In Brief: Hobart 190 vs Lincoln 180
The Lincoln 180 and the Hobart 190 are very capable dual-process welders that can be used for MIG as well as flux-cored arc welding. Similar to output, the welders only differ in their applications. The welders can be run from 230 Volts power sources and relatively have high outputs for their size. While the Lincoln 180 is rugged and is used for commercial and light industrial works whereas the 190 is oriented towards more novice users and small-scale jobs.
This category of welders is built to cater to light to medium-duty usage. The welders can weld steel and aluminum and are rugged and durable.
They are often preferred by professional welders as well who want an efficient and portable welder.
The welders are both very capable and have high duty cycles and weld outputs. Both the Hobart 190 and the Lincoln 180 are great upgrades over the starter range of welders, being more powerful and able to handle thicker materials.
These welders are suitable for all types of light industrial and domestic applications such as home repairs, automotive works, metal art, light fabrication, and hobby projects.
The following sections will provide essential information on both the products.
Overview of Hobart 190
The Hobart 190 is a dual process welding machine designed to perform both gasless and gas versions of flux core welding. The welder is also compatible with a residential power source.
The machine features seven output voltage settings for finer control making it easy to set and adjust for different materials and thicknesses, while ensuring less spatter and cleaner welds.
The welder is manufactured by Hobart Welding, a manufacturing company established in 1917. Hobart Welding produces a wide array of welding and cutting equipment globally.
Key Specs –
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | MIG, Flux-core |
| Product Weight | 68 lbs. |
| Input Voltage / Frequency | 230V |
| Weld Thickness | 24 Ga to 5/16 in. |
| Wire Speed Range | 40 – 700 in/min |
| Maximum Open Circuit Voltage | 31 V |
| Rated Output | 130 A at 21.5 V DC 30 % duty cycle |
| Output Range | 25 – 190 Amp |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 19.5 x 10.6 x 12.4 in3 |
| Price |
The welder weighs 68 pounds and is run on DC input. The machine can weld steel or aluminum and works best for thicknesses ranging from 24 Gauge to 5/16 inches.
It has a maximum open-circuit voltage of 31 Volts.
It also comes with thermal overload protection which saves the equipment from damage in case of a thermal overload.
The Hobart 190 has a wide output range and can be used right out of the box. The welder’s adjustable drive facilitates the wire alignment in the machine.
The drive also makes sure that crushing and tangling of the wire is reduced.
The use of shielding gas is optional while working with this machine as the welding processes can be done in the absence of gases as well.
The following video gives a brief overview of the welder:
The machine can weld softer aluminum with ease too since it can be paired with a spool gun reducing other accessories.
The welder can be utilized for a number of domestic jobs such as DIY workshops, home projects and repairs or smaller fabrication work. The welder comes with the standard 5/3/1 year warranty.
It gives you infinite control over the feed and speed of the wire and is the easiest to use for novice welders.
Pros
- Ease of installation
- Supports MIG and Flux Core Arc
- Portable
- Lightweight
- High Duty cycle
- Optional Shielding Gas
- Durable
Cons
- Struggles to weld thicker materials
- Can run on the standard household current input
Overview of Lincoln 180
The Lincoln 180 is a dual-process welder which operates through 230 and 208V power sources.
The welder comes with every accessory needed for getting started with welding which includes a MIG gun, gas, and gasless nozzles, clam and work cable, contact tips and else.
The welder was manufactured by Lincoln Electric, a company based in Ohio and founded in 1895.
Lincoln Electric is one of the oldest manufacturers of welding accessories and equipment in the country. The welder comes with a 3-year warranty.
The Lincoln 180 weighs a light 56 pounds and can be run from 208 or 230 Volt sources.
The welder is capable of welding steel of up to 5/16 inches. The welder output ranges from 30 to 180 Amperes and can be used to weld thicker materials too.
Key Specs –
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | MIG, Flux-core |
| Product Weight | 66 lbs. |
| Input Voltage / Frequency | 208 V, 230 V / 60 Hz |
| Weld Thickness | 24 Ga to 5/16 in. |
| Wire Speed Range | 50 – 500 in/min |
| Maximum Open Circuit Voltage | 34 DC at 230 V |
| Rated Output | At 208 V - 130A / 17.6V / 30% At 230 V - 130A / 20V / 30% |
| Output Range | 30 to 180 A |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 18.2 x 10.15 x 14 in3 |
| Price |
The welder can weld steel as well as aluminum jobs since it is also compatible with a spool gun. The welder’s design is also tool-free to make it more accessible and easy to use without any extra accessories.
The welder has higher output due to its diamond technology and produces a forgiving arc and a low splatter action.
The following video gives a brief overview of the welder:
The machine’s fully adjustable drive system allows for reduced wire tangling and better wire management.
The welder is also lightweight and can be carried easily by a number of means.
Although the Lincoln 180 is more expensive than some of its competitors, the welder offers more durability and higher welding capacity in industrial applications.
Pros
- Ease of usage
- Supports MIG and Flux Core Arc
- Portable
- High Duty cycle
- Can weld thicker materials
- Thermal Overload Protection
- High Output Range
- Smooth and forgiving arc
- No wire tangling
Cons
- Cannot run on residential sources
Key Differences between Hobart 190 vs Lincoln 180
The Hobart 190 is just a bit heavier than the Lincoln 180. As for the output range, the welders are mostly similar, the Hobart 190 edging the Lincoln 180 by 10 Amperes more of power.
Although, the Lincoln 180 can weld more metal in a single pass as compared.
The Lincoln 180 is built to handle more heavy-duty operations while the Hobart 190 is a specialist in handling light-duty applications.
Summary of Key specs and differences –
| Parameters | Hobart 190 | Lincoln 180 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | MIG, Flux-core | MIG, Flux-core |
| Product Weight | 68 lbs. | 56 lbs. |
| Output Range | 25 to 190 A | 30 to 180 A |
| Weld Thickness | Up to 5/16 in. | Up to 5/16 in. |
| Duty Cycle | 130 Amps at 30% | 130 Amps at 30% |
| Processes Supported | MIG, Flux-core | MIG, Flux-core |
| Input Voltage | 230 V | 208 V, 230 V |
| Price |
Summary
The welders are very close in specifications as well as sizes, however, both have their own applications. While the Hobart caters to more domestic or household users, the Lincoln does the same for commercial purposes.
The Lincoln can weld more material in a single pass and is rugged as well as durable, two characteristics that are essential for a commercial welder.
The Lincoln is also compatible with a spool gun which gives it an advantage because it can weld aluminum as well.
The Hobart is also easier to use for a new or intermediate user and is suited for household applications because of the wide output range which can weld thinner metals with ease.
While it is not to say that the Lincoln would not be efficient in a domestic setting but the machine is built for heavy-duty use and the Hobart 190 would be better suited for such applications.