HOBART Handler 190

jpfabricator

jpfabricator

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I see Northern tools has the Hobart handeler 190 with spoolgun on sale. Does anyone have one of these? If so what are the pros and cons. Thanks in advance for any help.

Jake Parker
 
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Re: HOBART hadeler 190

I bought my 190 about 2-1/2 years ago. I'm not an expert welder but do find it easy to set up and use. Keep in mind this is not an industrial machine. It's purpose is to satisfy the hobby welder that needs a bit more welding capability than the 110V machines. If you are welding all day long this is not the machine you need.

I don't have the spool gun so can't comment on that. I made my choice after comparing the major manufacturer's offerings in the 150 to 200 amp range. The Hobart stood out both on output and price. Think I paid about $700 delivered to my door.

Hope this is useful information.

Tom S
 
Re: HOBART hadeler 190

I don't have a 190 but I did get a Hobart 210MVP as a Christmas present for myself. I had done some stick welding about 40 years ago and nothing since. I took a mig class at the local community college a few months ago. I like the 210 very much, I find it easier to use and more forgiving than the larger more expensive machines we used in class. I am very happy with my purchase.
 
Re: HOBART hadeler 190

I like my 190 very much. Mine does not have the spool gun but the Hobarts are a good welder.
 
Re: HOBART hadeler 190

I have a millermatic 211. My understanding is that both machines are made in the same factory. One thing to keep in mind is that the 190 is a 220V machine, which is a problem if you take it on the road. The 211 will run on either 110 or 220V, which is nice, but peak output is slightly lower. That is a pretty fantastic price though. I have been really happy with my 211, I think you would be happy with the 190 unless you need to take it on the road.

One thing to count into the price is the cost of gas tanks. That spool gun is intended for aluminum, and you will need an argon tank to go with it. For steel, you will need either a CO2 tank, or an 75/25 Argon/C02 tank unless you plan to stick with flux core wire. Just make sure you count that into your total budget (as well as a helmet, some gloves and an angle grinder).
 
Re: HOBART hadeler 190

it all depends on your expectations for the machine.

Years ago Hobart was a great machine but these days its department store low grade equipment. Yes it works, but you get what you pay for. Its an ok machine for hobby use but a far cry from a Miller or Lincoln.
As far as the spool gun goes, Don't get too excited over it. You are not going to do high quality aluminum welding with it. 190 amps at a low duty cycle is not much power for welding aluminum. You are looking at a machine for light decorative aluminum work.

I know a lot of you Hobby guys dislike my posts and I can understand why. I tell you what you don't want to hear. You want to hear that the low dollar machine will fulfill all your hopes and dream... And I can understand that.
 
Re: HOBART hadeler 190

Jamie, What size AL do you think a hobby guy wouldbe welding? 2"? I am not familiar with this machine but as a welder I know 190 amps can weld at least 3/4 thick in AL. A better question would be arc stability,wire feed control, an current control. Keep in mind that the hobbyist will not be going for an X-ray quality weld and I think it will be fine. I have a lincohn 255 square wave and 125 plus wire machine at the house and I tend to lean on the 125 wire machine for most everyday welding. for AL or SS I use TIG or Stick. if I go above 5/16-3/8 I will use stick. At work anything over 1/2 that requires full pen we would most likely get a wire feeder out there. Yes A hobart would not be a miller or lincohn, but I can not see them as being a bad machine for home use, nor could I not believe that a hobart 190 could not weld at least as big as a Lincohn 125 (now the 135)
 
Re: HOBART hadeler 190

I do not have the 190, but I do have the Ho bart EzTIG 165i, and have NO issues with the quality or performance. Miller owns Hobart because they wanted the lower cost wire and rod product line, and the Hobart welders are for the guys who cannot afford Red or Blue, but I am really happy with everything I touch with mine. I am thinking about giving my son my HF 180MIG and getting Hobart for those jobs. So far/so good. I also have Hobart helmet and am pleased with it as well. Not sure what your expectations are, but thus far I am not disappointed.
 
I was looking for a home shop welder last year and was all set to buy a miller 211 mig, and get a stick welder later, but ran across the ThermalArc 211i, 3 in 1 mig, tig, stick. I've welded with several different miller welders both mig and stick which all did a good job, but this 211i. In my opinion is so much easier and a much smoother arc than the miller 211 and a 304 xmt I had used.
for me it is the perfect home welder having a 200 amp Mig/ stick welder with a better duty cycle and being able to learn to tig is great. I use it on 220v but it has 110a max on 110v which is a big plus if you ever need it.
It is a bit more, at around $1200, than the Hobart on sale and the spool gun for the 211i is an extra $300 but for a 3 in 1 all around welder for the home/shop or farm I think it will do everything I need.
just thought you might want to look at the ThermalArc, now Tweeco, machines if you need more than just MIG.
 
The small hobarts work fine as long as you don't weld long welds..you have to pay attention to the duty cycles..
 
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