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Wire Feed Welder Recommendations

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IdahoSpud View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote IdahoSpud Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Wire Feed Welder Recommendations
    Posted: Apr/29/2016 at 9:36pm
I am in a state of confusion on what new wire feed welder to buy. I am leaning towards a Hobart Handler 190 with gas. I have also looked at the Lincoln 180 Wire Feed.

I currently have an old, (dinosaur) Miller gas wire feed but I have had it in the shop the last three weeks out of a month and also found out some parts are no longer available for it. I think I am just going to advertise it real cheap to someone locally and let someone else play with it.

The type of welding I do requires gas most of the time. I will be welding 20 ga to 18 ga steel usually. I also want to weld anything that needs welded on a car. 
I will be putting in about 500' of stucco fence across the front of our property this summer and will need to weld heavy angle brackets on each 3.5" metal post (well drilling pipe)  as well as weld 4 fifteen ft wrought iron gates together.

Any suggestions for the welder I should buy will be greatly appreciated. I know everyone will not agree on each welder.

Moe
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 6768rogues Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/29/2016 at 9:43pm
I have a smaller Hobart 140 and it works fine but for heavier material I use an old Lincoln arc welder. I would not be disappointed with a 190. I like the portability of the 140 because I can carry it around and plug it into 120 volt outlets. For the shop, a 190 would meet my needs.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mixed up Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/30/2016 at 2:24am
in my opinion the hobart is a real good name in the welder brand .stick with a 220 volt welder i have never seen a 110 volt welder weld concident because of the duty cycle that is were it all counts higher duty cycle is a better unit
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Krauss101 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/30/2016 at 7:24am
I would suggest looking a welder made by a welding manufacturer such as Lincoln ,miller Hobart, not snap-on,eastwood, etc. where parts are available (not meaning tips and nozzles), also like mentioned above look at the out put of the machine, The Hobart 190 may have a duty cycle of 20%, and the Lincoln 180 may have a duty cycle of 30% so the lincoln would be the better choice, don't only look at the amperage rating , manufacturer's juggle the out put of the machine by adjusting the duty cycle, you will be disappointed if you don't get it with gas. Self shielded flux core welds look terrible, if possible go to a welding distributer and ask to run one before you buy they will let you, they may even have a demo there you might pick up cheaper.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 6PakBee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/30/2016 at 7:44am
I had one of the original Hobart Handlers (the one that looked like a suitcase).  Never was really good on anything thinner than about 14 gauge.  Got rid of it and got a Hobart 120.  Better but still not what I really wanted.  I ended up buying a Miller 211 with the Autoset feature;  best choice I ever made.

Just my two cents.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote IdahoSpud Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/30/2016 at 11:35am
Thanks for all of the input here guys. After reading you guys suggestions and all feedback on the forum I have ordered a Hobart Handler 190. I could not find any postings of anyone being unhappy with this welder.

It has 7 voltage settings, runs at a 30% duty cycle @ 130 amps. It has amp output from 25-190. It welds 24 gauge to 5/16".

This will weld anything that I need to do and then if anything thicker I have my stick welder.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bcsideshow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/30/2016 at 1:13pm
I had Lincoln 125 and now a Miller 211. Happy with both.  Just make sure you get one that can use shielding gas.   Much better looking welds.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote IdahoSpud Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/30/2016 at 1:55pm
Yes, the Hobart 190 is all set up for shielding gas. I researched welders for a week and this is the only welder of its size that had Only good reviews. Not a bad rap at all.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rnscustom Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/30/2016 at 3:52pm
I have the 190 and very happy with it . Bought it thru amazon refurbished for$500 . I had to buy the .023 feed roll separate . Also I think the tips need to be Hobart but tractor supply has them . I also bought the spool gun but havnt tried it yet .
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote IdahoSpud Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/30/2016 at 4:03pm
Awesome. I would have bought a refurbished if I could have found one. There is not many of this model getting returned.
I had heard that I may want the .023 roller to run .023 wire. Do you know the part number for it and where to buy it? I will use .023 wire 99% of the time. How costly was the spool gun? I heard good things about it too.
Boy, I am excited! This is like Christmas.
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