What Do You Think About This Welder?

blageo23 · 12-04-2006

What do you guys think of this welder?
http://www.jandrweldingsupply.com/st...rmatic135.html

Its a millermatic 135 MIG welder.

**Halon** · 12-04-2006

Doesn't look too bad. Looks similar to what we have. We have a hobart 135, but seems to be basically the same thing. We used it to make my exhaust, my charge piping, my buddies exhaust, a manifold, and fix other peoples random crap. It's great for around the house type stuff.

A//// Guy · 12-04-2006

I have the Hobart 135 as well. Works well for basic stuff.

**JET** · 12-04-2006

The hobart is definitely the best of the small welders, the 135 or 140 is what you should look at. The 140 is the newer version of the 135. Be sure to get one with the gas option, flux core sucks.

Super Bleeder!! · 12-04-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by JET

flux core sucks.

Quoted for truth!

blageo23 · 12-04-2006

Well is the miller as good as the hobart? I just bought a miller 135...

blageo23 · 12-04-2006

This is going to be used "around the house".

rst95eclipse · 12-05-2006

Miller is the best hands down when it comes to welders. If I remember right, Miller owns Hobart. I have the Hobart 140 and the nozzle is made by Miller. Do not use flux core on projects. If you get some with the unit, use it for practicing on scrap. Shielding gas will give you the best results.

**JET** · 12-05-2006

That is a bunch of crap, Miller is not the best welder across the board. Hobart is not owned by Miller either, although both are owned by ITW as well as some other brands. They are run as separate entities though.

Miller doesn't have the best small welders, the Hobart is the best in the 140 range, then the lincoln 175 is very good, then you get into the Miller line. The same is similar in the TIG's except that is where Miller really shines, the Thermal Arc 185 is the best small TIG until you get to the Dynasty 200 which is slightly better, but costs a lot more. The Dynasty 300 is the shit though. Then you have the industry standard Miller Syncrowave 250 (which I have one of) which is the king of non-inverter TIG's.

rst95eclipse · 12-05-2006

I guess memory doesn't serve me right. Lincoln, Miller, and Hobart are all great welders. I just don't understand how you can say that Miller isn't the best, when.........

A. You run one.
B. Hobart is the cheaper product. Miller is top of the line. Period.
C. They pride themselves on being the best. Which is why they are the industry standard.
D. Hobart uses Miller parts. If they were the best, I wouldn't be seeing "Miller" on my nozzle.

If you disagree, please tell me why. Don't rant about TIG and larger welders. And by the way, I bought a Hobart because it was cheaper. In the end, the quality of the weld is up to the operator.

Bode · 12-05-2006

Yah, I have a Hobart as well, I love it. I have never used a small Miller welder, but I liked using there bigger welders.

And I am pretty sure as well that Miller does own Hobart.

rst95eclipse · 12-05-2006

No. He's right that they're sister companies under Illinios Tool Works. However, Miller manufactures the welders for Hobart. By the way, there is a rumor that I found on a welding forum that after Hobart sells out of their newest versions, they're being dropped........for Miller.

**JET** · 12-05-2006

Hobart is actually manufactured overseas, so Miller does not make them. The miller parts you are seeing on your hobart are called consumables, you could put a lincoln tip on the end too, but that doesn't make it a lincoln. That just means Miller is bigger.

I am a Miller guy. I even just got a Miller hat! I think they have the best overall line, but that doesn't make them the best in every category. Miller is mainly focused on industrial applications, that is why the R&D is focused on the big machines, some of their smaller machines are out done by other companies. There are a lot of guys that will argue that Lincoln is better, but I have never had as good of luck with them. I haven't used a lot of Lincoln's either though, maybe 5 different models.

Hobart has a good little welder. I think it is because they are made overseas and use a bigger power supply versus what the american made machines can afford to put in a machine at that price level.

rst95eclipse · 12-05-2006

"Welcome to the web site operated by Hobart Welders ("Hobart Welders"), manufactured by Miller Electric Mfg Co., a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works (ITW). " - www.hobartwelders.com

I'm not saying that Hobart or Lincoln are crap. I've used all three and they all worked great. I was most impressed by Miller.

blageo23 · 12-05-2006

Cool, It looks like overall it should be a good welder for my needs. does anyone know where to get a tank and some gas and stuff?

**JET** · 12-05-2006

Minnesota Oxygen is one of the cheapest I have found, there is one right up in Blaine on 65. You can also check Toll Gas.

The little Miller will be a decent little welder for ya.

tim · 12-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by blageo23

Cool, It looks like overall it should be a good welder for my needs. does anyone know where to get a tank and some gas and stuff?

I would listen to JET over me cause I am not in your area but I believe Praxair is in your area too. I have dealt with them before and have had success.

rst95eclipse · 12-06-2006

Practice, practice, practice. You'll find that it's very addicting once you find you're making progress.