hobart 125 welder thoughts

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

twitch

Member
Jul 10, 2008
209
Vassalboro Maine
www.colby.edu
I've been thinking about buying a small welder and was wondering about the Hobart 125 from TSC. Anyone have one? Is it worth the $300 or so?
 
Price is fair enough, what what about the power? What are you planning to weld? That would be the main criteria in selecting a welder.
 
Don't. Save a few more pennies and spend the extra on a unit you can MIG with. Flux core is a PITA most of the time (and way more expensive). And what if next year you decide you want to weld some stainless? You have to use shielding gas to weld stainless. Of course, you'll have to invest in a gas tank and a regulator, but you don't have to do that right way. You can use flux core for now, the welder itself will be gas-ready when you are.

These things have come down in price and are still made well. I paid almost $800 for my Lincoln 125 MIG setup ten years ago. You can get the same quality for less money today, in spite of inflation on most other goods.
 
Just checking things out...

Man, this has gotten easy. For an extra $150, looks like you get a 140A Hobart MIG welder and the regulator, with hose as well.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/weldin...mig-welders/hobart-handler-140-welder-3812040

Just look around for a used tank, take it into your nearest welding supply place (like TSC) and swap it out for the proper gas. Then you, sir, are in the MIGing bidness.


If you have a 220 hookup, another $70 buys you a 185A unit that can weld 5/16" plate in a single pass. A real welder for most folks usage.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/weldin...welders/hobart-handler-reg-187-welder-3807126
 
Battenkiller said:
Just checking things out...

Man, this has gotten easy. For an extra $150, looks like you get a 140A Hobart MIG welder and the regulator, with hose as well.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/weldin...mig-welders/hobart-handler-140-welder-3812040

Just look around for a used tank, take it into your nearest welding supply place (like TSC) and swap it out for the proper gas. Then you, sir, are in the MIGing bidness.


If you have a 220 hookup, another $70 buys you a 185A unit that can weld 5/16" plate in a single pass. A real welder for most folks usage.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/weldin...welders/hobart-handler-reg-187-welder-3807126

True dat.
 
same rule applies to welders as to wood stoves, get the biggest one you can afford, assuming you have the space ( shop / barn) and means ( power) to operate it

if you go small rest assured the day will come that you will want / need to weld something thicker that will require more amperage / power

MIG is a pretty easy process to learn, so do not worry about that, just takes practice
 
For all my uses I can use a arc welder (even on stainless) but if yu need a mig go with what BK says.
 
Is there a paticular reason you want a mig, for "farm" welding I think the arc is a good choice, with the right rod you can weld dirty rusty metal with out cleaning it and you can weld thick pieces of material.
 
oldspark said:
Is there a paticular reason you want a mig, for "farm" welding I think the arc is a good choice, with the right rod you can weld dirty rusty metal with out cleaning it and you can weld thick pieces of material.

The only reason I was looking at MIG is that a mechanic friend of mine suggested it. He does a lot of restoration of old cars. I'll have to take a look at those.
 
Stick is cheaper to run and very versatile but has a longer, harder learning curve than MIG.
A small 110 volt MIG on the other hand is very limited in power, likely not hot enough to safely weld any of the things you mentioned except maybe the fenders on the trailer. The 180 amp MIG would be a good choice.
 
I have the Hobart 140 and recommend it. I started out using flux core wire for welding projects using rusty metal like rebar. Worked great. I have since started using shielding gas and it has continued to work just fine. It is a good welder for small and medium hobby/farm projects. I find MIG welding much easier than stick welding.
 
Twitch said:
oldspark said:
Is there a paticular reason you want a mig, for "farm" welding I think the arc is a good choice, with the right rod you can weld dirty rusty metal with out cleaning it and you can weld thick pieces of material.

The only reason I was looking at MIG is that a mechanic friend of mine suggested it. He does a lot of restoration of old cars. I'll have to take a look at those.
A mig is a good choice for working on cars, not sure if that is what you need, I love the arc welder as its so easy for me to use but as dune said they claim the mig is easier to learn on plus listen to his advice on the size of the welder, the last thing you want to do is turn around and buy another one 6 months down the road.
 
I had a Hobart 140 for about 6yrs. It was a good welder but a little small. I just upgraded to a 200 mig/stick from Northern. It is a 220v welder that will do both mig and stick. So far it is really easy to use. I got it for $569 with free shipping and a 3 yr warranty. I have not seen any other company that offers this combination.
Doug
 
Status
Not open for further replies.