Hobart Handler 190 Review (Practical & Important Facts)

I recently decided to get my paws on Hobart Handler 190 mig welder and test its performance against the others I’ve had in the past.

My main objective of settling for this model is that I was looking for a low-cost option for cutting steel, aluminum, and other solid metals. This welder coming from a world-renowned seller, I knew I couldn’t go wrong.

Well, my honest hobart handler 190 review will tear apart my experience and give much insight into its performance. Read on.

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Product specification

First impressions matter and I fell in love with the Hobart Handler 190 instantly. First, I’ll mention the technical details about the product. The product weighs 78 pounds, which I found favorable, especially since I can easily move around and use it on my outdoor projects.

With an overall dimension of 24.2 x 13.3 x 18.7 inches, I was satisfied that the Hobart Handler 190 mig wire welder will not take much space in my workshop.

The duty cycle of 30% at 130 Amperage and the current range of 25A-190 A gave me the confidence that this is the product I’ve been searching for. Down the line, I’ll not need to upgrade due to the high amperage and longer duty cycle.

Here’s the list of specifications

5/3/1 industrial warranty.
Weld Output: CV.
Current Type: DC.
Input Phase: 1 Phase.
Amp range: 25A – 190A.
Weldable: Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Steel.
Welding type: MIG welding

Why I choose the Hobart Handler 190 mig wire welder?

From the onset, I wanted a machine that can weld even thin metals. The good thing about the Hobart is that it can weld 1/4 metal excellently.

When I finally settled on the Hobart, I knew that it wasn’t the cheapest or most expensive option out there. The price was well within our budget.

Everything came as advertised, although there was some little assembly. That was not a problem since the instructions were clear.

Is Hobart welder a good welder?

The Hobart welders are known for their quality work and are in high demand. They often have the skills and experience necessary to work on a wide variety of projects. Hobart welders are well-versed in various welding techniques and can handle even the most challenging welding jobs. They often have the technical expertise to work on a wide variety of projects, from large industrial buildings to small car repairs.

Hobart welders are reliable and typically take pride in their quality work. Because they are experienced welders, they know how to avoid common mistakes that can lead to problems. In addition, they have the technical expertise to fix any problems that do occur.

Because Hobart welders are so reliable, many businesses turn to them when they need expert welding services.

Can a Hobart 190 weld aluminum?

Welding aluminum with a Hobart 190 is possible with the SpoolRunner 100 spool gun. The 190 is a versatile welder that can weld most all metals, including aluminum.

It also maintains consistent welds thanks to its automatic feed system and dual arc capabilities. Whether you are a novice welder looking for an easy-to-use machine or an experienced fabricator seeking quality welds with minimal setup time, the Hobart Handler 190 is a great option. The Hobart Handler 190 offers superior performance and quality, making it the ideal choice for anyone looking to get started in welding aluminum.

My Experience of The Hobart Handler 190

The Hobart 190 needs a 230Voltage input power. This was not an issue since I’ve had other machines that operated within the same receptacle range. However, I was a little concerned about my welding side hustles, which would require a lot of power.

Power is always a top consideration, and the advantage of this machine is that I can even use it outside where the power source is a generator. You can find out more about the product features on the manufacturer’s website.

Flexible amperage

I like the flexibility of the welding range that allows me to make adjustments between 25 and 190 amps. However, I find this a downside since it can’t weld extremely thin or thick metal. As such, the metal thickness stands at 24 gauge up to 5/16 inches.

Duty cycle

I like the duty cycle of 30% at 130 amps. This comfortably gives me up to three minutes of non-stop welding and seven minutes of rest. When I’m working on my hobby projects, the machine doesn’t overheat.

Flexibility

The Hobart 190 is a versatile machine, and there’s a great deal of choice on the metals it can handle.

I tried on aluminum, and I found it to be incredibly helpful. Indeed I don’t need any external controls since there is a spool runner in the package. This helps me deal with issues to do with feeding associated with aluminum metal.

I also use the spool gun when working on stainless steel and mild steel metals.

Easy to use

Did I mention that the Hobart 190 is one of the most user-friendly welding machines around? This machine is easy to operate thanks to the control features on its panel.

There are a control button and an adjustable knob that has seven voltage settings. This makes my work easier since I have an avalanche of options depending on the metal I’m welding. With this machine, I only need to set the voltage, shielding gas, feed speed, and wire type.

Additionally, the grove drive system makes it easy for me to switch when changing the wire size. That’s not all; there’s an in-build wire feeding system that makes it easy to release the rolling level, thereby simplifying the entire process.

Safe to use

The Hobart 190 comes with an inbuilt contractor that ensures the wire remains cold after turning on but not when in use. Therefore, this enables me to pause my welding and proceed later on without any qualms that anything will go wrong.

I’m glad to report that this machine also has short-circuit protection, and this prevents any overload. To sum up everything, this is the safest welding machine for home use.

Portable machine

The weight of the Hobart 190 welding machine is manageable at 89 pounds. Besides, the handle makes it easy for me to carry around the house to the garage and back.

I love the fact that when I remove the attachments, the weight is approximately 68 pounds. I wouldn’t imagine having to use a cart to wheel the machine around the house.

Value for money

The package has everything I need for my projects, which saved me the agony of making return trips to the store. Inside the package, there is a flux-core wire, contact tips, and a gauge for the argon gas. There is the spool gun, gauge regulator, gas hose, power cord, 10 feet cord, clamp, manual, flux wire, and more.

With a five-year manufacturer’s warranty, I can confidently say that the Hobart Handler 190 will give me service over the years.

Unboxing Hobart Handler 190

HR-100 MIG gun with ergonomic.
Work cable (10 ft).
Power cord and plug.
Clamp.
Use manual.
Spool adapater.
MIG gun.

The Downsides of Hobart Handler 190

Although the machine has a lot of benefits, I quickly found out that I may not use it for heavy-duty projects. Once in a while, I may want to engage in a welding side hustle. I may often decline certain projects due to these limitations.

I also find the issue of 230 voltage requirements quite a limitation since it means I may not be able to use a generator of fewer than 7000 watts.

After using the machine for three weeks, I decided to get a bigger generator for use in my garages. This has enabled me to save on energy since, and I can easily carry my Hobart handler 190 for outdoor projects.

Related: Millermatic 252 problems? We cover the most common issues and how to fix them.

Frequently asked question (FAQs)

How thick can a Hobart 190 weld?

A Hobart 190 welds up to 1/8 inch thick steel. It is a small, portable welder that is perfect for light-duty welding projects.

What’s the Hobart 190 vs lincoln 180?

Both the Hobart 190 and Lincoln 180 are high-quality welders that are perfect for a variety of welding needs. However, the Hobart 190 is a more advanced welder that offers a number of features and benefits that the Lincoln 180 does not.

Final thoughts

How would I rate the Hobart Handler 190? I’d give it a 4.5* since it has enabled me to handle my indoor projects with ease. The 0.5* missing is because it can’t handle bigger tasks.

Overall, I’d recommend this machine to hobbyists or DIY enthusiasts. If you’d like to buy this machine, they are available on Amazon and other online stores.

Brandon M. Fox

I have completed Diploma at Welding. I have spent 10+ years in Welding. Now love to write about welding and welding products and share my own experiences. Find me: Twitter | Facebook

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