Which welder for beginner... 2 options

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Hey guys. My names jon. Im sick of paying people to weld so im buying one myself! its about time....here are my two options...http://www.amazon.com/LONGEVITY-Migw...=longevity+140http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500549-...ibart+auto+arcWhich do you guys preffer. They both do what i need them to do. But it seems the longevity has more options? please help!thanks
Reply:Mitsuman, I am torn myself. They are very comparable. The Hobart is a brand name with proven support. Longevity is a new company still trying to build a good reputation, so it will probably give good support also. I personally would go with a Hobart Handler 140. Between the two you have chosen, I am going to have to choose the Longevity. More amps, same price. Good luck with whichever one you choose.
Reply:It's not a hobart handler 140. It's a hobart auto arc 130. Cheaply made hobart. I'd take the longevity. The option to add a spoolgun for cheap makes it pretty attractive. I wouldn't call them a new company, they have been around for like 10 years. I think.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Thanks for the input guys. i noticed you can run aluminum wire through the longevity. is it not advised? i'm guessing the spool gun gives a better weld?will my local welding supply shop carry parts for the longevity? knowing hobart is a big company, i know they probably would carry hobart parts. the hobart 140 looks nice. but its $170 more. is it really worth the money. all i want to do is weld up an exhaust for my car. and any od jobs i may have around the house. instead of paying my local shop $200. i thought this made more sense...
Reply:Hobart all the way, better quality and company has much better reputation!  Tell us what you plan to use it for.  if its anything over 1/8 inch thick steel it will not work well for what you want it for.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:i really just want to weld up my exhaust on my project car, and for any other od jobs around the house. alsom, would be nice to have aluminum option for intercooler piping.
Reply:Save your hard earned money for a 220 volt machine. Yes, they are more money but you will get more out of it. The 110 volt machines can always be found in my area on craigslist. Buy a used  MILLER, HOBART, or LINCOLN. Then save for a MILLER 211. Buy ONCE. Once you get hooked you will be getting additional machines.
Reply:Aluminum with a 120v machine is very limited so I wouldn't factor that in to the comparison.120v machines a limited BUT they can se rave you well within their limits.As BD1 mentioned the best option is a. 240v machine in the 180-200amp class since you get a lot more machine.But if yer budget just can't swing it, it is what it is.Might look at this one alsohttp://www.eastwood.com/mig-welder-1...5a-output.htmlEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:The intercooler stuff I have seen that is not all hack and slash is TIG welded....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:thanks for the help guys. I honestly dont have a lot of projects i would need to weld, except for my car here and there. Although i can totally see making additional stuff once i learn how to weld, that i cant even think of right now. For now, due to my tight budget, i picked up a harbor freight 90 amp off craigslist, and loaded some lincoln flux core into it. i spent 60 bucks on the welder which i think is a great deal given it was basically new, and only used once. i started tacking up some extra exhaust piping i had, and i am very pleased with the results. on min heat and 3 speed, it is doing a great job and i get a real good sizzle. it is by no means perfect, but works for this application very well. i very badly want a nice mig, although i just cant afford one right now. i was looking at the HTP 130, and after talking with paul, i will likely go with that once i am ready. great customer service, and good intro product. I can deal with not welding aluminum for now, and can just but a clamp on the ends. having a baby in march, so need to be wise with my spending. thanks again guys. im sure yall will see me with a real mig soon As a quick note: this is the udpated, black box, not the old blue one.Last edited by mitsuman; 09-06-2013 at 02:10 PM.
Reply:Glad you got something. It is better then none at all and a inexpensive way to get hooked.
Reply:Exactly, it's enough to get hooked.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Wow, the HTP130 are being offered with a free gas flowmeter.  The HTP folks are pretty well regarded on this site. Their consumables are top notch also.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by mitsumanThanks for the input guys. i noticed you can run aluminum wire through the longevity. is it not advised? i'm guessing the spool gun gives a better weld?
Reply:Thanks again guys for the info!check out some of my work... http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...d-a-good-laugh
Reply:Both those machines you mentioned will do a lot of work within the parameters of their limitations.Good luck with the HF unit you got.   The next time you start thinking abut welders  - - - -  and there will be a next time - - - Think long and hard about the kinds of  welding you may do over the years and where you'll be doing it. For example I knew that I'd have to be welding inside my woodshop from time to time.  Inside my very dirty dusty, saw dust, and  wood chip laden shop - - yah welding.Yah sounds insane right?So I got a multiprocess machine because TIG is not a spark-festival like MIG and Arc welding are.   So I can Arc and MIG and TIG.Besides there's times when nothing will do except TIG and  times nothing is as easy peasy, quick&dirty as electric Arc. Yah  a multiprocess is about 4 - 5 times the $$ of the  hobart or longivity but the options are wider.Now about that 115  volt welder. My multiprocess welder  has a 115 option.  IT's HORRIBLE.  I can't make anything stick together using it. Maybe thin stuff like auto body sheet metal,  but I'd guess that may be about the most I could do. Truth be told, I haven't tried to do much with it but the little I did, it was useless.  I don't see much call  for me to  weld thin sheet metal so ~ ~ ~ ~  Anyway,  consider the limitations that 115 volts will impose on everything you might want to do. Maybe some experts here can speak to that.Last edited by Raul; 09-10-2013 at 12:43 PM.Hey~!! It's a hobby. It's not supposed to make sense~!!
Reply:Let's see a picture of you exhaust weld project.  Close up of weld is preferablePosted via Tapatalk using Galaxy S4Tiger 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 Raul. i will consider that before my next purchase!Attached are a couple of close ups. Attached Images