Hobart 175

[john pen]

Anyone have any thoughts on the Hobart 175amp mig welder ? Harbor freight has it for $600.

[Aaron]

It's a great little machine for many applications, a bit small for others. You'll need to be a bit more specific on your needs if you are looking for whether or not it wil meet them.

I bought one about a year ago. It was a major step up from my HH135, but still to small for my needs. It is a great machine though. I highly recommend it for people wanting a MIG to learn on and complete projects using up to 1/4" steel/SS. It is underpowered for aluminum, though.

[john pen]

Ill be using it for some light fab work..prob not over 1/4 inch. Ive got a stick welder for the heavier stuff. Id like a bigger machine, but of course $$$$ is always an issue. Do we think its worth the extra money on the step up from a 135- $450 vs $600 .

[Aaron]

I wouldn't own a 135-class machine again. Others love them. It really depends on what you're using it for. It really isn't suited for fabrication using anything larger than 1/8". The 110V units are really only suited for sheetmetal.

The 175-class machines are a significant step up from there. I was able to weld materials as thick as 3/8" using multiple passes, and I tried 1/2" on occasion. Needless to say that it wasn't pretty. Very poor penetration.

Look at it this way: While you can always turn the machine down, there is only so far you can turn it up. The HH175 will do everything the HH135 can do, and more. It basically doubles your capacity, and does it for about $100 to $150 more. That's money well spent. Your available power shouldn't be an issue, as you already have the other machine (I assume it's a 50A 240VAC).

If you didn't have the arc machine, I'd be suggesting a MM210. :D

[john pen]

Aaron,
Thanks for the info...I think Im gonna get the 175. For the price I think it will be an excellant "first mig".

[Aaron]

Originally posted by john pen
Aaron,
Thanks for the info...I think Im gonna get the 175. For the price I think it will be an excellant "first mig".


Ha! :D Aint that the truth! "First MIG" is an excellent description. I'm on my fourth MIG in three years, my fifth machine. :D The last go round my wife told me to get the one I wanted, because I was done after that! :D Got a MM251, and I have had no reason to look back yet.

That HH175 is a great little weder, and really does a nice job for the money. I like mine. Good luck in your new addiction, err, I mean hobby. :D

[Franz]

2.0 perhaps your next approach to the wife ought to be along the lines of needing a machine to start an industrial arts program for the home schooling folks.
It might work.

[1911Man]

John Pen: I just bought an HH 175 and I love it! Of course I'm just learning but it seems to be a great machine for that. Aaron's advice is right on the money including the part about the addiction. I suggest you check out B&R welding.com, I paid $565 for mine,no shipping, no tax. There has been a price increase recently {Miller/Hobart} but you should ask for Bob and see what he quotes you. It'll be less than HF anyway.

[joehobart]

john, my 'first mig' was also a HH175. I love it for applications within its range, smooth arc, especially for steel. I would like to know more about your intended projects though. The 175 is limited in what it can do, and for 400-500 more you can go with a mm210 that can spray, and handle much thicker material. Give us some better details, and we can give you better pointed advice.

[john pen]

Intended use...hmmm..truck repair\fabrication...welding square tube, round pipe...I think it'll be a tool that once I have it, Ill find all kinds of things to make....My daughters very interested in learning to weld as she's seen a lot of "art"...so Im kind of kidding myself into saying Im buying it for the whole family...Ive got a stick Ive been using for longer than Id like to think, so I can do hitches and plow frames ect...$$$$ is definetly an issue here, so waiting till I can afford a bigger machine may take a little while...but Im still in the learning stage here with the mig, and Im not rushing into anything. The stick serves my purpose for now, but sometimes it can be a pain in the a#$ ! Ill have to go back and look at the pricing on the 210 and read some specs...the 175 seems to be the most welder avail for the money....

[Sberry]

If you have a 210 you will ditch the stick about 95+ % of the time. The 175 is good too and you will find feeders VERY useful, especially for light work, brackets etc. You will never believe it could do small stuff so easily compared to stick.

[Wheat]

Go for the MM210. It has a "standard" running gear to attach the bottle. You are going to want to get a bottle of shielding gas. The fluxcore will weld. But it won't be pretty and the learning curve is higher. The running gear is safer for the bottle. You have a missle if the valve breaks off...You won't regret the 210....