When you lust after these two welders for yourself or to give as a gift for a loved one getting into welding.
And it’s got to be a welder that will run on 120 volt power, cause that’s all you’ve available.
Or your budget is fixed and both these welders are at the top end of what you can afford.
You’ll discover where they’re the same and where they’re different. In this article “Hobart 130 vs 140 which one? This will Help.”
Then you can choose which to buy.
First have a look at a high level head to head in the table below.
Quick Comparison Chart Hobart 130 vs 140
| Hobart Handler 130 | Hobart Handler 140 | |
|---|---|---|
| Flux Core and MIG | yes | yes |
| Duty Cycle | 20% at 85 Amp | 20% at 90 Amp |
| Amps | 30 to 130 | 25 to 140 |
| Metal Weld Thickness | 24 gauge to 3/16ths | 24 gauge to 1/4 inch |
| Gun Cord Length | 8 feet | 10 feet |
Pros Of The Hobart Handler 130 And The 140
Cons Of The Hobart Handler 130 And The 140
Verdict On The Two Welders Hobart 140 And 130
There could be 100 dollars difference in cost when you come to buy.
When would you choose one over the other?
Depends on the skill level you start with and where you plan to go with your welding. Mainly welding thinner metals and flux core?
Then it’s fine for you to choose the Hobart 130 and get the MIG parts later when you need them.
Want a wider welding range capable welder from the start? Because you know your projects are going to need it?
Start with the Hobart Handler 140. The bundled extras and the extra features quickly justify the difference in cost.
User’s Feed Back On Each Of The Welders
Hobart has a great reputation and that’s seen in their positive user feedback.
Largely both MIG’s have great feedback.
You’ll find more sales of the Hobart 140 and you’ll see this reflected in the higher number of reviews.
Don’t let that put you off, the reviews are very positive for the Hobart Handler 130.
You can check the feedback on the sales pages.
You’ll find the links below.
*Disclosure: This document contains affiliate links. And at no extra cost to you this site earns a commission through these links should you decide to buy.
Check Feedback for the Hobart 130 here. (Commissions Earned)
Check Feedback for the Hobart 140 here. (Commissions Earned)
Scroll down to the bottom of each sales page. Click on the star review rating you want to look at. Then pick most recent from the drop down button to view the latest feedback.
Features Of The 130 VS The Hobart 140
When you’re deciding which one, one of the first things to know is what the welder is capable of.
Both these welders are wire feed MIG welders. This means that you weld using a spool of welding wire held inside each welder’s cabinet.
They’re capable of welding with flux core welding wire or solid wire and shielding gas. You’re free to start with flux core welding. And when you want and move to welding with solid wire and shielding gas later.
Want to know more about flux core welding? You’ll find a document explaining.
Want to know the basics of MIG welding. Take a look at this document here.
Starting With The Front
When you look at the Hobart Handler 130 vs 140 and have the two welders side by side. You’ll notice the front dials and layout look very alike.
Variable wire feed control at the top. The power switch is next to it. Below you’ll find the welding output dial. Then the over temperature light along side.
Bottom front is where you’ll find the connections for their MIG guns and ground clamps.
Yes, big brother Hobart 140 is very like to its smaller brother 130 … from the outside anyway.
Where are the differences? You’ll find them in the details.
Hobart 130 And 140 Duty Cycles Compared
The Hobart Handler 130 has a duty cycle of 20% at 85 Amps. And the Hobart 140 has a duty cycle 20% at 90 Amps. It seems like a small difference. But this difference affects how each welder performs.
The Hobart’s 130 And 140 Duty Cycles Explained
The 20% figure tells you how long you’re able to weld over a ten minute period. 20% tells you that you can weld for two minutes continuously before you’ve to stop.
Both welders are rated at 20% so you’ll have the same two minutes from each.
The ‘at’ number followed by Amperage tells you how hot the welder is able to go.
The Hobart 130’s duty cycle is measured at an amperage of 85. Note, its max. Amp output is 130 Amp.
The Hobart 140’s duty cycle is measured at 90 Amp. Its maximum welding output is 140 Amp.
So what?
If you plan to weld thicker metal gauges and push these welder’s to the max. Then your maximum welding time will be much shorter than the 2 minutes the duty cycle suggests.
