Hobart Handler 190 opinions

[houser52]

I've been wanting a wire welder for sometime, just to weld thin steel from 16 gauge up to 3/16, like what's used on brush hog decks, covers, tubing, etc. It's hard for me to use my Lincoln AC/DC stick welder on that thin stuff. All of my welding will be done outdoors using flux core wire.

Northern Tool has the 190 on sale, $55 off and free shipping. I also have a $50 off coupon. My total cost is $688 to my door. (The sale ends today!)

What are some opinions on the Hobart 190 for what I want to use it for?

 

[RPW]

Hobart is the consumer version of Miller. Same specs except lighter duty. IMO go for it. I don't think you'll be sorry.

 

[houser52]

Thanks but I still haven't clicked buy yet.
I've never used a wire welder but from what I've read, it's easier to use than a stick welder.

Any more opinions?

 

[kencunningham]

Its a pretty good welder, I like mine just fine. It would have been nice if they had put more than 7 tap selections for the power settings, but it is still good enough. One other thing is that there is no guard on the trigger, not even a bump out molded into the mig gun to protect from accidental trigger engagement. Be sure to pick up one of those magnetic holder that you can stick you gun into when you need to set it down, so that you don't need to turn the welder off every time. I bought mine from tractor supply when it was on sale, when I got there they only had the display model. Got em to knock 50 dollars off the price and walked out with a price under 600 dollars if I remember correctly.

 

[Shield Arc]

Is this the welder you are looking at? If so, I know I would not like the 7 voltage selector. I want complete control over the welder's settings.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200482227_200482227

 

[houser52]

Thanks again to all for the info.

Is this the welder you are looking at? If so, I know I would not like the 7 voltage selector. I want complete control over the welder's settings.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200482227_200482227

I am looking at the Handler 190 but not the one you linked. The one I'm looking at doesn't have the spool gun.

 

[Shield Arc]

I've never run a welder with tap settings. I think it would drive me crazy not having complete control over the settings.

 

[Stimw]

I bought the 190 over a year ago and I love it!
I had the board go out on my Miller 210 and had to have a back up welder so I bought the 190. I still haven't fixed the board on my 210!
I have welded 8 hour shifts with 250 class MIG's so I am very familiar with MIG welding.
The 190 puts out a nice bead and I have rarely used tap #7. It has plenty of power to burn in on 1/4" and less metal.
I run .035 wire and I do some times have trouble with the wire feed so I try to keep the whip straightened out when welding.
I do have issues with condensation on the wire due to Florida humidity so it's really not the machines fault.
Think of using MIG like using a caulking gun. I used my first MIG machine in 1970 and picked it up in about 15 minutes! It's that easy.

 

[Clint S]

I think most Hobarts have wire feed issues when the line is not kept straight. Mine does it and my buddies does too. Keep the line straightish and not looped and no issues. If there is a loop it binds and makes a snarl at the feeder wheel.

 

[houser52]

I read more online reviews and looked at lots of videos about the HH190. Out of them, there were very few bad things to say about it. Most of the negative comments were just petty. Overall it looks like a pretty good machine for how I will use it around the farm.

I went ahead and ordered one and took advantage of the Northern Tool sale plus the $50 coupon. The only drawback was that it's on back order for a couple weeks. That's okay though as that will give me the opportunity to decide where to put the receptacle and run the wiring. I'll probably start looking for a holder and cart while I'm waiting.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Shield Arc]

I would think the biggest self shielded flux core wire you can run on that welder is .045". You may have an issue getting that wire to feed through a regular Mig gun. Sometimes the wire will feed OK when cold, but when the wire gets hot it could freeze up in the Mig gun liner.

 

[houser52]

I would think the biggest self shielded flux core wire you can run on that welder is .045". You may have an issue getting that wire to feed through a regular Mig gun. Sometimes the wire will feed OK when cold, but when the wire gets hot it could freeze up in the Mig gun liner.

Maybe I won't have to use anything bigger than .035 wire. I'll probably be using it for thinner stuff and keep using the stick welder for the thick. I hope to learn something and practice a lot with it.

Speaking of wire, what good general purpose flux core wire are most of you using?

 

[Shield Arc]

Speaking of wire, what good general purpose flux core wire are most of you using?

For T-11 wires, Hobart's 21-B, and Lincolns NR-212 are hard to beat.

 

[Stimw]

I am using 75/25 Gas.
I have never used Fluxcore so I can't comment other than to say check out the cost of adding gas since you will have the regulator.
I bought the HF cart but had to put heavier wheels and axle on it for my full size tank.
Also had to relocate the axle to the rear for proper balance.

 

[s219]

I have the smaller Handler 140 and it's been great. Only had a wire feed problem once, when I did something really stupid and blocked the tip by accident. Other than that, it has fed several spools worth with nary a hiccup. Makes real nice welds. The 190 should be even better.

 

[fixitman123]

I love my Hobart 190. Purchased it from the Hobart Weld Shop refurbished for 529.00 . Looked brand new.
http://www.hobartweldshop.com/factory-refurbished-hobart-handler-190-mig-wire-welder/

 

[houser52]

Thanks for all the replies and wire info.
Shield Arc- I doubt my beads will ever look that good. Since I'm already 63, I doubt I'll have another 30 years to practice.

I am using 75/25 Gas.
I have never used Fluxcore so I can't comment other than to say check out the cost of adding gas since you will have the regulator.
I bought the HF cart but had to put heavier wheels and axle on it for my full size tank.
Also had to relocate the axle to the rear for proper balance.

Does your Hobart fit on the HF cart okay? I have looked at the HF welding cart online but wasn't sure if the 190 would fit and still be able to raise the side panel. Also, it looks like it would be top heavy and be unstable. Any problems with that?
Since I won't be using gas, I've also looked at their steel roll around cart with either 2 or 3 shelves to set the 190 on plus have a shelf/shelves for other stuff.

 

[Shield Arc]

Shield Arc- I doubt my beads will ever look that good. Since I'm already 63, I doubt I'll have another 30 years to practice.

Oh I think you'll be surprised. MIG / wire feeds are the easiest process to learn. The only trick is learning how to set the machine. If your machine comes with a door chart, don't go by that! The door charts I've seen are way off.

 

[houser52]

Oh I think you'll be surprised. MIG / wire feeds are the easiest process to learn. The only trick is learning how to set the machine. If your machine comes with a door chart, don't go by that! The door charts I've seen are way off.

Yea, I've been watching some videos on how to get it set up right. I think Welding Tips and Tricks on You Tube describes the setup pretty good.

 

[Shield Arc]

Member here dragoneggs was welding some thin wall box tubing. He was having trouble welding. He brought his Mig welder over to my shop. I had him set the Mig welder just like he had it at home. He was using the door chart. I can't believe how far off the settings were:shocked:.
When I set a Mig welder / wire welder I listen to the sound of the weld. The sound tells me a lot about the quality of the weld.