Northern Industrial 140 vs. Hobart Handler 140

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Taking advice from another thread I am going to do away with buying a cheap welder. Granted all I need it for is for minuscule tasks, there is the occasional ''big thing'' i should be prepared for anyways and its just better to have a quality welder.I got a loan from a friend, so price is sub 500 now.I have narrowed this down to needing 110v, flux/solid core capability.I am looking at for 430 dollars a Norther Industrial mig/stick welderhttp://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...Product%20PageAnd the hobart handler 140http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...6073_200306073from what I read the norther industrial is a Lincoln clone, and the Hobart is a millermatic clone.Edit-A third option I didnt really consider but I will throw in the mix anyways it the Norther industrial 135 mig only welderhttp://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...2691_200332691It only produces 5 less amps and costs more then 100 dollars less then the other norther and almost 200 less then the hobart.Last edited by ArrizX; 10-12-2009 at 01:27 AM.
Reply:Get the Hobart Handler 140.  Not much more money for a good machine with a good track record.Your gonna wish you had a 220V machine next.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Yeah... but I cant do a 220v right now.Would it be worth paying the extra to get a continuous welder vs. a tapped welder.I was looking at the millermatic 140 autoset. For not toooooooo much more and a bit of saving it might be worth it to have the infinite control for heat. However it can only weld to 3/16 ot 1/4  like the hobart.
Reply:Continuous is the only way to go.  With that, you can "fine tune" your weld voltage & amperage (wire speed).My HH 175 has a tapped voltage selector, my Lincoln SP 175 has a continuous voltage selector.  Both have a continuous selector on the wire speed dial.  The Lincoln is easier to fine tune to the steel & welder's temperment, the Hobart runs beautiful welds with the tapped voltage selector.My Lincoln doesn't weld according to the chart inside the door, but if I play with it a bit, it does a great job.  It's also set up to run Flux Core & the Hobart uses gas & solid wire.I'm partial to the Hobart welder's, because this was the first one I bought.  With my manufacturing business I'm going Lincoln for support reasons.  Not knowing exactly who built the Northern Tool brand, I would go with Hobart, mainly for the name & easier to find troubleshooting help.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Save up and go for the miller 140.  Or save some more and get a miller 211.  That would tide you over with 110 for now and be capable of 220 later.  And yes, infinite controls are worth the extra $$$.My name's not Jim....
Reply:I would look for a used Millermatic 135 or 140 if you want 110v mig or a used Millermatic 175 or 180 if you want a 220v mig.   My Millermatic 175 was $500 lightly used in near new condition only about a year old and included the cart and an 80 cf argon/mix bottle and regulator and a practicaly new roll of wire in the machine and a spare roll too.  Found that deal on Craig's List online classifieds.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I bought an A-stock reconditioned HH140 from Tool King for under $400.  I see that they are currently at $419 though.  I like the HH140 so far, even though I've only gone through a 2lb roll of flux core.My main reason for getting a 115v welder were because I mainly wanted a welder for autobody work and lighter metal projects.  I went with the HH140 because of the great reviews that I saw on the net.  These guys are right about wanting a 220v though.  Now that I've started welding, I'm seeing all sorts of projects that I could potentially build in the future.  Once I build a new garage/shop, I'll try to budget in a big air compressor and a bigger welder.  For now, I'll have to rely on the old Lincoln tombstone arc welder for my thicker projects!
Reply:Nothing wrong with the Tapped machine- Miller's MM210 is a Tapped machine - probably one of the best machine's in its class.The 140 machines are 120v and are  limited by the input power.Save the money for the Bottle of gas and the rest of the gear yer gonna need.Ed 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:I have a HH 140 and it will work for you, as you get better and need to weld more than I would liik at the MM 211. I use the 140 about 7 to 20 hr. a month. What ever you get have fun.   And you can move up later as your $$$ gets better.
Reply:Originally Posted by Thats HotI have a HH 140 and it will work for you, as you get better and need to weld more than I would liik at the MM 211. I use the 140 about 7 to 20 hr. a month. What ever you get have fun.   And you can move up later as your $$$ gets better.