Hobart Handler 190 Review – Is It Worth It?

Since its launch in 2011, the Hobart Handler 190 MIG Welder has gained immense popularity and has become a simple, reliable piece of equipment sold by a well-known and respected brand.

So it's not uncommon if at some point you ask yourself if this unit meets your store's needs.

This article contains all the necessary information about Handler 190, as well as what some actual users have had to say, to help you evaluate whether it's right for you.

quick overview

What is included

• 10 ft (3 m) HR-100 gun
• user manual
• 10 ft (3 m) work cable with clamp
• Built-in gas solenoid valve and dual gauge regulator with gas hose.
• Sample spools of 0.030" (0.8 mm) self-shielded flux cored wire
• 0.030 in (0.8 mm) contact tip
• For 0.6 mm (0.6 mm) or 0.8/0/9 mm (0.8/0/9 mm) solid wire and 0.8/0.9 mm (0.8/0.9 mm) 0.030/035 inch (0.8/0.9 mm) flux cored wire Quick Select™ drive rollers
• power cord with plug
• Welding Guide and Material Thickness Gauge

technical specifications

	handler 190
Welder type	MIG, flux core
Input voltage	220/230/240 volts
duty cycle	30% @ 130A (21.5V)
Amperage	25 – 190A
voltage control	7 positions
Wire feed speed control	endless
Weldable material	Mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum
Mild Steel Thickness (Single Pass)	24 Gauge to 5/16 Inch
Wire thickness	0.023 – 0.035 inch solid wire 0.030 – 0.045 inch flux cored wire
Wire speed	40-700 ipm (under load)
Spool size	4 in. and 8 inches
Spool gun at the ready	✅
Welder Dimensions (H x W x L)	12.375 inches x 10.625 inches x 19.5 inches
weight	68 lbs.
Warranty	5/3/1 year
user rating	★★★★★ 4.7 stars (155 ratings)
price	Check out the best price Northern Tool here (free shipping)

where to buy hobart 190

The Hobart Handler 190 is a well-stocked welder with several retailers, so you shouldn't have any issues.

Every retailer runs their own sales from time to time, so it's worth checking out the following:

• northern tools
• Brian's Farm and Fleet
• amazon
• tractor supply

What You Should Know Before Buying a Handler 190

rookie welder

This welder is one of the easiest to set up and use. Because of this, many welders consider the Handler 190 to be a good first welder.

It allows new users to learn without being bogged down by complicated controls. Plus, the arc and wire feed are good enough for both novice and experienced welders to put down some nice beads.

input power

This welder only uses 240v input power. So if you need to run a MIG welder on 120 volts, this is not the welder for you. Make sure you have a 240 volt outlet protected by at least a 30 amp circuit breaker.

Another option for powering this welder is to use a generator. The Handler 190 can be powered with a 7000 watt continuous generator for full output capability. To get an output of 130 amps, you need a 5000 watt continuous generator.

Related Reading : How Big Is a Generator Needed to Run a Welder?

Weldable blank thickness

Handler 190 puts out 25 to 190 amps and can MIG weld mild steel and stainless steel ranging from 24 gauge to 5/16 inch thick. This is usually all a beginner or welding enthusiast needs. However, if you plan to handle more industrial, thicker stock, you will need larger equipment.

aluminum

The Handler 190 is spool gun ready, but you must purchase the spool gun separately. This means you must evaluate your aluminum welding needs before making a decision. You can buy the spool gun separately should you need it in the future, or buy the bundle that includes it now.

The bundle saves you money compared to buying the welder and spool gun separately. However, if you're not going to buy aluminum for the foreseeable future, the basic unit without the spool gun will have the lowest initial cost.

Whatever you decide to do, once you have your spool gun you can use 16 gauge to 1/4" thick aluminum.

C100 gas

While you do get a gas regulator in the box, it is not recommended to use it with C100 gas. This is because the frosting effect of carbon dioxide gas can damage regulators that were not designed for their use.

However, many welders do prefer to use the C100. If you're one of them, be prepared to supply your own pure CO2 regulator if you decide to buy a Handler 190.

weight

The unit weighs 68 lbs. Therefore, the core unit is light enough that you can move the welder around if necessary.

But if you want something more portable, there are lighter options on the market today.

Consumables

For the most part, Hobart includes everything you need to get started (except MIG welding gases). But it's not enough to keep you going for very long.

Therefore, if you purchase a Handler 190, it is best to add the consumables to your order.

What makes Hobart 190 great

control Panel

Hobart designed the Handler 190 to be easy to use. Take a look at the control panel and you'll see that they really designed a clean, simple machine: two knobs and a switch. There are no lights or digital displays to confuse things.

