Last week I decided I had to have this welder. I’d actually been looking at MIG welding machines for a few years, but just couldn’t justify buying one. I have access to a fab shop, I’ve taken a short intro to welding class, now I’m building a tubing bender out of some pretty thick steel, and I need something pretty heavy duty to weld it up anyway. Perfect timing!
Hobart Handler 210
This is the Hobart Handler 210 model. Hobart is made by Miller, so it should be quality stuff. Plus, some of the parts (including the gun) that came with it are actual Miller parts – stamped with the Miller logo. This is the largest (highest amps) Handler. I went for the largest based on one suggestion that I read on Hobart’s message board. It was something like: “Buying larger only hurts once – when you pay for it. If you get something smaller you’ll be kicking yourself for years.” Actually I do need all that power for the 1/4″ steel that I’m welding. And besides, when I finally get a spool gun to do aluminum, the wire speed control is built in to the unit. So it wasn’t all an impulse purchase.