HH135 Made in USA

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and in case you never looked, the entire innards: Attached Images
Reply:the search for aliens was on, no problem finding them;  here is the fan motor: Attached Images
Reply:And here is one of the little Chinese wire feed motors that started this whole brouhahaha, if I recall correctly? Attached Images
Reply:Thanks Cutter, now I don't have to open mine. This is kinda like the Roswell Insident
Reply:Well, my fingers are tired, and I gotta go plow snow later, so I'll keep this short.I wouldn't give a rats *** about Chink and Mexican components in a machine, and I doubt most other guys would either, if the damn machine didn't have USA all over the outside, and the manufacturer hadn't just blew a truck full of bucks on their red white & blue immitation motorcycle nobody will ever ride.Course, if I owned one of them phoney labeled welders and the box it came in, I might just be printing off a certain thread on a certain board, just in case there was a recall, or class action thingy on down the line.Miller Minder, immediately print that and run it up to legal.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:Thanks Cutter,The Hobart 135 is a nice little mig - not sure about the newest versions.   I agree 100% with Franz.Either be True Blue to the printed words MADE IN USA or don't use them.I still think Hobart/ITW canned Rock because he offered to much information about the former motor being foreign made too.  Not just the one Made in China.  I'd bet sooner or later the welders will be sealed up and a Warning about Voiding the Warranty in the Future for peeking under the hood.
Reply:BTW never peeked under the hood of the Hobart 135.  I took their word for the Made in USA contents a few years ago.  Kind of wished I'd looked inside now before trading up on welder sizes.  I am thinking about buying another 120 volt MIG welder.Does Lincoln Claim to be Made in USA?
Reply:You are correct: I DON'T mind foreign components in my machines, Just don't try to SNOWBALL me with a "Made in the USA" label when it is "ASSMBLED in the USA"
Reply:So you found two components and that's it? Two inexpensive motors?  I'm sure there is a law that says how much of a product is allowed to be of foreign origin and still be labeled Made In USA.  I thought you guys came over here to turn over a new leaf.  Seams like you brought a lot of baggage.  Instead of opening the box and taking pictures, go build (invent) something and make sure it is produced in the good ole USA. Careful though don't slip up and use Chinese (not Chink) or Mexican bolts.  Your old buddies will be all over you.  It upsets me that the only jobs around her are insurance, med, legal, and investment.  But who do we have to blame but ourselves, politicians, unions, and the lazy *** Americans that rather steal or take handouts than work.  I could say more but instead of whining I am going to get something done today!
Reply:Originally posted by 1grnlwn So you found two components and that's it? Two inexpensive motors?  I'm sure there is a law that says how much of a product is allowed to be of foreign origin and still be labeled Made In USA.  I thought you guys came over here to turn over a new leaf.  Seams like you brought a lot of baggage.  Instead of opening the box and taking pictures, go build (invent) something and make sure it is produced in the good ole USA. Careful though don't slip up and use Chinese (not Chink) or Mexican bolts.  Your old buddies will be all over you.  It upsets me that the only jobs around her are insurance, med, legal, and investment.  But who do we have to blame but ourselves, politicians, unions, and the lazy *** Americans that rather steal or take handouts than work.  I could say more but instead of whining I am going to get something done today!
Reply:Cutter:I'm glad you posted those pictures.  It was appropriate considering the circumstances surrounding our gathering over here on this site.  I hope you posted them over there too.It puts an undeniable reality check on the subtle slight of hand that I read on the Hobart website.As they say, pictures a worth a thousand words.  You probably went through a lot of trouble to be able to get clear enough images just to be able to see and read those labels... to be the right distance from the lens, to have the right light, and to take enough apart to have the right component posistion.  Thanks again for going through all of that trouble, and for posting them.Respectfully,Charles Brown
Reply:Cutter,Did you happen to see a Manufacturer - Name on the Made in China motor?
Reply:Originally posted by JustLooking Cutter,Did you happen to see a Manufacturer - Name on the Made in China motor?
