Have been looking at welders and have another post here about it. Mark at Everlast has given me a price. I have researched Miller, Hobart, Lincoln welder on the net. I like the Millermatic 211. I need a C25 tank, $200+, I want a new autoshade helmet, $175+, and the welder, $1100+-. Even the Millermatic 190 is over $900. For my old, feeble body with health issues, it would mostly be a hobby welder, so hard to justify almost $1500. TSC has their Hobart Handler 190 on sale for $659. What do all you experienced welders say as to which one, in my situation? I know the Everlast and Longevity welders are less expensive and probably good welders, BUT, I hate having to ship things back and forth if something goes wrong. Would rather just load it up and drive to seller and get things fixed. I like the weight of an inverter welder, which Hobart is not, but once on a cart, won't be much lifting. How about some input guys? thanks hjt
Still need welder help
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LD1
Epic Contributor
I Personally wouldnt worry about having to ship something back if something went wrong. I'd actually rather ship something back as opposed to taking it back to the store. Especially the small inverter machines. Keep the box it comes in. If something goes wrong, Put it back in the box and call UPS, Fed-ex, etc. For me, that would trump loading it in the car and driving 30 minutes back to town.
As to the welder choice, take your pick. For just a home-hobbyist, they will all stick metal together. Some may have some different features, but if you aint using it daily, I dont think that would much matter to me.
My welder is featureless. Set the heat, set the wire speed, pull the trigger. All the extra features are nice if you know what you are doing. But I think often times they are the source of a problem with newer welders. Just too many adjustments to worry about dialing in, and the feeling of becoming overwhelmed.
As to the welder choice, take your pick. For just a home-hobbyist, they will all stick metal together. Some may have some different features, but if you aint using it daily, I dont think that would much matter to me.
My welder is featureless. Set the heat, set the wire speed, pull the trigger. All the extra features are nice if you know what you are doing. But I think often times they are the source of a problem with newer welders. Just too many adjustments to worry about dialing in, and the feeling of becoming overwhelmed.
blueriver
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I agree with LD1 ... I like shipping right out of the shop ... done deal. All the welders you mention should do the job.
Also as he stated featureless is nice not so much to go wrong!
Also as he stated featureless is nice not so much to go wrong!
MMagis
Veteran Member
I would agree, there's really no reason to spend extra money for a hobby welder. The Hobart will do exactly what you need.
Edit: I didn’t mean to suggest the Everlast welder wouldn’t work, I missed that part. I don’t have any experience myself, but I’m sure it’ll work just as well.
Edit: I didn’t mean to suggest the Everlast welder wouldn’t work, I missed that part. I don’t have any experience myself, but I’m sure it’ll work just as well.
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flusher
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I used a Hobart Stickmate LX AC/DC welder around my shop for about 10 years. Never had any problems. Built a lot of custom farm equipment (bale squeeze, modified wheel discs, modified moldboard plow, etc) with that welder. Bought at Tractor Supply for $450 at one of their sales.
Good luck.
Good luck.
GPintheMitten
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I'm a hobbyist welder. I got the I-MIG 200 from Everlast via Mark. It works great. Add a small tank of of gas and go. It also can do stick welding if you want.
I didn't spend $175 on a welding helmet. That seems extreme. I don't remember exactly what I got or where but I have a cheap auto darkening helmet and an always dark helmet. I probably spent about $30 for the autodarkening helmet.
I didn't spend $175 on a welding helmet. That seems extreme. I don't remember exactly what I got or where but I have a cheap auto darkening helmet and an always dark helmet. I probably spent about $30 for the autodarkening helmet.
George2615
Super Member
I guess it depends on what you are going to weld.
There are many used AC/DC stick welders for sale on the interweb. Usually under $200-300. I bought one at a flea market for $50. with cables and use it quite often. I've seen new AC/DC welders sell in the $500-600 range at Home Depot.
I also have a HF wire feed flux core mig that works well for small jobs. That was under $500 new.
The HF auto darkening helmets work fairly well. I have a couple of them.
I'm not a professional welder but what I use serves the purpose.
There are many used AC/DC stick welders for sale on the interweb. Usually under $200-300. I bought one at a flea market for $50. with cables and use it quite often. I've seen new AC/DC welders sell in the $500-600 range at Home Depot.
I also have a HF wire feed flux core mig that works well for small jobs. That was under $500 new.
The HF auto darkening helmets work fairly well. I have a couple of them.
I'm not a professional welder but what I use serves the purpose.
roadhunter
Elite Member
I have got a Millermatic 175, Everlast I-Mig 200, and have had a couple of the Hobart Handlers (125/210). For some reason I found the Hobart and Miller to be easier to use and have much better weld appearance, the I-Mig leaves a lot of splatter using the same wire and gas. I think you would be hard to beat catching a HH 190 on sale somewhere. You can probably use that welder for 5 years and sell it for pretty close to what you paid for it. The last HH I had I just used flux core wire which was really convenient not having to worry about gas. You just have to clean up after you finish welding. So you could probably go down and buy that for $650. Buy a 10 pound spool of .035 flux core wire and some tips as well as a $100 hobart auto dim helmet and a set of gloves and you will be welding.
Shield Arc
Super Member
I've never run a Hobart Mig. There is a member on Welding Web, and Hobart forum. His name is Dan. Dan lives in central Oregon. This guy is an amazing welder! Hobart sends him new designed welders to try out and give his opinion. Dan just loves the Hobart Mig machines.
