Handler 140/ 180?

[Toothmech]

Anyone have any experience with the new 140 or 180 welders from HObart? Apparently the 140 is capable of welding 1/4" on 115V, which is what you used to have to do with the 175 @ 230v, what gives with these new ranges? Just better transformers? Any info would be helpful, as I am getting ready to buy one. Thanks-

Ben

[MAC702]

I don't think the real difference between the 135 and the 140 is worth mentioning. I'll bet the 1/4" advertised is only as a selling point because Lincoln has been overrating this class of machine for years and people are starting to think they can really do this stuff. What they don't tell you is that something that thick would have to be well beveled, and run in multipasses, but then what couldn't be welded that way? I'd rate the 140 at 3/16", and would prefer flux-cored at that thickness, and a bevel.

You could weld 1/4" with a 110V welder, and you could shoot a bear with a bb gun. I don't think you'll try either very long before a certain level of frustration sets in.

Realistically, a 110V MIG is only good to about 1/8" for steel and stainless, and almost completely worthless for aluminum.

[MAC702]

Since I'm not allowed to edit my post, I wanted to clarify that I was referring to top end power when I said the differences probably aren't enough to worry about.

It seems that the HH140 and HH180 have much better control in the thinner ranges over their earlier counterparts.

[Migmaniac]

If power supply isnt a factor get the HH180 it does a great job on 1/4 inch. I have done alot of 1/4 destructive testing and have yet to have one fail. I run .035 solid wire with C25. I could not explain to you how much i am impressed with this machine.