To make things easier, a setup chart is printed on the inside of the wire compartment door. Just look at the welding settings, turn both dials to the correct setting, and start welding. For this reason, many users consider this welder to be a good choice for a new welder.

welding quality

Users have found that the Handler 190 places good quality beads with relative ease. The simplicity of the welder, combined with the smooth arc and reliable wire drive, make it easier than many competing welders.

Three-groove wire drive roller

Hobart has made few changes to the Handler 190 since its original introduction. But one of the changes was upgrading the drum from 2 grooves to 3.

The Handler 190 now includes a triple groove roller that allows you to run solid or flux cored wire. Therefore, you can run solid wire from 0.023 to 0.035 inches in diameter and flux cored wire from 0.030 to 0.045 inches in diameter using the one roller provided.

This feature isn't usually found on competing products, and it's easy to use. Simply push in the roller and turn so the retaining pin "pops" into the correct slot for your wire size and type.

Spool gun at the ready

Not all "novice" MIG welders accept spool guns. But the Handler 190 has internal circuitry, so whenever you decide to use aluminum, your welder is ready to go.

Once you have your gun, plug it in and flip a switch in the wire compartment to set it up. Converting from steel to aluminum and vice versa is easy and quick.

Wire feeding mechanism

Users have found that the Handler 190 provides smooth wire feed which facilitates good bead placement. It's also easy to set up and reliable. Plus, the Quick Select wheel makes switching tool-free and easy.

The wire feeding mechanism is one of the strengths of the welding machine. Even experienced welders will appreciate its reliable performance and ease of use.

Wire feed motor protection

Your wire feeder motor is working so hard it may burn out. To address this, the Handler 190 does include electronic protection. If the motor is overloaded, the circuit will cut off the motor. Just release the trigger of the flashlight and wait for the circuit to automatically reset.

thermal overload protection

Just like your wire feed motor, the transformer in your welder can be damaged. To prevent this, Hobart provides a thermal trip device that will shut down the unit if it gets too hot. If it does trip, just wait for the unit to cool down, it will automatically reset when it is cool enough.

Cold Wire Safety Features

With the Handler 190, your wires are electrically "cold" when not in use. So you don't need to worry about accidental arcing from accidental short circuits. The wire won't get "hot" unless you pull the trigger on the flashlight.

Warranty

Hobart has been a welder for a long time. One thing they are known for is their warranty. There is a reason for this. The 5/3/1 warranty is one of the best you will find.

5 years warranty on transformers, voltage regulators, rectifiers; 3 years on generators, PC boards and drive systems; and 1 year on MIG guns.

Parcel bundling

The Handler 190 is a good choice for new welders. But the spool gun is extra, which drives up the price.

If you know you'll be working with aluminum, you can save some money by opting for the Hobart package, which includes a welder and spool gun. Everyone likes to save money.

alternative consideration

For those who like to consider all options, you might want to take a look at the Eastwood MIG 180i. It compares very well to the Handler 190 spec.

But it's also inverter based, lighter weight, lower cost, better duty cycle, runs on 120v and 240v, and has extra control features. So overall, it's a better package for a newer unit in my opinion.

	Handler 190 MIG	Eastwood MiG 180i
power input	240V	120V or 240V
output amplifier	25 – 190A	30 -180A
duty cycle	30% @ 130A	30% @ 180A
technology	transformer	inverter
voltage tap	7	endless
4T mode	⛔	✅
Tacking settings	⛔	✅
polarity change	interior compartment	plug on the front of the device
weight	68 lbs.	26 lbs.
Suggested retail price	💲💲💲 Check out the best price Northern Tool here	💲💲 Check out the best prices here

You can find a full overview of the Eastwood MIG 180 here.

in conclusion

The Handler 190 attracts new welders with its simplicity. It's very simple to set up and use. Plus, the wire drive mechanism and arc are smooth, making it easier to create beautiful beads.

But the ability to handle 24-gauge to 5/16-inch thick steel also makes it a practical choice for any maintenance/repair, auto body, DIY, farm/ranch, or metal sculpture shop, as long as they're not doing heavy lifting or industrial work.

While the Handler 190 isn't the cheapest welder in its class, it's made by a reputable company. In addition, Hobart offers a strong warranty. So, for those who want the peace of mind of a brand name and a good warranty, the price is good value.

So if you want a unit that's no-frills, time-tested, and easy to use, you might be willing to pay a little more for the Handler 190 MIG. It's a solid welder that allows beginners to professional welders to lay quality weld beads. Remember, it's limited to light to medium duty steel and aluminum tasks.

Other Hobart Reviews

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