Reply:Hey Cutter,Here is why I was wondering what name brand of drive is inside.My Thermadyne Holding Company - Firepower FP160:  220 volt mig has an EVER drive motor in it.  The Ever motor is traced back to China.  Took these pictures a Year Ago and am not sure why this one frosted up and looked hazed over?  Anyway.  Both transformers are aluminum and the one in the back is rather big.  No Gas Solenoid.   Tweco Gun stamped USA but labeled assembled in Mexico.  The ground clamp is top quality.    All the electronics and (third) smaller tranformer and relay attached to front panel are marked Foreign Made.http://www.firepoweronline.com/sales.html   Here is the Firepower Regulator and did better with the picture maybe the camera thawed out    The camera had been outside in the glove compartment 19 degrees or so last winter before taking the pics.  This regulator don't even compare to the Hobart in my opinion and was a disappointment.  Imagine visions of a Hobart Type Regulator setup then finding only this in the box.  These are somewhat like the old pre-set regulators of many years ago.Also have an older pic of the drive assembly and a few others but can't find them right now or would post it too.  Hope the resize works ok for these examples.I am fairly sure the FP160 is NOT Made in America but it doesn't do to bad.  It might be assembled here but I won't even say that.  At a delivered price of $430 at the time think it was a decent deal.  That's about all I think China Inside is worth for this one.Never posted these on the Hobart website because didn't want to read a bunch of static about Made In USA.  An open and away from One Brand Forum might be a good thing.Anyway just wondering what the manufacturer name was on the Drive Motor for your 135.  It is usually on the bell end if you ever get a chance to look at it again.  Owned a Hobart 135 before the FP160 and kind of liked it better for doing sheetmetal although never looked under the hood.  Your HH135 pictures are interesting and a lot better quality then mine were when using a cheap Fuji Finepix 1400.Has anyone else popped the hood on a Hobart 175 or another small mig for pics?  I'd like to see them.ThanksLast edited by JustLooking; 01-21-2004 at 04:56 AM.
Reply:Justlooking,Here is a look at the inside of a HH 175. It is similar to the HH135. However the transformer and choke are copper wound. Attached Images
Reply:Hey Dan,Thanks for the HH175 pic.  I wish more manufacturers showed pictures of what is actually inside and how it all works for a package.Years ago used a HH175 in a machine shop and it never let us down - not once.  So I know they used to be good machines and imagine they still are.  Think there are several good machines out there to choose from and what is inside might or might not be so important for the major players.  The lack of a gas solenoid valve and adjustable argon regulator in the FP160 is a distraction for what is not included.  Actually the pre-set regulator seems to work ok just no gages.Found my other floppy disc with the FP160 drive picture stored on it.  Hope the resize looks ok.  The FP160 drive appears to be mostly plastic and the drive roller has an allen screw that is taken out to flip the roller around for wire size changes.  If I remember right the Hobart 135 was the same way but it always stayed loaded for actual MIG operation on sheetmetal.FP160 drive mech pic: Top shot of the FP160 exposed: Had thought my aluminum transformer was copper but it was just a coating of insulation when looking at the terminal connections.  Mine doesn't appear to have any additional insulation between the wraps on the transformer other then the dipped insulation.  The Hobart - HH175 Transformer appears to be made better and copper is getting rare.   Is the HH135 copper or aluminum?This FP is the only welder ever had the cover off of for a look.  Again pictures were taken right after unboxing it from delivery.   It is definitely interesting to see inside of them and think the manufacturers should show more pictures of internals so curious people don't have to remove the cover.  Regret not looking inside the HH135 and the previous pictures by Cutter and you are great for a look see inside Hobarts.To my knowledge only HTP shows full shot of the inside of their mig welders for advertising.  The diodes in the HTP rectifier seem to be substantial in size.  There is no indication whether this is typically what they all look like or if this is a particular model for the HTP advertising.http://www.htpweld.com/product_page/...rs/inside.html HTP compares drive mechs for different brands - pics.http://www.htpweld.com/product_page/...omparison.html This Adobe PDF link shows some of the Lincoln SP135 Plus and Miller MM135 internals but not a full shots.  The Lincoln transformer appears to be well made and more insulated between wraps.  My brother has the smallest Lincoln 220 volt mig bought about 8-10 years ago and has never had a problem with it.  Should probably have listened to his recommendation to buy Lincoln but hey buying and learning is part of the fun sometimes.http://content.lincolnelectric.com/p...ture/av564.pdf IMO the saving grace for the FP brand is it appears to weld ok considering never really had a problem.  Had to do over again would have gotten a HH175 or an HTP.  Might still order the HTP120 just to play around with it for sheetmetal because it is cheaper in price then the others in that size range.  Some inside pics of the HTP 120 might be interesting to see too. Would like to see what is inside a small Clarke mig and an Astro mig if anyone can share pics.  Think it would be interesting.Thanks
Reply:I have a little Clarke mig, and the drive rolls and spool setup are virtualy identical to your setup above.  The flip side is somewhat different than yours.I can get some pics, but it will likely be next week before they are up here.
