Miller or Hobart (any diff?))

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HI, new to the forum, and am gettting ready to buy a welder. Was thinking about the Miller 175 or Hobart 180 (the new one), as well as the MIller 135 or Hobart 140 (it says it will weld 1/4in single pass without fluxcore wire, miller will only do 3/16). Been to a local supply shop, and of course they push Miller over the hobart, but called miller directly and they told me the Hobarts are made on the same floor as the Millers. The guy there said there was no difference on the smaller units like these. Now I am really confused. Just looking for some input from the experience on this forum. Miller also said that it would be probably 6 mo or more before they upgrade the Miller machines with the new transformers that the Hobarts have, and i don't want to wait that long. Cost really isn't the issue, I just don't want to buy the Miller if it isn't really any higher quality or can't do the same jobs as the Hobart. (As well, leaning against the 230V machines for portability reasons, and because in another 4-5 years I'll be getting a bigger machine anyways- 215, or larger). Thanks, and sorry about the long post.
Reply:The Millers and the Hobarts are built side by side but are not the same.  The Miller uses some of the same components but where the components are different the Miller uses a higher quality part.  Also the Miller has a longer (at least used to, I have heard rumors to the contrary, so find out) warantee.  But for the small machines, and light use, I don't think it really matters much.  What color do you prefer blue or white?Ron ShopFloorTalk Millermatic 350P, M-25, M-40 gunsDynasty 300DX, Coolmate 3, Crafter CS-310 TorchTrailblazer 302, 12RC, WC-2430A spoolgunSpectrum 2050Thermal Arc Plasma Welder PS-3000/WC-100B
Reply:Toothmech: Welcome to welding Webb.You're off to a good start with Miller, or Hobart.A couple of things. first do a search, this subject has been covered a lot.Start with the 175 class 230 volt machine, you'll be a lot happier. My recommendation would be to get the Hobart. It has a "Tapped transformer", and is a lot easier for a beginner to use than the Miller with their "Wire tracking". With the new 108 coming out, you can get a good deal on the HH175, it's a real good machine.Also you can download the manuals from Miller, and Hobart, and learn which one you'd like.
Reply:My opinion is, in addition to what was mentioned, that the Miller wire drive is much better than the Hobart drive. Although I have a Lincoln Mig Pak 10 with the cheapest wingnut and spring on a plastic housing that I've ever seen and that drive works good too.MillerMatic 175Thermal Dynamics Drag-Gun PlasmaAirco Bumblebee AC/DC SMAWVictor Super-Range II oxy/act
Reply:Both have the same warranty.  The Miller units tend to have more features, like infinite voltage adjustment on the MIGs.  The Hobarts are generally simpler to operate because they have fewer adjustments.As far as the higher quality parts, you'll find that the Hobarts do use more plastic, but most of the critical components are the same as the Miller.