Welcome to the review of the Hobart 190! If you're someone who enjoys welding as a hobby or if you're a professional welder, you've come to the right place. Hobart is a well-known brand in the welding industry, and they've created the Hobart 190 to be a fantastic welding machine. It's versatile, meaning it can handle a wide range of welding tasks, and it's also powerful, providing you with the strength you need for various projects. Whether you're working on a small DIY project or a larger industrial job, the Hobart 190 has got you covered. We'll dive into all the important details about this welding machine, including its specifications, performance capabilities, and standout features. By the end of this review, you'll have all the information you need to decide if the Hobart 190 is the right choice for you. So, let's get started!
Table of Contents
Hobart 190 MIG Welder Review & Package Content
The Hobart 500554001 Handler 190 MIG Welder package contains the welder, 6-foot power cord, 10-foot work lead with clamp, 8-inch spool of mild steel wire, and gas regulator. 190 mig welder also has a .030 contact tip installed and all necessary setup components, including contact tips, gas nozzle and diffuser, a gas hose and gas valve part, and spool of stainless steel wires and gas hose liner.
Great Features I Liked About Hobart Handler 190
The Hobart Handler 190 MIG welder offers a range of features that make it a great choice for welding projects. The 7 voltage selections allow you to adjust the output parameters easily, making it easier to control the spatter and obtain professional results. The enhanced magnetics help improves arc performance and increases penetration when welding thicker materials. The infinite, wire feed speed control and control panel allows you to adjust the wire feed speed continuously, making finding an ideal setting for any welding job easier. The machine also includes a spool runner 100 that helps reduce downtime when changing spools of wire quickly and easily.
Easy to Set-up and Use
The Hobart Handler 190 efficient mig welder is easy to set up and use, making it ideal for novice even experienced welders too. The machine is compact, allowing it to fit into small spaces in the shop or garage. It comes with an instruction manual, making setting up the machine quick and simple. The controls on the welder are user-friendly and clearly labeled, making it easy to select the desired parameters for welding. The machine also has an overload protection feature that automatically shuts down the welder if it is being used at too high an amperage. This helps protect the machine and the operator from potential damage or injury.
Welding Power and Duty Cycle
The Hobart Handler 190 efficient mig welder is a powerful and reliable welding machine with 25-190 amps output amperage. It has a duty cycle of 30% at 130 amps, which means it can handle most welding projects without taking long breaks due to overheating. This makes the machine ideal for both heavy-duty and light-duty welding projects. It also has a duty cycle of up to 200 amps, which makes it suitable occasional heavy job and light industrial work and for welding thicker materials such as 5/16-inch steel.
Build Quality and Welder Protection Features
The Hobart Handler 190 MIG welder is built with high-quality components for reliable performance. The machine features a thermal overload protection that will shut down the machine automatically if it is being used at too high of amperage or voltage, protecting both the user and the machine from potential damage. It also has a fan-assisted coolant system which helps to keep the machine running cooler and at peak performance for longer periods. The welder also has an insulated steel housing which helps protect wire drive motor and the internal components best mig welder from dust and debris, prolonging the machine's life.
Spool Gun Ready
The Hobart Handler 190 MIG welder is also spool gun ready. A spool gun consists of a small motor, an adjustable wire speed and voltage control knob, and a trigger-activated switch that allows the welder user to feed welding wire directly from a large spool. This eliminates the need to change out smaller spools of welding wire frequently, saving time and preventing tangles. The spool gun also helps improve arc performance, increases penetration on thicker materials, and reduces the spatter level when welding. It is a great addition to any welder's arsenal, making this machine even more versatile.
Portable & lightweight welder
The Hobart Handler 190 MIG welder is lightweight and portable, making it easy to take from job site to job site. It weighs only 67 lbs, making it easy to transport in a compact vehicle or public transportation. The portable machine is also has convenient carrying handles on both sides of the body for easy lifting and maneuvering around the shop or garage. MIG welding makes it a great choice for welders who need to be able to move their machine around or take it with them on job sites.
Aluminum Wire Welding Capability
The Hobart Handler 190 MIG welder can weld up to 3/64 inches in diameter aluminum wire. This makes the machine suitable for various projects, from light-duty jobs such as sheet metal fabrication to heavier-duty tasks such as structural repairs on aluminum components. The machine features an adjustable and voltage switch and control panel, making it easy to find the ideal setting for welding aluminum wire. mig welding also has a spool gun which further improves arc performance and increases penetration when welding thicker materials. The spool gun is particularly helpful when welding aluminum, as it prevents the wire from sticking to the contact tip, reducing the chance of breaking or tangling.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Who Is This Welder For?
The Hobart Handler 190 MIG welder is ideal for novice welders, hobbyists, and light-duty or DIY projects. It offers powerful and reliable welding performance with the added convenience of spool gun capability. Its lightweight and portable design makes it easy to take from job site to job site, making it a great choice for welders who need to be able to move their machine around. This welder can also weld aluminum wire up to 3/64 inches in diameter, making it suitable for various projects. However, those looking for a more advanced welder with higher output and duty cycle may want to look elsewhere.
FAQs
What are the dimensions of the Hobart 190 welder?
The Hobart Handler 190 Welder is a lightweight and compact mig welding machine. It weighs only 70 pounds, has an output range of 25-190 amps and comes with a 10 foot mig gun. The welder has the capacity to use both solid wire and flux cored wire for both MIG welding and spool gun applications. Its multi-voltage plug allows for connection to 115V or 230V receptacles without the use of any tools. A transformer, rectifier and a contactor are all included in the welder's design, making it an ideal choice for home and light industrial applications. The dimensions of the welder are 17" wide, 8 3/4" high, and 19 1/2" deep. The Handler 190 also comes with an adjustable drive system, making it easier to adjust the wire speed and tension. With its many features, this welder is a great option for any MIG welding needs.
How long has the company been in business?
Hobart has been in business since 1917, when they began producing high quality welding machines and other metalworking products. Their Handler 190 welder is just one of the many MIG welders that they offer. During those 100 years, Hobart has become an industry leader in providing reliable and efficient metalworking solutions for their customers. From large industrial applications to home hobbyists, Hobart has the perfect welding solution for any job. Their commitment to quality and innovation ensures that their customers will always have the right machine for the task at hand. With their long history of producing top-notch welders, it is no surprise that Hobart is one of the most trusted names in welding.
How do I troubleshoot the Hobart 190?
The best way to troubleshoot the Hobart Handler 190 MIG welder is by consulting the user manual or contacting a certified Hobart service technician. The manual contains detailed instructions on how to diagnose and remedy common problems with other machines. If you cannot resolve the issue, contact a certified technician who can help get your machine up and running.