Will this welder do the job??

[HunsakerS14]

I visited my local harbor freight and they had this welder at the store for a little cheaper then the price online. what my question is will this actually weld anything and why is it so cheap? I just dont know if its like an add on or weak or what. any help is appreciated.

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=55060)

and does anyone know where to get cheap ass welders that will do the job of welding things like muffler cracks or radiator supports back in. thanks guys.

[GSXRJJordan]

That's an arc welder aka stick welder. You want a wire feed MIG.

The cheapest you can find little 110V welders is about $400 used.

[finesses240]

I wouldn't buy that one to be honest. I got the one similar to that, but was wire feed from harbor freight and it sucked, granted it only cost $150, but still not worth the money. Save up and buy a nice one like gxsrjordan said. It will be a better investment in the long run.

[JVDSKYRINE]

That's an arc welder aka stick welder. You want a wire feed MIG.

The cheapest you can find little 110V welders is about $400 used.

I heard the gas wire feed ones are better? is this true?

[finesses240]

I heard the gas wire feed ones are better? is this true?

This is true. That is what I picked up and it welds a lot nicer and cleaner.

[mehsilvia]

Yes, you want wire fed, MIG, on the bottle.

Dont expect too much from that one ^^^ or the cheap ended MIG that just flux wire fed.

Those are great for hobbiests, and NOT something to be used for most automotive purposes.

Unless you mounting a mirror or something :keke:

[steve_o1989]

I heard the gas wire feed ones are better? is this true?

Basically, yes.

There are two different types of wire feed welders: Flux cored, or mig.

Some wire feed welders are capable of doing both, but it does require you to switch a few pieces on the machine.

The flux cored welders are cheaper that a true MIG. There is a flux inside the wire (hense the name) that burns away and sheilds contaminants from your weld area.

Some benefits to flux core is that it is able to weld thicker metal that MIG (not something you will have to worry about for an automotive application) and you can use it outside when it is windy (MIG's are likey to have the gas blown away)

MIG welders use either CO2 or a mix of CO2 and Argon which actually flows out of the end of the nozzle to shield the weld. It is able to weld thinner applications than a flux cored welder (sheet metal) and is more suitable for an automotive application. It will do pretty much any thing you need it to. You will be able to weld Mild steel, stainless steel, and with the right attatchment, Aluminum.

I myself prefer MIG over flux cored. Infact, I don't know anyone who doesn't. It will produce a nicer looking weld, a cleaner weld, it produces less smoke, and less spatter.

A MIG is what I would recommend to anyone looking to get their first welder. Don't cheap out though. Stick with a brand name, even then they aren't too expensive, and it is an investment that will last a long time.

[atutt]

Basically, yes.

There are two different types of wire feed welders: Flux cored, or mig.

Some wire feed welders are capable of doing both, but it does require you to switch a few pieces on the machine.

The flux cored welders are cheaper that a true MIG. There is a flux inside the wire (hense the name) that burns away and sheilds contaminants from your weld area.

Some benefits to flux core is that it is able to weld thicker metal that MIG (not something you will have to worry about for an automotive application) and you can use it outside when it is windy (MIG's are likey to have the gas blown away)

MIG welders use either CO2 or a mix of CO2 and Argon which actually flows out of the end of the nozzle to shield the weld. It is able to weld thinner applications than a flux cored welder (sheet metal) and is more suitable for an automotive application. It will do pretty much any thing you need it to. You will be able to weld Mild steel, stainless steel, and with the right attatchment, Aluminum.

I myself prefer MIG over flux cored. Infact, I don't know anyone who doesn't. It will produce a nicer looking weld, a cleaner weld, it produces less smoke, and less spatter.

A MIG is what I would recommend to anyone looking to get their first welder. Don't cheap out though. Stick with a brand name, even then they aren't too expensive, and it is an investment that will last a long time.

^No offence to you. But, I bet you've never used a real flux core welder.

UGH.... I will take Flux Core over MIG ANYDAY!


MIG is a failure of a welding process...
MIG welding has the LEAST amount of penetration out of all welding processes. And it will NEVER penetrate as well as any other weld process...

A true Flux Core welder uses both flux AND a sheilding gas.
When this is used. It creates a level of penetration that is FAR superior to MIG...
It will also create a FAR superior looking bead.
If you want a good quality weld. Learn how to use stick. Stick penetrates as well as a REAL flux core machine.

NEVER get any Harbour Freight wannabe welders... EVER...
I have NEVER seen one tought it out the way a Hobart, Miller, or Lincoln will....

In case you're wondering. I've been welding for 7 or so years (CWB certified. And, yes, I started welding at a very young age.).

[upstate240sx]

couldnt have said it any better steve, the difference between a mig with a gas feed and one without is clear as night and day, without the gas the welds look shitty , like burnt popcorn lookin welds, the gas feed looks mint , clean and it penetrates the metal better

[atutt]

I'm going to say it again.
To the OP

If you are going to buy a lower end welder. Please buy a stick welder.

Learn how to use it. It WILL create a better weld than the MIG or "flux core".
Trust me.. I've been there and done that many, many, many times.... (Not by choice either)

[steve_o1989]

^No offence to you. But, I bet you've never used a real flux core welder.

UGH.... I will take Flux Core over MIG ANYDAY!


MIG is a failure of a welding process...
MIG welding has the LEAST amount of penetration out of all welding processes. And it will NEVER penetrate as well as any other weld process...

