I'm sure sharpe will give you some lessons of you dangle a keystone in front of him :gigem:
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Ok, so I bought a bottle of the argon mix and got it hooked up. Dumb question, but do you just crack the bottle open slightly, then adjust at the regulator to around 20? Then what? Does the gas only flow when the machine is on? Or only when I pull the trigger?
Correct, just open the bottle then adjust the regulator. The gas only comes out when you pull the trigger.
open the bottle all the way
you dont need to open the bottle all the way! a 1/4 turn is all that is needed and much safer, economical should something happen to the line from regulator to machine. to adjust pressure the gas needs to be flowing, ie trigger pressed on.
So is miller still the way to go or for the not everyday user is Hobart good enough? How does the Hobart Handler 210 compare to the Miller 211? Seems like the Hobart is more powerful than the miller for the same money. I wonder if it is any good.
I have a lincoln 100-hd that some one can have if they come get it from me. It needs a new gun (magnum 100), liner and a new positive terminal stud but other then that I think it should operate just fine. It is set up for 0.35 flux core but has the gas nozzel installed. I used it for years with no issues. Then it fell off my workbench and I used it as an excuse to buy a new hobart 140 unit. Free to a good home.
I think Hobart is fine, Krebs, BDR, and I all have Hobarts and they seem work to work fine. Biggest difference that I know between Hobart and Miller is generally Miller has infinitely variable power and a Hobart will just have like 5 settings.
Someone who actually knows something about welding, like Sam or Creighton should chime in.
We have a Hobart 175 and it works great for anything I need.
I'll take that welder. I'll be in dallas on the weekend of the 8th if that's cool. Assuming I'm considered a good home haha
Hobart's are just made in china millers, my Hobart plasma uses miller replacement parts. Hobart generally has less features and maybe one notch down on quality from miller.
This.
Hobart welders are essentially cheaper millers that are slightly lower quality. We have millers, but we operate them every day for most of the day. If you are just going to occasionally use them Hobarts are just fine. Evan has a Hobart 210 in college station which has welded a ton of stuff for the club and works like a champ.
If you are interested I still have both of my Miller 251s for sale. Haven't gotten around to listing them locally yet. Both work great and have brand new guns. wanting $1500 each OBO
Duty cycle is the most important factor to consider.
General welding on 1/4 mild steel will run about 125-150 amps for the average user. The hobart 211 gives you a 30% duty cycle at 150 amps. Miller 211 is the exact same.
In comparison the Miller 212 and Hobart 230 give you 160 and 175 amps at 60% duty cycle. For welding structural members this will allow you to weld nearly continuously on a vehicle without hitting the duty cycle. The miller will have a smoother arc and better adjustment.
If you can swing it I would buy one of Sams miller 251's. If I had the cash I would buy one for myself as they are really nice machines.
For the record I have a Miller 211 (older 212) and it is a great machine, I have never hit the duty cycle on it and I have run several 33lb spools of wire though the machine without any issues.
Where are the 251s located? I am intersted.
yea i do thanks. brian is moving back to the us so he will be taking his welder when he buys a house so i need a replacement even if its just till i buy a big one. also iirc these little ones are better for sheet metal work and i need to replace some body panels on a few projects.