Need advice

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I have searched the forums and couldn't find a definitive answer on the following: I have a green light from the Mrs to buy a new welder. Looking at the Hobart Handler 190 for $650 versus the Millermatic 180 for $900. Is the Millermatic really worth the extra $250-$300??. I will be using this for projects and occasional repairs at home. Nothing industrial, not earning a living off of this thing. I think it basically comes down to how much money is autoset and variable vs. tapped voltage settings are worth.
Reply:Forget the miller and get the Hobart 211 for a little over $800 on sale. Why pay for autoset on the miller when it's not necessary. If you can read the inside panel welding chart on the Hobart you will be able to weld.Also, the Hobart runs on 120/220 and has spool gun technology.Tap settings are a good way to learn how to weld. Autoset teaches you nothing and variable voltage will confuse a welder just starting out. Learn how to adjust the amperage with wire speed.When I was in welding school we had to learn how to weld with transformer welders first. Then after we could satisfy the instructor we could move on to more technology based welders.Last edited by kctgb; 02-25-2013 at 06:34 PM.
Reply:Blue all the way.  Check out this deal from CL:  http://longisland.craigslist.org/tls/3569305421.html.  Worth investigating.  There is also a used MM350 3-Phase available in the same area.  Good luck!Last edited by ManoKai; 02-25-2013 at 06:54 PM."Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:Forget those and get the MILLER 211.  Multi volt 110 / 220
Reply:The red machines work a lot better but if the choice is blue or gray, from personal experience, go blue and go used and go big.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:Thanks for the replies, but I wasn't going to get the 210. I was shooting for the 190, as it is on sale at TSC for $650...hard to beat price.If i was going to spend the grand I would probably step up to the Miller 190 before the HH 210. But I honestly don't need dual voltage, and I am not sure I need the extra 20 amps, for what I do. I already have a Hobart Stickmate for the larger stuff.
Reply:That's not a bad price on the 190, If I was in your shoes I might do the same as you. Good luck and have fun. You might think about taking a welding class or two, it's money well spent. Originally Posted by Louie1961Thanks for the replies, but I wasn't going to get the 210. I was shooting for the 190, as it is on sale at TSC for $650...hard to beat price.If i was going to spend the grand I would probably step up to the Miller 190 before the HH 210. But I honestly don't need dual voltage, and I am not sure I need the extra 20 amps, for what I do. I already have a Hobart Stickmate for the larger stuff.
Reply:Good idea, but not so good in CT. Seems like they cut the funding to the local community colleges and Adult Ed got whacked. The only welding courses that I can find are courses costing thousands of dollars. Check out pg 42 on this link...it's crazy. I don't want to pay $3000 for a non credit course.  http://www.nv.edu/Portals/0/Document.../NC/spnc13.pdfIntroduction to Welding TechniquesCRN 2145 • 30 sessions, Mon. - Thu., 3/25 - 5/14,8:30 am - 11:30 am, Rm: T403, $3,000Instructors:Angelo Petrolle, Joseph Demeter
Reply:Originally Posted by Louie1961Good idea, but not so good in CT. Seems like they cut the funding to the local community colleges and Adult Ed got whacked. The only welding courses that I can find are courses costing thousands of dollars. Check out pg 42 on this link...it's crazy. I don't want to pay $3000 for a non credit course.  http://www.nv.edu/Portals/0/Document.../NC/spnc13.pdfIntroduction to Welding TechniquesCRN 2145 • 30 sessions, Mon. - Thu., 3/25 - 5/14,8:30 am - 11:30 am, Rm: T403, $3,000Instructors:Angelo Petrolle, Joseph Demeter
Reply:Originally Posted by Louie1961Thanks for the replies, but I wasn't going to get the 210. I was shooting for the 190, as it is on sale at TSC for $650...hard to beat price.If i was going to spend the grand I would probably step up to the Miller 190 before the HH 210. But I honestly don't need dual voltage, and I am not sure I need the extra 20 amps, for what I do. I already have a Hobart Stickmate for the larger stuff.
Reply:Check your PM's.  I may have something you're interested in.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Well I pulled the trigger on the HH 190 from TSC. Tomorrow I am off to my local airgas to get a cylinder of C-25