Reply:Before people go poo poo'ing these Non-Major Brand of Migs to much.The Firepower warranty is 5-2-1 Warranty -  5 years tranformer, 2 years total machine, and 1 year on gun.  They have some faith in them lasting for at least 5 years for the transformers. CLARKE POWER PRODUCTS INC.For 10 years: The welder’s transformer and rectifierFor 2 years: The entire welder, including the welder’s Mig welding gun or arc Welding cables – as applicable (excluding accessories packed with the welder)  Clarke seems to have even more faith in their transformers.  Think the Clarke's are somewhat popular in England.  Have read nothing but good reports about this Clarke Mig for doing autobody & sheetmetal repairs.  The 6 listed heat settings are suppose to offer more adjustments. http://store.ineedparts.com/store/vi...dProduct=19004 Both of these mig brands have what is considered a Gun/Torch gas control valve.   Just for anyone interested in how that works without a gas solenoid valve setup it is in the torch.  I prefer the solenoid though.Not sure how the HTP 120 and other migs from that brand is setup.  May have to find out soon.  NO LOYALITY to anyone but myself from now until time ends.Again would like to see the internals of other small migs if anyone cares to share.  Will be looking for the Clarke centerfolds.   Gee would never have posted this on the Hobart Forum because of the
Reply:Originally posted by Bolt I have a little Clarke mig, and the drive rolls and spool setup are virtualy identical to your setup above.  The flip side is somewhat different than yours.I can get some pics, but it will likely be next week before they are up here.
Reply:Dan.....if you look at the end of the copper where it is bolted down see if is alu...my mm251 looks like copper also until you look at the end...It has copper paint on my trans....It really does not matter to me. but a little miss leading.Robert D
Reply:Well Cutter, I got mine at Peavey Mart in Red Deer, Alberta.  Now, that doesn't help you any.  It has treated me well, and since lately I have been rigging it up to run off my Miller Bobcat engine drive, and using the CV settings off of that.  I run the flux cored in it, and can get some good welds on some heavier plate, not to mention a much better duty cycle.  I wish it had a longer gun cable, and that the parts for the tips were a little more readily available localy (at the time I did not check Texas Tools), I just bit the bullet and ordered it from Clarke, I needed a new gas tip I think its called, the piece between the gun and the contact tip, the threads got galled up on me.BTW, I get most/all my welding stuff from Milstead's Hardware & Welding in Plainview here.  He treats me well, and so have the guys at TX Tools, I'm just not on a name to name basis there.
Reply:Originally posted by Bolt   He treats me well, and so have the guys at TX Tools, I'm just not on a name to name basis there.
Reply:Thanks for the good info Cutter, I shall put it to good use.
Reply:Hey Bolt,I have a Clarke 180 EN 220V mig and I love it. Finding consumables is pretty easy. The tips are tweco style and I have also seen replacement clarke tips at Sears. The gas nozzle takes the same one as Lincoln's 135 and 175 machines. Lincoln also has a gasless nozzle that will fit. If you are using flux-core wire it gives you a better view of the weld puddle and also keeps spatter from clogging up the diffuser. The only problem with using the gasless nozzle is that you have to be careful to not touch the contact tip to the work. With the gasless nozzel the tip sticks out about 1/4". Both the gas and gasless nozzles are available at Home Depot and Lowes. I haven't tried the Lincoln tips or diffuser but it looks the same as clarke's.Clarke 180 EN.030 wire and C25Oxy/Propane cutting torch
Reply:Well, there you go Bolt.  Sometimes the ether is balanced just right and the answers seem to swarm through the wormhole.  Looks like dfrazier has the info you need.   You gotta love these boards.  Now if Price can extend that cable 2 or 3 feet for you, you'll be set.  I wonder if the little drive motors can handle the extra length?Yeah, thats what i was wondering, but if the little motor goes out, find a bigger one to put on there.
Reply:Here is a description and internal exposure for the HTP Mig welders in an online viewable video sample:http://www.autobodysupply.net/migwel...pproducts2.asfThink they now offer 6 different Mig Welders including the HTP 120 Mig.There is also a video from within the HTP Striker Helmet at this website:http://www.autobodysupply.net/migwel...pproducts2.asfLast edited by JustLooking; 01-24-2004 at 11:27 PM.