Hobart Handler 187 owners??

**willyb8** · 02-15-2009, 04:34 PM

i recently bought one and want to weld up a 8.8 i got. my skills aren't there yet, but my neighbor welds for a living. my question is what size wire should i get to weld up the perches and mounts on the 8.8. .035, .045?? just want to have everything for when he's ready.

**Unlimited04** · 02-15-2009, 05:32 PM

0.030 or 0.035 will work fine. i'd go .030 for gas and .035 for flux-core.

**willyb8** · 02-15-2009, 06:38 PM

.035 flux core with one pass should be fine right?

**rustywrangler** · 02-15-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willyb8

.035 flux core with one pass should be fine right?

Yes, one pass with .035 is fine. Even a good pass with .030 would do the trick.

I run a large roll of .030 for everything.

willness33 · 02-18-2009, 02:56 AM

Just an observation here, but for the price of a 10lb roll of fluxcore, you'd be about half way to a bottle of C25 for solid wire. I know you say your skills aren't there yet, but using a solid wire with a shielding gas will go a long way to helping you improve. You'll see the weld puddle better, less smoke, and no slag to chip later. BTW, I'm a happy 187 owner and I've used it for several 8.8 builds. Good machine.

**willyb8** · 02-18-2009, 09:02 AM

cool thanks, can i just buy a c02 tank from HF and have it filled somewhere. not sure if c02 tanks are different or not?

**Unlimited04** · 02-18-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willyb8

cool thanks, can i just buy a c02 tank from HF and have it filled somewhere. not sure if c02 tanks are different or not?

you want to go to a local welding supply store and lease a tank. if you drop the cash for a lease, you just pay them a few bucks and swap out tanks when you need a refill, if you own the tank you're responsible for the maintenance of the valves, and you have to wait for them to fill it up. leased tanks will be stamped with an ID number on the side for tracking. its similar to propane.

keep in mind with Argon/CO2 mix + solid wire, you need more amperage to burn in the same depth as flux-core. With 100% CO2 you'll burn deeper than flux-core with the same amperage.

amsoilman · 02-22-2009, 02:01 AM

the welding store i lease my tanks from, if you take your own in to have it filled, they send it out and dont even do it there. i think it cost me like $60-75 at first but refills are like $30. a bottle usually lasts me about 6 months depending on how much im doing.

**Jerry Bransford** · 02-26-2009, 12:20 AM

Leasing a tank? Can someone go into that a little more? Is there a monthly fee or do you just trade tanks and pay when you need it refilled? How many times a year would you need to refill a tank for leasing to make economic sense? This is the first I've heard of leasing tanks.

**Unlimited04** · 02-26-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

Leasing a tank? Can someone go into that a little more? Is there a monthly fee or do you just trade tanks and pay when you need it refilled? How many times a year would you need to refill a tank for leasing to make economic sense? This is the first I've heard of leasing tanks.

By law the owner of the tank is responsible for maintenance to the gas tank itself. You buy a lease for the cost of one tank + fill of gas. Once you've used that tank up, you take it back in and swap to a filled tank. You pay for the gas you bought and leave. This makes the welding supply company responsible for maintenance on the tanks (they replace broken or leaking valves and inspect the tanks for safety). Also leased tanks are all stamped with a code for tracking, so should some accident happen or a batch of bad gas be delivered, they've got regulatory clarity for recalls. So basically, if you used tanks of oxy-acet to do something stupid, they find the tanks, read the stamped code and can track it to the owner (and who leased it from the owner). Its like a VIN #.

If you own the tank - you're responsible for the maintenance. How many of us actually have HAZMAT certifications and actually know how to remove and reinstall valves on a 3000 psi tank? I'm sure some do, but I know I don't, and I'm guessing you don't either Jerry. When you own the tank, they don't swap tanks, they just refill your tank (assuming maintenance has been performed). Filling takes longer than just swapping tanks, and some places won't fill a tank to a reasonable amount if they don't know the maintenance has been performed properly. The valves do wear out over time.

Its not a big issue with Argon/CO2 tanks, but its a big issue with oxy-acet tanks. If an acetylene tank is turned on its side, you've only got a few hours until it explodes like a bomb. There is acetone in a sponge like solid at the bottom of the tank that dissolves and holds the acetylene. If the tank is turned on its side, the acetone begins to deteriorate the seals of the valves...if it happens enough times or for long enough...kaboom.

**Jerry Bransford** · 02-26-2009, 09:38 AM

That was great information, thanks a bunch.

**Unlimited04** · 02-26-2009, 12:03 PM

Heres more info on the dangers of gas tanks:

http://www.lampton.com/safety.htm
http://www.sweethaven.com/sweethaven/BldgConst/Welding/lessonmain.asp?lesNum=4&modNum=1

Lifesgoodhere · 02-27-2009, 03:35 PM

i bought a tank for $100, I can refill it for $15 at the local CO-OP. Leasing...why lease when you can pay a little more and own.

**Unlimited04** · 02-27-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lifesgoodhere

i bought a tank for $100, I can refill it for $15 at the local CO-OP. Leasing...why lease when you can pay a little more and own.

Like i said, because owners are responsible for maintaining the wearable parts inside the valve.