HF Welder = POS???

[kk88rrc]

Just how big of a POS is this HF welder?
http://www.harborfreight.com/90-amp-flux-wire-welder-98871.html

The reviews all sound good if you use Lincoln wire & tips but I don't know jack squat about welders. One big thing the scares me about this HF is the gun is always hot.

Searching here & elsewhere point me to a low end Lincoln, Miller, or Hobart, but that's at least $300. I know you typically get what you pay for something. I want (need) to learn how to weld. My schedule does not allow me to take classes at our local CC so I want to buy one & practice. I do not have 220 and will always be using it outside. First project is replacing the sills with rectangular tubing. I do have a welder friend down the street who will check my work.

Here are the more realistic ones I am considering....
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CLK-WE6441/
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hobart-500521-Handler-125EZ-Welder-w-Warranty-500521R-/370433384819?pt=BI_Welding_Supplies&hash=item563f8ce173#ht_3003wt_786
http://www.sears.com:80/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00982888000P?blockNo=17&blockType=G17&prdNo=17&i_cntr=1285974378146
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00920580000P?prdNo=18&blockNo=18&blockType=G18
http://www.weldingmart.com/product_detail.cfm?pid=7711&stateful=D947BF06A885DB0D477D707121934FF8

Any & all input is appreciated.

 

[Steve Rupp]

I'd go for the Hobart or the Lincoln although they're all pretty pimpy. Those will be fine if you want to work on sheet metal but you won't be able to do any larger projects if you get into it like rock sliders. Those small welders just don't have the penetration. I would really save a little bit of money and get something a little more powerful. There are some really decent Lincoln welders that you can get at Home Depot that are already setup for MIG. Get a CC with 0% financing and get something better.

 

[I HATE PONIES]

Wire capacity: 0.030"/0.035" flux core wire

This will be a downside for thinner metal.

This flux welder is ideal for outdoor work since it doesn?t use an external shielding gas - the flux built into the wire shields the weld

You can use the same wire on the others and have the option of running a bottle.

120 volt flux welder allows you to weld material as thick as 18 gauge (3/16" thick).

Good luck with this little experiment.

Includes 2 lb. spool of flux-cored wire

,

These small spools last about 10 minutes. They cost more and you waste 10 feet everytime you change a spool.

spare contact tip

Cost about $1.00 big deal. You will ruin ten learning to weld.

handheld face shield

A complete piece of shit that should only be used to swat flies.

 

[kk88rrc]

I'm shocked that you don't think a $90 welder would be great.

I'm guessing "pimpy" was supposed to be "wimpy" referring to the Lincoln & Hobart. I would be nice to stay around $300 but if an addition hundred or so gets me a much better machine so be it.

How do these rate?

http://www.weldingmart.com/item/FACTORY_RECONDITIONED_USED_SP-140T_MIG_WELDER:Full_NEW_Machine_3_Year_Lincoln_Electric_Warranty/6812

http://www.weldingmart.com/item/Reconditioned_Work-Pak_125:120V_Flux_Core_Wire_Welder/7699

 

[ptschram]

If you're going to be doing sheetmetal, don't get a big welder.

If you're going to be doing structural stuff, don't get a little welder.

I do a lot of both. AFIRover's Hobart 180 that has been on long-term loan has been marginal on the sheetmetal as it's easy to blow through sheetmetal at the lowest setting. With the heavier stuff, it does a great job, on really heavy stuff, it takes several passes-if I'm doing that, I'll tack it with the MIG and burn some rod with the tombstone to get the real penetration.

 

[Tugela]

if I'm doing that, I'll tack it with the MIG and burn some rod with the tombstone to get the real penetration.

I love it when you talk dirty.

 

[ptschram]

I love it when you talk dirty.

I'm not sure how to take that so I'll accept it as a compliment

 

[Tugela]

Point was that if your post was read by someone who didn't know the first thing about welding they might lean towards a kinkier interpretation. Taken out of context I think it sounds funny.

 

[kk88rrc]

Someday I'll learn to burn some rod for the heavier ones but until then I think I will be getting one of the Lincoln 140s. Any reason to avoid a reconditioned model???

 

[post]

I've got one of the Home Depot Lincoln 140's and it's a nice welder. There's a huge difference compared to the Century 90 I started out with. I should of went that route first.

 

[az_max]

You can use the same wire on the others and have the option of running a bottle.

Gas and Gasless welders swap the voltage on the lead and ground, depending on if you're using the bottle or not. (at least that's the way I've seen in on HF and low end Lincoln welders). I'm not sure how much a gas only welder would like flux core wire.

