Thunderbolt XL vs Stickmate LX: "Verified" difference?

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Has anybody actually "verified" or confirmed the difference between the two machines?  I'm talking about the "235/160 amp AC/DC class of machines.  I searched the Internet and all I basically found was people claiming the "paint job."   Has anyone here actually confirmed what the difference is between the two?  The Miller is almost $200 more.  Are any internal components better on the miller than the Hobart?  I'm not looking for "guesses" here, just some eye-witness knowledge between the two. Thank you ahead of time for your input and opinions.
Reply:About 4 years ago, I had a conversation with a Miller Representative at a customer event put on by a local welding supplier.I told him that I had compared the two machines and was confuesed about what the real differences were.I was told the Hobarts came off the same prodection line, but were sold trough different distribution channels at a different price point.  The Hobarts are sold by big box stores, and the Millers are sold through professional welding suply outlets.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:you know, i've always wondered about this also....i've heard welding salesman say Hobart makes Miller, and welders say no, Miller makes Hobart.......but.... All the heavy industrial 500+ amp machines are Hobarts - i think millers only go to 300?  hmm        thermal arc 252i  -  millermatic 350P -   miller XMT, cp300ts, 30a 22a feeders, buttload of other millers, handfull of lincolns, couple of esabs  -   Hypertherm 1250 G3
Reply:Both Miller and Hobart are owned by Illinois Tool Works.  A $200 difference?  Here locally they are $80 difference, LWS ($579) vs. Tractor Supply ($499).  I was just looking yesterday.  TSC seems to be about $50 cheaper than any other source.
Reply:Miller and Hobart are owned by the same co. TB XL and Stickmate are the same machine.I was looking at a Stickmate manual on-line and its identical to my TB manual.Same partnumbers,schematics etc.When I bought mine I could have saved almost $100(if I had known) by driving another 1/2 hour to TS and buying a Stickmate.So for $100 I saved 1 hour round trip time and fuel and got a blue machine.Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:The real question is whether they will run a 5/32 7018 rod??  I'd assume they would at the 160amp range(Hobart) in a pinch, but question whether the 150amp limit(Miller) is enough?I usually run 5/32 Excalibur in the mid 180amp range on the Ranger(110-180amps) which should place it around 150ish amps or so."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammThe real question is whether they will run a 5/32 7018 rod??  I'd assume they would at the 160amp range(Hobart) in a pinch, but question whether the 150amp limit(Miller) is enough?I usually run 5/32 Excalibur in the mid 180amp range on the Ranger(110-180amps) which should place it around 150ish amps or so.
Reply:Years ago at a Tool Show I was told they are made on the same production line in the Wisconsin factory by a Sales Rep.
Reply:if you call miller for tech support on the thunderbolt you get sent to hobart.on this model I vote paint job.
Reply:Originally Posted by woi2ldyou know, i've always wondered about this also....i've heard welding salesman say Hobart makes Miller, and welders say no, Miller makes Hobart.......but.... All the heavy industrial 500+ amp machines are Hobarts - i think millers only go to 300?  hmm
Reply:Originally Posted by k45The published specs are identical on both machines:  150a 20% duty cycle, 160a max.
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcAbout a year ago, Miller TB's only stated "150A max."  It wasn't until recently that miller changed that amperage rate up to "160," which is what Hobart always claimed in their literature.  I say BLUE!!!!!  Nicer paint job!
Reply:I saved $75 by going with the Hobart over the blue version.I took that $75 and brought some 7018 and 6010 and some other misc stuff.Hobart Stickmate LX235AC/160DCRanger 305GVictor 315 O/A rigHope to acquire in the next couple of years: Hypertherm PM45 and Dynasty 200DX
Reply:Originally Posted by JD955SCI saved $75 by going with the Hobart over the blue version.I took that $75 and brought some 7018 and 6010 and some other misc stuff.
Reply:Originally Posted by jpump5Have you tried to run any of that 6010 on your stick-mate?
Reply:Originally Posted by jpump5Have you tried to run any of that 6010 on your stick-mate?
Reply:I have a thirty year old Thunderbolt AC/DC because  I was able to buy it for a couple of hundred.  I have used Stickmates and Lincoln tombstones and would choose between the  three on price.They may have different performance characteristics but if can weld with one of them you can adapt to either of the others quickly.
Reply:Originally Posted by jpump5Have you tried to run any of that 6010 on your stick-mate?
Reply:Originally Posted by jpump5The reason I asked is that I found 6010 more difficult to run on my TB than on larger machines I've used.(Ideal-arc,Hobart motor/gen.)Maybe it's the operator.
Reply:Originally Posted by drujininYears ago at a Tool Show I was told they are made on the same production line in the Wisconsin factory by a Sales Rep.