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[coolidge]

Looking at the Hobart Ironman 230, anyone have one? Likes? Dislikes?

[slimjim]

I have the Ironman 210 and have had it for about 15 years, Great unit in my opinion! You are more than welcome to come on down and try it out on several of the projects that I have going on in my shop if you like! Whom are you looking to buy one from? I got mine from Maine Oxy in South Portland, they are very knowledgable, always have what I need, they deliver, and great guys to work with!

[heatthefarm]

I have a Lincoln 250 mig- Great machine - bought it at Matheson's in Portland, ME

[juddspaintballs]

I wish I had a big machine like that.  I just have a Hobart Handler 180.  It works for 95% of what I need to weld around here, but I'd like to have a bigger machine for the remaining 5%.  Back in December I burned about 12# of wire welding up a trailer from scratch. 

[coolidge]

I am going to go through Maine Oxy, i have dealt with them before and they are a good group.

Slim,   I would love to come down, work doesn't seem to be letting up.

[RSI]

Take a look at ESAB (or L-Tex if older) Migmaster 250. You can find them used cheap once in a while. I bought one a few years ago and love it. After buying it, I was looking at some forums and found lots of people saying it is the best welder out there. Many claimed to have gotten rid of their Millers and kept them.

[slimjim]

The thing I like about Lincoln and Hobart are that any parts and or supplies that I need only takes 1 phone call to Maine Oxy and it is delivered right to my shop next day, I do not do a whole lot of welding but when I have a project in my shop, it needs to get done and out of the shop right away! Besides they have a cool welding cap that bears their name, keeps all that hair out of my face and gets strange looks from folks who don't know it's a welding cap.

[mlappin]

Long as you keep to a major brand name you really can't go wrong, that and check country of origin, some things still are at least assembled in this country. Personally I love my Miller 3 phase machine.

[Wood Nutt]

I was told the Hobart's are the entry level welders, fine if you don't use them every day.  they have plastic gears and don't hold up to more condinual use.  Lincoln is better and Miller better yet.  I don't weld enough to verify, but have a couple of friends that make a living at it and they suscribe to this opinion, basically you get what you pay for.

[slimjim]

My Hobart has never broken or stripped a gear, I've used a lot of wire in 15 years

[coolidge]

I won't buy it if it has plastic gears. Seems the Hobart had a better duty cycle, maybe not though can't remember.

[willieG]

been using the same stick welder for over 30 years

[juddspaintballs]

Hobart and Miller are the same company.  It's like buying a Ford or a Mercury...same thing pretty much, just a few minor differences and one has more creature comforts usually.

[dukethebeagle]

i`m with willie .i got an old 300 amp canadian tire welder``harbour freight ``style store
it must be 30 or 40 years old
weld like butter and strong enough that i cut most steel with it
those miller thunder something or other are not great
the dials for the amps screw up alot

[oldchenowth]

Had a Hobart handler 90 for years and upgraded to a Miller 251 about a decade ago.  Wish I had kept the Hobart for the dunebuggy trailer but would not trade my 251 for anything.  Miller and Hobart are now the same company, should not be an issue of quality.  I don't think I would hesitate to buy one.