Crap! My mig welder died.

[Jeff K]

I have a Hobart Handler 175 mig I've been using for a few years. Yesterday the drive motor for the wire quit working on me. It feed for a few seconds and then quits. Damn. Now I have to decide whether to buy a new welder (Millermatic 180 autoset) or spend the bux to fix this one...

[R J]

I'm sentimental to my equipment.    I'd probably fix the Hobart if it wasn't too expensive.

Drive motor for the wire shouldn't be too expensive or hard to fix.

Now, if ya want a new welder, go for the Miller....    If ya go new, ya best talk to the boss  (Joann) first........     LOL..........

[Jeff K]

I'm sentimental to my equipment.    I'd probably fix the Hobart if it wasn't too expensive.

Drive motor for the wire shouldn't be too expensive or hard to fix.

Now, if ya want a new welder, go for the Miller....    If ya go new, ya best talk to the boss  (Joann) first........     LOL..........

In our house this is how it works
Bikes first
Bike parts second
Tools third
Food and shelter Fourth

That's the way Joanne sees it.


From What I've found on the net it seems like they may have a problem with the circuit board. Some say it's an easy solder fix but no one says exactly what that fix is.
Though a new Miller ...

[Jeff K]

Found it! The protection thermistor will need to be replaced. $0.50. Plus $6 shipping.
I miss the days when you could go buy that stuff at the rat shack. 

[T-Bird]

FYI.....Miller makes Hobart.   Miller is their Flagship brand. Hobart makes 2 different quality machines....a inferior one for discount stores such as Lowe's, Home Depot's, Tractor Supplies, etc.... A better one for Welding supply stores, the same ones that sell Miller brand welders. Miller Pimped out the Hobart brand just like John Deere did in those same stores, but they are not the better built ones that your local Welding supply store would have. It would be worth the trip to your local Miller dealer to take a look at yours..they have techs on site ....discount stores don't!

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

FYI.....Miller makes Hobart.   Miller is their Flagship brand. Hobart makes 2 different quality machines....a inferior one for discount stores such as Lowe's, Home Depot's, Tractor Supplies, etc.... A better one for Welding supply stores, the same ones that sell Miller brand welders. Miller Pimped out the Hobart brand just like John Deere did in those same stores, but they are not the better built ones that your local Welding supply store would have. It would be worth the trip to your local Miller dealer to take a look at yours..they have techs on site ....discount stores don't!

You almost sound like you own a Welding Supply business     

[T-Bird]

FYI.....Miller makes Hobart.   Miller is their Flagship brand. Hobart makes 2 different quality machines....a inferior one for discount stores such as Lowe's, Home Depot's, Tractor Supplies, etc.... A better one for Welding supply stores, the same ones that sell Miller brand welders. Miller Pimped out the Hobart brand just like John Deere did in those same stores, but they are not the better built ones that your local Welding supply store would have. It would be worth the trip to your local Miller dealer to take a look at yours..they have techs on site ....discount stores don't!

You almost sound like you own a Welding Supply business     

  That or I slept at a Holiday Inn last night...LOL

[R J]

FYI.....Miller makes Hobart.   Miller is their Flagship brand. Hobart makes 2 different quality machines....a inferior one for discount stores such as Lowe's, Home Depot's, Tractor Supplies, etc.... A better one for Welding supply stores, the same ones that sell Miller brand welders. Miller Pimped out the Hobart brand just like John Deere did in those same stores, but they are not the better built ones that your local Welding supply store would have. It would be worth the trip to your local Miller dealer to take a look at yours..they have techs on site ....discount stores don't!

You almost sound like you own a Welding Supply business     

  That or I slept at a Holiday Inn last night...LOL

You sure that wasn't a Holiday Inn Express?

[BF]

T-bird.  You sound like you know what you're talking about.  I've been looking at the Hobart Handler 140.  I'd like to know what you think of it for the home garage. 

[Jeff K]

T-bird.  You sound like you know what you're talking about.  I've been looking at the Hobart Handler 140.  I'd like to know what you think of it for the home garage. 

I have a Hobart 175 and I would go any smaller. But that is just me talking. The duty cycle is too short for me on the lower welders.
I'm pretty sure that is how I cooked my PTC on the feed motor welding too long with not enough breaks.

[BF]

Hobart doesn't sell the 175 anymore and I'm not sure what the duty cycle of the 175 is.  They offer the Handler 140 (duty cycle 20% @ 90 amps) and then the Handler 187 (30% @ 130 amps). 

I'm not planning on any heavy duty weilding with it, just for stuff like patching my utility trailer and and a potential bobber project.....or whatever else falls apart around the house. 

[T-Bird]

BF,
It all comes down to what do you need and how much money you want to spend and what electrical will you be using, 115 or 230 ?
 the 140 is a very good welder for it's purpose. It is made for the hobbyist who doesn't do a lot of welding. The 140 is a 115 machine which is good for the homeowner/hobbyist. Like Jeff K said, it has a short duty cycle. One way of classifying a welder's "size" is by how much amperage it can generate at a given "duty cycle." Duty cycle is the number of minutes out of a 10-minute period a welder can operate, and then must cool down to prevent overheating.  Just remember this...cheap welders are not good, and good welders are not cheap! Stay away from off brand China welders.
 

 I would suggest checking out these websites:
http://www.hobartwelders.com/
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/
http://www.lincolnelectric.com/

[Mildew]

Many folks find the hobart handler 210  the best buy for the money. If ya add the expensive spool gun. It will run alooominum very smoothly. I do know that under the cover of the hobart machine is many, many china parts. Not that it makes it less productive.

[T-Bird]

I do know that under the cover of the hobart machine is many, many china parts. Not that it makes it less productive.

I agree, most companies source out to China for parts made to their specs. I said stay away from off brand china welders.....you will never get a parts, and that includes tips!  If you buy a Miller, Lincoln, Hobart, thermadyne, esab, your going to be ok.