As a welder, you need to understand the importance of having the right welding machine in your garage or home. With the different welding machine options on the market, selecting the best that will satisfy all your needs can be hard. Finding a MIG welder that is affordable and capable of welding boss aluminum and steel is even harder.
Hobart handler 190 is one of the best there is on the market. Made by a powerful and well-established brand, you can only expect the best from this welder. It is a versatile general-use welder, which comes with various essential features. The Hobart handler 190 is durable, and we guarantee it will stand the test of time from frequent to use. Continue Reading our Hobart handler 190 review to know more about this unit and why every world that is talking about it.
Who should buy this welder?
You can buy this welder if you are looking for a powerful welder to handle your light industrial tasks. In case you have worked with the Hobart handler 140 and the power wasn’t enough for you, then this unit is a great choice.
The welder is suitable for those dealing in construction and maintenance jobs, DIYers, light industrial work, automotive work as well as farm and ranch work. Its high output that it offers makes it an even more ideal candidate for such jobs.
Things to consider before buying a MIG welder
Application
You need to understand the type of welding you are to handle before you purchase a welder. There are various options on the market today, and each comes with different capabilities. MIG welders are not capable of handling aluminum welding unless you get the optional spool gun. It is strongly advisable that before buying a welding machine, you need to know what it is going to do for you.
Spool gun
As we mentioned, most MIG welders are not capable of welding aluminum material. Consider a MIG welder that comes with the best spool gun to weld aluminum. One that has a quick-release feature will work well for you. In case the MIG welder of your choice doesn’t have the spool gun included, then you’ll have to buy it separately.
Thermal overload protection
Overheating is a common problem that most might welders face. Once the machine overheats, it will shut down, and you’ll have to wait a couple of minutes for it to cool before you resume operations. Therefore, to overcome such problems, you have to consider a machine that comes with thermal overload protection and other safety features.
Voltage input
A welding machine that comes with a dual voltage input feature is ideal if you will be working at different locations, including your home. Your home voltage rating is lower than the industrial voltage rating. Therefore, a machine with two voltage inputs is the best choice.
MIG wire
A MIG welder requires a wire installed into it to feed through the MIG gun and then to the weld pool. The wire sizes are different; for example, some are thicker while others come as a roll of Flux-cored wire. We suggest you go for a MIG welder with thicker wire for the best quality welds.
Hobart Handler 190 welder
The Hobart handler 190 is a MIG/Flux core welder, which comes with lots of Perks to offer you. It’s not only a popular unit on the market but also more powerful than the Hobart handler 140. It can be powered by both electricity and a generator, making it a perfect mobile unit to take with you anywhere.
The unit is portable; its size and design are easy to use by anyone, even those with low welding skills. The welder also comes with multiple features that will benefit you and give you the best Weld results on all your projects. You will get all that and more at an affordable price. Yes, you don’t have to blow a hole in your savings to get your own Hobart handler 190 welder. Let’s check out the specifications of this Hobart welder.
- Brand name: Hobart
- Model: Handler 190
- Weight: 68 pounds
- Duty cycle: 30% at 130A
- Input voltage: 230 volt
- Process type: Flux core, MIG
- Weld thickness: 24 game 5/6 inch
- Wire feed speed range: 40 – 700 IPM
- Welding amperage range: 25 – 190A
The Hobart handler 190 is powerful enough to handle various tasks at home and some light industrial jobs. Also, the fact that it can run on a generator makes it an ideal portable welder to take with you to remote sites.
Pros
- The welder is sturdy and affordable.
- It is also versatile.
- It is capable of welding both steel and aluminum.
- It comes with easily adjustable controls.
- A great warranty covers it.
Cons
- The Hobart handler 190 cannot handle Heavy-duty tasks.
- The 230-volt power input is too high for home use.
- Although it is portable, its weight is a little too heavy for some users.
Hobart handler 190 features
Compatible with a spool gun
MIG Welders are purposely made for welding Steel. However, the Hobart handler 190 is capable of welding both steel and aluminum. This is possible because of not only being compatible with a spool gun but also with the default settings it comes with. Since aluminum is usually a thin metal, you need full control on the power level so that you don’t make a mess. You can buy a spool gun, which is specially made for use with a MIG welder.
Integrated wire feeder
This Hobart welder features an inbuilt wire feeder. Some other MIG welders will only operate with external wire feeders. The built-in wire adds to the simple design of the machine hence easy to use. The device also has a quick-release lever as well as faster perforation thanks to this feature.
Safety features
The welder comes with an inbuilt contactor which cools the wire when you have the machine on but not in use. The Wire remains cold for as long as you don’t pull the trigger. Beginners using this machine don’t have to worry about getting burnt accidentally.
Moreover, the machine also comes with short circuit protection. This will eliminate the risk of current overload. The motor protection will keep the wire feed safe from overloading. Also, the self-resetting thermal overload protection will minimize overheating as you run the Machine.
Easy to use
This welder comes with seven voltage levels as well as infinite wire speed options. Also, the trigger connection is another feature on the front panel of the unit, which will also give you full control of the machine for easy use.
The manual comes printed on the device to assist you as you carry out your tasks. For example, you will know what fee speed, shielding gas, voltage, or even wire type settings you will use on the different materials. Furthermore, the dual groove Drive roll system lets you switch from one wire to another quickly. The quick select Drive system will also allow you to select different wire sizes plus flux-cored wire easily.
Power
The welder needs a 230-volt power input to operate. This only means that you can only use it with industrial Jobsite input as it’s too high for standard home voltage. However, while the input isn’t suitable for home use, it is ideal to use it with a generator. You can have a mobile welder to take with you to remote locations.
The duty cycle and welding range
The duty cycle of this machine 30% at 130 amp. Which means you will operate it for 3 minutes and leave it to cool for 7 minutes. The welding range of this machine is 25 to 190 amp. This welding range will allow you to weld material thickness of 24 gauge -5/16 inches.
Portability and warranty
It comes weighing 68 pounds, and you can quickly move it around with its handle. When you attach the attachments, it will weigh 89 pounds you will best carry it around using a wheeled cart. When it comes to warranty, this Hobart welder comes backed with a five-year limited warranty. You will get one year on the MIG gun, five years on the transformer, and three years on the electronics.
Durability
Just like any other welding machine, the Hobart handler 190 also comes with durable construction. Aside from its warranty coverage, its build materials are strong to withstand harsh work conditions. The machine will serve you for the longest time with little maintenance required.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a sturdy, easy to use and Powerful entry-level MIG welder, then the Hobart handler 190 is the best option. The machine will let you handle all of your domestic tasks, small-scale welding, and light-duty industrial tasks to your satisfaction.
It is ideal for professionals, beginners, and hobbyists. It comes at a reasonable price, and a great warranty covers it. However, if you want a MIG welder with less power and less expensive, then you can go for The Hobbit 140. This Hobart handler 190 review was of much help to you.
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