110 welder suggestions

I'm in the market for an affordable 110v mig welder. I have a stick welder already for heavy jobs. I also have access to a couple different larger Miller 220v units, including one with a spool gun. I'd just like the convenience and portability of a 110v unit. I know how to weld. I do some small repair welding at work as well as some light fabrication. I've done a bit of stick and mig welding since my mid teens. I also understand the limitations of a 110v welder.

Does anyone have any experience with the Hobart Handler 140, Eastwood 135 or other similarly priced ($500 or less) 110v welders? I'm not opposed to buying a used Lincoln or Miller in the same price range, as long as I'm not settling for used just for the sake of the name.

Right now I'm liking the Eastwood due to the infinite voltage setting, price, warranty and 30 satisfaction guarantee. I'd be interested in anyone's experiences that could help inform my decision.

Thanks for your input.

I have the Hobart 135. The predecessor to the 140.
I've been VERY satisfied with it. Got it for $300 on Craigslist 2 yrs ago.
It will let you run gas or flux core wire when outside and the wind is kicking up.
Overall I've been very impressed with it.
It has developed a leak in the cheap regulator that came with it(easily fixable)so I waste a little gas when I use it.
Otherwise a great "hobbyist" unit. Not for building structures but if you realize the limitations it's a nice unit.

Same here. No complaints whatsoever.

I have a Clarke 130en gas/gasless that i have had 6-7 maybe 8 years. Haven't had any problems with it with normal homeowners use.(exhaust work, repairing cutting decks, making stuff). Looks like they still run about $300. Sears carries them now too. But I will go with the flow stick with red or blue and you should be ok.

Thanks for the replies. The Hobart seems to be in pretty high favor with everyone I've heard from. I still wish I could hear from someone who has tried the Eastwood. They offer a 30 day money back guarantee. I'm pretty sure I've got enough jobs lined up right now that I could put it through it's paces pretty well in 30 days.

Hobart +1

How does $450 for a Lincoln WeldPak 3200, bottle of CO2, 10 lbs of wire and some extra tips sound?

My experience with eastwood is their tools are overpriced, rebadged versions of a mediocre tool.

In fact, after typing that, a quick google search says that it is a Chinese knockoff of a Hobart 135, which is available under different "no name" brands for 2/3 the price that Eastwood gets for it.

Yeah, the owner of the company says that they are custom manufactured for Eastwood, but they look startlingly similar to several other cheaper welders. Due to lack of convincing positive information on the Eastwood, I'll probably stick to Hobart or Lincoln.

Probably the best idea. I don't currently have a 110, but I have a small box Lincoln 220v machine that I love. I've used the Lincoln 140 and liked it for small stuff. No personal experience with the Hobart stuff.

Also, from what I have seen, the Lincolns that are sold at Home Depot are not built equal to the other stuff.

I noticed that a couple of the entry-level Lincolns sold at Home Depot are made overseas in one of the former Soviet satellites (Slovenia? Hungary, maybe?). The higher-end stuff is still American-made.

I just did a bunch of welding in the hog barn with my Hobart 140. Works well on the structural issues on the gates and what not up there (rebar to what used to be 1/8" plate). I've had the welder 5 years or better now, and would buy another in a minute if I had to.

I have had a miller 135 for a number of years, pre autoset and have never had an issue with it. I think knowing the limits of a good small gas mig machine you're pretty good whatever you choose.

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