Is MM180 worth $100 more than HH187?

[ChrisB]

subj line says it all. I've narrowed my choices down. I'm leaning towards the MM180. It has more taps and the auto set ability. Plus I think one of the "experts" here claims the Millers run better at higher amps. Looks like the miller spool gun is cheaper than the hobart one.

[whateg0]

Well, actually, the MM180 doesn't have any taps. So, technically, the HH187 has more. But, the MM180 has infinitely adjustable voltage. It also does have the Autoset feature, but I don't know how many people use it.

As far as the experts here, I think most agree that the 187's arc characteristics are better overall than anything else in the class.

If you think the spoolgun is important, then it's price is something to consider. You might mention something about what you intend to use the machine for. Maybe somebody can weigh in on which machine is better for that particular app. Generally speaking, though, I don't think you can go wrong with either machine.

Value? I like blue. But even the LWS where I looked at (and bought) the MM180 said that the HH187 is a great value, and for the price (it was on sale at the time), he wouldn't hesitate to buy the HH187. In the end, I bought the MM180 because I was going to have to wait 2 weeks, or something like that, for the HH187 to come in. What can I say; I'm impatient.

Dave

[ChrisB]

Called one LWS and they said they have a HH210 they'll let go for $780. something about the door got dented.

[cpurvis]

You can go to the Miller site and pull up the specs for the MM180...then click on 'comparison' or something like that. It will list the HH187 as one of the welders compared to the Miller. You can see what the extra $100 buys.

[whateg0]

Actually, it says the comparison is for the HH180, but some of the details look like the 187. Not all of them, though.

Dave

[hankj]

I have a Handler 210. It's a very sweet machine. Excellent arc characteristics.

Hank

[gnewby]

I haven't welded any with the MM 180, but I have welded a lot with the HH 187 and will say it is a very nice welder easy to set up and use.

[Ohio Mike]

Called one LWS and they said they have a HH210 they'll let go for $780. something about the door got dented.

The HH210 is great, and it's spool gun ready. There's also some good deals on new spool guns on eBay if you don't mind buying there.

[ChrisB]

I have a decent sized box tubing project to accomplish. Plus a few other jobs in the 1/4 or less world. I do own a Linc "Tombstone" I just keep hearing people say MIG is the way to roll for tubing stuff.

I've really beat my brain for the past few days. Even went so far as to create a spread sheet that calculates everything from cost plus tax and bottle along with cart or no cart it shows everything from taps and duty cycle. And listed all the major brands.

The good ole boy LWS has two shops one is 2 miles from work the other 8 miles from home. They are mainly Thermal Arc bubbas. However they carry Hobart and claim the HH187 is the hot lick. However when I stopped in today at the one next to work he was clueless to the HH210. They can get in ESAB if you ask for it however the guy said his ESAB rep kicked the bucket so he hasn't been able to get deals on the machines and pass them one. He will order one in if I want it. He makes sure to mention he carries common parts for the Hobart's and Thermal Arcs

The other LWS is 20 miles away and is the one that has the HH210 "deal" and the MM180. Straight forward and polite on the phone even when I could tell he was busy. Invited me to come "check em out" at his store and was patient when I couldn't get it straight in my head where exactly he store was located. When I first called a guy in the warehouse answered and was glad to look and see what they had in stock and walked to the sales guy and told him after he transfered the call to sales.

Here's the boil down (All prices after tax and 80cf bottle no cart and rounded up)

HH187 $820
MM180 $940 ( Spool guns are $180 on ebay) $1120 after gun
HH210 w/dent $980
HH210 $1020

[wmgeorge]

I have a decent sized box tubing project to accomplish. Plus a few other jobs in the 1/4 or less world. I do own a Linc "Tombstone" I just keep hearing people say MIG is the way to roll for tubing stuff.

I've really beat my brain for the past few days. Even went so far as to create a spread sheet that calculates everything from cost plus tax and bottle along with cart or no cart it shows everything from taps and duty cycle. And listed all the major brands.

