Mig Welder from Harbor Freight

Fenrix · Post by **Fenrix** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 1:15 pm

I ran a search for mig welders and I found a boat load of useful information on this subject, however I was wondering if anyone has ever used this particular welder:

www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayi ... umber=6098

I intend to use it to weld stainless that will be 16 ga and lighter using argon gas. This model with a regulator will run me $200 bucks. The cheapest Lincoln welder I can find is $290:

www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_U ... l=TOOL#tab

They look like they are probably very similar in power, however the lincoln one is not intended to weld aluminum or stainless (this is from their customer service phone people). What do you guys think, go with the generic brand from the worlds cheapest (and poorest quality) tool supplier that says it will do stainless, or buy a good brand that says it isn't intended for stainless?

Fenrix · Post by **Fenrix** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 2:13 pm

Bump

70 views later and no one has advice? =P

I'm thinking that since I can pick up the Harbor Freight welder in person that I may just go with that and if it doesn't work for spit I'll just return it.

Thorbjorn · Post by **Thorbjorn** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 5:35 pm

I say go for it. HF's return policy is usually very good, just make sure that there are no stipulations about welding equipment.

I personally have not had any problem with the tools I've gotten from them. They are good 'get by' tools untill you can afford the more expensive ones.

Padrig · Post by **Padrig** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 5:43 pm

Thorbjorn is right. Harbor Fright are get by tools. The question is how much time until you can afford to buy a Lincoln or Miller. If it is not too long, wait and go for quality.

Best advice I ever heard is : "I am too poor to buy cheap".

Pad

Fenrix · Post by **Fenrix** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 8:26 pm

Thanks for the advice guys. Ok that cuts it I'm going to bite the bullet and get the HF stuff.

I am half way through my last semester in college and expect to have a nice job once I get out. I suppose I could buy a better welder with in a year or so...But then again I have a GREAT oxy/ace set up and I doubt I'll need the mig very often.

Oh, btw congrats on winning that helm Padrig! =)

Padrig · Post by **Padrig** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:56 pm

Thanks, not sure I will really believe it until I have it sitting on my noggin'.

Pad

RandallMoffett · Post by **RandallMoffett** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 1:04 am

I have used both a lincoln and the HF. I guess the only difference is that the HF is alittle messier. Now that could be because I was just getting the hand of welding but the Lincoln seemed easier to start with. In the end if you have welded before it should not be a problem. The HF I use has held up for years so far with quite a lot of use. Watch the tip though sometimes it gets some build up and makes your wire alittle crooked and you keep trying to figure why is it welding to the right of where I want it to.... Good luck!

RPM

Justin Livio Guidi · Post by **Justin Livio Guidi** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 6:10 pm

Yeah, I have that exact one - it works alright, not the best penetration and it is a bit messy. For the sheet, it's perfect, but it seems for barstock over 3/16'' get's kinds touchy on penetration... I rarely get a somewhat attractive bead going, but for the price, I got lucky, mine was sale for only $119, it worth the money.

-Justin