In this Hobart Handler 140 review, we’ll examine one of the best MIG welders under 500. For many reasons, it makes the perfect addition to any home welding enthusiast’s toolkit. Whether it’s automotive repair, fence-work, or light fabrication, this welding rig can handle it all. With detailed research, videos, and comparisons with popular welder brands like Lincoln and Miller, you’ll be able to decide if this is the best choice for you.
Table of Contents
- Overview of the Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V
- Specs of the Hobart 140 Welder
- Hobart Handler 140 Review: Pros and Cons
- Is it Really the Best Mig Welder for the Money?
- Hobart Handler 140 Parts List (Includes free downloads for owner’s manual)
- Lincoln 140 vs Hobart 140 vs Millermatic 141
- Video Review
- Overall Assessment
Hobart Handler MIG Wire Welder: Specs
For its price, the Handler 140 features an impressive array of specs which are sufficient for most light welding work:
- Best Multi Process Welder: Both Mig & Flux Core
- Duty Cycle: 20% at 90A
- Input Voltage: 115v
- Wire Feed Speed Range: 40 to 700 IPM
- Welding Amperage Range: 25 to 140 IPM
- Weld Thickness: 24 ga – ¼”
- Weight: 57 pounds
- Height: 12 and 3/8”
- Length: 19 and ½”
- Width: 10 and 5/8”
- Wire Size: 0.030 -0.035”
- Best Price: Check Current Discounts
- Warranty: Hobart 5/3/1 Industrial Warranty
Hobart Handler 140 Review: Advantages
Ease of Use
If you just bought a new welder, you probably don’t want to waste too much time figuring out how to use it. Luckily the Handler 140 is extremely easy to set up and use right out of the box, so you can start welding right away with no hassle. The controls are extremely simple and easy to figure out. There are only three switches: an on/off switch, a voltage switch, and an amperage switch. Three easy controls are all you need to figure out to start making smooth and satisfying welds. And if you’ve got bulky gloves on you don’t even have to take them off to change the voltage or the amperage, the knobs are extremely easy to operate even with bulky equipment on. Now if you’re just starting out and you don’t know exactly what settings to use for your weld, Hobart has got you covered there too. They have included an extremely handy chart that clearly explains what settings to use depending on the type of metal and wire you’re using to weld. Don’t know how thick your metal is? Hobart even threw in a gauge that you can use to find out. Hobart is really committed to making welding simple for both beginners and professionals.
Versatility
For home welding enthusiasts, one of the best features of the Handler 140 is that it is compatible with most common 20amp 120V home outlets. That means you use your Handler 140 anywhere you have access to a standard 20A outlet, which makes it great for home and shop use. It can handle both flux-core and MIG welding, and it it runs between 25 and 140 amps which means you can weld metals with thicknesses from 24 gauge to 0.25” mild steel. This should be enough for most light welding projects like repairs around the home, maintenance, and farm or automotive workshops. The Handler 140’s spool hub assembly can fit both 4 and 8 inch spools allowing for a wide range of wire types and you can quickly and easily switch between them using its dual groove drive roll. So whether you need to fix a fence or patch a noisy exhaust pipe the Handler 140 can easily handle the job.
Durability
Hobart is a trusted American brand among tradesmen known for its durability and reliability. The Hobart Handler 140 is no exception, made with quality parts that are protected under Hobart’s 5/3/1 industrial warranty. Hobart will cover transformers for 5 years, electronics for 3 years, and guns for one year. This means you won’t be spending a lot of time and money replacing parts down the road. The Handler 140 is also a transformer based welder which means it will last much longer than other inverter-based welders. It features several safety features that protect against overheating, motor damage, and current overload. As a plus it features a built in contactor that keeps wire cold electrically until you pull the spool gun trigger, which helps prevent splatter.
Portability
Even though it is a transformer based welding rig, the Handler 140 weighs just under 60lbs making it easy to move around. Once you put it in a suitable location and plug it in to any common 120V outlet you can move around freely due to its 10ft lead on the MIG gun and ground clamp making welding comfortable and convenient. For even more portability, Hobart also makes a cart for the welder that includes space for your gas canisters.
Hobart Handler 140 Review: Special Considerations
On the other hand, the Handler 140 does have a few downsides:
- Can’t be used with a generator, so it’s not ideal for work in the field
- Not powerful enough for more industrial work
- Needs gas cylinders for MIG welding which cost extra over time
- Shorter leads
- Not compatible with the SpoolRunner 100 for aluminum welding
Is this really the best cheap welder for sale?
With hundreds of users raving about its quality for the price, it’s no surprise that the Hobart Handler 140 is #1 best seller in MIG Welding Equipment on Amazon. If you’re looking for the best MIG welder under $500, the Handler 140 is a solid choice.
However, there are a few other notable options out there as well: the Lincoln 140, the Miller 141, and the Millermatic 140. Later we will look at just how they stack up against the Handler 140. However, due to its high number of five star reviews and Hobart’s overall commitment to making quality welding equipment, the Handler 140 really is one of the best sub-$500 welders out there.
