One year review of the Hobart Champion 145

[@heidymatinez7356]

*100% best **Generater.Systems** I have used. A test for hurricane prep here in Louisiana: three AC units, 5000, 5000 & 8000, 3 fridges, 2 device power setups, 4 flat screens....AND I had 40% of the power meter to spare.*

[@donsal.t.1765]

You used this welder to power all that??

[@joshgill5125]

I've been playing around with starting a welding business and have been trying to find the right first truck machine. After this video I'm sold, thank you for all the advice and videos. Keep up the great work!

[@garrettmize6128]

Been welding for 28 years pipline to drilling rigs and I appreciate your channel and what your about. Out of Oklahoma

[@derbadortheweldor8940]

Thanks I really appreciate it

[@illinoisboy8577]

I just ordered this machine last week. Im thinking about buying a Predator generator for my migraine welder and grinders to run separately so i can just use the 145 for stick welding

[@Texas12valve]

I'm not going to be a rig welder, I just want a little welder generator that I can take to the hunting land, fix fences, and do small projects at the house and this machine sounds perfect.

[@devioux4082]

Based on your review I picked one up as a test run and so far this little machine is working great, my guys use it heavily 8-10 hours a day. It’s proven to be a work horse, going to order a few more. Welding with 7018-1/8 on 3/8 steel. Order the kit to convert it to propane.

[@CashappPanhandler]

This video and your comment made me buy one. I run 7018 1/8 to repair skid steers. Just breaking it in but working great so far. Have not had an issue running back to back at 110 amps yet

[@adilrao]

Where do I find the kit? Just got the champion and thinking of putting it on my pickup with a 100 lb propane tank. Would love to hear how you did it. Also, how is it holding up so far?

[@hectorcalderon3011]

Is it possible to send a link on the kit to turn into propane I want to do that to mine

[@adilrao]

how's it holding up?

[@michaelzapata4617]

$1800?! i just bought mine recently for about $2500

[@illinoisboy8577]

5 years ago bruh lol i just paid $2,500 a few days ago lol

[@CJD1518]

Thank you for this video. I have been trying to determine what I want to buy and use. I am an experienced welder and have been wanting to buy something with out breaking my bank and have been looking at the champion and other machines to buy but didn't know if it was worth the money or not. You have put in some good info and time on this machine. I am impressed with you and the equipment. Thanks again.

[@Tiersmoke92555]

Vulcan is a better buy and HF is everywhere.

[@derbadortheweldor8940]

It is but when this video was made HF didn’t have the Vulcan engine drive

[@brandonpadilla1000]

Just bought it a few weeks ago because of your first review on this welder, one bad azz welder iam very pleased with it. Thank you for your videos brother

[@nolanparish5018]

brandonpadilla1000 how does this machine run 6010?

[@rockyturner6232]

Just bought it because of your review thanks .

[@adilrao]

Give us a review please!

[@haroldjames2754]

Getting one tomorrow, thanks for the video!

[@loganrench5680]

I great grandfather worked for hobart in the paint department painting the machines then he moved to the rod plant making rod

[@westlopelayneford]

How long of leads will it accept?

[@demigoddex7005]

Appreciate the tips I’m receiving from here. Starting a mobile welding company and most likely will roll with this machine here.

[@armandoaguilar414]

Mine keeps stalling after using it for more than 10 min.. was running perfect until this started happening. Changed oils plug and filters.. anyone else having this issue?

[@frankmarti8984]

Not a bad welder for the price more than enough to do home repairs thanks for time and information

[@dirtydeedsoutdoors413]

Just bought one cuz of your review. Now I can add mobile welding for my clients. Right now I'm just a welding/Fab shop. Should serve me fine till I get bigger jobs that require more welding/gen output. But happy and excited 😊

[@Blademast]

trying to buy a miller 185 DX from my friend for 900, so this actually really helped out thank you. Great video, thanks from Michigan

[@martinmolina6644]

Why my champion 145 it’s cut off Went it run only has a 30 hrs ??

[@loganrench5680]

I get welding gas from tractor supply when I'm out of town it's more convenient then running around to find a welding supply

[@landybob8393]

Will it power a 140 mig welder

[@asdridmoon9245]

I'm building my own welding rig . afer watching you reviews. I'm going to buy this for stick and power my hobart 140 mig. I'm going to second generator for my helpers grinding and ECT.

[@billarroo1]

Great Review, Thanks William Orange county, ca.

[@adilrao]

how does it hold up long term? Do you turn the gas off and let it close itself?

[@cameronshonk7573]

How well does the millermatic 211 run on it plugged into 220v?

[@johnstiller2852]

To change out spark plug I can’t reach it do u have to remove outer housing

[@appalachianamerican3881]

Cool vid, out of my price range right now. Any tips on 6010 vertical plate? And ways to hold the rod without your support hand getting in the way. I seem to do better at school with one hand instead of two, but i'd be steadier with 2 I reckon.

[@derbadortheweldor8940]

Vertical 6011/6010 can be tricky. It takes as much practice as 7018 or any other rod would. You will find that 6011/6010 works great overhead.

