Hobart 500536001 IronMan 230 W/DP-3545-20 Spool Gun

Ironman230... This is a great mig welder! I have a small 120v mig and wanted one with more power and control. Now I have one. I have been welding with many welders over the years at work and home. This is one of the best I have used, and I have used ESAB, MillerMatic, Linde and Craftsman mig welders. I had to repair a water leak in the fire box of my Taylor wood stove. This welder performed better that I expected by laying down water tight beads one after another with no effort. Have not used the spool gun yet but cant wait to get started welding aluminum. Cant think of a con, just all pros so far with this AMERICAN made welder.Just used the spool gun to repair a wrecked aluminum boat. Easy to use, did a great job!

I've been a welder for over 20+ years it will break over and spray arc on c25 gas has a good duty cycle good for lite work16 ga holds a steady arc, to 1" I have done many jobs now 6 plus years out of my shop I would buy again only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is the mig gun is a little lite for spray arc just my opinion.

So far so good. I've been running it for about 8-10 hours a day for about 2 weeks repairing garbage trucks and dumpsters (welding 1/8" steel and a few pieces of 1/4" steel) and I'm more than happy with how it's holding up. I'll update my review after another month of wear and tear.My only complaint, which has nothing to do with the machine, would be the delivery company. I had a guaranteed delivery time between 6-9am and was supposed to get a call 1/2 prior. Never received my call and it didn't show up until about 12:30.

Easy to set up and get running, uses commonly available Miller parts ( drive rollers, tips, etc.), works well on everything I have used it for so far (16ga auto body sheet metal to 3/8 plate), seems to be built like an industrial machine, although it is priced like a hobby grade welder. I also like that the fan only runs when it needs to, which is not very often from what I have seen. Mostly it just sits there making a faint hum, i had to put it under a pretty decent load to get the fan to cycle on. User friendly as far as adjustments and wire size changes.

This is the welder every guy wishes he'd bought when he really did buy a 145, 175, 180, etc welder. But it costs some real money. Mine was packaged with the spoolgun for aluminum, and that made the deal. Hobart, Miller, I just can't get away from, they are not just riding on the names. I have other welders, but mostly use this one. You won't say you wish you had bought the lower power ones, doesn't matter the color of them.

DislikesPower cable and ground cables to short (I'll have tochange both).Wire guide doesn't line up with rollers.Page 22 settings using 75/25, .035 wire runs to cold, need to go up one step.For 50 cents you could put a purge button on, I get tired of opening the machine and releasing the roller pressure, or I could waste wire.LikesGood smooth arc.Voltage has 12 tap settings (variable would be better, but it's a price thing).Fan on demandCommentsThe chain that holds the tank of argon fits loose, put a wooden wedge between the chain and tank.Cut a piece of 5/8" plywood that fits snug where the bottle sets, then cut a circle the dia. of the tank and that will keep the tank from moving.Remember MIG needs a good ground.The bottom line if you price 250amp Lincoln or Miller with a spoolgun, you will get the Ironman 230, unless maybe your going to make a living with a welding machine.A good place to check outweldingtipsandtricks

I had debated this machine vs. a smaller machine (Hobart 210 MVP), but decided to get the larger one. The extra amps will come in handy, especially on aluminum. The shipment arrived in 3 days, and the guys wheeled it right into my garage. The machine is very smooth, i am using 0.030 ER70-S6 wire and C25 gas. I have a Millermatic 251 and the arc on this machine is smoother. It has been a great purchase and i would buy it again.

Hello my name is Justin What. I'm not much of a welder but my wife needed her horsey trailer fixed so I bought this welder and fixed it all by myself! Can you believe it? I normally use jb weld or duck tape but she made me do it the right way this time. I put on my big boy pants and learned to weld from YouTube. See everyone even a truck driver can fix things! I just want to thank Jesus and my friend Mike B for helping me not be so dumb.