IronMan 210 or Handler 175

[Dman033189]

I was wondering what I would gain if I got the Ironman 210 because I was looking at the Handler 175 but I think I might be better off with the Ironman210. The biggest thing I would want to weld would be a log splitter but I do have an arc welder I could do it with.

[arcdawg]

if you want to save some $$$ go with the 175, and if you want a bigger machine look into the miller line like a 210 or a 250 so you can run a spool gun in the future !!!

[morpheus]

If I were considering a 210 amp machine I'd definitely spend the extra money and step up to the Miller 210, you get ALOT more machine for the money compared to the Ironman 210. Compare the machine specs and you'll see.

[Dman033189]

Alright thats what I thought I read on another post I'll look at the millers.

[Sberry]

Agreed, the gun alone is worth the price difference in the MM210. The 210 is a perfect machine for small shop.

[Dman033189]

Just because I've never touched a mig welder and know nothing about them I was wondering what the difference was between the Hobart and the Miller.

[Markopolo]

The difference is the paint job.

[morpheus]

I'm afraid there's alot more to it than the paint job when you reach the 210 amp class of machines and above


Hobart Ironman 210:

150A, 23V DC at 40% duty cycle
30 - 210
M-10 gun
weight: 144 lb.



Millermatic 210:

160 Amps at 24.5 VDC, 60% duty cycle
30 - 210 Amps
M-25 mig gun (a 12 ft, 250 amp gun)
weight: 200 lb.

[Markopolo]

Morpheus....I only know what i've been told.

When I was in the market for a new little stick machine, I was looking at the stickmate 235 ac/dc....the guy at the welding store said the stickmate and the thunderbolt XL are the same price.
I said: "What's the difference"? He said: "the paint job".
I said: "for the same price, I'll GO BLUE !"

He said Hobart & Miller are one in the same !

[Markopolo]

AND.......when I unpacked my little HH135.....guess what I found ?

A MILLER GUN ATTACHED TO IT ! :)

[Dman033189]

So do you guys think that a hobart 210 would do for me because $ is an issue I don't think I will be welding all the time.

[morpheus]

Markopolo, you're right in that the stick machines are the same but once you get above a 135 amps in a MIG machine they're not the same ....

[Markopolo]

Dman....I don't think I would look at it in term's of "How much welding" you plan on doing.....personally, I would look at it in the terms of: "What do I want to weld" ?

My two cents is: If you want to play with heavy stuff...STICK !
If you want a nice, slow, elegant method of welding....O/A !

MIG, in my humble opinion, was designed for high production rate's....something the "saturday afternoon" weldor doesn't need....(although, there are time's when my HH135 fit's the need perfectly) !

I can't say anything about TIG because I don't have one, and I know NOTHING about it....BUT, from what I read on this site, It might be something to look into....I know I want to......(maybe an econotig will be my next toy) !

My point is.....ask yourself these 3 questions:
#1 - What do I want to weld ?
#2 - Why do I want to weld it this way ?
#3 - Is there a better way to do it ?

[Brad-Man]

I bought the MM175. The only 1/4" stuff I'll be/have been welding is the car rotisserie - the rest will be body and subchassis stuff. I could verey easily have gone purple, but glad I went BLUE - there is a definite difference in some parts plastic vs aluminum/steel.

Yes they are built in the same plant and share some parts, but $ do tell...

[Sberry]

As far as I know the only one exactly the same except for paint is the Stickmate and Thunderbolt.

[Sberry]

As far as what welder as was stated, there are lots of choices, I have them all,,, but I used 2 feeders today. Didnt consider anything else. A 200A feeder would see some use.

[Dan]

Originally posted by Dman033189
So do you guys think that a hobart 210 would do for me because $ is an issue I don't think I will be welding all the time.

Personally i d go with the MM 210 or PM 215 over the Ironman 210, but, if you cannot afford the extra $150+ then the Ironman 210 is definitely a better choice then one of the 175 amp machines.

[OlPilot]

To help settle the issue of whether the Miller 210 and the Hobart Ironman 210 are functionally equivalent, check the parts listing in the owner's manuals for each, available on their respective web sites. You'll note that many of the P/N' s are identical, but the P/N's for the transformers and chokes are not. Since there is also a big difference in suggested retail prices (although admittedly, the different guns account for much of that), I would believe that the Miller 210 should have more capability, as advertised.