Does anyone have or use one. I'm looking for some reviews right now & trying to find out the pro's & cons of this vs. the more expencive miller! I'd love to have the miller but at this point i still can't afford the miller, it's an additional thousand dollars.



Details here:

Key Specs
Volts: 230/380
Amps: 52/39
Duty Cycle: TIG: 20% @ 150 Amps, 15 Volts DC, Stick: 20% @ 130 Amps, 25 Volts DC
Amperage Adjustments: Infinite control
Range Selection: AC low, AC high, and DC
Weldable Metals: Steel, stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron, cooper, brass, titanium, and magnesium alloys
Weld Thickness (in.): 18-gauge to 3/16 in. steel and stainless steel; 14 gauge to 3/16 in. aluminum
Electrode Size (in.): Up to 1/8
Electrode Cable Length (ft.): 15
Clamp Cable Length (ft.): 12
Regulator and Gas Hose Included: Yes
Shielding Gas Required: Yes
Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 13 x 25 1/2 x 18

General Specs
Low frequency output wont interfere with electronics
Single-phase unit has exclusive built-in arc assist for both AC and DC and TIG plus foot control for easier use
Process switch automatically sets for TIG or stick welding
AC/DC rated output

 

I currently own a Hobart Mig, and it's been a great little machine...It's been ultra reliable for the couple years I've owned it...However I have no experience with that machine...

 

I think it is a Miller.I have one and the manual etc.. says Miller on it.I believe its just packaged as a Hobart.I've had it for a few years and like it.I haven't had any problems with it.I bought it because I got it at a deal at Sears.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NJIN BUILDR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think it is a Miller.I have one and the manual etc.. says Miller on it.I believe its just packaged as a Hobart.I've had it for a few years and like it.I haven't had any problems with it.I bought it because I got it at a deal at Sears.</TD></TR></TABLE>

WOW, after your comment i began to dig a little deeper with my research.

This picture looks identical (other than colors) & all the specs seem to match up
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/econotig/

 

I believe Hobart is owned by Miller. I have that same exact welder and I love it for the price, it's done everything I've ever needed it to do.

 

Hobart and miller are one in the same. Hobart is just there off-brand of equipment but its the same stuff. The only diffrence is the really high end welders are only offered in the Miller name.

J. R.

 

how does the tigmate or econotig compare to say the synchrowave 200? is the 200 worth the extra $$.

read mixed reviews on the econotig's ability to weld aluminum... anybody have any experience with it?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by speeddave &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how does the tigmate or econotig compare to say the synchrowave 200? is the 200 worth the extra $$.

read mixed reviews on the econotig's ability to weld aluminum... anybody have any experience with it?</TD></TR></TABLE>

i'm very interested in finding this out.

Does anyone have any pix of some of the stuff that they have welded with this welder?

 

i just bought the hobart stickmate....good quality ****........ya its miller it said that on the manual

something like HOBART
MILLER

hobart is the cheaper one.........let me know how that TIGmate tunrs out i seriously considered it


OH ya besides being cheaper hobart is JDM champ white with red lettering....the type-r of welders XD

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by speeddave &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how does the tigmate or econotig compare to say the synchrowave 200? is the 200 worth the extra $$.

read mixed reviews on the econotig's ability to weld aluminum... anybody have any experience with it?</TD></TR></TABLE>

yes worth the money.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dfoxengr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

yes worth the money.</TD></TR></TABLE>

why?

is there something that this one is lacking?

 

yep. check the specs.

 

i have a tigmate, works fine for a entry level welder, if you do any production welding you should consider something different, but this is great for small projects and what not, welds alu fine.. only reason i have one is i got good deal on it, figured it would be a good back up

 

how much are for this welder anyways?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by typeR#1141 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how much are for this welder anyways?</TD></TR></TABLE>

$1500

 

Where is it made?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HT Chaplain &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Where is it made? </TD></TR></TABLE>

where ever miller is made

miller welders = hobart welders

 

I started off with the "tigmate" years ago. It's fine for mild and SS, can't weld below 18ga because the welder kicks on at 28 amps. It uses a "low frequency' instead of high frequency to start the DC arc and stabalize the AC arc. There's much to be desired as far as aluminum welding. And the lack of low amps make thin wall difficult, but 18ga. is possible.

I now use the syncrowave 200. Much more stable arc on AC with the high frequency and the 15ppm pulser makes it easy to tack aluminum. Better machines can pulse up to 5000ppm. It's a little undersized for aluminum, 1/4" is about your limit on production. Pre-heating will help with thicker sections but it's time consuming because the transformer heats up pretty fast and you have to wait for it to cool down or the machine will shut down.

If your looking at purchasing a brand new machine, def go with the synchro 200! For the little bit of extra money, it's well worth it. I've seen the 200 going for $1850 without the "runner package", which I never even took out of the box. Just get a 25ft. torch.

If you can spend the money, get an inverter type welder. Awesome arc control, and 1/3 of the size of an old school "transformer" type machine.

Lincoln probably makes the best entry level full power welder, it's a 400 amp water cooled unit for about $4000. The next step would be an inverter type machine with atleast 300 amps available.

And yes, Miller owns Hobart, same exact machine.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mcmotors &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I started off with the "tigmate" years ago. It's fine for mild and SS, can't weld below 18ga because the welder kicks on at 28 amps. It uses a "low frequency' instead of high frequency to start the DC arc and stabalize the AC arc. There's much to be desired as far as aluminum welding. And the lack of low amps make thin wall difficult, but 18ga. is possible.

I now use the syncrowave 200. Much more stable arc on AC with the high frequency and the 15ppm pulser makes it easy to tack aluminum. Better machines can pulse up to 5000ppm. It's a little undersized for aluminum, 1/4" is about your limit on production. Pre-heating will help with thicker sections but it's time consuming because the transformer heats up pretty fast and you have to wait for it to cool down or the machine will shut down.

If your looking at purchasing a brand new machine, def go with the synchro 200! For the little bit of extra money, it's well worth it. I've seen the 200 going for $1850 without the "runner package", which I never even took out of the box. Just get a 25ft. torch.

If you can spend the money, get an inverter type welder. Awesome arc control, and 1/3 of the size of an old school "transformer" type machine.

Lincoln probably makes the best entry level full power welder, it's a 400 amp water cooled unit for about $4000. The next step would be an inverter type machine with atleast 300 amps available.

And yes, Miller owns Hobart, same exact machine.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thank you, this is the type of responce i was looking for on this.

 

just because its owned by miller doesnt mean its the same.

miller probably uses some of the same technology in the hobart, but i can promise you it doesnt have 100% of the internals.
I would not expect the level of quality in the components used nor the support to be the same as miller.

 

service manuals are same. So obviously the circuitry is same. I would assume part numbers are the same too but i haven't dug that deep.

 

I would expect it to be the same exact thing. One issue with service that I learned the hard way though... If you puchase a machine on the internet, they are generally drop shipped from the manufacture, not a problem, your local welding store might have to order it in. Problem is if you need service, the first thing Miller asks is where did you purchase the machine? They will honor warranty, but they might give you a hard time and tell you that you'll need to ship it out for service rather than return it to the place of purchase (local welding supplier). Something to concider....

In my situation it ended up being a earth grounding issue and I did not require service or warranty. Miller makes an excellent quality machine, but **** happens.