New Hobart 187 and 1st Project!

[TCtop911]

After tons of deliberation, research, and product comparison, I finally decided my first MIG welder would be a Hobart Handler 187. I couldn't be happier with my decision and will not look back! The machine performs flawlessly and lays down beautiful welds.

Knowing it needed some new wheels to show it off, I picked up my first bottle of gas and set out on my first project right away. I hope you like it. Now if only I had the matching orange Hobart auto-darkening helmet...

TC

[Sberry]

Excellent, right size gas bottle too.

[SidecarFlip]

My favorite color...Kubota Orange.

[BorderBrewer]

Beautiful cart and the color looks great!

[TCtop911]

Thanks guys! I gotta say, I've already found this forum to be extremely helpful and your knowledge base terrific.

I've been a woodworker for several years, and of course, "Jack of all trades, master of none", but I had no idea how much I would truly enjoy working in metal! I've had a blast so far. Thanks for getting me hooked...

As my angle grinders are getting a constant workout, I was starting to save for a torch set, but now I may save for a plasma cutter. (Would actually like to have both.) Either way, don't tell my wife!

Have a great day!

TC

[Thegratenate]

That's a nice looking cart, thanks for sharing.

[GEM]

Nice work! The 187 will serve you very well. I would highly recommend saving up for a plasma cutter. Pretty amazing what can be done with the pair.

[TCtop911]

Here are some better pictures for those interested.

[TCtop911]

GEM, you were right. As you can see, I did save up and added a plasma cutter. WOW! What an incredible combination. If you plan on doing a lot of work with metal, this is definitely the way to go.

Happy cutting and welding!

[jonmad]

Beautiful....!

[jbmprods]

GEM, you were right. As you can see, I did save up and added a plasma cutter. WOW! What an incredible combination. If you plan on doing a lot of work with metal, this is definitely the way to go.

Happy cutting and welding!

very nice setup...now save up for OA outfit and you will have almost all bases covered....then you will be buying a tig...and and and hate to say this but the wife will get suspicious when you build a bigger shop

[gordsgarage]

Well done! I lilke the checker plate, love the color!

Gord

[Pangea]

Terrible! It's all wrong. You should ship the whole thing to me and start over!

J/K That rig looks like a dandy and it should serve you well for many years. Very nice!

[SidecarFlip]

Keep in mind, with wood, there is filler. With metal, there is basically no filler to correct mistakes. Measure twice and cut once.

[Blacksmith]

Norm Abrams, the New Yankee Workshop guy wrote a book called Measure Twice, Cut Once, which I have. The first thing he says is don't measure at all; hold the stock (metal or wood) where it needs to go and mark it. You avoid reading the measurement wrong at the project and/or reading the measurement wrong at the saw. Obviously not practical when building a bridge, but I use that advice every chance I can, in wood and metal. I learned long ago the worst thing you can do is have your buddy measure the site with his tape measure and then you mark and cut the piece with yours!