im thinking at buying a stick welder and was wondering how much of a difference ther is, if any between the lincoln 225/125 ac/dc and the hobart 235/160
i can get the hobart for 370 but the lincoln lists for 520. so my question is, is it worth the extra 150 for the lincoln?

 

Probably depends on what you are to use it for...I have a lincoln mig and have always used lincoln stick welders. However, I have known lots of people who used Miller and Hobart and have been greatly pleased. You probably would have good luck with either one. If it were me and money was a problem (which it usually is...lol) I would go with the Hobart, if money was no object, I would go with the lincoln, just because they have been around longer.

Hope this helps!

 

The machines do the exact same job. Hobart has made these for a long time and they have infinate amperage adjustment also. I have a Lincoln like you are talking about and its a fine machine but some of the steps between the settings are far apart. It doesnt make much difference to me but if I was buying a new one it would be Hobart. It allows a little better tuning.
http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/

 

I've used all three of the machines and i personally would go with the lincoln because it's the middle guy. Miller is the best but it's the most expensive, Hobart makes a good machine for the money but it can be frustraiting because if you don't have it set up exactly how you want it the arc seems to skip around and leave metal where you don't want it to be. I would go with the lincoln because for the beginner welder it won't frustrait you and it won't be to above you either. As your experience grows you won't have to buy a new machine.

 

thanks for the opinions guys. i think ive decided to go with the hobart. but if i had the extra money to spend i would go with the lincoln. but being 18 and only working part time after school sure puts a kink in everything. expecially when ive got to get a front end alignment and $450 worth of tires here real soon. kind of eats up 250 every 2 weeks real fast.

 

With this machine the Miller and Hobart are identical except for the paint, built on lines next to each other, different color sheetmetal put on the Hobart. Most of the other machines have some differences,,, this one doesnt.

 

i have the lincoln hd somethin. It is a mig welder but at the shop where i go to school all they have for stick welders are lincolns. i would have to say lincoln because i know them but the choice is yours.
goodluck

 

hobart is soon to be doomed. miller bought them and most hobart models after the buyout are miller, just painted differently. the old hobart line will be history and the service parts will be too.

 

Nope, Hobart is here to stay. They have been owned for quite a while by ITW which also owns Miller. They serve 2 different markets and there are differences in all of the machines except for the 2 small Stickmate/Thunderbolt stick machines. They wont close the door on the Hobart line anytime soon. Their small feeders and stick machines are huge sellers.