[@styvencanchola7558]

Did you have any problems welding with it during the cold? I heard it stalls when the temperature outside is around 40 or below

[@herbertherbomoore415]

Can the lincoln bulldog 5500 grind and weld metal at the same time?

[@derbadortheweldor8940]

I would assume It would be just like the champion 145 you can but with significant power drop to both.

[@donblack5963]

This welder is over $2000.00 in Canada

[@mikecubes1642]

it looks like a good little machine and you can handle most jobs with 1/8 and 5/32 rods does it ever got too hot if you run 5/32 7018 for a long time? i am thinking of getting one of these

[@mikecubes1642]

@JohnnyRingo 145 is the low end for 5/32. i had a few jobs come up after i made the comment that needed 3/16 rod so i decided not to get a small machine

[@jerryolivares5412]

Wondering of this is a good machine to purchase since i have a mobile mechanic business and have been ask to do some welding repairs on car or horae2 tralior when ive been called out to check wiring or do brake or axle seals on them really like this welder just nit sure if it would work for what i do

[@derbadortheweldor8940]

It depends on the amount of generator power you need. It sounds like it would fit your welding needs very well tho.

[@jerryolivares5412]

Yeah i might get it i dont do alot of heavy welding just quick tralior repairs

[@Ace-yf3xf]

My local Big r has one for 780.00 on clearance.

[@randymack1782]

whats a Big r? I would juggle bills to buy one for that! someone listed one for sale for $950 about 100 miles away, & I thought about it, but missed out as someone else jumped immediately at that price

[@Ace-yf3xf]

Randy mack a Big R is like a tractor supply in my area. We have both across the street from one another

[@billmcyrus]

I hope you got it!

[@emmanuelsalinas2334]

Has anyone heard anything good or bad on the klutch welder generators?

[@herbertherbomoore415]

What's the break in time?

[@herbertherbomoore415]

What's a derbador?

[@angeloliva35]

This championship 145 or this one TOMAHAWK 15 HP Engine Driven Portable 2,000 Watt Generator with 210 Amp Stick and TIG Welder with Kit www.amazon.com/dp/B01M5E5KTQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5nBvEbBY2ERC6

[@wbaldwin6]

Just a question for you. I have the Champion 145 and I know you reference running 7018 quite often on here, Did you ever run into an issue where 7018 or 6010 just wouldn't light up? Usually don't have an issue with either rod on big machine at work ,but this little welder seems low on output power.... i.e. running flat 1/8 6013 i have to run with the dial set at around 140-145 which is above normal range for this rod plus I really don't like them for anything accept general low stress repairs. both 7018/6010 refuse to light up period.

[@mrjodoe]

other american welder generators for small money i know: Lincoln Bulldog, Miller Fusion 160, ye olde Lincoln SA, non american examples of welder generators for small money: MOSA magicweld, SDMO weldarc, Telwin thunder, Pramac W220, Fogo FH7220, GenSet weldbaby 180, Eisemann s6401, Geko 6401,... Concerning gasoline driven: honda gx390 engines are preferable over the smaller Honda GX models like eg. the 270. And I think for this welder size a strong single phase output for 1~ 230V (5kW for grinders, maybe a plasma cutter @35A(?) could be used) makes way more sense then weak 1~@2,5kW and 3~@5,5kW output. PS: Diesel is alwas a good idea if you can and will afford a bigger machine one day...

[@158ivo]

can I use 220 outlet for 40amp plasma cutter?

[@derbadortheweldor8940]

Yes sir i used to do it all the time

[@johnthemechanic2937]

I brought this same welder, for the DIY would 20 foot cable do or should I buy 50 foot cable?

[@derbadortheweldor8940]

I would definitely go with 50

[@johnthemechanic2937]

@@derbadortheweldor8940 will do👍

[@edt689]

Whats maximum metal thickness u can weld with this machine and for how long?

[@casey360360]

Edward Taylor running stick? As thick as you have the skills to prep and multipass 7018 on.

[@randyjuarez3654]

Hey I have a hobart champion 145 as well and when I strike an arc and start welding the engine idles down quite a bit. I end up have to hold a very tight arc and sometimes it stops then starts welding. Any ideas as to what it could be?

[@jeremiah6398]

Where did you get your leads from?

[@tfi6279]

Where did the f350 with 2 extra lug nuts go?

[@derbadortheweldor8940]

I still have it. I keep it set up as a flatbed dump truck.

[@baironfuentes2239]

What engine oil brand they you use in it? Is the 240v plug a 50 amp? Thanks.

[@derbadortheweldor8940]

I use mobile one full synthetic 10w30 in all my machines. The 220v is 22 amps I think.

[@chrisnedbalek2866]

... I was curious so looked it up. It's 20 amp.

[@adilrao]

@@derbadortheweldor8940 how often do you change the oil? any other maintenance so far? bought a slightly used one and really wish to know how they hold up

[@DrSveetdiik]

@@chrisnedbalek2866 220 is a 50

[@Turok7373]

Is it weather proof?

