Harbor freight, after thanksgiving sale, $88 welder

TC4RNR · 10-25-2007, 03:33 PM

if any of you who's in the same boat of wanting to learn welding but without a deep pocket. well found this flyer at harbor freight yesterday, i'm wondering if it's a (relatively) good welder just to get things started. i like it because it's 110v, i can run it in the garage whenever i have time to put my hands on, small on power so i don't worry about blowing things up. i don't need to spend another 200 bucks for argon tank and regs either.

again, don't know anything about welding, any comment?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94056

apalmer1 · 10-25-2007, 03:43 PM

little little circles :-D There is a lot of technique to welding in a manor that produces good quality welds, as well as setting up the equipment relative to that task. I dont have any experience with harbor frieght welder but if they are anything like all the other electronic things harbor freight sells, watch out...

Before you try welding something you will be using i would get a bunch of scrap metal of different thicknesses and practice welding at angles, overhead, different types of joints, et. You might want to find a video demonstration somewhere or talk to somebody with experience

TC4RNR · 10-25-2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apalmer1

Before you try welding something you will be using i would get a bunch of scrap metal of different thicknesses and practice welding at angles, overhead, different types of joints, et.

i got that part covered already.

Spinnbait · 10-25-2007, 10:20 PM

I have seen a lot of good work with a 110, but it takes a lot of technique and time (filling a space takes more time than a 220). I can't use one well (atleast not the one that I got for free). 220 is much more useful in the long run. I hate to be the "save your money" type, but it is well worth a quality 220v and gas setup. I threw my 110 away and am back to Arc, but I trust the welds. Let us know how the welder works out if you get it.

n16ht5 · 10-26-2007, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spinnbait

I have seen a lot of good work with a 110, but it takes a lot of technique and time (filling a space takes more time than a 220). I can't use one well (atleast not the one that I got for free). 220 is much more useful in the long run. I hate to be the "save your money" type, but it is well worth a quality 220v and gas setup. I threw my 110 away and am back to Arc, but I trust the welds. Let us know how the welder works out if you get it.

I had that welder for years. make sure you get the warranty, other than that its great. welded up all sorts of things that held on rigs. welded up many a spider gears.. haha

n16ht5 · 10-26-2007, 09:16 AM

I learned with it but now I pretty much use my old stick miller 220v

becaron · 10-26-2007, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spinnbait

I have seen a lot of good work with a 110, but it takes a lot of technique and time (filling a space takes more time than a 220). I can't use one well (atleast not the one that I got for free). 220 is much more useful in the long run. I hate to be the "save your money" type, but it is well worth a quality 220v and gas setup. I threw my 110 away and am back to Arc, but I trust the welds. Let us know how the welder works out if you get it.

He is right. If you plan on doing any serious welding. Then you will want a weld with more power and a shielding gas setup. Gas is so worth it.

TC4RNR · 10-26-2007, 02:16 PM

i wouldn't buy a $20K Harley just to learn how to ride a bike before i don't even know i like to ride or not. it's difinetly just for a starter welder. i know nice stuff doesn't come cheap, if i'm good at it and like to do more welding, i'll buy a better one accordingly.

Spinnbait · 10-28-2007, 03:04 PM

Cool cool. Let us know how it works. If it's good, it may be the ticket for trussing my axle.

CyMoN · 10-28-2007, 10:02 PM

I have used the 220 volt one from them and it worked pretty well for me took some practice but I got the hand also if you do buy one from them throw away the flux core that comes with it and buy some Lincon wire from lowes works much better then the wire from HF.

Tacoma750 · 11-14-2007, 07:34 PM

it seems like its no longer on sale?

CyMoN · 11-14-2007, 09:21 PM

I also forgot to ad with these duty cycle welders you can only run it for a min or two then you have to let it cool for 10 minutes at least that is how my buddy's 220 volt Chicago electric mig welder is.

10-25-2007, 03:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
TC4RNR Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: so. cal. Posts: 480	Harbor freight, after thanksgiving sale, $88 welder if any of you who's in the same boat of wanting to learn welding but without a deep pocket. well found this flyer at harbor freight yesterday, i'm wondering if it's a (relatively) good welder just to get things started. i like it because it's 110v, i can run it in the garage whenever i have time to put my hands on, small on power so i don't worry about blowing things up. i don't need to spend another 200 bucks for argon tank and regs either. again, don't know anything about welding, any comment? http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94056 __________________ http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...gca/agreed.jpg 94 4Runner, SR5 3.0V6, 4WD, 5spd: SOLD 99 4Runner, SR5, 3.4L 4WD, 5spd. 265/75/16 BFG A/T. full SS 1.2 lift, RedLine Fluids, Marlin 1200 Clutch, ARB front bumper, BruceTS rear bumper, roof busket, hitch mount tire carrier, Tundra Brakes, Brembo rotors, BudBuilt skid/belly, Lightforce 240 Blitz, PiAA HID, Stubb's HD-SKO sliders.

