What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

Well my dad and I are in the market for a nice welder so we can move up from our stick and into a decent mig that is affordable...he found this deal at nothern and asked me if I'd be interested, I have really no idea what good specs are and he has some knowledge but this seems like a good deal, what do you guys think

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...73&R=200310073

Hobart Handler 180 Mig Welder with FREE Hobart Cart

Hobart's MIG welder handles a variety of solid, mild steel or stainless, flux cored and aluminum wires, with or without shielding gas. Operates on 230V power. FREE Hobart welding cart for better portability. Hobart 5/3/1 limited warranty.
Amerage output range of 25 to 180 Amps
30% duty cycle @ 130 Amps, 20V
4 output voltage settings with wire feed tracking for quick and easy adjustments and one “purge” setting
Welds 24-gauge up to 5/16in.
Features built-in contactor and self-resetting thermal overload protection
Includes gun, gas valve, regulator hose and 10ft. work lead with clamp
8in. wire spool adapter, .030in. contact tips and a 2-lb. spool of .030in. self-shielded flux core welding wire
Includes FREE Hobart welding cart
Model 500506

Discount Price $684.99 Free shipping

Thanks in advance

Re: What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

thats a solid welder

Re: What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

If that's the price range you're shopping in, you have found the best out there...

but there are better machines, if you want to pay more for one.

Re: What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

When I was shopping, the guy at the welding supply place offered the Hobart to me. He also sold Lincoln and Miller, so I don't think it was a "this is what I carry scenerio". He said anything under a 135 mig is a toy.

It seems that one would be a good choice.

Re: What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

Hobart makes a good product

Re: What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

Thanks guys I think we will be picking this up and yea thats about our price range

Re: What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

I've had my hobart a couple of years and never had a problem. You better jump on the free cart though, eveyone in town was out when I bought mine. >:(

Re: What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

hobart is owned buy miller, the welders share most of the same parts. Millers have a few more options in most models.

Re: What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

Cool, thanks thats good to know, i think we are getting this realy soon....I guess I'll have to put off buying parts for the rex for a little

Re: What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

Just another thumbs up to make you feel even better. Hobart makes a great welder. Since Miller owns Hobart..most of their models are pretty much the same. I've had our Hobart 110v (Handler 120) for 4 years..and it was 3 or 4 years old before that. Finally started having issues last week, turned out it just needed a good cleaning (drive rollers). Hobart as a company is very good at backing their product as well, even after warranty is expired. I know someone who has a MillerMatic 175 (or maybe its a 180), pretty much the same as what you are looking at. Awesome MIG.

Can't wait to get the '06 Miller Syncrowave 200...just have to justify the cost for a hobbiest :)

Matt

Re: What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

I think the hobart wire spools suck ass.

Re: What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

Well we just ordered it today so should be here in a week or so, I have only weld with a stick welder before and I assume this is a whole new ball game, you guys have any advice for a welding noob?

Re: What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

If you can stick weld, MIG will be a walk in the park.

Re: What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

Happy Hobart Owner Here ;D

http://home.earthlink.net/~awsomalx/...chinesfrnt.jpg

Over 2 years without much of an issue. The roller where the wire feeds is crap. I have a C-Clamp on mine to keep the pressure on it (the little bolt in cased in plastic stripped itself about a year ago). They should re-engineer that part and it would be a flawless MIG.

Re: What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

Ditto, I haven't had any issues with mine except....some gunk deposited on the drive roller from a dirty roll of 0.030 wire. It was causing slippage and poor feeding when the trigger was pulled. Other than that, all systems go.

Re: What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

I'm not a very good welder but my buddy had that one and it was good. I did have issues with the wirefeed like others have commented but I'm sure it's nothing a little ingenuity couldn't solve.

Re: What are you thoughts on Hobart?
 

I am excited to get this it can't get here soon enough, you guys have any suggestions to maybe keep the wire feed from getting messed up? Replacement parts?