[@derbadortheweldor8940]

I would assume all engine drive welders are weatherproof

[@johnthemechanic2937]

Hey buddy, I have a hobart champion 145, what type of quick connectors do you have on ur machine. As long as it a maximum of 200 amp right.

[@derbadortheweldor8940]

I just use 200amp tweco connectors

[@johnthemechanic2937]

@@derbadortheweldor8940 ok

[@herbertherbomoore415]

Can you run a 145 amp fcaw machine with it?

[@joshamaya196]

Does it have a hour count?

[@derbadortheweldor8940]

Unfortunately not so I just guess

[@randymack1782]

first off, if anyone is looking at Tractor Supply, they have promotions sometimes, 0% INTEREST!!!! I got my riding lawnmower, roughly same price as this welder, & was able to get 0% for 18 months, & no matter how you consider it, That's hard to beat! for checking oil, there once existed a clear piece that you could screw in older engines, it was like a kitchen baster, & had a little plunger on top, so you could tap the plunger & if it pulled oil, you knew it was safe to use. not sure if can still find? but I will hunt if your interested, & for the drain, I would do a bit of plumbing to put a remote drain on.I would like one for a different reason, to put a spring axle and trailer wheels to pull it behind my FWD car, car gets around 35mpg, but cant pull anything over approx. 1000 lbs, so for easy project, haul it, take a mig in trunk, have a place for a small acetylene tank & oxygen tank, and my car could do a bit. lol. as for compact trucks, I once did side work welding, & used a 1986 Toyota 1/2 ton, & put a Lincoln Ranger 9 in bed, & had no issues, I had made a bracket to hold a small acetylene tank vertical, and took what I needed to each job, & unloaded all after each job, & yeah, the Lincoln is a heavy welder, around 800lbs? I think, I stopped side welding work after an issue in 2012., now I will be using a Toyota former motorhome, converted into a flatbed truck, so its a 1 ton dually, but should be decent on gas with a 4 cylinderI meant to mention have you also considered a tiny generator, not a HF one, but similar, either 2 or 4 cycle, but 1200-1500 watt, which would run average size tools, & be extremely fuel efficient. I am seriously thinking of one for my toy truck build to keep hours off the Ranger9, just for hand tools use. but still need big gen for big grinders, lol.

[@cavemanjoe7972]

When I was doing commercial roofing a few years back, we used the little Honda 2000-watt inverter generators to run grinders and drills on metal roofs. The auto-idle is nice, they're great on gas, and they had plenty of power for the 4-inch grinders. Most smaller generators have 15-amp 110V outlets, because they're made more for weekend campers running laptop chargers and trickle chargers on boat batteries; I don't know if they'd have the output to run a 4-inch grinder all that well. Better to have a little more power than you need rather than not enough, but if you try it, let me know. It'd be neat to know that I can grab a little $200 generator instead of a $900+ one for odd jobs with some of these tools.

[@randymack1782]

yes I am sure it will work as long as you do a few things, first watch power of tool, electrically it is volts X amps = watts, so you can do math for each tool to make sure your safe, but remember that's only a guide, & could be off, o I recommend to buy a small meter called a "kill a watt" meter, it will give you accurate readings so you can see how many watts tool uses when starting, and under a heavy load. now hard part is finding a good cheap lightweight generator and make sure you do not over load, other than "starting" watts, make sure running watts are below output, & give yourself a safety margin. many of these will use 1 gallon every 5 or so hours at 1/2 load, versus big welder using like mine 1.1 gallon an hour under load. so wont take huge amount of hours to pay for it in fuel savings alone. P.S. I found my Kill A Watt meter at a pawnshop brand new for $10 brand new in package.to mount it, I am planning to use a few strips of automotive car tire, 2"X2" or so, with an automotive valve spring in between, so I can bolt it to the bed, & keep vibration down, cheap. for Christmas my wife got me 2 LED dual light pole lights, 20,000 lumens, 1 pulls 101 watts, the other pulls 105 watts, according to my meter, which will go a long way for working at night, versus normal lights which may pull 250 watts to 500 watts per bulb. that way can use small gen for powering lights at night plus tools, lol. personally I would look for 6 - 7.5 amp grinders, the cheap Harbor Freight grinders are 4.5 amp, but they cant take hard use. & older small 4" - 4 1/2" grinders seem to be higher amp, like 11 amp, even 1 of my Dewalt is 11 amp, while today they are around 7 amp for one that looks the same. same with an old Milaukee. when I was doing this on side gas was way more expensive than today, but I never forgot how it ate me alive just to power tools, I also had a 4500 watt generator, I would throw on bed for electricity & pulled a Hobart Pipeliner for welding, before I bought my Ranger, & the Hobart didn't have a working ide up, so had a manual pull cable to pull before could weld. & I told myself I would keep hours off machine & save gas 1 way or other if I ever did this again.another way would be use a couple deep cycle batteries and a 2k-3.5k inverter to power tools & have either your truck, or welder charge batteries when running.

[@MotherAmerica-ci1uu]

What state are you from ?

[@DaltonP2156]

Can it run 6010??

[@derbadortheweldor8940]

Heck yeah I run 6010 all the time off it.