zeitgeist57 Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 http://www.harborfreight.com/170-amp-migflux-wire-welder-22-volts-110-amps-68885.html HOT ROD Magazine has a coupon to knock another $40 off the price of this welder. Yes, the duty cycle is only 20%, and I'm sure parts are impossible to come across. I can't imagine anyone using their welder for paid jobs would consider this unit. However, considering the hobbyist has to fight every other schmoe to get CL leftover welders, and newer quality units sell for 3-4x the price... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky31186 Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Sorry I say no. Just suck it up and get a decent welder. You can normally find a good used miller or Lincoln for under 500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillbot Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 No, I had one and it wouldn't feed for shit. You'd have to crank up the tension to the point it would nearly break the feed wheels and still would slip. Pay the extra and get a used decent brand from craigslist if cost is a concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBaustert Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 I ended up with an Eastwood 135 mig for my birthday and I'd put it up against any entry level Miller or Lincoln. 299 shipped if you catch it at the right time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10phone2 Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 no. I bought a used Hobart 135 off craigslist and had zero issues. If I ever need parts tractor supply has just about everything I need or I make a quick run to the welding place in downtown columbus. I bought a chinese plasma cutter and it's a cluster fuck just to order consumables. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperhead Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 Wait and see if there are any black Friday deals on a good one. It's almost that time of the year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPL_Josh Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 No avoid that piece like the plague. Also I know of several coupons codes that you could save $50 off that welder. Hobarts 135 is supposed to be decent for the price. If it were me I'd get a used millermatic but that's 3x-4x what that pos harbor freight costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rage1187 Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 my first welder i purchased was a miller MVP that done both 120V and 220V. In welding you get what you pay for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rally Pat Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 (edited) I'll say yes. There is even a small community around modding the welder. Edit: BTW, nearly everyone says throw away the wire that comes with it and get a good name brand wire. Edited October 20, 2013 by Rally Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coltboostin Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 I have a HF 180- since 2004! This has build (in part) every car I have build-and used as the main welder for the cage that saved my life. I has died, twice, and we had to hodge podge pars from a doner miller. I would say yes, but USE GAS- its a terrible flux wire welder. (no one should be doing that anyways IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractor Posted October 20, 2013 Report Share Posted October 20, 2013 I built my first welder out of an old alternator and it worked great for years so I say go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted October 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 I'll say yes. There is even a small community around modding the welder. Edit: BTW, nearly everyone says throw away the wire that comes with it and get a good name brand wire. I spent a half-hour threadsurfing on Weldingweb about the capicator upgrade and better wire...more intrigued about this machine more than ever... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10phone2 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Rally Pat is correct about small communities around upgrading harbor freight tools. There is some pretty impressive stuff online. You can lose days on homemadetools.net. I bought a bead roller from there with the hopes of reinforcing it and adding an electric motor. It just depends on how much time you want to put into it. By the time you blow hours and hours dicking around online, you could have bought the right tool 1st shot. Comes down to whether you want a project or buy it once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex L. Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 I say buy a Miller or Lincoln, can't go wrong with either one and they'll last for years to come. And now, thanks to Jesse, I'll be on Homemade Tools for hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffro Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 I have a HF 180- since 2004! This has build (in part) every car I have build-and used as the main welder for the cage that saved my life. I has died, twice, and we had to hodge podge pars from a doner miller. I would say yes, but USE GAS- its a terrible flux wire welder. (no one should be doing that anyways IMO This. 1.Get HF welder 2.Replace wire with name brand wire 3.???? 