Welder choices

[nicknorth11]

Thanks guys. I'm really happy with the direction this thread has lead me in and the product I'm going to end up with. (Although my mother is pretty annoyed since I found out she had already bought the HF welder. Oops! Of course, I'm paying the majority of the cost, but it's officially from her, so yeah.) Anyway, I'll definitely look into that MIG kit and blanket when funds become available. Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[DSM Jeff]

She can always return and you can let her know its an investment. I would suggest picking up that welder, get used to it running flux core. Then pick up the regulator kit and gas bottle and switch wire. You'll notice a huge difference using gas with ease of welding and a cleaner look. Don't for get to pick up some sand paper or grinder to clean up your metal. Make sure where ever your ground clamp is, is clean. Paint, rust, corrosion, ect will lead to poor welds. Also look into a decent welding helmet. A friend of mine is using a harbor frieght helmet and says it seems to be ok. I'm using a Jackson auto dark helmet which ran me about what your welder costs. Lastly take the time to find some scrap metal, and practice. Try difference thickness's. Start with tack welds, then link them together in stitch welding. Run a short bead, ect.

 

[gusu]

Wal-Mart has a cheap welder for 250. It's not great, but it works. I'm not sure if 250 is out of your range or not but it works for my friend.

 

[turboglenn]

You wont be disappointed, Hobart, Miller, and Lincoln are the top 3 welder manufacturers. A welder is an expensive investment, it's not something you want to have to spend the money on twice. Enjoy your Hobart!!

I wouldn't own any other than the above 3 brands because i know they'll work perfect and if needed be able to get replacement parts for at least 20 years

But no matter what, look for a used unit for half price before ever buying some harbor freight or similar stuff, the china crap is the worst.. WHen i was looking at plasma cutters i came across so much stuff about people who've bought the HF cutter's and all of them went bad on the fist use and were replaced two or 3 times within a month or twoo and eventually refunded.. their 90amp gas-less MIG is half ass ok but still junk to a person who's a welder by living or hobby/side jobs (aside from they do under contract sell some hobart handler 140's here and there)

THen the same brands are still great in plasma but i have to say i've been the happiest with my hypertherm 45 (100% DC at 1/2" mild steel, and severence up to 1.250 in both steel and stainless steel,) it's only under rated on aluminum to a max severance of 1" which i had to prove to some one on one of these forums once

for stuff about wire.. gas and what is best.. YOu'll do ok with flux wire, but a lot of spatter, if you get a tank of C25 and run solid wire (must have gas to run anything but flux wire) and it will be a good weld, run gas AND flux wire and it's a trade secret to really getting one of the best, cleanest and strongest MIG weld you can get.

For stainless flux wire.. it aint bad, but keep the heat setting super low, make short runs and let them pretty much cool completely after each solid 1/2" of weld (At most, SS hates heat), but running gas with regular or flux stainless with a yet new/different tank to buy which is "tri-mix" (argon, co2 and heluim mix) you will make a nice stainless weld .

for aluminum you must use pure argon (yet another tank ) that's why i love my TIG, everything can be done with one bottle and the apropriate filler rod. MIG is still ultra desireable for most hobby/outdoor basics repair projects. TIG iss mainly for aluminum and those ultra low heat strong 4130/SS and other expensive metal welding

Welding is one of the great passions in my life as well as a hobby with machining and doing both to make my living along with motorcycle and car custom work. one thing i can say to anyone is that a quality welding machine is something you'll always be thankfull to have in the garage/shop.. a cheap off brand unit is going to be handy for some things but overall a dissapointment the longer you own it as you get better at welding and the machine just won't put out a good weld

 

[bastarddsm]

Hey guys,

I'm looking at getting a cheap welder from harbor freight. I've never welded before and want something to play around with and will allow me to work with car parts. I really want the option of welding stainless steel as well as thin metal. I'm looking to get one of the welders linked to below, and am leaning toward the 110 amp one, but I'm not sure if it will be ok for thinner stuff. What do you guys think? (Please don't recommend something different and more expensive. That will not be helpful to me, as I'm getting one of these two.)

Flux Wire Welder - 90 Amp

Flux Welder - 110 Amp

Niether. put another $100 with it and get a mig welder. Or, surn the net and read about the cheap tig welders people are making out of harbor freight stick welders. Tig welding isn't that hard.

 

[Kid4g63]

We have a HF welder for around the yard jobs - with splatter and appearance it is horrible. I can't say it doesn't do the job because it does. For a seasoned welder like me, the HF makes the weld jobs look like you've just started. I have a miller 211 here at the shop, and a sycrowave 250dx, and I love them.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=47.158172,-122.466420

 

[Boostinsideways]

I've got a HF special converted to run gas. My step dad bought when I was in 1st grade (5-6 years old.) I am 26, you do the math for a "cheap pos welder" it was a good deal. If you just need it to make some metal stick together and not look to pretty its great. If you want a cheap pos welder to learn with its great. If your looking to make beautiful manifolds and put together a cage or tube chasiss get a real welder. And then go take a class at the community college.

 

[caseyk]

I own a HF 90 amp welder. It works great for what I need it to do. However if you buy one, get rid of the junk wire that comes with it. As someone else stated, go to home depot and buy lincoln flux core wire. It works so much better for me. Keep in mind its a cheap welder. Welds dont look the best but they are functional.

 

[Kid4g63]

Yeah, if you're really just looking for a welder that's cheap and will allow you to get the feel for the gun in your hand, get pieces together and aren't worried about appearance, it's a good choice.

And like what was mentioned, swapping out to the Lincoln Flux wire makes it a little better. JMHO

 

[TSITurbo95]

As many have stated, do yourself a favor and get a descent machine. For the price, go to home depot and get the lincoln electric HD. It will work great for you. Or if you want to, spend a little extra and get a nicer machine with gas capabilities.

A long time ago (when I was 12) my dad bought me a hf welder and I started to learn to weld, and it worked fine for what I was doing (learning, and tacking stuff together). Other than that, it is complete $hit. Or hit up craigslist for a nice welder for cheap. I currently have a Hobart Handler 187 and love it!

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

I have the HF 90 AMP MIG welder too. I'm not a welder by any means, but my buddy is and he taught me how to weld on my HF MIG. He was quite impressed with how it worked for the price. It is great for someone just starting and wanting to do little personal welding jobs here and there. There is no need to spend $300-$500 just to make little brackets and stuff around the house/yard/garage. I think I paid $120 for mine and I would do it again.

 

[nicknorth11]

Thanks for the input and tips guys. I'll be reading through this thread again when the welder comes in. I've ordered the Hobart Handler 125. Now I just have to figure out what to weld. My family keeps asking me what I plan to weld, and I keep saying, "Anything I want." But the fact of the matter is, there really isn't anything that I plan to weld, yet.

 

[DSM Jeff]

Thanks for the input and tips guys. I'll be reading through this thread again when the welder comes in. I've ordered the Hobart Handler 125. Now I just have to figure out what to weld. My family keeps asking me what I plan to weld, and I keep saying, "Anything I want." But the fact of the matter is, there really isn't anything that I plan to weld, yet.

I do a lot of small custom work here and there. But just last week my dad said his car got louder (he drives a 1gb awd with the original exhaust) So I check to see the rear most flange has let go (you couldn't even tell there were bolts) So out came the sawsall and welder. Cut the remains of the flange off, grinded the pipes down. Used another piece of pipe to join the exhaust together, quick couple welds and done. Car is now quiet. I've done exhaust work for his friends as well as other people. I even made repairs to my brothers stair railing at his house.

Enjoy the new welder.