Miller vs. Hobart - Any real difference?

[davido]

Are Miller's worth the extra money?

I'm looking for a new welder that will run off of my garage electrical (no 220). These were the two that I was looking at, but

http://store.cyberweld.com/millermatic135.html

http://store.cyberweld.com/hobhan135.html

That's where I bought my first one. Now Northern has it for even less.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...6073_200306073


Anyone have good feedback on this?

[BroncoJo]

Hobart's are the chinese knock-off of Miller. I would say yes there is a difference and yes miller is worth it.

[davido]

Hobart's are the chinese knock-off of Miller. I would say yes there is a difference and yes miller is worth it.

Um, no. They're both owned by the same company, Illinois Iron Works I believe.

This was a helpful thread though: http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...-vs-miller-140

The main difference, besides the colors, seem to be the adjust-ability of the power. Maybe a few other parts are Black and Decker quality versus DeWalt commercial. Both have the new dual voltage which is cool. Miller maybe has an automatic setting that the Hobart doesn't.

[BroncoJo]

Hmm did not know that me and Evan have the exact same plasma but his is a Miller 625 and mine is a hobart 625, mine feels like the Chinese knock-off compared to his. Also he has a Hobart welder and I have a lincoln Welder, I prefer my welder.

[mudtoy67]

I've used both, and for what we do with our welders there's not really a difference. Maybe someone who welds every day might notice, but I don't think the miller would be worth the extra cash for small time fab.

FTR - I have a Hobart Handler 210

[KrazyKarl02]

Also Dave, a 110 volt welder sucks. The duty cycle on that thing is 20%, so for every 2 minutes you weld, you will have to wait 8 minutes for it to cool down.

I have had a hobart for years, Doug has one, BDR has one, Jones has one, for the amount of welding we do I think they are fine. Knoeller bought a Miller and he says having the infinite adjustability screws him up more than it helps.

[tigweld]

Hmm did not know that me and Evan have the exact same plasma but his is a Miller 625 and mine is a hobart 625, mine feels like the Chinese knock-off compared to his. Also he has a Hobart welder and I have a lincoln Welder, I prefer my welder.

you are comparing bottom of the line plasma cutters, hobart and miller are def not on the top of the game when it comes to plasma.

I also have a handler 120 with .023 wire and i love it for it's portability and has plenty of juice to stick together 3/16 good and 1/4 alright.

if i was looking for another 110volt i would not waste my money on a miller hobart is fine and all the replacement parts are miller anyway

[davido]

The duty cycle on that thing is 20%, so for every 2 minutes you weld, you will have to wait 8 minutes for it to cool down.

Sounds like it's perfect for my work pace.

Thanks guys.

[ZJ96]

Glad i saw this....im goin to pick out my new welder tomorrow!

[DRAGOONRANCH]

As the 'black and decker' parts on the hobart wear out, just replace them with miller parts. Easy Squeazzy!

[AggieTJ2007]

As the 'black and decker' parts on the hobart wear out, just replace them with miller parts. Easy Squeazzy!

thats basically how it works with hobart machines. Hobart is millers "hobby" line which is perfect for most of us.