Found this-
"In 1996, Illinois Tool Work (Miller) purchased Hobart Brothers. As part of the acquisition, the government would not allow us to purchase the rights to manufacture welding products rated at 250 amps and above. The documentation support for those products went to various companies that purchased the manufacturing rights. However, we will make a reasonable effort to supply you with the proper owners manual for any older machine that we have been provided the documentation for. "

Miller has infinite adjustment, Hobart has selections. The wrapper looks the same. Unless i missed it, it doesn't look like Hobart has the safety reset on the front, so I don't know what kind of overheat protection it has. I've heard that a few Hobart internals (I don't know which specificly) are plastic, while being aluminum in the Miller. I imagine it's whether you want to pay the extra $200 for pro grade over hobby grade? That said, I haven't heard of any real complaints about Hobart anyway.

Something else to think about. you might find a nice used one out there if somebody's hurting to sell in this economy.

 

Good point.. i got my lincoln for 100 bucks with a cart, hand-held hood, gloves and some various c-clamps.
Have you looked at Craigslist in the San Antonio area?

 

Miller makes some really nifty dual voltage machines. Need heavy duty welds? Plug it into 220. Need versatility? Plug it into 110. They are a tad more spendy than other machines, but they cover a lot of ground.

I have a dual voltage plasma cutter, Tig and a MiG.

ESAB makes some good stuff. I wouldn't pass up a good deal on their stuff.

Whatever you do, go for a larger machine than you think you need. Trust me on that, if nothing else.

Good luck,
garrett

 

the 300 amp machine you started talking about to begin with is a production class machine, not a hobby welder. If you wanting a hobby welder, look for a cracker box that will do a 180 amps or so at 50% duty cycle.

 

Just did. There are a few machines there, but nothing grabbed me.

 

I know, but for stuff like this I tend to go overkill. Will admit that this was a bit extreme. A 180 amp machine will do just fine, even with a 50% duty cycle.

 

If you can afford 300 amp, 100% duty cycle, go for it. again, I advise a miller multiprocess 450A unit. just in case you decide to spray arc 3/32 wire. altho, you might wanna make sure you got some nice thick metal...

Then again, after looking at the xmt456, you gotta have 3 phase power...

 

Been poking around on the internet and it is beginning to look as though the Hobart 140 MIG may be the best bang for my buck, because Northern Tool has them on sale for $480. Can't find them any cheaper anywhere nor another machine that is close to this.
Admittedly the duty cycle is only 20% @ 90 amps, but for my kind of welding, can't see that as a major obstacle.

Thanks Redleg for the info on the difference between Hobart and Miller. I can't justify the the extra approx $200 to go for the Millar equivalent.

I can't really justify the $480 for what I will probably use this for, but it does appear to cover all bases.

Any comments or suggestions from anybody about my almost decision?

 

wimp...

get the 300 amp...

 

remember when you use a mig the metal has to be clean,as no rust,stick is not that fussy