Compare the duty cycles and the Hobart 140 gives you a bit more.
It’s a close run thing.
You going over the duty cycle will trigger the over temperature switch.
The over temperature switch stops you welding and prevents damage to your welder.
With both welders, when you trigger the over temperature light you must wait 15 minutes. So you can cool each welder before welding again.
Welding Voltage Side by Side
The welding voltage range of the Hobart 130 is 30 Amps to a maximum of 130 Amp. The Hobart 140 is 25 Amp to 140 Amp.
You’ve a wider range of welding output with the Hobart Handler 140. And that means you can weld a wider range of metal gauges.
Tapped Voltage Dials
Each of the Hobart Handlers is sold with tapped voltage dials.
The Hobart 130 has four positions. The Hobart 140 has five. This shows you the Hobart 140 is more capable with more welding options.
What does this mean?
Well when you’re welding thin gauge steel say a car body panel. You can go a little lower on the Hobart 140. And so have less risk of blowing through the metal you’re welding.
The opposite of this is at the top end.
When you’re welding thicker metal you can go to a higher Amperage on the 140. The Hobart 140 will give you better penetration for your weld on thicker metal gauges. And so a better weld on those thicker gauges.
What Is A Tapped Dial
What does a tapped dial mean?
Let me explain.
A tapped dial moves with a click to each position.
Want to set the dial between position 2 and 3?
You can’t.
Some welders have an infinite range voltage output dial.
This means that the dial runs smoothly from one end of the dial to the other. This gives you greater control of your welding amperage. Because you can set the dial exactly where you want.
The more experienced will like the greater control of an infinite dial. Beginners will find the tapped dials more helpful as they’re clear settings.
The dial on the Hobart 130 is usefully marked suggesting the gauge of metal for each setting,
But be prepared to do your own testing. As it wouldn’t be unusual to find each welder runs hot or cool in your own workshop.
See where the Hobart Handler 140 MIG welder appears on the Best MIG’s for Beginners chart.
Wire Feel Control Contrasted Hobart Handler 130 vs 140
On the two welders the wire feed dials are infinitely variable, and goes from zero to 100 on the dial.
The Hobart 130 wire feed speed ranges from 0 to 415 inches per minute. Compared to the Handler 140’s 40 to 700 inches per minute.
The greater wire feed speed on the Hobart 140 reflects the wider range of welding it’s able to do. And the fine tuning of wire feed speed helps.
Hobart 130 EZ-Mode
This mode is only available on the Hobart 130 and you choose it on the wire feed control. When EZ-Mode is set a LED light is lit.
You then use the voltage control to pick the material thickness you’re welding.
Then when you weld it’s the only thing you need to set.
The Hobart Handler 130 automatically feeds the welding wire out at the speed you need.
Neat.
Note that this mode is for flux core wire welding only.
If you’re mainly going to weld with flux core and you’re attracted to this feature. Then this could mean the Hobart 130 is for you.
Metal Thicknesses And Type Compared Hobart 130 vs 140
Both the Hobart Handler 130 and 140 will weld mild steel and stainless steel.
You can see the difference between them in the thickness of metal you can weld.
The 130 will weld 24 gauge to 3/16th of an inch metal (with flux core welding wire single pass).
The Hobart Handler 140 will weld up to 1/4 inch metal. Either with flux core welding wire or solid wire and many welding passes.
Think about the type of welding you plan to do. Need to weld 1/4 inch and have the skill. Or you’re prepared to practice and learn beveling and multiple passes?
Then the Hobart 140 is your welder.
Welding Parameters Chart On Each
On each, the welding parameters chart is on the inside of the door to the cabinet.
The chart tells you:
- The type of metals you’re welding, steel or stainless steel
- The recommended voltage setting
- The recommended wire, flux core or solid wire
- Size of wire recommended
- Shielding gas mix and type
The guides give you a starting point for your welding. As you get to know the welder, no doubt you’ll adjust your settings to your own welding need.
YouTube Video Positioning Both Welders
This 3 minute 35 second video from Hobart shows where the Hobart 130 and 140 welder. You’ll see where they’re positioned in the Hobart 130 line up of home use welders.
