ac/dc welder

[Joe Wilson]

I am in the market for an ac/dc welder to replace my old Lincoln 225 ac welder that I've had for years. In my area I have located two that are in my price range. One is a Craftsman (made by Century, I believe) for $299 and the other is a Hobart which is about 70 dollars more. Which is the better choice and why?

[Franz]

Lets see, you can save 70 bucks by going to Sears and buying a hunk of crap built by the lowest bidder, guaranteed not to be supported in 5 years, unless you count the support you'll get from the goober at the Sears store who sold shoes last week and will be selling vacuum cleaners next week; Or, you can spend an extra $70 and get a welder made by a real welding manufacturer who has been in business since before I was born, who will actually back their warranty, and has a phone number you can dial and get an intelligent response.
Was your question a joke?
If it wasn't, don't buy any welder cause you sure don't understand this trade.

[Planet X]

Hey if you have time consider searching for a used 250 dialarc or idealarc type machine- they are out there in that price range and should serve you well for years.

[Henro]

Originally posted by Franz

Was your question a joke?
If it wasn't, don't buy any welder cause you sure don't understand this trade.

Joe,

Franz has a way with words...don't let this part turn you off. If he did not want to help he would not have bothered to answer in the first place. My take anyway...

Like Franz says...go with the Hobart. They will be there if you need them. This site is an example of their interest in the people who weld, regardless of the color welder they are using.

Sometimes to do it right costs a little more, but in the end it usually turns out to be cheaper.

[Joe Wilson]

I appreciate your answers to my question. No, the question was not a joke, and you said just what I thought you would say. The question was posed because I was more or less trying to prove a point to my wife who always buys the cheapest no matter what. Because of my wife's "leadership" I bought three air compressors before I got one that would do the job. I do not weld commercially, but I have welded for several years and I wanted the Hobart in the first place. Thank you.....Joe

[Franz]

Well Joe, in light of your further explanation on the involvement of your CFO, were I in your shoes, I'd just look her in the eye and asy "you can't polish a turd honey, remember those 3 air compressors?"
Course, you may want to be ducking as you say it. Took me a few years, but my Dalin now knows it's a JUNQUE pile made up of yet unused materials for her next project.

[Hobart Expert Rock]

JOE WILSON...............WELL WELCOME ABOARD......... AND CEO'S ARE SOMETIMES HARD TO DEAL WITH......... OR THE ACCOUNTANT IS STRINGENT WITH FUNDING ON OCASSION............... I THINK IF YOU DID SOME RESEARCH MAYBE EVEN WELDED WITH A COUPLE DIFFERENT BRANDS AT THE LOCAL WELDING DISTRIBUTOR TO COMPARE...............SEE WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU......... AFTER ALL IT IS YOUR HARD EARNED CASH.......JUST REMEMBER THEIR ARE NO DUMB QUESTIONS IF THERE ARE I WILL AND DO ASK THEM............... JUST MY .02 CENTS WORTH..........HOW DID YOU HAPPEN TO FIND THE SITE.......ROCK
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[R. Nelson]

Re: ac/dc welder

Originally posted by Joe Wilson
I am in the market for an ac/dc welder to replace my old Lincoln 225 ac welder that I've had for years. In my area I have located two that are in my price range. One is a Craftsman (made by Century, I believe) for $299 and the other is a Hobart which is about 70 dollars more. Which is the better choice and why?

Hey Joe, I will say that I too am biased when it comes to my HH175, but, my first welder was a CRAFTSMAN AC/DC 220 volt stick, have had it for 5 years, no problem,best money I ever spent. They are good units or sears would not handle them.

[Joe Wilson]

To ROCK In answer to your question, I stumbled onto this site after I went to the local farm store and looked at the Hobart welders. I searched for a forum for welding and this one popped up and I'm glad I clicked on it! Keep up the good work!.....Joe

[Joe Wilson]

Just wanted to let you all know I brought my new Hobart Stickmate lx home today. I will say that the new welders aren't nearly as heavy as my old Lincoln is. I carried it into the garage by myself, which I don't think I did before. I haven't welded with it yet, but I'm looking forward to using it for many years. If the Hobart lasts half as long as the Lincoln, that's all I will need. Thanks for your replies.........Joe

[jason]

Just a little off topic - Has anyone seen the Craftsman 200 amp mig? Sure looks like an Ironman 210 to me. Just an observation.

Jason
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[Hobart Expert Steve]

Jason;

You are correct. The Craftsman 200 is a brand account for the Ironman 210.

Hobart Expert Steve

[jason]

I thought so. Its become sort of a game of mine to look at the Craftsman tools and see if I can figure out who makes them. Alot of Ryobi.

Jason
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