Does anyone have a Hobart Stickmate??

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I'm thinking of buying one, and just wondering what everyone's opinions of them were. I considered a thunderbolt, but it costs $170 more, which being the starving 17 year old welding student that I am, I don't want to spend. Plus, the Hobart puts out another 10 DC amps, which is pretty nice as well. And, I can get one for 10% off at TSC this week. I'm wondering how the arc is on these, and how they weld compared to, say, an old Lincoln tombstone, Miller dialarc, or an old idealarc. All of which I've used a lot, and am kind of used to. Has anyone ever had any problems with one?? I guess being a transformer based stick welder, theres not a lot to go wrong, but still...Thanks guys :-)[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseI'm thinking of buying one, and just wondering what everyone's opinions of them were. I considered a thunderbolt, but it costs $170 more, which being the starving 17 year old welding student that I am, I don't want to spend. Plus, the Hobart puts out another 10 DC amps, which is pretty nice as well. And, I can get one for 10% off at TSC this week. I'm wondering how the arc is on these, and how they weld compared to, say, an old Lincoln tombstone, Miller dialarc, or an old idealarc. All of which I've used a lot, and am kind of used to. Has anyone ever had any problems with one?? I guess being a transformer based stick welder, theres not a lot to go wrong, but still...Thanks guys :-)
Reply:I have the LX235 and really like it - but it is the only stick welder I have used.  It was pretty easy to get things rolling.  I paid $470 at Northern Tool - picked it up at their store so it was a few bucks under TSC.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:I had the AC/DC version and loved it.
Reply:Maybe someone can tell me if I'm just seeing things but...If you look at a picture of the Hobart Stickmate and then look at a picture of the Miller Thunderbolt, they are identical. Even the leads are looped the same in both photos. Ok, so the colors are different but I would say that Miller is probably making this unit for Hobart.Am I crazy?As far as the amperage discrepancy - creative marketing?It looks better in blue (IMO)Eric
Reply:I bought the hobart stick mate A/c machine which was my first stick welder and it welded pretty decent but had just to small of a duty cycle. I don't really have patients when i am welding. Once I get everything lined up I am ready to start laying nickles and not having to wait. I never had any issues with mine but I didn't really keep it to long about a year till I got an engine drive machine.Vantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:Illinois Tool Works (ITW) owns Miller & Hobart.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:Originally Posted by Welding_SwedeMaybe someone can tell me if I'm just seeing things but...If you look at a picture of the Hobart Stickmate and then look at a picture of the Miller Thunderbolt, they are identical. Even the leads are looped the same in both photos. Ok, so the colors are different but I would say that Miller is probably making this unit for Hobart.Am I crazy?As far as the amperage discrepancy - creative marketing?It looks better in blue (IMO)Eric
Reply:Originally Posted by Welding_SwedeMaybe someone can tell me if I'm just seeing things but...If you look at a picture of the Hobart Stickmate and then look at a picture of the Miller Thunderbolt, they are identical. Even the leads are looped the same in both photos. Ok, so the colors are different but I would say that Miller is probably making this unit for Hobart.Eric
Reply:i forgot to add that even though miller calls it 225/150 it's amp rating is actually 235/160 the same as the hobart lx ac/dc 235/160225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseI considered a thunderbolt, but it costs $170 more, which being the starving 17 year old welding student that I am, I don't want to spend. Plus, the Hobart puts out another 10 DC amps, which is pretty nice as well.
Reply:come on guys are we having fashion show for welders? if it's the same machine does it matter what color it is? if they knock another $100 off it for being green with purple stripes i'll take it and buy a can of paint and do my own thing.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:Originally Posted by jbmprods first thing i did was open it and get rid of the short #4 leads and put short #2 stubs in place with tweco connectors to attach different leads to it as needed....jim
Reply:Have you considered an inverter? The Thermal Arc 161s sells for in the low $600 on ebay. I know its more expensive but definitely has more benefits over the others you have listed.1 very portable less then 20 lbs2 dual voltage 3 lift start tig4 on 110 v should still be able to run 3/32" 7018 with it attached to a 100' ext. cordI have not used that exact unit but I do have the TA 185 and a Maxstar 140 str so I do like the benefits of the inverters. The Maxstar 140 runs 3/32" 7018 on 110v nicely with no problems and when on 220v even better. The TA 185 is rated at the same amps with the 161s but with a 40% duty cycle and have no problems running 5/32" 7018. At work I get to use the big diesel welders and when I weld at home I don't miss a thing when using my machines.
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseThats a great idea, and something i'm going to be doing... Theres only one 220v outlet in my shop. How hard was it to do that?? Looking at some pics, it seems like one would have to go through the plastic cover on the front, but idk...
Reply:I own a stickmte. I met a Miller Rep at the open house of my LWS and asked if the Stickmate and Thunderbolt were comparable. His reply was that they are the same machine with different paint. The Hobart is sold at a lower price point through retail outlets (big box stores) and Millers are sold through dealers.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:Well guys, I went out tonight and picked up a stickmate at my local TSC. I drove through a random blizzard coming home, and started burning rods with it, and so far, I'm happy as can be with it... More to come. Thanks guys :-)[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:I bought a Stickmate AC/DC about 6 weeks ago. My introduction to stick welding. Got it on the clearance rack at Northern Tool store. Someone bought it, never used it, and brought it back. I think it's a nice little welder compared to the red paint brand's offering in that class.Have fun with it!
Reply:My thoughts exactly!! I already have a red tombstone, but its AC only. It has one of the nicest AC arcs I've ever used, but the lack of infinite adjustment is a real draw back, and the new ones only have a 3 year warranty. Plus, the hobart was cheaper here... Haha...I will man... I made a video about it, and took lots of pics, which I'll post soon here...[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:congrats on your new toy Lanse. now when you are done playing install the longer leads....jim225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:To all new StickMate owners:Welcome to the StickMate Owners club, may your days be filled with bright arc flashes and pleasent smoke.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor