Welders/Fabricators, are these the same machines

[dksix]

http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/tig/eztig_165i/
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/product.php?model=M00325
They sure look to be the same machines but I don't know much about them. I have a miller MIG machine that I love but these two look too much like the same thing to me. Is Miller and Hobart the same company now? I'm wanting to add a TIG machine to my shop and I'm partial to the blue welders. I had a Hobart side by side my Miller in the shop for awhile and the miller out preformed the Hobart 2 to 1. Not these 2 new machines come out and I can get the Hobart a little cheaper but still leaning towards the Miller. What some advice from of the members here that TIG weld regularly.

[plastikosmd]

not sure on this machine but have a 200dx that I love, these inverters make it easy to teach yourself how to tig

[Thorpe]

http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/tig/eztig_165i/
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/product.php?model=M00325
Is Miller and Hobart the same company now?

Yes... Its not uncommon to find the torches on Hobart machines, to read Miller on them...

[2Tim215]

Looks like they are same as far as specs go but the sounds like the Hobart comes with the foot pedal and is an option with the Miller. I've used both brands as Migs, still have my Hobart Handler, love it, never had a problem.

[swifty]

my hobart 180 mig is all miller parts inside my buddy said miller owns hobart now

[2Tim215]

That could be, both great welders in my opinion. I used to have a two-way radio shop. The Cobra and Uniden were exactly the same inside but people liked the Cobra's more and would pay more for the same thing with a different label! I would even tell them and show them but even my cost was more from Cobra. Same thing with a lot of things we buy. MTD used to make a lot of Lawn Mowers and equipment that only had different paint colors and labels but people paid more if it was a "name brand" vs the same thing labled Lawn Chief! I wouldn't mind any Miller, Hobart, Linde, etc.! I just don't like the flux core spools, I never used one but my brother has one, a lot of splatter. My tank is almost empty now, my next refill will be Argon, a lot cleaner welds and then I might buy the Aluminum stinger option. To many wheelers showing up with JB Weld jobs! LOL

[Dirtcrasher]

When I bought my Lincoln SP175plus, the Hobart was cheaper and he told me Miller owned Hobart. The Hobart was less expensive......

[dksix]

I've been told the Miller MIG's have heavier drive systems than Hobarts because they are aimed more at commercial users but commercial welding shops seem to always have spool guns, so I don't know about that one. I guess my comparison between the Miller and Hobart that was here at my shop at the same time wasn't fair, looking back. I did have gas on my Miller and the Hobart was using flux core wire, that would have likely made more difference than the paint jobs. I have a Lincoln stick welder and a Miller MIG, right now. I've seen some of the TIG machines that can also stick weld, I wonder why stick welding isn't an option with these machines? If the TIG would stick weld too I could sell my Lincoln and offset some of the cost.

Tim, I know what you mean with people paying extra for a name. I would probably pay more for the Miller blue know it was exactly the same as the Hobart. It's between one of these TIG machines and a 250R for me right now. I really want a 250R but I like being able to do stuff here and right now I have to have someone to weld aluminum for me.

[2Tim215]

Your Miller Mig doesn't have a Aluminum option? I know with my Hobart I just have to change the lead and stinger then throw in a aluminum spool with the Argon and go. That may be an option that would save you some cash?

[dksix]

Yes. My Miller will MIG aluminum. I brought some wire home from work once and tried it. It would feed .035" aluminum wire fine. I was using 75/25 gas on it and the weld wasn't pretty but it stuck. I bought a bottle of straight ARGON for it but never tried it again after that. I was told that ARGON would work for shielding on aluminum but a tri mix worked better. I got the straight argon because I could get it in the small bottle but the tri mix only came in the big cylinders. I have a 20# bottle of 75/25 on it and only have to get it exchanged once a year, I didn't want to pay the $300+ for a cylinder of tri mix. What's the difference in welding aluminum with a MIG vs a TIG. You're right though, that may be a much better option.

[2Tim215]

I've never used a Tig, only Mig's. I was just thinking it would be a lot less money if you are only looking for the aluminum option. But you should get very clean welds with Argon on the aluminum, I think you'll find you will get some nice puddles as you move along.

[KASEY]

YOU NEED A TIG THATS AC AND DC FOR ALUMINUM,,, i have a dx200 miller and it will not do aluminum,,

[dksix]

YOU NEED A TIG THATS AC AND DC FOR ALUMINUM,,, i have a dx200 miller and it will not do aluminum,,

Yes, A/C to TIG aluminum. The new Diversion line Miller has come out with is AC/DC. Why does a regular MIG welder weld aluminum but you have to have the higher end TIG machines to do aluminum. It's the opposite with arc welders, AC only machines are allot cheaper than AC/DC machines but in TIG set ups, DC only is cheaper that AC/DC machines.