The good ole boy LWS has two shops one is 2 miles from work the other 8 miles from home. They are mainly Thermal Arc bubbas. However they carry Hobart and claim the HH187 is the hot lick. However when I stopped in today at the one next to work he was clueless to the HH210. They can get in ESAB if you ask for it however the guy said his ESAB rep kicked the bucket so he hasn't been able to get deals on the machines and pass them one. He will order one in if I want it. He makes sure to mention he carries common parts for the Hobart's and Thermal Arcs

The other LWS is 20 miles away and is the one that has the HH210 "deal" and the MM180. Straight forward and polite on the phone even when I could tell he was busy. Invited me to come "check em out" at his store and was patient when I couldn't get it straight in my head where exactly he store was located. When I first called a guy in the warehouse answered and was glad to look and see what they had in stock and walked to the sales guy and told him after he transfered the call to sales.

Here's the boil down (All prices after tax and 80cf bottle no cart and rounded up)

HH187 $820
MM180 $940 ( Spool guns are $180 on ebay) $1120 after gun
HH210 w/dent $980
HH210 $1020

Check Northern Tool and Tractor Supply if you got'em. I paid at TSC $629 or something close to that 12 months ago for my 187
Why do you want a spool gun? You can weld aluminum with the standard 187 and argon, sure if I was going to do it all the time I'd want a spool gun. Actually I'd want a Miller TIG like I sold a year or so ago for aluminum work, oh and a water cooled torch too. .

[ChrisB]

I have a decent sized box tubing project to accomplish. Plus a few other jobs in the 1/4 or less world. I do own a Linc "Tombstone" I just keep hearing people say MIG is the way to roll for tubing stuff.

I've really beat my brain for the past few days. Even went so far as to create a spread sheet that calculates everything from cost plus tax and bottle along with cart or no cart it shows everything from taps and duty cycle. And listed all the major brands.

The good ole boy LWS has two shops one is 2 miles from work the other 8 miles from home. They are mainly Thermal Arc bubbas. However they carry Hobart and claim the HH187 is the hot lick. However when I stopped in today at the one next to work he was clueless to the HH210. They can get in ESAB if you ask for it however the guy said his ESAB rep kicked the bucket so he hasn't been able to get deals on the machines and pass them one. He will order one in if I want it. He makes sure to mention he carries common parts for the Hobart's and Thermal Arcs

The other LWS is 20 miles away and is the one that has the HH210 "deal" and the MM180. Straight forward and polite on the phone even when I could tell he was busy. Invited me to come "check em out" at his store and was patient when I couldn't get it straight in my head where exactly he store was located. When I first called a guy in the warehouse answered and was glad to look and see what they had in stock and walked to the sales guy and told him after he transfered the call to sales.

Here's the boil down (All prices after tax and 80cf bottle no cart and rounded up)

HH187 $820
MM180 $940 ( Spool guns are $180 on ebay) $1120 after gun
HH210 w/dent $980
HH210 $1020

[Craig in Denver]

Buy from the friendly guy. He'll jump thru hoops when you need him.

[MAC702]

I think you are down to one last decision.

Do you want to save $30 on a dented one or not?

[ChrisB]

The "bubba" LWS told me if you want to weld Aluminimun you'll need a spool gun.

If you add the spool gun purchase into the deal the MM180 is the better deal seeing how Miller's spool gun is $200 and Hobart's is $500. I'll let someone else figure out why the same parent company has such a huge price difference between two similar products.

No Nothern Tool store near me. TSC is close, I called the girl said the HH187 was $679 and HH210 $899.

[crawler]

The "bubba" LWS told me if you want to weld Aluminimun you'll need a spool gun.

If you add the spool gun purchase into the deal the MM180 is the better deal seeing how Miller's spool gun is $200 and Hobart's is $500. I'll let someone else figure out why the same parent company has such a huge price difference between two similar products.

No Nothern Tool store near me. TSC is close, I called the girl said the HH187 was $679 and HH210 $899.

HH210 will be better for aluminum because of the additional amperage.
If I were in the market for a HH210 and DP-3035 spool gun, I'd buy the HH210 and buy the DP-3035 separately. See below.

HH210 on fleabay for $829 delivered.
http://cgi.ebay.com/HOBART-HANDLER-2...QQcmdZViewItem

HH210 with spool gun $1299 delivered
http://cgi.ebay.com/HOBART-HANDLER-2...QQcmdZViewItem


Hobart DP 3035 spool gun. $325 delivered
http://cgi.ebay.com/brand-new-dp-303...QQcmdZViewItem