Hobart EZ TIG 165 Welder Review

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In Brief: Hobart EZ TIG 165 Review

Backed by the industry-leading Hobart company, the Hobart EZ TIG 165 welder makes TIG-style welding simple and accessible to beginners. This machine provides plenty of welding capabilities and reliable components that showcase the commitment to excellence of the Hobart company.

The Hobart company creates innovative new welding equipment that remains at the forefront of industry changes.

This company cares about its customers and builds products that anticipate the needs and challenges of welders across a variety of hobbies and professions.

The Hobart EZ TIG 165 welder incorporates everything the company stands for into one convenient, small, easy-to-use package.

This welder includes unique features built with learners in mind and helps bring TIG welding to anyone interested in the process.

Key Specifications of the Hobart EZ TIG 165

Customers in need of a TIG welder enjoy the simple but effective features and controls of the Hobart EZ Tig 165 machine. This welder packs plenty of power to handle jobs around the home or garage.

Check out the Hobart EZ TIG 165 in action here –

 

Read the long list of Hobart EZ TIG 165 specs below:

ParametersDetails
Type
TIG
Input Voltage
220/230/240V
Max Open Circuit Voltage
80VDC
Minimum Amperage
10A
Maximum Amperage
165A
Material Thickness
22ga. – 3/16in. steel
Dimensions
9.875in. w x 17in. h x 23.875in. l
Weight
60lbs.
ManualCheck Manual
FeaturesHigh-frequency start
Infinite amperage control
Easy interface
Inverter-based power source
AccessoriesTIG torch with 12.5-ft. cable
Backcap, collet, collet body, nozzle, and tungsten for TIG torch
Work cable with clamp
Regulator/flow gauge with hose
Foot pedal
Power cord and plug

Unique Features

With a high-frequency start and user-friendly interface, the Hobart EZ TIG 165 welder incorporates advanced features with beginner controls for a smooth learning process.

High-Frequency Start

The high-frequency start function on this welder allows the arc to start without contact, preventing contamination.

Auto-Postflow

Depending on the amperage, the machine adjusts the shielding accordingly without requiring the user to input any adjustments.

Fan-On-Demand

Rather than running continuously, the fan cooler only runs when needed. This cuts down on wasted power and prevents dust and debris from entering the machine while the fan shuts down.

Easy Interface

The simple user interface built into this machine enhances the welding experience for beginners. Simply input the material thickness and the type of material for the project and let the machine handle the calculations.

Infinite Amperage Control

Fine-tune your project results with the infinite amperage control settings available from the Hobart EZ TIG 165 welder. This machine makes it easy to gain the precision control you want as you hone your skills.

 

Performance & Ease of Transportation

The Hobart EZ TIG 165 welder provides optimum performance backed by the Hobart company’s quality guarantee. It also makes TIG on the go easier than ever before.

Performance

This welder outperforms many of its competitors and holds up to years of use with no trouble. It manages a wide range of material thicknesses and runs smoothly from start to finish.

The welder’s inner components provide durable, long-term usage and make sure the product remains a valuable part of any garage or workshop for a long time to come.

Even the included accessories function beautifully and showcase the quality design of the Hobart line.

With enough power to handle regular daily welding work, the Hobart EZ TIG 165 welder cements its place as one of the most powerful and well-performing portable TIG solutions.

Ease of Transportation

The welder weighs 60 pounds, putting it on the slightly lighter side of the portable welder weight range. However, since it only features one welding style instead of two, it weighs a bit more than some of its competitors.

The slightly higher weight comes from the more durable and sturdier inner and outer components of the machine. When used with the included accessories, the weight does not increase by much.

The welder features two handles built into the front and back of the machine to make lifting and carrying easier.

 

Weld Quality and Available Options

This welder creates amazing welds with ease. When working with steel, stainless steel, or chrome-moly, the DC power incorporated into this machine makes it easy to weld smoothly and solidly using TIG functions.

Working with aluminum poses a few challenges with this machine. However, with AC power and a bit of practice, the machine produces impressive aluminum weld quality as well.

The Hobart EZ TIG 165 welder comes in just one option. Customers sometimes add the following items to the order to complete the welding experience:

  • Replacement TIG torch: Keep a replacement torch on hand in case something goes wrong with the first one.
  • Foot pedal upgrade: Upgrade the foot pedal to a more comfortable and ergonomic design or simply increase the cord length if necessary.

Ease of Maintenance, Repairs & Warranty

The Hobart company web site sells some replacement parts for the Hobart EZ TIG 165 welder. However, most of these parts include accessories and consumables rather than inner components.

Only licensed technicians should repair and replace these pieces.

Be sure to unplug the power to the machine and let it stand for 30 minutes before performing routine maintenance.

Clean the nozzles and torch every six months for infrequent use or every month for regular use. Repair and replace damaged cords and cables every three months.

Check and replace damaged labels and gas hoses every three months.

Clean the machine regularly to remove any buildup of dust and debris. Do not clean the interior of the machine.
The Hobart company offers its 5/3/1 warranty on all of its products, including the Hobart EZ TIG 165 welder.

This warranty covers 5 years of parts and labor for the power rectifiers and transformers inside the machine.

It also includes three years of parts and labor for drive systems, rotors, stators, brushes, switches, and controls.

The warranty includes one year of parts and labor for accessories, contactors, TIG torches, remote controls, and running gear.

Reach out to Hobart at 1-800-332-3281 for more warranty information as needed.

FAQs

How is the TIG torch cooled on the Hobart EZ TIG 165 welder?

The welder features a gas cooling system using argon shielding gas. It cannot run without gas, as the torch will melt the tungsten too quickly without it.

What size circuit breaker does the Hobart EZ TIG 165 welder require?

This machine needs at least a 30amp circuit breaker. Many customers prefer to use a 50amp for both convenience and safety.

Does the Hobart EZ TIG 165 welder offer stick welding options?

No. This machine is not a dual-use TIG/stick welder and only includes TIG functions. It cannot upgrade to receive stick functions.

Does the Hobart EZ TIG 165 welder include lift start functions?

No. This welder includes a high-frequency start function, but not a lift start function.

Price of the Hobart EZ TIG 165

The Hobart EZ TIG 165 welder comes in at a much higher price than many portable single-use welding machines.

Some customers have trouble budgeting the cost of this pricey welder, even though it includes everything needed to start TIG welding right out of the box.

The higher price reflects the top-of-the-line quality and performance of the Hobart company. This welder includes components built to last and accessories that hold up well to daily use.

It creates professional-quality results with beginner-friendly controls.

 

Who Should Buy the Hobart EZ TIG 165?

With an easy user interface and powerful performance, the Hobart EZ TIG 165 welder works beautifully for anyone looking for a portable TIG welder with some strength behind it.

It provides excellent welds for beginners learning how to TIG weld and ensures each new project comes out better than the last.

Customers who need an everyday use TIG welder for garage repairs, home hobby jobs, DIY work, or even professional shop needs enjoy working with this welder.

Our Recommendation

The Hobart EZ TIG 165 welder blends the power and precision of the Hobart company with the convenience of a portable, beginner welding machine.

The result is an accessible entry into TIG welding that remains part of most home welders’ setups for years to come. We recommend this welder for home hobbyists of any skill level who need portable TIG functions.

We also recommend it for professional shop welders who need a lighter TIG machine that provides precision control and powerful outputs.

 

Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About Michael Adams

Michael has been providing handyman services for the last 14 years. He also contributes as a writer sharing his experience and experience for design projects.

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