It wouldn't be my 1st choice for thin material. FC wire simply burns too hot to do thin work easily. I've have gone with the HH 125 instead, because you can use solid wire and gas to weld thinner material. Also despite what Hobart says, you won't really get good welds over say 14ga. Even the 140 amp class machines running FC wire top out at roughly 1/8". These little machines are really overated for use in real world conditions.

That said Hobart makes a good machine. I've never had any issues with any of the Hobarts I've ever used. You won't have many of the issues you'd have with say a HF fluxcore only machine. Used within it's limits it will serve you well without any mods.

 

One of the reasons I didn't go with the cheaper Harbor Freight (or other similar) was that they are hot all the time, I don't think that is safe. I don't really have any expectations to do anything over about 1/8 with this welder. Nice to know they are solid machines.

 

Set the unit up with a good .030 wire, and as long as you have an input voltage that hovers right around 120V, the 4th output range will produce a high enough energy arc to handle 1/8" material. The above is based on my experience running the unit with it plugged in the wall outlet or using a short extension cord (around 15 feet in length). The unit was also being ran on a dedicate 20 or 30 amp circuit.

 

I had a Hobart Handler 125ez in the shop for review (link to the review below) and it performed just fine within its listed range. A buddy of mine bought the welder from me and he loves it. Like any welder you have to understand its limitations. If those limits fit your needs, its a great little machine.

http://www.newmetalworker.com/Reviews/hbrthndlr125rvu.html