Hobart Handler 180 serup question

[taylorkh]

I ust purchased this unit Sunday and got it fired up today. (A great deal at Tractor Supply Co.) Looking at the manual I note that there are 2 size grooves in the wire drive roll (.023/.025 and .030/.035). There are of course various sizes of contact tips to match the wire in use. My first question is... The weld parameter chart for the 230 VAC model indicates it can use .045 wire. There is no groove for this size nor is there a special drive roll shown in the parts list. Is a special drive roll required?

Secondly, the parts list shows 4 different size monocoil liners. I belive that the unit shipped with the .030/.035 liner as it was supplied with a couple of rolls of .030 wire. Is it necessary to change the liner when changing wire size? The manual explains how to do it but not when or why.

Thanks in advance,

Ken Taylor

[hankj]

Hi, Ken. Welcome.

If I were you, I'd forget about .045 unless it's flux-core that you want to run. I can't really see a reason for that, either!

The gun liner will run .024 wire just fine. Don't worry about it. I've done it with my Mm135 for quite a while. That machine like to run ER70S-6 in .030 and .024 just fine. The arc density with .045 is not too hot; I'd not run it for any reason on that machine.

You will probably be happiest running C-25 for gas, but if budgetary restrictions dictate CO2, it runs pretty nice, but you need to tweak it in a lttle better.

Enjoy, and stay in touch.

Hank

[precisionworks]

Other than some .023 tips, some .030 tips, and some .035 tips, you're about ready to go. Maybe a spare nozzle or two, as well as one or two spare diffusers.

Hobart does offer an .030-.035 plus .045 drive kit (knurled for flux-core) P/N 202 926. The rollers with the machine are smooth and designed to feed solid .023 .030 .035.

The feeder will handle 10# spools, which are much cheaper (per pound) than the little spool that came with the machine.

Time to build a cart & make sparks

[taylorkh]

Thank you Hank!

I am not sure I would need .045 unless I was building a battle ship or something. I am totally new to MIG welding. I have done some brazing and gas welding (about 30 years ago) and burned a few rods (about 25 years ago). I took early, early retirement from an electric utility a few months ago after 23 years in the nuclear power, engineering and IT areas. Looking for something to do I signed up for a MIG class at the local community college. It starts in January.

Sunday the wife and I stopped by Tractor Supply for something, don't remember what, and I saw the Christmas special package with the H180. Among the add on goodies was an auto-darkening helmet. I was questioning the salesman as to exactly what helmet was included as the range from made in China $50 junk to $250+ US ones. The wife got tired of my studying and commanded buy it. So I did

Yesterday I got my 240V line extended and assembled the unit. This morning I got the wire fed (after about 20 feet jumped off the spool like a coil spring) and made a few practice beads on an old piece of I beam I had lying around. I look forward to the class and a chance to learn how to properly use my new toy. Then I have some items on my MGB work list to attend to.

Regards,

Ken

[taylorkh]

Thanks Barry!

The Christmas special package included a cart, at least one to hold the welder, gas bottle and leads. Also a nice Hobart auto-darkening helmet. Tractor Supply put it on sale in their weekly flyer today. Went back and got a refund of $75.

Regards,

Ken

[hankj]

Ken,

Good for ya. The classes will be invaluable. Now, start buying grinders, bandsaws, gloves, weldors caps, safety glasses, and beer!

Hank