hobart handler 140?

[wrangler06]

has anyone used one of these and know how they well they work? i just picked one up for a good price and i was wondering if they are good enough to build a set of axles and maybe lincoln lock one of them?

[jeannies_driver]

Not likely. Welding on tabs and small brackets it might work ok but no way is it going to get hot enough to weld a center chunk together. Max thickness for it is 1/4" so it's best used for anything less than that. Most 120volt welders cannot weld heavy steel very well but like they say, if you can't weld good, weld lot's........

[bullfrog]

Agreed. If you use a extention cord, use a heavy gauge wire.  I think mine is 12 gauge.  May even be heavier, I can't remember.  It was expensive, I remember that.    Use a 20 amp circuit outlet from the house.  I had my hobart 140 on a 15 amp on a smaller cord at first and the weld wouldn't get hot enough for anything heavier than sheet metal.  Ok not not that bad but the welds wouldn't flow well.  I really like mine.  My ground clamp was cheap made and fell apart the first week.  I bought a much heavier arc welding clamp.  Even that helped some. 

[1tuffyj]

i did my spring over and welded my 8.8 spiders last yr with an off brand sears 120v mig welder. used the highest heat setting with a 12ga ext cord on a 20a outlet. no probs with anything i did so far. theres no way i could build a buggy or anything that involves major weld time with it (duty cycle isnt good enough), but for the common weekend wheeler doin suspension or axle work, if your not in a hurry itll work fine. just give it some time in between welds for the fan to cool it off (DONT turn the switch off). i did my soa over a 4 day holiday wkend. im doin my cage next winter since my soa  worked out well.  would a 220v welder work better? yes.  will a 120v work? yes, just dont plan a custom tube chassis n links lol.

[paallterrain]

I built half a dozen rigs on a lincoln 135. I can't tell you how many rear ends are out there being daily driven that i welded with that thing. I welded up motor mounts, spring perches, axle wrap bars, shaved axles, roll cages ect.

If you know what you are doing and do good prep it will work fine. Prep is key though, if its thick, bevel the edges. It will never be in the same class as a big mig, but they will work fine.

That being said, i love my hobart ironman 250. Great welder.

[twdjeepgod]

if you preheat a piece of metal before welding with a smaller welder you will be able to get good penetration with it

just an fyi

i had a small welder for years ( i don't even remember what it was exactly) and this is how i did all my "heavy" welding. i have yet to know of any welds that broke on work i did

[wrangler06]

i worked as an iron worker for about 2 years so i got the whole welding thing down i was just wondering about this machine because i have never used one i always used a stick welder an 724 rod for the i beams but i am certifed on alot of different stuff