Just got to be in the right place at the right time.

 

[CoyPatton]

Have been using a 220 volt 170 amp cheap Mig welder without much success. I am looking to upgrade. I can't really justify the price of a Miller even though I know they are very well respected. Is there anything in the sub $700 range that will work for farm equipment.

Cheaper machines will never have the consistency of weld that the pro quality machines will have. But also no where never the $$$$ investment.
You say not much success with your welder, and ask about replacement.

How much welding experience do you have? What is your lack of success?

 

[BigBlue1]

I bought a Hobart 210MVP for around $850. Not under your $700 range, but close. It is a great welder. Lots of good things said about it in my research before deciding on a model. I can't say how much it gives up to 'pro level' welders but it certainly isn't entry level nor 'budget'.

Rob

 

[showcattle]

Look in the welding sub forum and contact Mark@Everlast.

MIG Welder, Power i-MIG 200 - Everlast Generators

Power and versatility top the list of features of the Power i-MIG 200. The new digital IGBT inverter design of the i-MIG welder reduces the weight and footprint of the unit making it truly portable. The dual voltage design allows the unit to be used about anywhere a receptacle is present...

www.everlastgenerators.com

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have been looking at both the Hobart and the Everlast.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Adding a Lincoln 180 to the mix. All are about the same price.

 

[Gknupp]

Have been using a 220 volt 170 amp cheap Mig welder without much success. I am looking to upgrade. I can't really justify the price of a Miller even though I know they are very well respected. Is there anything in the sub $700 range that will work for farm equipment.

I just purchased a welder from Eastwood. Com and I am not a welder, but my kids are and they are Lincoln welder users and they said that the one I purchased was phenomenal for the price I paid. 499.99 and it is 110 or 220 volt.it is the new 180 they just came out with. Might be worth looking at.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I found a Hobart 190 for 679.00. It is new with warranty. Any reason not to go for it? I have looked at the Eastwood. It looked promising but it's rating was about 20% inch less(3/16 vs 5/16) than the Hobart. I would like to have the 110 option.

 

[BigBlue1]

I found a Hobart 190 for 679.00. It is new with warranty. Any reason not to go for it? I have looked at the Eastwood. It looked promising but it's rating was about 20% inch less(3/16 vs 5/16) than the Hobart. I would like to have the 110 option.

The 190 is 240V only, no? The 210 MVP is multi voltage. For $150 more (Blain's has the 210 for $829) I'd be hard pressed to not go for the 210. Plus, the 210 can weld 3/8" metal.

Rob

 

[fried1765]

I have been looking at both the Hobart and the Everlast.

I bought a new Hobart Handler 190 with aluminum gun, from an E-Bay seller, for $595, two+ years ago.
I knew I would never use the aluminum gun, so sold it on E-bay for $150.
My net for the new Hobart Handler 190 was then $445.
I just stumbled on that deal, but deals do come up everywhere, from time to time, if you can be patient.
The Hobart Handler 190 is a very nice transformer machine!

 

[fried1765]

I found a Hobart 190 for 679.00. It is new with warranty. Any reason not to go for it? I have looked at the Eastwood. It looked promising but it's rating was about 20% inch less(3/16 vs 5/16) than the Hobart. I would like to have the 110 option.

If you really want the 110v option, go for the 210MVP.
If not.....the Handler 190 is a great transformer welder!

 

[WranglerX]

Also Hobart has factory refurbished machines occasionally ... Hard pressed to find them as the are go really fast or there is very few turned in to be refurbished...

Reconditioned Welders & Plasma Cutters - Hobart Welding Products

www.hobartweldshop.com

Maybe you can get you name on list for next available 210MPV

 

[MESSMAKER]

The 190 is 240V only, no? The 210 MVP is multi voltage. For $150 more (Blain's has the 210 for $829) I'd be hard pressed to not go for the 210. Plus, the 210 can weld 3/8" metal.

Rob

I looked at the Blain's deal. it was going to be a $200+ difference once shipping was factored in. I got the 190. The first weld on it is the best weld I have ever done. I think i am going to be happy.

 

[fried1765]

I looked at the Blain's deal. it was going to be a $200+ difference once shipping was factored in. I got the 190. The first weld on it is the best weld I have ever done. I think i am going to be happy.

Congratulations!
You WILL be very happy!

 

[CalG]

Hobart doesn't show SMAW / TIG machines.

I would like to get a combination that accepts a foot pedal in a transformer chassis.

 

[fried1765]

Hobart doesn't show SMAW / TIG machines.

I would like to get a combination that accepts a foot pedal in a transformer chassis.

I don't dispute that Hobart does not offer.

 

[panamaguy]

I have 2, Millermatic 200 MIGS. Both bought at auctions for $400, and $300. Both work great, and I love them. You can weld up to 1/2" in a single pass. Didn't really need the second one, but for $300 I couldn't pass it up. Even had a full tank of 75/25, and extra complete gun, and NIB roll of .035 wire, and 3/4 of a roll of wire on the machine. Just got to be in the right place at the right time.

Your not welding 1/2inch in a single pass as your mig is not big enough to go from short circuit to spray mode. Been welding professionally for 50 years so you can fool some but not all