MIG Welding Basics & How to Select a MIG Welder
Video Credit: Hobart Welding Products
Thermostatic Protection
Each welder has protection from over use causing overheating. The over temperature light will come on and the welders will stop welding.
Leave your MIG gun to the side and wait the 15 minutes for your welder to cool down. Do not remove the power from the welder as they’re fan cooled and the fan must run to cool the units down.
There’s a reset button on the back to switch once you’ve waited the 15 minutes so you can start welding again.
Hobart 130 And 140 Side By Side On Household Power
Yes, both these welders will run on a normal household 3 pin powered socket with a good ground connection.
Both the Hobart 130 and the 140 are the same, needing 115V input voltage.
You can run each on a 20 Amp fused circuit.
Though to run at their maximum a 30 Amp circuit is recommended.
It’s best to make sure your welder is the only thing working and plugged into your circuit while you’re welding.
That way you’ll have the maximum power available to your welder. And yes you’ll notice the difference in your welds.
Side By Side – Welding Wires
The Hobart Handler 130 will weld with:
- 0.023″ to 0.030″ solid MIG wire for mild or stainless steel
- 0.030″ to 0.035″ flux cored welding wire
The Hobart 140 will weld with:
- 0.023″ to 0.035″ solid MIG wire for mild or stainless steel
- 0.030″ to 0.035″ flux core wire
You’ll find a document covering the best solid MIG wires for mild steel. You can take a look.
You’ll also find a round up on the best flux core wires for mild steel. Follow this link.
And lastly you can look at some great stainless steel welding wires. Here.
You match the thickness of the wire to the metals you’re welding. Whether you’d choose one over the other would depend on what you plan to weld.
YouTube Video On The Hobart Handler 140
Hobart has a great 2 minute 7 second YouTube video on the Handler 140 that you can watch and listen to.
Hobart Handler 140 500559
Video Credit: Hobart Welding Products
Hobart Handler 130 vs 140 Size Of Spools Compared
Both the Hobart 130 and the 140 can hold either 2 lb. or 10 lb. spools (4 inch or 8 inch spools).
But on the Hobart 130 you have to buy the adaptor. The adaptor allows you to put on 8 inch spools.
On the Hobart 140 the spool hub you have is for either 4 inch or 8 inch spools.
Being able to use the large 8 inch spools is an advantage. Large spools are cheaper per lb. to buy.
But if you’re only welding sometimes, you might decide to leave your welding wire in you welder. If you do you risk rusting your wire and then you won’t be able to use it.
You may like smaller spools as you’re only welding now and then.
Weld often?
Then the larger spools are a price advantage.
See where the Hobart Handler 140 MIG welder appears on the Newbie Welders List
Hobart 130 And 140 Cords To The MIG Gun
The Hobart Handler 130 has 8 feet of cable running up to the MIG gun. The Hobart 140 has 10 feet of cable.
This does make a difference when you’re trying to get to an awkward corner or weld on an angle. The extra footage helps and makes the Hobart 140 easier to use.
Welding Aluminum Compared
You can’t weld Aluminum on either of these MIG welders.
You can’t fit a spool gun to them.
To weld Aluminum you really need a spool gun.
Some have claimed by putting in a Teflon Liner to the Hobart 140. Then holding the MIG cable as level as possible, you can feed Aluminum wire up the MIG cord to the welding torch.
And so do a small amount of Aluminum welding.
This takes skill, patience and still may not work.
Aluminum welding wire is soft and is easily crushed and tangled.
You could try, sure, but don’t be surprised when you give up in frustration.
Interested in knowing more about welding Aluminum? You’ll find a document that can help. Take a look here.
Shielding Gas Compared 130 v 140
Here’s where you can see some of the difference in price.
Both are MIG welders, which means they can use solid wire and shielding gas for welding.
When you use solid wire and gas you get fewer spatters as you weld. And you could get you neater welds.
Argon And Carbon Dioxide
Both welders will weld with an Argon and Carbon Dioxide gas mix.
On the Hobart 130 although this welder has a built in gas valve, the welder is not supplied with a gas hose or a regulator. This is an option and you’ll need to be buy one separately.
The Hobart supplies the Handler 140 with a quality dual gauge gas regulator ready for Argon/CO2 gas.
