Just ordered the Hobar Handler 187. After trying for months to find some sort of welding classes that I could squeeze in and/or afford...and then failing, I came to the conclusion that the only way I'll learn is to bite the bullet and buy a machine and practice.

This little machine looked like it was designed well enough for a newbie, and yet capable enough to help me fab bumpers, sliders, exo, and whatever else. Found it for $650 brand new shipped. I'll get it in 1.5 weeks, can't wait!!

http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/handler187.html

 

ooh.... nice, I want one =)

 

By the way, I ordered it from http://northerntool.com/ Pretty decent with free shipping on it.

 

I want to learn how to weld as well...i dont wanna pay for classes tho, so I'm probably gonna have a friend of mine teach me.

 

i have the Hobart 185, which is the older version of yours. its a great welder for the price, i use a co2/argon mix for shielding gas, i got mine a few years ago for around 700 locally, have fun!!!

 

Got the 220V Circuit/Outlet run today in the garage to power the machine. UPS needs to work faster!

 

I just learned how to weld last week. I enjoyed it a lot. I go to the University of Colorado so i took a class there. Now Im looking for a good MIG welder for a good price. this looks like one.

 

that is the perfect beginner welder. You will likely never need to upgrade, that welder can do most everything. Good selection. Now get some gas and a decent spool of wire (the .025 stuff it probably comes with is crap) and go to town.

 

Yep, that's one better than the one I got(the 140). It runs on 120VAC, not 240VAC, which is VERY convenient. Other than that yours is better.

 

I just got a lincoln 140... what size tanks are you running on your shielding gas and how long does it last?

I was looking at a 40 CF .. but was told to get at least 80CF...

 

Good to hear the positive response on it. Brown Santa just dropped it off today! Just need to get a mask, gas, wire, other safey stuff....oh and some metal to start practicing on!

 

I have a 40. What can I say, it was cheap. I think it depends on how much welding you plan to do. I can say that you can definitely lay down a lot of wire with a 40 before you need to fill it. As a "hobby" welder I feel it is more than enough for me. In addition I have small torch bottles as well. Now those have to be filled very frequently so getting the MIG bottle filled isn't a big deal, LOL.

How long will a bottle will last is a very relative question so don't expect a solid answer...

 

This was what I was looking for... just personal experience.. sorry did not mean to thread jack. Hopefully this will help Pest as well..

 

Laid my first few weld beads today (finally). They aren't very pretty...I haven't had a chance to go to the welding supply store to get some gas and solid wire. It only came with a small reel of Flux Core. I'm sure with practice and time it'll get better.

 

if you want post some pics of your welds and we can point you in the right direction...

Congrats on your new welder