Miller vs.hobart small mig

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I'm considering doing something I said I'd never do- buying a mig machine.Was wondering what experiences others may have had with Millermatic 180and Hobart 190.Even with Miller being "on sale"at lws,Hobart at TSC is quite a bit cheaper.Miller has Auto-setand has "infinitevoltage control" .Hobart has tapped voltage selection.I'm looking at these smaller machines because this will be forhobby/learning and heavier welding is done on with my stick machine.Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:The only "Real" difference between these machines that I'm aware of, besides the lack of autoset, is that the miller has an aluminum drive housing, where as the hobart has a cheezy plastic one... But, I've had my 187 (the same as the 190, just without being spool gun ready) since black friday of 2010 and its been great [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:You always will pay extra for blue paint.   Go infinite adjustment if u plan on doing sheet metal .  Helps dial in the bead profile and control heat better without burn throughTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Thanks for the good infoBetween infinite voltage adjustment and aluminum wire drive mechanismI'm leaning toward Miller(and I guess I like blue paint)Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:Yeah, I've had both Hobart and Miller.  Both are good machines, and both companies are owned by the same parent company and have some (but not all) common components.In my opinion, the Autoset is worthless.  But the infinite vs stepped pot for voltage adjustment is a mark in Miller's favor.  Like southpaw says, that can make some difference on very thin steel.Still, in your shoes I'd go with the cheaper of the two units.  Both are unlikely to disappoint you.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Stay away from the Hobart. Big pile o junk.I am diehard Lincoln. But I would rather have that miller any day of the week than the hobart.Tapped sucks compared to adjustable IMHO.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:Tapped is great if its the right machine.. benefit of tapped is u can get exactly the same voltage on each tap every single time.  But u need enough taps.  Example is the Migmaster 250 has 24 overlapping taps and a butter smooth arc.  Very nice sheetmetal to plate machine...Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawYou always will pay extra for blue paint.   Go infinite adjustment if u plan on doing sheet metal .  Helps dial in the bead profile and control heat better without burn through
Reply:Another thumbs down on the Hobart's from me...except for the Ironman 230.If you don't need portability, you should consider a used 200 to 300 amp roll around MIG...one of the big Red, Blue or Yellow machines. Possible advantages would be- a bigger duty cycle, copper windings instead of aluminum, wider range of metal thickness that is weldable, possibly some USA made components inside, etc. I see good old machines on CL on a regular basis.Otherwise, I would get the Miller 180.Why have you not wanted a MIG in the past ? And what changed ? Just curious. Best...
Reply:If I wanted a compact 180 amp unit with variable voltage and wasn't concerned about wanting to use it for somewhat critical 1/4" steel applications, I'd go with the Lincoln PowerMIG 180C over the MM 180. The PM 180C produces a cleaner arc, better weld puddle wet out, has a very wide sweet spot, and can be dialed down to an amazingly soft lowend, making it a very good automobile ga sheet metal unit.ESAB Migmaster 250 Hobart Ironman 230Multimatic 215TWECO Fabricator 181i & 211iHH125EZ - nice little fluxcore only unitMaxstar 150 STH - very nice
Reply:".....Why have you not wanted a MIG in the past ? And what changed ? Just curious. Best..."[/QUOTE]I was perfectly happy with my antiquated,unrealistic view of thewelding processes and planned on stick welding everything for ever.Now I work at a place that doesn't have a stick machine.I occasionallyneed to make,modify or repair a bracket or something and don't like snottingsomething together or asking some one else to weld it.So I want to learn tomig properly.Buying a mig machine for at home would also enable me toweld thinner steel than I can with 6013 1/16 rod.There is also some " new toy factor".Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:I hear ya about the New Toy Factor...  Once you get the MIG and get familiar with it, you'll be kickin' yourself in the pants for not getting one earlier. That guy at your work place that welds stuff for you? Bring him a case of his favorite beverage and have him show you the basics. Then practice, practice, practice.Generally, I don't like tapped machines either but a lot of folks seem to like the Hobart 190 and I think it is a better value than the MM180. The only small Miller that seems half-way decent is the 211, and its wire drive still looks spindly compared to the Lincoln.I would also second the recommendation of a good used roll-around machine if the size and weight don't bother you. If it works when you try it, it will probably do so for a long while.BTW, I've never had anything but grief from stick rods smaller than 3/32". When you get your MIG you can throw those 1/16" rods in the scrap bin where they belong. JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:I like my Lincoln WeldPak 110v machine with .025 Lincoln wire in it for thin sheetmetal stuff like body work. Most of the time I can only get .023 wire at LWS.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:I had a Hobart Handler 180 for 8 years and I never had a problem with it. I sold it to buy a 211 last fall and couldn't be happier.  If your just looking for a cheap(er) welder to learn with, I wouldn't think twice about the Hobart. Just my two cents.
Reply:Avoid the "click-click-click" tapped voltage selectors. Those switches can wear out in a surprisingly short time. If they do, the part is generally cheap but OMG you have to take the WHOLE MACHINE apart to fix it. Really, the infinite selection (smooth turning pot) is a way better design. metalmagpie
Reply:Invest more money and get the MILLER 211.