Hobart 130 MIG Welder Review

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In Brief: Hobart 130 Welder Review

The Hobart 130 MIG welder allows precision control over welding projects with the help of a built-in EZ-Mode setting. Its accessible design and portable size make this welder the perfect option for home DIYers, auto hobbyists, hobby welders, and artists who work in metal. Backed by the Hobart company’s commitment to excellence, this product features a long-lasting design.

With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and a focus on customer service, the Hobart company works hard to make sure the people who buy Hobart welders will remain loyal to the brand.

This company cares about its products just as much and focuses on making improvements and updating designs whenever necessary.

The Hobart 130 welder provides the durability and longevity that the Hobart company strives for.

Its convenient design and simple features allow beginners to start welding right away. More experienced users enjoy the simplicity of finishing light to moderate projects with the help of this welder.

Key Specifications of the Hobart 130

Hobart 500568 Handler 130 Wire Feed Welder 115V

The Hobart 130 welder comes with everything you need to start flux core welding right away.

It also works as a MIG welder and allows you to expand your welding horizons by working with new and exciting materials.

Check out some of the details of the Hobart 130 welder here –

Find out more about the Hobart 130’s long list of specs below:

ParametersDetails
Type
MIG, flux core
Welding Amp Range
30-130A
Rated Output
85A @ 18.25 VDC
Duty Cycle20%
Maximum Open-Circuit Voltage
31VDC
Wire Feed Speed Range
50-400ipm, 120-480ipm
Dimensions
16.875in. h x 9.875in. w x 12.125in. d
Weight
50.5lbs.
WarrantyCheck Manual
FeaturesEZ-Mode
Built-In Contactor
Quick-Change Drive Roll
Spool Hub Assembly for 4in. and 8in.
AccessoriesMIG gun with 8ft. cable
Work cable and clamp
Contact tips
Sample flux core wire
Thickness gauge

Unique Features

The Hobart 130 welder incorporates many user-friendly settings into one easy-to-use device. The EZ-Mode setting stands out as one of the most attractive and unique features of this model.

EZ-Mode

Beginners learn quickly when using this machine in EZ-Mode. EZ-Mode allows users to change settings with the turn of just one knob and lets the machine do the rest.

Quick-Change Drive Roll

With the built-in quick-change drive roll function, users can change between types of wire quickly, even in the middle of a project. The machine includes grooves for 0.8-0.9mm wire as well as 0.6mm wire.

Built-In Contactor

The wire remains cold until the user pulls the trigger on the MIG gun, making this machine safer and longer-lasting too.

Four Settings for Wire Feed

The wire feed component of this welder includes four different settings to allow you more precise control over material thickness and voltage depending on the thickness of your wire.

Quick-Release Lever for Feed Head

The welder comes with a built-in quick-release feed head that makes threading wire and adjusting tension simple and convenient.

 

Performance & Ease of Transportation

Performance

The Hobart 130 welder provides a quick, simple setup and convenient operation for welders of any skill level. Its smooth performance creates quality results for a variety of projects.

This machine truly shines as a MIG welder, but it also works nicely as a flux core welder.

Thanks to its unique features, the machine makes it easy to change settings as you go and adjust with just one hand while working on your projects.

Thanks to the welder’s ease of use, its performance holds up against competitors and allows smooth welds and beautiful, impressive results.

Ease of Transportation

This welder weighs only 50 pounds, making it considerably lighter than some of its competitors. And since this machine provides two different welding techniques, its lighter weight remains even more surprising.

With a built-in handle on top of the machine, the Hobart 130 welder travels easily to any job that requires its services.

Take it to on-site work or bring it around the garage with you as you complete projects.

 

Weld Quality and Available Options

The Hobart 130 welder offers a stunning weld quality for light to moderate projects.

It handles household and garage repair needs flawlessly and continues to surprise and delight customers with its excellent outputs.

This welder provides a smooth weld regardless of whether or not you use the MIG or flux core functions. Right out of the box, it can provide excellent results.

The Hobart 130 welder comes in only one option. Customers may add on other items to create a more thorough welding experience:

  • Regulator and shielding gas: With these items, gas welding becomes a possibility with this welding machine.
  • Cart: Bring the welder along to any job with a convenient cart that carries both this machine and any gas you may need.
  • Flux-core nozzle: If you plan to weld with a self-shielding flux core wire, you need this nozzle as well.

Ease of Maintenance, Repairs & Warranty

The Hobart company’s web site offers a few replacement parts for purchase. However, it focuses mostly on accessories, consumables, and cables, and excludes many inner working parts from its catalog.

Customers in need of welder repairs should contact a professional technician for assistance. Unless you are a professional, avoid opening the machine for any repairs other than routine maintenance.

To perform routine maintenance, turn the machine off first and leave it alone for 30 minutes.

Every three months check for damaged cables, labels, and connectors. Replace damaged parts as needed and tighten all terminals.

Every six months brush the drive rolls and clean the internal components and vents with compressed air.

All Hobart company products offer a 5/3/1 warranty.

This warranty includes 5 years of parts and labor for the power rectifiers, stabilizers, and reactors, plus 3 years of parts and labor for valves, switches, controls, drive systems, and PC boards.

The warranty also covers 1 year of parts and labor for accessories, remotes, spool guns, guns, torches, and relays.

FAQs

Is the Hobart 130 an inverter-based welder or a transformer-based one?

The Hobart 130 welder is a transformer-based machine.

Can the Hobart 130 welder work with aluminum?

Not usually. Aluminum requires a very skilled and experienced user when it comes to this welding machine.

Does the Hobart 130 come with a gas valve?

Yes. This welder features a built-in gas solenoid valve.

Can you use a #10 spool with the Hobart 130 welder?

Yes, but you will need to purchase a separate hub adapter. It cannot work right out of the box.

Price of the Hobart 130

This welder offers a slightly lower price than other, similar welding machines on the market. Keep in mind, though, that it excludes the parts needed for MIG welding out of the box.

The Hobart 130 welder combines two welding functions in one convenient, portable package.

Because of its dual-use options and its multiple included accessories, the value for the cost remains high.

 

Who Should Buy the Hobart 130?

The Hobart 130 welder provides accessible controls and an EZ-Mode that make it ideal for beginners.

Individuals just learning to weld enjoy honing their skills with the simple adjustments and settings provided by the Hobart 130.

Intermediate welders who want to branch out and learn MIG or flux core welding frequently work with this product, too.

If you already know how to TIG or stick weld, learn more with the help of this machine.

Our Recommendation

The Hobart 130 welder combines the durability of the Hobart company with the convenience of a beginner-friendly device.

With flux core capabilities out of the box and MIG upgrade options, this welder provides plenty of ways to complete your projects. We recommend the Hobart 130 welder for beginners who want to explore flux core and MIG welding.

We also recommend it for any metal artist or home DIYer who needs light to moderate welding solutions for home purposes.

 

Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About Ryan Henderson

Ryan has more than ten years of experience of writing on power tools - use, reviews, and more. During his free time, he loves cooking and spending time with his dog.

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