Is the price worth the warranty for used older Hobart 140 vs new

[andvnone6]

I am finally ready to get my first MIG welder and I need to buy it this week. I will be using this 110V welder for simple metal fabrication on my overland trailer, mostly welding 3/16 inch steel. I am set on the Hobart 140. I found a used, older model for $380. That price includes the entire gas setup. The new Hobart 140 costs $600+, plus I would have to buy the gas separately, which adds another $300. The only difference I can find is that the older used welder has four speed settings and the new one has five.

Is that one extra speed setting worth spending more than twice as much money? I know the older unit has no warranty. But is the Hobart 140 known for being reliable over time?

 

[StillAlive]

@andvnone6 bro, the Hobart 140 series is an absolute tank. their reliability is legendary, and many of my friends have had this machine run them for decades without issue. the $380 price for the full gas setup is fantastic. honestly, I'd skip the warranty and grab the used one

 

[Jun3berry]

hi @andvnone6 that's a fantastic price, but since it's used, make sure you check it first. ask the seller to fire it up and run a bead.
Specifically, check the wire feed motor. That's the one part that occasionally wears out on these units. If the wire feeds smoothly and the arc starts clean, you're buying a great welder.
The lack of a warranty is worth the massive savings here

 

[careerMan#01]

The extra voltage tap on the newer model is nice but not essential, $380 isn't a bad deal