4.Profit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillbot Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Rally Pat is correct about small communities around upgrading harbor freight tools. There is some pretty impressive stuff online. You can lose days on homemadetools.net. I bought a bead roller from there with the hopes of reinforcing it and adding an electric motor. It just depends on how much time you want to put into it. By the time you blow hours and hours dicking around online, you could have bought the right tool 1st shot. Comes down to whether you want a project or buy it once. This ^ Many of the HF tools are a good entry point if you have the time and patience to upgrade them as needed. For me, the welder simply wasn't worth it. I got it to weld up an exhaust on my old beater since no shop would touch it (no cat converter) without adding a full exhaust and cat converter. No way would I pay $500+ for that on a car that I literally paid $50 for. After I welded up the exhaust, I promptly sold that welder and never looked back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustlestiltskin Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Buying anything from HF that is worth over $20 http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj288/Dubs740/20qantj.gif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 No avoid that piece like the plague. Also I know of several coupons codes that you could save $50 off that welder. Hobarts 135 is supposed to be decent for the price. If it were me I'd get a used millermatic but that's 3x-4x what that pos harbor freight costs. Here it is spoken by the professional welder. I have tried to use a HF welder before, fuck that, save yourself the time and hassle and buy something decent. I'm no pro but I can do decent welding with a decent MIG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPL_Josh Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 I might also add a 20% duty cycle is horrible. Yes a lot of lower end and entry level tigs will have that same rating. But the difference is a good welder should be able to run past it's duty cycle and the harbor freight I would assume cannot. When our 350 and 400 amp delta welds power supplies are being used I've ran the millermatic 250 (what I recommended earlier) easily past it's duty cycle and continued to weld without stopping at 26v and 650in/m (nearly maxed for hours) Millers rating:300 amp @ 40% duty cycle 200 amp @ 60% duty cycle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted January 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 Welp, I received a healthy HF gift card for Christmas (fkking enablers in my family!) so despite the majority of experienced opinions on here, I got the welder I had my eye on, along with the MIG cart and auto-dimming helmet. I really couldn't turn it down because my out of pocket for everything was less than $100, and I really, REALLY couldn't bring myself to troll CL for used welders. For future HF purchases, make sure you sign up for their email newsletter: definitely has better coupons than the circulars. http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=693&pictureid=7432 YEA: The cart is a nice item, and I'm very glad I had that. Auto-dimming helmet made me nervous but it's passed the test so far: snaps dark and the dimming function works well in bright direct lighting. I took people's recommendations and bought Lincoln Electric wire at Lowes on my way home; hoping that will help out with some of the basic, hobby-level projects I have in mind. NAY: Having used Lincoln Electric SP-175's from two friends in the past, the functions of this welder are a little laughable: there is no gas regulator for the MIG, and the gas tube is really wimpy. My dick is bigger than the gun line and main power cord; may be just as effective to weld with. Time will tell. Overall, I'm OK with the purchase and hope it'll do well a few times to stop me from returning it. Will keep CR informed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck531 Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 Now you just need a lesson on how to take a picture the correct way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted January 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 Now you just need a lesson on how to take a picture the correct way. I blame my iPhone. Has nothing to do with "user" settings: shizz looks fine when I'm uploading it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coltboostin Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 I will say-my HF welder was bought in 04. Has built countless exhaust/IC set ups-lots of fab work, and a few roll cages- including the one that saved my life. Its well worth the money IMO-yes, there is a LOT better stuff out there-but the bang for the buck is untouchable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillbot Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 Be careful with the helmet, I have one too and even at it's highest setting it isn't dark enough. If I would weld for a while, i'd see spots which says it isn't blocking enough. My father in law let me borrow a real mask and it was a world of difference. He tried mine and advised me to toss it in the trash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustlestiltskin Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 Welp, I received a healthy HF gift card for Christmas (fkking enablers in my family!) so despite the majority of experienced opinions on here, I got the welder I had my eye on, along with the MIG cart and auto-dimming helmet. I really couldn't turn it down because my out of pocket for everything was less than $100, and I really, REALLY couldn't bring myself to troll CL for used welders. For future HF purchases, make sure you sign up for their email newsletter: definitely has better coupons than the circulars. http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=693&pictureid=7432 YEA: The cart is a nice item, and I'm very glad I had that. Auto-dimming helmet made me nervous but it's passed the test so far: snaps dark and the dimming function works well in bright direct lighting. I took people's recommendations and bought Lincoln Electric wire at Lowes on my way home; hoping that will help out with some of the basic, hobby-level projects I have in mind. NAY: Having used Lincoln Electric SP-175's from two friends in the past, the functions of this welder are a little laughable: there is no gas regulator for the MIG, and the gas tube is really wimpy. My dick is bigger than the gun line and main power cord; may be just as effective to weld with. Time will tell. Overall, I'm OK with the purchase and hope it'll do well a few times to stop me from returning it. Will keep CR informed! http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj288/Dubs740/20qantj.gif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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