Review of the Hobart Handler 140 MIG Welder

The Hobart Handler 140 has an excellent reputation as a beginner friendly, versatile, and reliable welder. This straightforward machine performs MIG and Flux Core welding; hence, you will find it in homes, small businesses, auto body shops, and DIY garages.

Every feature on the Hobart 140 MIG welder emphasizes its high build quality. So, if you’re looking for an affordable welder with no dubious claims on its capabilities, this unit might be it. This post looks closely at the Hobart Handler 140 to help you decide whether it’s the one for you.

Hobart 140 MIG Welder Review

What’s included with the Hobart Handler 140 MIG Welder?

Hobart Handler Technical Specifications   

Manufactured In	Troy, Ohio
Processes	MIG, Flux Core
Purposes	DIY/Hobbyist Auto Repair Field Operations (Maintenance and Repair) Farm and Ranch
Duty Cycle	20% @ 90A (18.5V)
Input Voltage	110V/115V/120V (20A)
Input Hz	60 Hz
Amperage Range	25 A – 140 A
Voltage	5 Fixed Positions
Wire Feed Speed (WFS)	40 – 70 ipm
Wire Thickness	0.024 in – 0.035 in.
Wire Spool Sizes	4 in, 8 in.
Spool Gun Ready	No
Weldable Materials	Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminum
Weight	57 lbs.
Warranty	5/3/1  years
Customers Rating

Where’s the Hobart Handler 140 Made?

Hobart is a well-known and trusted brand in the welding equipment industry. Hobart is a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works (ITW), a century-old welding company.

The Hobart Handler 140 is designed and manufactured by ITW, and it’s made in Troy, Ohio. It shares a few components like the transformer-style power supply with Miller welders. Thus, you can depend on the quality of the product, knowing that it’s made domestically with the best materials.

Hobart Handler 140 Features

Build Quality and Portability of the Hobart 140

Hobart 140 MIG welder is an inexpensive welder with an admirable build quality. First impressions are so outstanding because it features metal panels, and the frame is quite sturdy. Although it has some plastic trim, it’s pretty thick and won’t break easily.

This welder qualifies as portable by welding definition since it weighs only 57 pounds. In addition, you’ll like that it has well-laid internals, which makes troubleshooting and repairs fast and easy.

Power Requirements of the Hobart 140 Welder

However, with light-gauge materials, you can expect a nice, smooth welding arc on 15A power.

Is the Hobart Handler 140 Easy to Use

The Hobart 140 MIG welder comes with a straightforward operating panel. It has a simple on/off toggle for the main switch and two vertically stacked control knobs. The stacking of the two dials makes for a clean and uncluttered space that is intuitive to use and easy to understand.

One dial is for the wire feed speed (WFS), while the second selects the voltage setting. In addition, the controls are easy to operate with gloves on.

Wire Feed Speed of the Hobart 140

The wire feed speed (WFS) is marked 10 to 100 and is infinitely adjustable between 40 and 700 ipm (inches per minute). The large WFS range comes in handy for fine-tuning, enabling you to produce good arcs. Still, keep in mind that the ideal wire speed will vary with input power, travel speed, stick out, and many others.  

Voltage Settings

You get five preset voltage selections on the Hobart Handler 140 with an output range of 25 to 140 amps. Many people desire infinite control for fine-tuning, especially if the metal thickness doesn’t match the recommended settings or the metal is too cold. Nonetheless, you have a large WFS range for dialing in your arc when needed.

Wire Drive Mechanism

Hobart Handler 140 comes with a Quick Select drive system that allows you to change the roller size without tools. The wire drive mechanism has a construction from dependable cast aluminum. Additionally, it provides tension control thanks to the precise markings to help correctly setting of the wire tautness.

This unit uses a triple groove roller. All you need to do is push in and twist the roller to set the wire size you want to use. You don’t need to remove the roller or use any tools.

There are two smooth grooves on the Handler 140 for .024 in wire and .030/035 in. flux core or solid wire. The third is a textured groove for 0.030/0.035 soft wire. It uses lighter roller tension settings to prevent squashing or deforming a more delicate wire, so you don’t have to deal with jams and bird-nesting associated with feeding soft wire.

Furthermore, it allows precise pressure control thanks to the calibrated feed tension control, which prevents crushing or slippage.

Gun and Cables of the Welder

Hobart 140 MIG welder comes complete with a MIG gun and cable, all 10ft. long. The gun is easy to use since it fits the hand well. Moreover, the cable has high-quality sheathings that you’ll find simple to manage. Both cables are flexible down to 30 degrees, and when you fold them, they don’t kink and set.

Another nice feature is that the work cable is 6-gauge thick, enough to handle the load. However, it does not come with the bonding cable, but you’ll find it pretty easy to swap the clamp.

Duty Cycle and Stock Thickness of the Hobart Handler 140

You can tell that the Hobart 140 MIG welder is not an industrial unit by looking at its 20% @ 90A (18.5V) duty cycle. Therefore, it is meant to complete simple auto repairs, garage welding, sculpting, and home repairs.

Similarly, you get to weld 24 ga. to ¼-inch mild and stainless steel. It cannot handle thicker material, but it’s understandable for the price.

Welding Aluminum with Hobart Handler 140

Thanks to the high ipm range, you can feed soft aluminum through the Hobart Handler 140. Further, the feed-ability is not as good as with solid steel wire.That’s why Hobart advises that you keep the MIG gun lead as straight as possible

Hobart Handler 140 is good with 20 to 16-gauge aluminum. Again, it is not spool gun ready, so considering that MIG wire is not cheap, we suggest getting a spool-ready machine if you’re keen on welding aluminum.

Shielding Gas Regulator and Hose

Overload Protection

The Hobart 140 MIG welder has a wire drive motor, output overload, and thermal protection. To this end, the wire drive motors are automatically safeguarded against circuit overload. In addition, the breaker will trip when the maximum output goes over the maximum, and the unit will shut down automatically if it gets too hot.

Hobart Handler 140 Pros and Cons

Pros

• 5-year transformer warranty
• A breeze to assemble
• Includes a handy metal thickness gauge
• Easy to transport at 57 pounds
• Convenient polarity changeover
• Made in the USA
• Plugs into 115-volt outlet
• Can weld aluminum

Cons

• No digital display
• Small 16 – 20-gauge aluminum thickness gauge 
• Lower duty cycle than models in its price range
• No dual voltage input support

What Are Customers Saying?

Hobart Handler 140 is very popular among DIYers, small businesses, auto shop owners, garage owners, and welding suppliers. These guys have nothing but good things to say about the Hobart Handler 140. Most say that their first impression of this welder was its remarkable quality. Many conclude that it’s as good as other high-end brands, except it is not overpriced.

Who Should Buy the Hobart Handler 140?

This welder is straightforward to use for inexperienced welders. Hence, it’s an excellent choice for small metal projects and DIYers. Nonetheless, experienced users can still wield it since it can produce quality welds. It does great on thin metal sheets, but it can also produce strong welds on thick metals.

Final Thoughts about the Hobart Handler 140

Have you decided on the Hobart Handler 140? You can’t go wrong with this model if you’re looking for pro-quality welds on a less industrial machine. It packs a punch regarding power so you can work on endless projects. Whether you repair auto body panels, exhausts, gardening equipment, or make metal sculptures, the Hobart 140 MIG welder is hard to pass on.