Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum looking for a MIG welder

I want a 230V to be able to weld something thicker than 3/16". what do you guys use?

i have a millermatic 185 and like it

I would get a 250 amp machine. I can weld anything I want with a 250. We have 4 250 amp single phase machines. One Lincoln, 2 Millers and 1 Hobart. I don't weld a whole lot, but when I do, I grab the Hobart. It's the most consistent machine in our shop. It's more consistent than our 300 amp 3 phase machines, and that's hard to imagine, but it's true. If you have 3 PH power then get a 300 amp machine. You can buy a used 300 amp 3 PH welder as cheap as you can buy a new 250 amp machine, but most people don't have 3 PH power.

It's an IronMan 250. I bought it from a friend when we first started doing metal fab work. He had 2 welders. He kept a Millermatic 185 and sold me the Hobart. Every time I see him he complains about selling the Hobart. He does not like his 185.

I have welded every size plate from 16 gauge to 1/2" with it and it works great turned way down, or turned way up.

If you buy new, go ahead and pay more to get a 15 foot lead.

EDIT: If you only occasionally weld, suck it up and learn to stick weld. You can buy a Lincoln buzz box for $300.

Millermatic185. Love mine.

Millermatic 211. Really happy with it.

tractor supply just opened in Clanton, went in there yesterday and checked out the Hobart machines. They have the 125 and 140 welders which are 115v. They also have the 190 and 210 welders. The 190 is 230v but the 210 will plug into 115v or 230v. The duty cycle is way better on the 210 and it will weld 3/8" with a single pass. Then there is the 225 stick welder. Hobart is made by Miller, anybody know the difference? I mean besides the lack of blue paint. Decisions, decisions.

A lot of the parts in the miller and Hobart are interchangeable. Some of the parts inside the Hobart are made a little cheaper than the miller. Some parts in it might be plastic while the miller would be metal. Miller is just a little but more built for heavy and everyday use. If you're not using it for a business and not going to be using it on a daily basis, you'd be fine with the Hobart.

Miller and Hobart are sister companies under ITW. The general thought is that Milllers are more of an industrial machine. The Hobarts are more hobby, home, farm duty machines.

Thanks for all the input guys! I will not be using it everyday, just when tractor parts break or to repair utility trailers, gates, fenders and such. The Hobart is probably more suited to my needs.

Miller is all electronic and Hobart still, I think, uses analog switches and such. The Miller has infinite amount of adjustment in voltage within it's range and the Hobart has a 1-7. You won't get the performance running the 210 running it on a 110 circuit. The 210 will weld 3/8" in a single pass, but thats turned wide open. I don't ever like to max out any type of machine. Most especially welders. I would still take a long hard look at the IronMan 250.

There is a lot of 3/4" metal on tractor implements...... The most common thing we break on our implements is the tabs where the hitch pins bolt on. Most of those tabs are 3/4" and the ones that aren't are 1/2 inch.

That's like saying "I am looking for a vehicle, all you got to do is step out and buy one. Apparently you know how to get on the internet, do a little looking around, dumbo.

dumbo? is that necessary?

I was looking for input from what the guys on here have used and liked or disliked, and that is exactly what I got.

Yes, I have figured out how to use the internet and have looked at a lot of welders, but thanks for adding absolutely nothing to this thread. You're smarta$$ comments ROCK!!

kendall, at least sippy is consistent.

Consistent is a fact.

Lowes has Lincoln 115 volt

I've run good welds on 1/4" with a Hobart Handler 140 and Lincoln 125HD from Lowes. Good little machines. They won't handle much more than 1/4" though.

I'm leaning toward a single phase 230V machine. Unless I run across a great deal on a 115V, then I would still be looking for a bigger one.