Welder: Lincoln 140HD or Hobart Handler 140 or...

Well.... I bought a BMW 2002. Naturally, a MIG welder purchase will follow. I'm looking at a Lincoln 140HD or Hobart Handler 140. Or? Any reason I should chose one over the other? I've heard GREAT things about the handler: I can get it for about $550. http://www.toolking.com/hobart-500500a-factory-reconditioned-handler-140-mig-flux-cored-welder-a-stock The Lincoln is $50 cheaper, from someone who bought it and never used it.

Thoughts? I'll primarily be using this for general automotive tasks. Floors and rockers to start, and probably exhaust and engine swap projects later.

Thanks! Nathan

Some of the lincolns have plastic wire feed tensioner parts (the ones from home depot). The plastic parts break (ask me how I know) and need to be replaced or rigged to work. Get the gas kit for either to go full mig instead of flux core wire.

The Handler has been good to me, but it's pretty much the only one I've used.

Whatever flavor of koolaid you want to drink, all of the domestics in that range are fine machines, however, I'd recommend staying away from the Big Box Store (Lowe's/Home Depot) models. Just like Oldtin mentioned, also you'll be stuck with a "tapped" voltage selection, instead of the continuously adjustable versions you can get from a REAL welding supply store.

• Lee

Is it a 120 or 208 volt unit?

I got a Lincoln 135 (120 volt) unit used for about 300 that had been used once and it has been one of the best purchases I ever made.

bigdaddylee82 wrote: Whatever flavor of koolaid you want to drink, all of the domestics in that range are fine machines, however, I'd recommend staying away from the Big Box Store (Lowe's/Home Depot) models. Just like Oldtin mentioned, also you'll be stuck with a "tapped" voltage selection, instead of the continuously adjustable versions you can get from a REAL welding supply store. - Lee

Speaking of that could you "upgrade" the unit to a variable voltage? I have the unit that has 4 selections with infinite variable wire speed and have never had a problem but if it was a 20-30 dollar part to swap out to go to variable voltage it would probably be worth it.

I've had a Hobart 140 for a couple years now and have been thrilled with it. It's done everything from seam/panel welding to roll cages and has never seemed underpowered.

oldtin wrote: Some of the lincolns have plastic wire feed tensioner parts (the ones from home depot). The plastic parts break (ask me how I know) and need to be replaced or rigged to work.

The Lincoln Power-MIG line have metal bits. The "Pro-MIG" ones have plastic bits. When I was shopping for my welder (Power-MIG 180), the customer service rep from Lincoln said they won't even sell an extended warranty for the "Pro-MIG"

I bought a Lincoln SP100 years ago. Actually I bought two because the first was stolen out of my garage in the dead of the night. I could not be happier with it. I wanted something that used 110. I paid $625 out the door for everything needed to fire it off. That's higher than now, but I think this is better welder. It has a Tweco gun and infinitely variable power and speed. I shopped like a mad man before I bought, looking at Miller, Lincoln and Hobart at local welding supply places. HD, Lowes etc didn't carry welders back then.

To answer your question, get either from a real store.

The only one I've ever used is the Hobart, and I really like it. Not sure about the other ones, but you can't go wrong with the Hobart.

dean1484 wrote: Speaking of that could you "upgrade" the unit to a variable voltage? I have the unit that has 4 selections with infinite variable wire speed and have never had a problem but if it was a 20-30 dollar part to swap out to go to variable voltage it would probably be worth it.

What do you get when you cross an Elephant with a Rhino?

• Lee

I've read nothing but good things about the east wood brand MIGs that they have built. (Or had built for them)

http://www.eastwood.com/welders/eastwood-welders-1.html

14 years ago (crap it's been that long...) i was faced with same question.. Lucky for me the local welding supply had both side by side in the try it before you buy it room off the sales floor. I got the Hobart the gun just fit my hand better i got the 220v unit and have never regretted it. The only thing I've done (other than tips and one nozzle) to it was last year replaced the liner. So go down to the local shop see if you can try before you buy!

44

Any base model MIG from the big guys (Miller/Lincoln/Hobart) will be just fine.

Get one that can be easily upgraded to take a spool gun. It will allow you to weld aluminum.

Get one with infinitely adjustable heat. The 4 position (tapped) heat controls are sub-par. Sometimes you want just a little bit more heat, not a lot more heat. That said, one can use a tapped heat control just fine. The infinite control is just much nicer.

I would personally go with the real Lincoln 140. You can buy a panel to add spot weld control, and you can get cheap spool guns.

Will a 110V unit have enough juice for Aluminum?

What do you mean "real" Lincoln 140? (forgive the ignorance)

spritedriver28 wrote: I've had a Hobart 140 for a couple years now and have been thrilled with it. It's done everything from seam/panel welding to roll cages and has never seemed underpowered.

And outisde of the roll cage, I've done the same with the Lincoln. I'm pretty sure it will do it quite well, too.

+another 1 to get the one sold by the real welding stores. Hobart or Lincoln- once you get over the intimidation of using them the first time, you'll realy love having it.

I had a Lincoln SP-135+ before someone liberated it from my garage, at which point I got the Lincoln 140. These have the infinite variable voltage. I like that, as I think it makes my amateur welding a little easier to get presentable. I previously used the Hobart with tapped (four setting) voltage and prefer the infinite. I've heard bad things about the HD/Lowes models, and the "real" ones aren't much more. I've been looking at the Eastwood Tig, but they have similar MIG's for pretty fair pricing that may be worth checking in to as well.

I'll go against those who say nay, and recommend a 220V unit.

I've been enjoying the Eastwood as well--great for auto restoration work in a home garage.

"real" means, not Lowes/Depot

DILYSI Dave wrote: I'll go against those who say nay, and recommend a 220V unit.

I will see your 220v recommendation, and raise you a Millermatic 211

Per: which Eastwood welder are you using?

As far as welding aluminum goes, it will be messy at best, but will work for things like sheet metal intakes and intercooler piping. Battery boxes. Anything thin!

Another vote for the Eastwood. I haven't got mine yet but will be soon. It's 300 bucks, has metal wire feed, infinitely adjustable speed/heat. I know that you're from the GTA as well so I'll warn you with what I was told, that the Lincolns that Canadian Tire and such sell, are not quality units. They have a pro and consumer line. Ironically, if you go on Lincoln's site, they're priced exactly the same.

A word of caution if you hope to just use the welder without doing any wiring changes. While they're 110v, they require a 20 amp circuit. Odds are that your garage circuit is already overloaded and is not 20 amp, so you'll have to wire a new outlet anyway. So if that's holding you back from a 220, then it's really a wash... you have to rewire anyway, the 220 will cost you more upfront but you'll have more flexibility with material thickness.

The Eastwood 110v 135. love it.