got my hobart handler 125 ez on sept 23rd for my 16th birthday. i will have it for one year in a few weeks. i that year, i have fixed several things, built projects, and just practiced. it is a flux core only machine. (the reg 125 can be converted to mig). it is 115 volt, 30-125 amps. in the box you'll find: the welder, destruction manual, 2 pound spool of .30 flux core wire, your gun (8 foot cable, preinstalled), your ground cable (10 feet, preinstalled), a ground clamp (appears to be of somewhat high quality, requires the ground cable to be attached, which involves a nut, bolt, and washer which are supplied) and a bag of 3 contact tips, one of which needs to be installed. in the year i have had this thing, i have gone far over the duty cycle, and it still keeps ticking. hasnt skipped a beat. there are a few things i do not like: the combines WFS and amperage knob can be a major PITA, as sometimes you dont need the wire it spits out. The spool holder could be made tooless, like the higher end hobart's. those are really my only 2 beefs with this welder. welds good, feeds good 90% of the time (just keep your tips clean).. ample power for mild fabrication down to sheet metal work. now mind you, the welds are by no means pretty. actually, they flat out look like he!! i have a wire wheel for my angle grinder and that works well for removing the thick slag and ungodly amounts of spatter. WEAR LONG SLEVES!!! this thing has thrown slag and molten puddles the size of peas!!!! overall, for the price i paid, it is a good welder, for beginers and the weekend warrior. i would want a bigger one if i was doing any critical welding. ***** 5 stars from me. good job Hobart