I have a Hobart 190 and use it professionally. GREAT MACHINE. mine has bee and through hell and back twice and still runs and welds great. 3/8-1/2 is asking a lot for that machine to do. You need something that can spray arc is you want to weld that thick with mig, or use a lot of preheat with a torch. If I'm welding that thick I'm stick welding on it. It's great machine for up to 1/4. Anything past that is a little outside its capabilities. I've welded probably 150lbs of self Shielded Flux core, 200lbs er70s6, 30lbs of 309ss, and maybe 10-15lbs of 4043 aluminum wire. I've had the best luck with 030 wire with it.

 

Thanks for the quick response...that was what I was afraid of. I'm sure its a great machine, but may not be quite big enough that I won't eventually wish I had a 210 range machine.

Thanks again!
Red

 

if you really need to do 3/8ths to 1/2 inch plate, check out this machine: http://store.cyberweld.com/esfa25w1.html
It is a discontinued model, but probably the best value for the money right now out there. That being said, are you sure you need to weld material that thick for a smoker? seems awful big. Plate that thick is going to range from 15 lbs per square foot to 20 lbs per square foot. That weight is going to add up fast

 

Thanks for the advice! I'll bet that is a great machine...only problem is, it's about double what I can afford to spend on one. I'm gonna have to either find a used machine, or save until I can afford to buy something like a new HH 210 MVP (currently selling for about $850).

I get that 1/2 is awfully thick for a smoker...but its really only for the fire box. About a 1 cubic foot chamber where the charcoal burns. Most of the smoker is a double walled, insulated cabinet...1 1/2" square tube frame with 14 or 16 gauge inner and outer skin. But the most critical welds are probably the ones in the 1/2" plate firebox (1/2 is what the plans call for, but I might be able to cut a corner and go with 3/8 instead). Either way, I'm afraid it'll require a beefier machine than the 190...especially for an unskilled noob like me.

Red

 

Bevel the edges and you'll be fine. Your not talking about a structural weld and only around a 200 degree heat cycle in use.

 

I really appreciate the advice! But disagree with you about the temperature...I understand that the welds aren't structural, but the fire box (the only part of the smoker that requires steel as thick as 1/2") in a gravity fed smoker gets considerably hotter than 200 degrees.

Thanks again everone who provided input...I decided to let that 190 go, and keep looking for a little beefier machine.

Red

 

I get that 1/2 is awfully thick for a smoker...but its really only for the fire box.

I would also consider a stick welder for the thick stuff. You can pick those up pretty cheaply

 

It may come to that...but I'd like to first try to get the job done with one machine. I'm not only limited on funds, but also on space...so if I can find a machine that'll handle everything, so much the better.

Red

 

You can get a little 140 amp inverter the size of a toaster for around $250, and it will weld half in material easily. Or you can get a multi function welder that will MIG, TIG and Stick and handle material of virtually any thickness.

 

Hi Paul...I appreciate your feedback. That Klutch machine may very well be everything I'd ever need. I'm just a beginning hobby/garage welder, and probably don't need industrial quality...but I would like to own the best I can afford. One of the reasons I'm stuck on the Hobart machine is, like you said, their established reputation/track record as an American company with proven customer service. I like having the peace of mind to know that if something breaks down, I can buy parts for it and/or get it serviced right here in the good ol' USA. Now I don't want to be unfair to Klutch...their quality and CS may be outstanding, but I feel like I'll know for sure what I'm getting with the Hobart.

Red

 

No problem, Red. I'm not trying to sound like I'm shilling for Klutch, by any means, its just that, on paper, it appears to be a great starter kit for new, hobby, welders.

Paul

 

So a week now, did you get it?

 

Like I mentioned in post #7, I decided to pass on the 190 and keep looking for a little beefier machine. I think its likely that I'll be buying a HH 210 MVP as soon as I have enough $$ to swing it.

Red