Let's talk MIG welders
#31
Ok so I drove over there after work today.
I pull up out front and head inside. Apparently the front area is the internet sale area so I had a few people stare at me briefly and then turn back to their work. One guy walks over looks at me than heads off again. Stood there for a few minutes and no one said a word to me. So I decided to leave.
Noticed a sign that said deliveries and will call so I went over to that. I opened that door to see a shipping area and a guy staring at me. I apologized and he asked what I was looking for so I said welders and he said come on in.
He asked what kind of welder I was after and price range. So I said I wanted to take a look at the MIG 130 and 140. So he said to follow him. So we walked through the small warehouse towards the back. In the back they have a small demo area with a few models of theirs out and a miller. He pulls out the 140 first and shows it to me and then pulls out the 130. He tells me about the 130 China made not a bad machine 10 foot gun (no it's 6 foot) not quick changeable, and not very good quality. Than talks up the 140 made in Hungary much better quality, much better gun, handles bigger spools, etc etc.
When I walked in there I was pretty sold on taking the 130 Mig home. After hearing the guy that worked there talk it down, finding out it was china made, and the fact that the price on it with a tank I was quoted was more than it would cost me to buy it online and have them deliver it, talked me out of it. He was quoting me $500 on the MIG 130 and $120 for the tank with gas plus tax. The 130 is $449.00 on their site right now.
They did have a used demo model 140 they would let go for a great deal of $900 a discount of $59.00 did not impress me. Of course the guy thought they were going for $1100 on their website.
Overall the lack of product knowledge, and talking down their own product had me heading for the door. The employee was friendly but didn't really know the product and the Boss didn't even return my greeting when he passed by.
Maybe it was a off day for them, but overall the customer service was not what I expected and the product was not presented well at all. Add on the fact that they are charging more than they list the product for online and I'm not impressed with HPT or www.usaweld.com at all.
I'm going to do a lot more looking at the Lincoln 140 and Hobart 140. I can get the Lincoln 140 for $445 locally and $499 on the hobart.
I pull up out front and head inside. Apparently the front area is the internet sale area so I had a few people stare at me briefly and then turn back to their work. One guy walks over looks at me than heads off again. Stood there for a few minutes and no one said a word to me. So I decided to leave.
Noticed a sign that said deliveries and will call so I went over to that. I opened that door to see a shipping area and a guy staring at me. I apologized and he asked what I was looking for so I said welders and he said come on in.
He asked what kind of welder I was after and price range. So I said I wanted to take a look at the MIG 130 and 140. So he said to follow him. So we walked through the small warehouse towards the back. In the back they have a small demo area with a few models of theirs out and a miller. He pulls out the 140 first and shows it to me and then pulls out the 130. He tells me about the 130 China made not a bad machine 10 foot gun (no it's 6 foot) not quick changeable, and not very good quality. Than talks up the 140 made in Hungary much better quality, much better gun, handles bigger spools, etc etc.
When I walked in there I was pretty sold on taking the 130 Mig home. After hearing the guy that worked there talk it down, finding out it was china made, and the fact that the price on it with a tank I was quoted was more than it would cost me to buy it online and have them deliver it, talked me out of it. He was quoting me $500 on the MIG 130 and $120 for the tank with gas plus tax. The 130 is $449.00 on their site right now.
They did have a used demo model 140 they would let go for a great deal of $900 a discount of $59.00 did not impress me. Of course the guy thought they were going for $1100 on their website.
Overall the lack of product knowledge, and talking down their own product had me heading for the door. The employee was friendly but didn't really know the product and the Boss didn't even return my greeting when he passed by.
Maybe it was a off day for them, but overall the customer service was not what I expected and the product was not presented well at all. Add on the fact that they are charging more than they list the product for online and I'm not impressed with HPT or www.usaweld.com at all.
I'm going to do a lot more looking at the Lincoln 140 and Hobart 140. I can get the Lincoln 140 for $445 locally and $499 on the hobart.
Last edited by ArmyRover; 10-27-2015 at 06:50 PM.
#32
#33
It wasn't what I wanted either, I went in there to leave with a welder. You were right though I really did like the looks of the MIG 140. Looked like a solid machine that was well built and packing all the right features. The price point is way above what I wanted to spend but I was tempted.
The MIG 130 was going to be the winner, but hearing him talk about it killed it. Inside it honestly doesn't look to be any better quality than the Eastwood or any other MIG welders of similar cost.
Doing a little digging on the Hobart 140, it seems to be american made and the Lincoln 140 seems to be made in Mexico. Going to need to stop in at the local farm and fleet to check out the offerings from Hobart.
The MIG 130 was going to be the winner, but hearing him talk about it killed it. Inside it honestly doesn't look to be any better quality than the Eastwood or any other MIG welders of similar cost.
Doing a little digging on the Hobart 140, it seems to be american made and the Lincoln 140 seems to be made in Mexico. Going to need to stop in at the local farm and fleet to check out the offerings from Hobart.
#34
http://killeen.craigslist.org/tls/5289164277.html
Located near me if you want it. Can ship it for you. It's Lincoln
Located near me if you want it. Can ship it for you. It's Lincoln
#38
"lincoln tomb stones"..........BWAAHAAAHAAAAAAAAA!
I've had 2 of those Hobarts, I'll sometimes buy one for a job,write it off and sell it.......I could never get enough heat out of it to be happy.
Gas & bottle you can get at any supplier, you should shop that around....Don't purchase used from private owner unless you check the date on it, if out of date it's scrap.
Still disappointed in the HTP experience........side thought would be to purchase the 130 and use for 60 days, return it and upgrade to the 140, you'll already have the credit for the 130, save up the balance over the next 60 days?.....This way your welding possibly by Saturday....unsure if that makes sense but.......
Wish I took notes.....When I purchased my last Chinese plasma, I spent time with the importer at his warehouse in Columbus Ohio......We started talking welders and it turns out he had been to each plant over there deciding what units he would import.......Long story short he graded equipment by how clean the plant was.....looking at a few welders online he could pin point the plant and say yes or no to a potential unit.....it was pretty cool hanging out with the Chinaman, he was only importing plasma's and on demand water heaters at the time, kept a clean warehouse.
I've had 2 of those Hobarts, I'll sometimes buy one for a job,write it off and sell it.......I could never get enough heat out of it to be happy.
Gas & bottle you can get at any supplier, you should shop that around....Don't purchase used from private owner unless you check the date on it, if out of date it's scrap.
Still disappointed in the HTP experience........side thought would be to purchase the 130 and use for 60 days, return it and upgrade to the 140, you'll already have the credit for the 130, save up the balance over the next 60 days?.....This way your welding possibly by Saturday....unsure if that makes sense but.......
Wish I took notes.....When I purchased my last Chinese plasma, I spent time with the importer at his warehouse in Columbus Ohio......We started talking welders and it turns out he had been to each plant over there deciding what units he would import.......Long story short he graded equipment by how clean the plant was.....looking at a few welders online he could pin point the plant and say yes or no to a potential unit.....it was pretty cool hanging out with the Chinaman, he was only importing plasma's and on demand water heaters at the time, kept a clean warehouse.
#40
I bought this combo. MIG175 Welder and Versa Cut Plasma Cutter Kit - Eastwood
I don't have 220 in the garage either. I ended up putting a "temporary" outlet under our breaker box and made a 80' extension to run into the garage when I need it.