Also, In one of these threads I pointed out that the Home Depot and Lowes versions of the Lincoln welders swap the metal feed parts for plastic to save money (straight from the Lincoln reps' mouth). but that's not a reason to avoid them if you're not using them for production work.

 

[KyleT]

I had that HF, it blows. takes like 5 seconds to get enough heat to get penetration, then it blows through thinner stuff. very inconsistant.

I sold it for 100 on craigslist and bought a miller 180. if you have a dryer plug, then you have 220v. thats what I run mine off of. gas makes it much nicer as well. I got mine at LWS for less than i saw it for online ($812) plus tax.

the HD version of lincoln is special as stated above. Tractor supply had a good deal going on the hobart 180 and 210Ampt welders as well. I went with miller becsause it seemed better built.

 

[kk88rrc]

I had thought about using the dryer plug if I had to go 220v. As of now, any welding I do will be outside so no gas until I get a garage or shop. When I get either of those & some experience then I will consider a bigger machine.

Now I have to look at Tractor supply for a deal.

 

[whatroad]

I had that HF, it blows. takes like 5 seconds to get enough heat to get penetration, then it blows through thinner stuff. very inconsistant.

I sold it for 100 on craigslist and bought a miller 180. if you have a dryer plug, then you have 220v. thats what I run mine off of. gas makes it much nicer as well. I got mine at LWS for less than i saw it for online ($812) plus tax.

the HD version of lincoln is special as stated above. Tractor supply had a good deal going on the hobart 180 and 210Ampt welders as well. I went with miller becsause it seemed better built.

Kyle, Hobart is owned and built by Miller. Go to a real weld supply shop( not Lowes or Tractor supply) and talk to someone over the age of 35, they'll fill you in.

You just over paid for the cool blue box...

Oh yeah, I don't buy anything from HF, especially a welder.

 

[I HATE PONIES]

Gas and Gasless welders swap the voltage on the lead and ground, depending on if you're using the bottle or not. (at least that's the way I've seen in on HF and low end Lincoln welders). I'm not sure how much a gas only welder would like flux core wire.

Correct. With the flux core wire you would run DCEN or electrode negative. You would run solid wire DCEP or electrode positive. It only requires that you unplug the welder, remove two nuts, switch two wires, and replace the nuts.

I wasn't aware that there are gas bottle only welders. I have seen flux core only.

 

[I HATE PONIES]

Someday I'll learn to burn some rod for the heavier ones but until then I think I will be getting one of the Lincoln 140s. Any reason to avoid a reconditioned model???

This is one of those things in life. You can buy it nice or buy it twice.

As you have seen welders are pretty expensive. You don't want to buy a new one every 6 months due to repair or lack of capacity.

 

[robertf]

I use a lincoln 175. I got it cheap, and its 220V. Don't waste money on a 110V welder.

Miller is better built than Hobart. I'd like to get a Miller 210, but I think the EconoTIG will be my next welder purchase.

 

[capri_auto]

I'm gettig the HF one on the 14th, 89.99 plus 20% off cant really go wrong, pm me if you want the 20% coupon. I'm just learning and it will be fine for what I need. Also getting the 10 dollar grinder, 30 dollar self dimming helmet, 3 dollar multi meter, and they are going to give me a free rachet clamp. For about 125 I'll be able to do most of the projects I have planned. Read the reviews on HF and elsewhere. Its obviously not in the same class as a 800 dollar welder, making that comparison is stupid... but for a hobbyist it will more than handle what you need to do.

I'm waiting for the january blow out sale starting the 14th and lasts 4 days, the flyer is on the HFwebsite.

 

[leftlanetruckin]

Learning to weld with a very cheap welder is like learning to drive a semi in a 3/4 ton stick shift pickup truck towing a jet ski trailer.
When you step up, you will have to relearn everything again anyways.
The inconsistency and low duty cycle of those makes them all but useless in my experience. I have never owned one, but was unfortunate enough to have to borrow one a few times when out of state wheeling.
You will be much better of buying a used Miller/Lincoln than anything HF sells. A friend of mine bought a HF type plasma cutter a while back. It was a POS out of the box, and a totally useless POS when he tried getting consumables for it! He eventually stepped up and bought the same Hypertherm as I have. He basically spent the money twice and was kicking himself for quite some time.
A used Lincoln/Miller will always sell when you want to step up to a 220 machine. A used China paperweight will be a lot harder to get money out of when you realize it is what it is.

Martin

 

[capri_auto]

A lot of people have opinions without actually using the machine... Anyone I've talked to who has used it said it will do the job... You should maybe try it before commenting otherwise you may be giving shit advice, just a suggestion.