Advice please, what would you buy if it were YOUR money and equipment?

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I have been using a little Hobart 125 EZ Flux welder for years.  It has done everything I needed it to with my limited available power (110 line only).  I am nothing more then a hobbyist that likes little welding projects for around the home and country property.  I have done a bunch of things like ATV implements, food plot implements etc.  Nothing road ready or for travel. We have moved recently and I now have a nice garage with its own power and a dedicated 220 line.  So, what do I get?  Here are my choices.  A) Keep the little Hobart 125 Flux welder and then get a nice 220 stick welder and have both.  Or B) Get rid of the small flux welder and get its much bigger brother like the Hobart 190 Mig.  A machine that can do both Flux wire, or have a tank put on it to do MIG welding.  So two separate machines or just the one.  I am not partial to brand whether it be Miller, Lincoln or Hobart.  Hobart just seemed to be a quality machine with a little less price tag.  Their customer service was top shelf when I had a wire feed problem.  If you have a favorite machine and would recommend it for me, please tell me what it is and its price tag.  Thanks.I have never used a stick welder so keep in mind I would have to learn that skill as well.  Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions.
Reply:I bought the Hobart Handler 210 MVP, you can find them on sell quite often for about $800Hobart Handler 210 MVPAHP AlphaTIG 200XHypertherm Powermax 30 Air
Reply:In your situation I would look at the Everlast PowerArc 200ST, and buy a used LN-25 to run flux core. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPIn your situation I would look at the Everlast PowerArc 200ST, and buy a used LN-25 to run flux core.
Reply:I wouldn't get rid of the 125 - only for the fact that you probably won't get much for it, might as well just keep it.210MVP is a good machine and will probably handle anything a hobby guy can throw at it.You need to at least tell us what your budget is.New Welding machine 210mvp  $899.00 delivered to your door.Shielding gas- depends on where ya are but about $200.00 for the bottle and first fill.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Depends on your budget.  You can buy a lot these days, including machines that do multiple types of welding and plasma cutting.  Just depends on how far you want to build your tool set.
Reply:I've done lots of work with my Thermal Arc 211i Fabricator.  I've been very pleased with it.  I used to have that same Hobart ez, this unit handles flux core extremely smooth, much better than the ez.  I've been able to get the flux core to lay down really close as nicely as solid wire.  At times I kinda wish I went ahead and got the 252i.  But this unit has handled everything I needed it for.
Reply:x2 on 211i, Tweco now, I had a Lincoln power mig 180c that I nervously sold to buy the 211i. Now if I could only have one welder, the 211i would be it. They are superb welders.Thermal Arc 210 - Tweco 211I - Cutmaster 52
Reply:x3 on the Tweco 211i.I just ordered mine today.  $895 delivered with a Tweco auto darkening helmet.http://www.weldersupply.com/P/605/Fa...iPartWFREESHIP
Reply:Originally Posted by thedave1164I bought the Hobart Handler 210 MVP, you can find them on sell quite often for about $800
Reply:[QUOTE=DSW;6823311]     I'd also keep my eyes open for a nice used 220v transformer stick machine. and keep the 110 machine you got, and get a torch set
Reply:Tweco X4Hobart 210 is a nice machine ,but way down in power compared to a Tweco. The 211i is a different level machine on 120 volts or 240 volts..I have never seen a 120 volt mig with this much power. The stick is much nicer then any smaller transformer machine, and most big ones too..Esab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:I'd keep the Hobart 125 EZ no matter what else you get. Little flux core units come in really handy for quick repairs where it is easier to take the welder to it than bring the broken thing to the welder. Even with a dual voltage mig if it is set up for actual mig to move it for a quick "field" repair you'd have to un hook the gas line and change out the wire. With the Hobart 125 sitting in the corner with a roll of flux core already in it you can just grab it and go. As far as bigger mig vs stick it comes down to personal preference. If the goal is to stick (pun not intended) thicker metal together with little to no learning curve a big mig welder is the way to go. If you don't mind learning a new type of welding and want the flexibility of all sorts of welding rods to choose from, a stick welder is the way to go. Personally I start reaching for some stick electrodes when the metal gets over 1/8" but that's just me.My "collection":Homemade Stick WelderVictor O/A TorchAC 225Ideal Arc 250HF 90 Amp Flux CoreHF Mig 170Solar 2020 Plasma CutterPower i-Mig 140EHarris O/A torchHF Dual Mig 131140STAlpha Tig 200x
Reply:Yeah keep  the Hobart,  it's really nice to have a 110 Flux core unit that you can run off any extension cord,  and maybe get an esab 161, like mikecwik said,  they're really nice machines,  with lift tig,  and you can add tig torch later. http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Well, I have done a ton of reading and heres what I did.  I picked up the Lincoln weld Pak 180  for $650 bucks from Home Depot and was able to use a 10% discount I have as a veteran.  It was between the Hobart handler 190 and the Lincoln 180.  Everywhere I looked they both got great reviews.  I guess I really didn't want to get into learning stick so I just went with what im familiar with.  I got it home and unboxed it, what a nice machine.  It came with .035 flux core and seeing as how I don't have a welding gas bottle with me I just hooked it up to see how it would do.  I grabbed some 1/4" steel plates laying around and then looked at the chart right on the inside of the machine.  Called for speed 4, heat D.  I set everything and just made some 90 degree welds.  Wow is there a difference between 110 and 220v welders.  This thing burned into the 1/4" like it was nothing.  My little Hobart at max wouldn't do that with 3/16.  Now I have to read up on going from flux to solid wire.  I have never used gas before so this will be a first.
Reply:Originally Posted by savannah537Well, I have done a ton of reading and heres what I did.  I picked up the Lincoln weld Pak 180  for $650 bucks from Home Depot and was able to use a 10% discount I have as a veteran.  It was between the Hobart handler 190 and the Lincoln 180.  Everywhere I looked they both got great reviews.  I guess I really didn't want to get into learning stick so I just went with what im familiar with.  I got it home and unboxed it, what a nice machine.  It came with .035 flux core and seeing as how I don't have a welding gas bottle with me I just hooked it up to see how it would do.  I grabbed some 1/4" steel plates laying around and then looked at the chart right on the inside of the machine.  Called for speed 4, heat D.  I set everything and just made some 90 degree welds.  Wow is there a difference between 110 and 220v welders.  This thing burned into the 1/4" like it was nothing.  My little Hobart at max wouldn't do that with 3/16.  Now I have to read up on going from flux to solid wire.  I have never used gas before so this will be a first.
Reply:He a,ready has a Flux core machine that works for him.