A gas mix that’s the most commonly used gas mixture for welding.
You can find out more about the best gas mixes for MIG welding mild steel in an article here.
Pure Carbon Dioxide
Only the Hobart 140 claims to be able to use 100% Carbon Dioxide gas.
Cylinders of 100% Carbon Dioxide are cheaper to buy than an Argon/Carbon Dioxide gas mix. And some prefer welding with it.
You’ll need to buy a different gas regulator to use 100% Carbon Dioxide. The gas regulator with the Hobart 140 isn’t suitable for Carbon Dioxide.
Tri-Mix
Both Handlers support Tri-Mix gas. Tri-Mix Gas is typically used for welding stainless steel.
If you plan to use shielding gas and solid wire on the Hobart Handler 130. Then you’ll need to factor in the cost of a hose and regulator onto the cost.
Changing The Polarity On The Hobart Hander 130 vs 140
You’ll need to change polarity when switching from welding with flux core wire. To welding with solid wire and gas.
The welders are both alike inside and it’s an easy job to change welding polarity.
No differences here.
Who Makes The Hobart 130 And The 140?
They’re both made by the US company Hobart Welding Products. The company has made welders since 1917.
They’re also designed in the US and it’s worth noting that ITW bought Hobart Welding Products a few years ago.
ITW also bought Miller Electric Manufacturing co.
There’s some speculation that the Hobart 130 is a reincarnation of the discontinued Miller 130. Whether this story is true or not. There’s no doubt that the two companies share technologies. And common parts for their welders.
Hobart Welding Products are a well respected manufacturer of welders. And has been for many years.
Hobart MIG 130 And 140 Welder’s Manuals
Each manual is thorough and clear making it easy for you as a new owner to get up and running.
Click on the text to find and download your pdf copy of the manual for each welder.
The Hobart 130 and the Hobart 140.
In both the manuals you’ll find a copy of the welding parameters chart. It’ll show you the metal thicknesses and settings and size of wire recommended.
Extremely convenient if you ruin the copy of the welding parameters chart printed on the inside of your welder’s cabinet door.
Hobart Handler 130 vs 140 What’s In The Boxes?
In each box the MIG welders. And:
- Sample size of Flux Core Wire in each MIG box
- 2 x 0.030 inch contact tips in each MIG box.
- Owners Manual and set up guides
8 foot cable to the welding gun and a 8 foot ground cable with a heavy duty ground clamp in the Hobart 130 box
10 foot cable to the welding gun and 10 foot ground cable with a heavy duty ground clamp in the Hobart Handler 140 box
Also in the Hobart 140 box there is:
- A spool adaptor for 8 inch spools
- Dual gas gauge regulator and gas hose
- Material thickness gauge in the Hobart 140 box
Are They Portable?
Yes they’re both in the portable class of welder. The Hobart Handler’s 130’s weight is 50.5 lbs
The Hobart 140 weighs 57 lbs.
The dimensions are;
Hobart Handler 130: 16.8 inches High x 9.8 inch Wide x 12.1 inch Long
Hobart Handler 140: 12 inches High x 11 inch Wide x 19.5 inch Long
They’re both good weights.
If you think carrying these MIG welders around with you is too much. You can buy or make your own welding cart to move these babies around.
Here are some articles on the site to help.
Welding Cart Plans, Awesome Ideas For Your Own Unique Cart
Hobart 140 Welding Cart And Save Your Back From Your Handler
The Hobart 140 Welding Cart fits the Hobart 130 as well.
That way when you want to MIG weld with a cylinder of gas you can put that on your weld cart as well.
Hobart Warranties Compared
Both Hobart’s have the famous 5/3/1 warranty.
5 years on the transformer, 3 years on the electronics, 1 year on the welding gun.
No differences seen here.
Last Words On The Hobart 130 vs 140
And there you have it.
The Hobart 130 vs 140.
The greater welding Amp range, metal thicknesses and MIG etras show in the price of the Hobart 140.
If you’ve no need for any of that then the Hobart 130 should be your choice.
I wish you well with your welding.
You’ve a fuller review of the Hobart Handler 130. Please feel free to go over and take a look.
You’ll find a complete review specific to the Hobart Handler 140 MIG. Please go ahead and take a look.
