There is a certain thrill about the act of welding.
I am not sure whether the charm is in the chinking sounds or the feeling of doing something dangerous, like riding a motorbike. Nevertheless, the moment I set my eyes on my husband working with welding machines in our shed, I was mesmerized by the flying sparks. And so, I impulsively decided to give it a go.
Unfortunately, things didn't go so smoothly. After messing up the heat settings, and lots of spattering later, I learned that welding is very much an art that requires proper training and the right tools.
Of course, spattering is inevitable with most flux core and MIG welders in my budget, but the wrong tools may aggravate it. So, before giving up my new hobby, I decided to see for myself whether a change in welder produced different results. And, indeed, it did.
Needless to say, this was my first lesson in the importance of picking the right tools for my welding needs. Hi! My name is Stacy, and today I will be comparing and deciding the winner in the battle between Hobart 130 Vs. 140.
Before getting into the nitty-gritty, it is worth noting that these two welders from the leading brand Hobart have a few things in common. For instance, I couldn't separate the two at first glance due to their similar body design and color.
What's more, both products require a powering voltage of 115V, making them equally useful for similar operations around the house. In fact, you will find both models in my tool shed as I can use them interchangeably without the need to buy separate spools or consumables.
And now, without further ado, let's see how both tools performed in other areas:
Right off the bat, you will notice that these two models have a glaring difference in welding capacity. That said, the Hobart 130 can weld up to 3/16 inches thick metals, whereas the 140 model can go up to ¼ inches.
However, I have learned that a higher welding capacity does not necessarily mean it is the best. For starters, I work with thin metal sheets often enough to know that the Hobart 140 model may cause warping. On the other hand, the 130 model may not be of much use if I plan on working on heavy-duty jobs that require a clean weld at one go.
To date, I have had no issues in workability with either welders, but I have felt a significant difference while using them. That said, even though the Hobart 130 model has an impressive torch gun that stretches 8 feet long, the makers have added two more feet in the 140 model.
As you would expect, the additional length has allowed me to move around comfortably without having to lug the power source. Not to mention how the 140 model has been equipped with a long power cord that only adds to its convenience.
Whether you are a novice or an expert, having a wide range of wire feed speed at your disposal is always a pro in my books. That said, with the Hobart 140 model, users can work with a rate as low as 40 RPM or go as high as 700 RPM.
In comparison, the 130 model has a minimum wire feed speed of 50 RPM and a maximum of 400 RPM. And although I prefer sticking with a lower wire feed speed to avoid spattering, a wider range undoubtedly provides more versatility and room to experiment.
If you are like my husband and find yourself involved in many heavy-duty operations, then the 140 model's output range will impress you much more than its counterpart. According to him, the Hobart 130 model's welding speed range of 30 amps at the lowest setting and 130 at the highest is pretty decent but not wide enough.
On the other hand, the 140 model has an output range of 25 amps to 140 amps – which is perhaps strong enough to weld through ¼ inches of steel. If you ask my husband, this tool indeed has his nod of approval.
Weighing at 50.5 lbs., we have the Hobart 130 on one side, and on the other side, we have the hefty Hobart 140 that weighs a total of 57 lbs. Had this been a wrestling match, the Hobart 130 might have been the underdog.
However, in terms of welders, I appreciate a lightweight tool that I can carry around without breaking my back. Anyhow, the bulky exterior of the 140 model takes up much more room in the truck when my husband takes it out for repairs and outside jobs.
While both are relatively easy to put together, a seasoned welder won't need an instruction manual to assemble the Hobart 130. Frankly, I couldn't say the same for the 140 model as I had to tinker around a bit even with the instruction manual at my disposal.
As far as features go, the Hobart undoubtedly packs a more powerful punch – perhaps, literally.
However, this is not to say that the Hobart 130 model isn’t helpful. In fact, you may be better off with the latter if you are a beginner and don’t need to do heavy-duty jobs that require too much movement around the job site. Not to mention how you also save a couple of extra dollars.
As for me, I have gradually upgraded to more heavy-duty tasks over the past few months. And while this doesn’t mean I am working with aircraft frames, the Hobart 140 has been an ideal tool for my wrought iron furniture.
Combined with its versatility and the added convenience of a long cord and torch gun, the Hobart 140 model is the winning welder, in my humble opinion.
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