DavidP2211 Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 Welding semi-newbie here. I'm looking at a hobby level welder to put some tooling together and do general equipment repairs. I will not be doing anything more than maybe a very rare 1/2 inch thick equipment repair with the vast majority of stuff being 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick (think brush hogs with cracked welds or putting together attachment points on frames). I try to buy US made equipment so am willing to pay a premium for US. I'm thinking a Millermatic 211 or a Hobart 240. I have an ancient Lincoln stick welder with my beads being, well, functional but by no stretch pretty. Everything I've read about MIG tells me they are a lot easier to do a decent job. My Lincoln is on its last leg which is why I need to replace it. All in I don't want to spend more than maybe $2,500 or so. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 Either of those welders would work fine for you. I have a Hobart IronMan 240 and like it alot. It is a larger machine and less "portable" but it is pretty much it's own cart as well having the built in gas bottle holder. It does fine welding on thicker metal. I bought it because my lincoln 135 wasn't up to the task of welding thicker metal. I don't really use the hobart for thinner metal since I keep the lincoln loaded with .025 wire and the hobart with .030- .035 wire. It is a well built welder. As far as the millermatic, they are good well built machines. I've used older ones and they welded nicely. Be sure to factor in your argon/co2 gas bottle, and I recommend getting a larger one so you dont have to get it filled as often. I dont think you would regret either machine. It's not like considering off brands that their quality and functionality may be questionable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidP2211 Posted June 5 Author Share Posted June 5 Thanks. I figured either of these would work but it is good to hear other folks' opinions. You are pretty much my neighbor - I'm just east of Pittsburgh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted June 5 Share Posted June 5 Hi neighbor, I'm about 45minutes south of the city. If you want to you'd be welcome to stop by to try that hobart out to see if you like it. If mig welding is new to you I could show you some pointers. Pm me if youd like. I did aquire an older millermatic but ended up selling it a few years back. Nothing wrong with the machine just that I already had two mig welders and with all my other stuff I figured I'd pass it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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