My understanding is that the Hobart is Lincoln's lower model -- slightly lower duty cycle, plastic parts where the Lincoln has metal -- that sort of thing. A certain amount has to do with how hard you plan to use it. Occasional use and you may not ever notice the difference. Production use and you probably want to spend the extra money for the Miller or Lincoln and go up a level (210 instead of 175).

I've been partial to Miller, but I guess that sort of thing comes down to personal preference. I'm looking to upgrade. The DVI is a bit less $$$ than the 210, but is a 40% instead of 60% duty cycle at 10 less amps (and the 175 is only 30% at 20 less amps). I would have the option of taking the DVI places I could not use 220V. That would be handy, but not sure how much in reality. There have only been a few times that I have taken my welder someplace else to work on something.

Any money saved on the DVI would end up being applied to a plasma cutter -- looking at the Miller Spectrum 375. So that is another consideration.

First two questions would be how much you had to spend and how hard you want to use it. I'd say you buy as much welder as you can afford without going crazy on the thing. That's a fine line, though... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Actually it's Hobart/Miller, not Hobart/Lincoln.....but that's about all I know.

You wait n see.... Miller will offer the dual voltage feature in the 210 soon.

Yep, I want a plasma cutter myself, but I can't see how they charge so much for one. The mig, I understand, cause you have the power source, the drive gear and all the rest. But the plazma seems to be just a power source and your air compressor doing all the work.

Then you have the old stand-by Oxy/Acet rigs.....seems a guy always needs one.

Thief, Tig might be in my future, but I gotta start with MIG due to the skill level and all. Eitherway, I have to at least scrounge up all the extra stuff first- Chop saw, helmet and all the little do-dads that makes a wannabe welder happy.

At least my shop is already wired!

Hang on!....CALL 911!....I'm having a heart attack!.

No wait, I think it's passed.

3K for a power source!!!??? .....and I'm a wannabe?

It would be 5K by the time I attached a few nice need-to-haves.

But it would be nice to have a unit that does it all!

Yes, sorry about that. Fingers got to typing faster than the brain was working.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Not sure if they would go for the dual voltage on the 210. On the DVI, the available amperage and duty cycle are reduced when you go to 110V from 220V. Certainly, there is a limit as to how much you can get out of 110V. Likewise, I'm not sure how much use the dual voltage really would be for me. Obviously, there are some things that it would be easier to take the welder to the work than bring the work to the welder. Truthfully, I think that this discussion has me leaning towards the 210.

I agree on the plasma cutters. The interesting thing is that the Spectrum 125 has a built in compressor. The 375 does not and is $300 more. Higher duty cycle and all in the 375, but you would think that the cost of the compressor would make some sort of difference. I cannot tell you where the money is in it compared to a MIG.

I've dealt with these people before and have been pretty pleased with their service. These are their monthly specials.

http://brwelder.com/IndexTemplate.cfm?file=monthly.htm

They had prices of $690 for the MM175 and $1245 for the MM210. E-mailed them and they said they could get me a MM-DVI for $997.

They have Hobart as well. Handler 180 with a cart is $625 and an Ironman 210 is $1085. So you'd essentially get a free cart on the lower one and $160 off on the upper one.

I'm still leaning towards Miller. Question is whether the DVI would do enough for me and I could put the extra $250 towards other things. Or would I find myself wanting the extra power (and duty cycle) of the 210?