120 V Welder Opinions

[Trav]

I am looking a new 120v welder, i have a large Miller Millermatic 230v unit but i need something portable that can do 3/16 single pass.
I will be using Airgas steel mix gas, so far i have it down to these three.

Millermatic 140 Auto-Set
Hobart Handler 140
Lincoln Electric K2471-1 Power MIG 140C


I see the Hobart units are made by miller and even uses a miller labeled torch, it is about $100-$200 less because it does not use automatic settings like the branded Miller which is not really that important to me.
My question is there anything else that is cheaper quality in the unit?

No problem spending for quality but i don't want to pay for a label.

Any opinions on these 3 are or another good brand is appreciated.

TIA.

 

[Ausfahrt]

Well I can't give an opinion on the others but after fighting with a cheap Chinese welder for over a year, I recently picked up a Hobart Handler 125.

I have only used it once to weld some brackets onto my utility trailer but I was amazed at how well my welds came out.

My two cents.

 

[chevrofreak]

I bought a very inexpensive $200 Campbell Hausfeld 30-100 amp MIG/Flux welder from Costco and have been very impressed with the way it welds, even with the cheap .030" flux core wire that came with it.

 

[tig1]

I have the Miller 180 220 V Auto Set with a spool gun for Alum. Of the three, go with the Miller. The Hobart uses plastic in the area of the feed rools as the Miller uses alum. My machine is outstanding and I'm sure the 140 will be as well. I have a small welding business and the 180 is used a lot with no problems as of yet. I also have a Miller 180 Synrowave tig-stick machine. Outstanding service with it as well.

 

[geissjr]

Miller. You will not be disappointed. It is worth the extra $$$.

 

[tom slick]

I'd say Miller also but I have a Hobart 175 and have had zero issues in 8 years with a couple of rolls though it.
If you aren't going to use it often and saving a little $$ is important the Hobart will also serve you well.

You can run straight CO2 for a little better penetration from your small welder. The only downside is a little more spatter.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: tom slick
I'd say Miller also but I have a Hobart 175 and have had zero issues in 8 years with a couple of rolls though it.
If you aren't going to use it often and saving a little $$ is important the Hobart will also serve you well.

You can run straight CO2 for a little better penetration from your small welder. The only downside is a little more spatter.


Straight CO2 for better penetration?? Please explain. I assume you are compairing CO2 to 75% Argon to 25% CO2.

 

[tom slick]

100% CO2 produces a deeper bead because it causes a higher arc temperature but it's also an oxidizer so you need to run a higher silicon wire like S-7. You can't spray arc with it but that's not an issue with a 120v welder.

75/25 produces smoother and wider beads.

 

[Trav]

Thanks Guys,

I will look carefully at both the Miller and the Hobart.
Portability is my main goal with this small unit but it will see a lot of use so a high quality unit is also important.

I tried 100% CO2 once years ago and dint like the result, i use Steel Mix from airgas and it results in much nicer welds.

 

[tom slick]

You need one of the new "suitcase" welders.

 

[MarkM66]

I have a Hobart 140. I think it's a good welder, but I can't say I have the other two to compare it to.

I build cars so I do a lot of sheet metal welding, and it works well for that. I've welding frames and larger stuff to, works fine, just crank it up.

 

[Trav]

The metal feed on the Miller looks like deal maker as well as the torch and hose are removable from the front of the unit.
Does the Hobart 140 have this feature also, its hard to see in internet pictures?

I did look a the Miller locally and i like what i see, they are willing to let me have it with a small low riding cart for $650.

 

[tom slick]

The miller and hobart use the same gun, in fact the hobart comes with a "miller" gun.

just "go blue"

 

[Trav]

Looks like Miller it is.

Thanks to all for your input, now i feel better about opening my wallet.