10-25-2007, 03:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
apalmer1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bend, OR. Posts: 611	little little circles :-D There is a lot of technique to welding in a manor that produces good quality welds, as well as setting up the equipment relative to that task. I dont have any experience with harbor frieght welder but if they are anything like all the other electronic things harbor freight sells, watch out... Before you try welding something you will be using i would get a bunch of scrap metal of different thicknesses and practice welding at angles, overhead, different types of joints, et. You might want to find a video demonstration somewhere or talk to somebody with experience __________________ 04 taco, 3.4 5spd. loads of goodies, loads of reinforcements, getting really hard to break. 85 pickup, 327sbc, truggy, in progress. 86 mazda b2000 street queen haha. 90 mazda mx-5 all orriginal. when in doubt, tach it out.

10-25-2007, 10:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Spinnbait Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 339	hmmm I have seen a lot of good work with a 110, but it takes a lot of technique and time (filling a space takes more time than a 220). I can't use one well (atleast not the one that I got for free). 220 is much more useful in the long run. I hate to be the "save your money" type, but it is well worth a quality 220v and gas setup. I threw my 110 away and am back to Arc, but I trust the welds. Let us know how the welder works out if you get it. __________________ Cannondale Rush 3 carbon (my new baby) Surly 1x1 (my D/D) 1973 Schwinn cruiser (my shop bike)

10-26-2007, 02:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
TC4RNR Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: so. cal. Posts: 480	i wouldn't buy a $20K Harley just to learn how to ride a bike before i don't even know i like to ride or not. it's difinetly just for a starter welder. i know nice stuff doesn't come cheap, if i'm good at it and like to do more welding, i'll buy a better one accordingly. __________________ http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...gca/agreed.jpg 94 4Runner, SR5 3.0V6, 4WD, 5spd: SOLD 99 4Runner, SR5, 3.4L 4WD, 5spd. 265/75/16 BFG A/T. full SS 1.2 lift, RedLine Fluids, Marlin 1200 Clutch, ARB front bumper, BruceTS rear bumper, roof busket, hitch mount tire carrier, Tundra Brakes, Brembo rotors, BudBuilt skid/belly, Lightforce 240 Blitz, PiAA HID, Stubb's HD-SKO sliders.

10-28-2007, 03:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
Spinnbait Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 339	ok Cool cool. Let us know how it works. If it's good, it may be the ticket for trussing my axle. __________________ Cannondale Rush 3 carbon (my new baby) Surly 1x1 (my D/D) 1973 Schwinn cruiser (my shop bike)

10-26-2007, 09:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
n16ht5 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 253	I learned with it but now I pretty much use my old stick miller 220v

10-28-2007, 10:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
CyMoN Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: INDIANA Posts: 2,041	I have used the 220 volt one from them and it worked pretty well for me took some practice but I got the hand also if you do buy one from them throw away the flux core that comes with it and buy some Lincon wire from lowes works much better then the wire from HF. __________________ my rigs 89 4runner 1989 4runner v6 5 speed everything factory +4susplift running bfg 31s and a aux gas tank and more aux lights than needed 86 pickup 1986 stock pickup 22r 31.10 BFG ATs flatbed a sad day for the 4runner "One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life."

11-14-2007, 07:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
Tacoma750 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,241	it seems like its no longer on sale? __________________ 86 Ext. Cab Pickup 7 inches of lift/36 inch Wild Countrys Buick 3800 V6. Performance intake manifold,holley carb,Cam,headers,MSD ignition,dual exhaust

11-14-2007, 09:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
CyMoN Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: INDIANA Posts: 2,041	I also forgot to ad with these duty cycle welders you can only run it for a min or two then you have to let it cool for 10 minutes at least that is how my buddy's 220 volt Chicago electric mig welder is. __________________ my rigs 89 4runner 1989 4runner v6 5 speed everything factory +4susplift running bfg 31s and a aux gas tank and more aux lights than needed 86 pickup 1986 stock pickup 22r 31.10 BFG ATs flatbed a sad day for the 4runner "One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life."

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