Hobart Handler 140 Parts List
Another advantage is that Hobart includes a variety of components with the Handler 140. Because of this, it’s easy to set up as soon as it arrives.
- The Handler 140 welding rig itself
- A Built-in gas valve
- A 10 ft. MIG gun with liner
- A dual gauge regulator and gas hose
- A 10 ft. work cable and clamp
- A 10 ft. power cord
- Two 0.030 contact tips
- A spool of 0.030 flux-cored wire
- An 8in spool adapter
- Owners manual
- Set-up guide
Another way to save even more money is to buy one of the bundles that includes some bonus items. Inevitably, you’ll end up saving valuable time and money. Below are three options for your consideration:
Free Hobart 140 Mig Welder Manual
If you’re just looking for a spare owner’s manual, save your cash. Because you can download free PDF safety guides in less than a minute.
Hobart Handler 140 vs Lincoln 140 vs Miller 141 vs Millermatic 140
Now the Hobart Handler 140 compares to a few other welding rigs in its price range. Depending on your needs, you might be drawn to these alternatives.
Hobart Handler 140 vs Lincoln 140
Notably, the Lincoln 140 has three similarities to the Handler 140:
- Similar duty cycles and amp output ranges
- Both compatible with 20A 120V home outlets
- Simple controls with welding guides included
In contrast, the Lincoln 140 has a bit of an edge over the Handler 140 when it comes to aluminum welding, as the Handler 140 has no aluminum spool gun support.
However, it is a bit costly to attach an aluminum welding spool-gun to the Lincoln 140. And if you’re a skilled welder, the Handler 140 is capable of very light aluminum welding on its own.
Additionally, the Lincoln 140 welder has a slightly different infinitely variable wire speed range. That is, 50 to 500 inches per minute vs the Handler 140’s 40 to 700 inches per minute.
One final note is that the Hobart 140 does have a much better warranty than the Lincoln 140, which could be important down the road.
Overall, both welding rigs are fairly similar in terms of ease-of-use and capability and they are some of the best in their class.
Hobart Handler 140 vs Miller 141
Another alternative to the Handler 140 is the Millermatic 141. First, the Millermatic 141 is a bit more modern than the Handler 140 and it was designed to replace Miller’s Millermatic 140. As such, the Miller 141 is significantly expensive than the Handler 140.
For the extra cost, the Millermatic 141 doesn’t have too many things over the Handler 140. However, it does feature an auto-set control that automatically selects the right voltage and amperage after you set the wire diameter and thickness. Although this may make it a better and easier to use option for beginners, it doesn’t offer many more benefits for the extra cost.
Hobart Handler 140 vs Millermatic 140
Although Miller and Hobart are owned by the same parent company and share many parts, they have different focuses. Whereas Miller has a reputation for making industrial components, Hobart products are mostly for home use.
For added peace-of-mind, you may consider Miller’s original Millermatic 140. Since Miller has updated its line with the 141, you might be able to find a great deal on the older 140.
Like the 141, the Millermatic 140 features auto-set controls which makes selecting the right voltage and amperage easier and more precise. Additionally, the Miller 140 is capable of welding with aluminum wire between 18 and 14 gauge, which gives it an advantage over the Handler 140.
In general, the Handler 140 is still a better value overall as it can perform many of the same tasks at a much more attractive sub-$500 price point.
Video: Hobart 500559 140 Handler Welder (2018 Review)
In this up-to-date video review, you get a great visual of everything this quality welder has to offer.
Overall Assessment
Overall, the Hobart Handler 140 is one of the best welding machines for the money. Not only is it durable, but it’s easy-to-use with some of the best ratings in in class. Users across the board agree that the Handler 140 is a great addition to the tool kit of any home welding enthusiast for under $500. Whether you are a farmer, hobbyist, home repairman, or auto enthusiast, the Hobart 140 is one of the best options out.
Those who frequently need to weld aluminum might consider the Lincoln 140 or the Millermatic 141 over the Handler 140. If you need more power and the ability to take your welding rig out into the field, you might also consider a machine further up the Hobart line such as the Handler 190 or 210 MVP. These welders are also compatible with Hobart’s SpoolRunner 100, which makes aluminum welding a breeze.
Generally speaking, the Handler 140 is more than enough at at amazing under $500 price-tag.
Hobart Handler 140 Review: Best MIG Welder Under $500 – Final Thoughts
In sum, Hobart has a reputation for making quality welding equipment, and the Handler 140 is no exception. If you are looking for a cheap, reliable and easy to use welder, the Handler 140 is a solid choice. With the Handler 140, you don’t need to spend time or money installing 220V outlets. Another feature is you can use it with any common 120V outlets rated at 20A. With it’s easy to use controls and clear instructions you’ll be welding in no time whether you’re a beginner or a professional. As this Hobart Handler 140 Review shows, this machine is one of the best MIG welders for under $500 on the market.