older Hobarts

[Leanna.]

Hey, I've been looking around for a used welder, and came across a few Hobarts...but I don't know the companys history very well. How did the older models perform and keep up?

[Sundown]

Welcome to the board, I've only owned newer Hobart and Miller Mig welders but from what I understand the older Hobarts were very good machines. If you can be more specific about what you are looking at I am sure some of the guys here will most likely have owned or used one.

[Leanna.]

I'm looking at a hobart M300 ..its 3 phase, 220/440 V., AC arc welder with a polarity switch...not sure of the year.
on this other one, i don't quite understand all the description for it
maybe you can help: hobart M-250, 30 volts, specs-2555, duty cycle-30%, s/s aaw 74802 with a 10 hp motor, 3450 rpm, **3-phase, 60 hz 27/14 amp, 203/460 volts.**
the part in * , is that to describe just the motor or ...the whole thing?

[Sundown]

Maybe when the experts come in they can get more info on these for you.

[Leanna.]

you wouldn't call yourself an expert?
you probably know more than i do.

[Sundown]

Originally posted by Leanna.
you wouldn't call yourself an expert?
you probably know more than i do.

No, I would not call myself an expert. There are however, some on this board who IMHO, are. Hopefully they will awake and get you some answers.

[Hobart Expert Steve]

Leeanna;

I checked on the information for the M-250. It was manufactured in May of 1972. The duty cycle will refer to the welding output. The other information will refer to the incoming primary voltage of 230/460 VAC and the current draw 27/14 amps at the machine's rated output. The spec # number I came up with is 4555. If you need more imformation please email me back or you can order an Owner's manual at 920-735-4356.

Steve
smarck@millerwelds.com

[MangleWeld]

The unit your are inquiring about is much more sophisicated than the ones I'm used to. I got hold of a used hobart (cracker box) back in 1970 Small Blue welder with a wheel to change the settings it was the best welder you could ask for allways did great, some times older is better.

[MM251]

I have a Hobart 300 amp gas powered DC welder that my dad thinks is WW2 surplus. It has a Chrysler flathead 6 cylinder engine that runs like a top. It is a towed unit with an eye for the crane to lift it on to the job site/building.
It welds like a dream. The exhaust pipe is 4" in dia. and maybe 12" long. Does anybody else remember that sweet sound?

Many of the older units were overbuilt because they didn't know how long the stuff would last. They didn't want returns and complaints so heavy-duty was exactly that.

Old working Hobarts? The older the better.

Chris

[Leanna.]

wow- thanks alot guys....I completely agree, the older the better....i want something thats going to be able to take a ding here and there and still work like mad..... i hardly buy anything new ('cept the essentials) ....way too easy to 'f' up...
....plus i'm cheap

thanks again guys----->Leanna.

[mrimpact]

the only hobart i ever used was an older engine drive and it was a nice and very rugged welder and outperforms the newer version hobart drives i tried around lately(few years ago).anyways i now have it lying on a table in the corner of my shop in pieces as i am restoring and overhauling the engine components but i seem to never get time around to working on it.i really think i take too much time in things,oh well.

[the hat]

Keep in mind 3 phase power is usually only found in an industrial setting.If the M300 has a polarity switch then it must have DC with a 300 amp capacity. The M250 sounds like an old moter drive which means it is like a gas drive only it it has an electric motor,very sweet welding machines

[Leanna.]

but you can wire 3-phase into your house or garage, can't you?
i was under the impression i could....
eh, i decided on the 250 anyway. i'd like to be able to take it mobile, somewhere down the road....
****, i'm all excited bout the welder now, but...how do i ship it?
I mean, not how but with who? Where the **** do i start?



---penny for your thoughts---

[enlpck]

For home use, you don't want a 3-phase welder unless you a) live in a large complex with a three phase feed and can con the management to run 3P to your location, b) want to run a generator to power it (3 phase gensets are pricey and start at somewhere around 20 to 50 KW) or c) want to pay a buttload of money to the power co--- they don't like to run 3P to a residence, and the service costs a LOT more than residential 120/240.

Iv'e NOT heard good things about running a transformer type welder on a phase converter. A motor-generator type can probably be run on a phase converter at reduced rating (half power) Motor-generator types run a very sweet arc in general, and are quite versatile if you don't need AC.

If you are set on the 250, keep in mind that it isn't portable as is-- it requires 3 phase power. It MAY be modifyable for engine drive, depending on the frame design, with enough work.

We have several old Hobarts at my shop, the ones getting the most use being a Megaflex650 (CC/CV 650 amp) that is a blast-very smooth, and a Betamig that runs real nice as well. Very rugged.

[Leanna.]

...okay, so this gas powered welder still needs a hookup?
how can you tell? or do you just know that? I read it as
gas motor generates the 3-phase which powers the welder.
but your saying its really gas + electric powers welder....
so, when you're looking at the description of a welder, what tells you which one it is?