Review on Hobart Handler 210 MVP Welder by Jacob Ashman

I usually weld aluminum with TIG, but I wanted to weld thicker/larger parts faster. Aluminum MIG welding requires spray transfer and 200A is the lower limit for thicker parts. The Hobart 210 MVP with the optional SpoolRunner 100 gun welds 1/4" aluminum at lightning speed! I can weld 1/4 times faster than TIG. Doesn't look like a stack of dimes, but it gives nice, smooth, full penetration welds. The MVP 110/220v capability also makes it a good light cored welder (although it weighs 75 pounds so I wouldn't want to carry it around daily). For the occasional field weld I toss it in a truck and go! ( 140 amps at 110v, 210 amps at 220v. Now I can use my TIG to do what it does best, heat control on thin material. I was also considering buying a Miller 211 MVP with autoset. I tried the autoset feature at a local college on two different Miller 210's and wasn't impressed. In the end it was just manually setting the tension and speed of the wire. Miller has the best voltage ramp selection in the comparison calibrated to Hobart's 7-position voltage selector. For me this is not a problem as 7 clicks is more than enough to select the desired item. Both are high quality American made machines. The main advantages for me are that Hobart is a bit smaller and cheaper. I bought a new bogie and a 125cc cylinder. Feet with a difference in value and I still had change. By the way, if you are looking for a long duty cycle industrial/commercial welder, look elsewhere. Both the 211 mill and the Hobart 210 have a limited duty cycle. But for their purpose and for their price, they're both top notch. UPDATE: It's been over a year now and this thing is a dream come true. It cooks with the gentle sound of fried bacon, forming perfect rolls on the steel. In fact, I now prefer 7 voltage taps over the smooth voltage regulation on other MIGs because I seem to hit the sweet spot faster. Highly recommended