A true Flux Core welder uses both flux AND a sheilding gas.
When this is used. It creates a level of penetration that is FAR superior to MIG...
It will also create a FAR superior looking bead.
If you want a good quality weld. Learn how to use stick. Stick penetrates as well as a REAL flux core machine.

NEVER get any Harbour Freight wannabe welders... EVER...
I have NEVER seen one tought it out the way a Hobart, Miller, or Lincoln will....

In case you're wondering. I've been welding for 7 or so years (CWB certified. And, yes, I started welding at a very young age.).

Ok you are right I haven't. I have never used the combination of a flux cored wire with a shielding gas.

For the type of all around work the OP is looking for, there isn't a better option that a mig welder though. It is alot more forgiving than an off the shelf flux cored welder would be when it comes to sheet metal work, yet it is still going to have enough power to do some heavier types of material if need be.

I don't think that uber penetration is really an issue when you look at most applictions the OP is intending to use it for.

[zaquanh]

im in the same boat i want to work on my car but i dont know about welders , can you guys post up either links or names of some good companies and where to get them ,

sumthin cheep but good , and for a welder thats not going to be welding everysingle day , sumthin to like do exhaust or fabricating you own stuff

[atutt]

Ok you are right I haven't. I have never used the combination of a flux cored wire with a shielding gas.

For the type of all around work the OP is looking for, there isn't a better option that a mig welder though. It is alot more forgiving than an off the shelf flux cored welder would be when it comes to sheet metal work, yet it is still going to have enough power to do some heavier types of material if need be.

I don't think that uber penetration is really an issue when you look at most applictions the OP is intending to use it for.

For the 2 things he listed. It's okay.
But what about a few months down the road if something else happens that requires something a little more heavy duty... Or something with more penetration?

It's better to have it and NOT need it. rather then needing it and NOT having it. That's my 2 cents.

[boozels]

you can pick up a Lincoln mig at home depot for about $450 new
one of the best investments i ever made.
machine paid for itself within 2 months

[s14jesse]

should of saved u that money and invested on a wire feed some good 1 at home depot and shit

[atutt]

Ok.
I will give out my thoguhts to the people who want to know.


The BEST 2 companies are Lincoln and Miller. (Hobart is now owned by Miller)
If you're going to buy a welder.
Never get anything with a 110v-115v-120v... They are garbage.. end of story. No if's, and's, or butt's....

Buy something that is at least 208v, 210v, 220v, 230v, 240v, etc...
You will be able to draw more amps without blowing breakers. You will be able to get ample penetration... Somewhat.

Buy a welder that is more than what you will initially need. It doesn't have to be a whole lot more. But it will save your ass down the road sooner or later.

Buy either Miller or Lincoln.
I prefer Miller. Always have.
It's a bunch of little things (that, unless you weld everyday, you'd never notice) that I like better.
Miller also has a better warranty.

Like I said. I've been welding for a little while. So i know a thing or two about welding.



I personally think you are better off buying a stick welder. Using it, and getting good at it.
Stick offers way more than MIG.
Plus, you never have to buy gas. It's good out doors. Which you may or may not be situated in.
You get some seriously kick ass welding rods.
You get the penetration needed. Whether it's thin or thick material.
Assuming you set the welder to the proper settings.

[brian m]

I googled and found this:

Stick: cheaper equipment, no need for gas bottle, wide range of thicknesses, if done correctly will usually be the strongest of the three. Typically the toughest to master. Best method for production welding(lots of weld feet) on thicker metals.

MiG: once you get past bodywork type thicknesses the equipment gets expensive, can be done without gas bottle if you use flux core wire, typically easiest to learn also typically the weakest of the welds. Best method for thinner production welding.

Tig: The right equipment is expensive, widest variety of metals and thicknesses, tough to learn for some easy for others. Most precise method, with skill and good equipment you can weld an aluminum soda can back together after cutting it in two. None of the other methods can do that... very few people can too. ;) I tend to think of tig welding as more of an art. Definitely not for production welding.

You will likely find that you will learn to be adequate with a MIG welder relatively quickly. As it has been stated, ARC welding is best used on big stuff. TIG welding takes longer to learn to do well but is the shizzy on aluminum.

[JDM671]

I dont like welding without the gas. Electric plug in welders are cold welds...

[supportTHEezln]

Tig: Most precise method, with skill and good equipment you can weld an aluminum soda can back together after cutting it in two. None of the other methods can do that... very few people can too. ;) I tend to think of tig welding as more of an art.



Fact.
I went through like 5 or 6 cans trying to this after I had already been using TIG for a while.

Although, I'm pretty sure now I could do it in one shot (my last crappy job was sitting around TIGing very thin material all day).
But now I have a good job, so fuck welding =P.


Definitely not for production welding.


Definitely NOT fact. Here's how it should read:

Definitely not for janky as fuck production welding.

Like I said my last job was "production welding" and the only machine(s) we used were TIG. Definitely no other process would cut it, and if it could, nobody would buy the products.

[blu808]

Harbor freight is great for cheap stuff that cant break.

But I would stay away from any of the chicago electric, or off brand welders.
Take the jump, and make an investment.

The very first Mig welder I ever bought was a Lincoln 3200hd with gas attachment from home depot. Years later it is still running strong, and works like new.
Quality welders are always needed if you ever decide to sell as well.


Luke

[brian m]

Like I said my last job was "production welding" and the only machine(s) we used were TIG. Definitely no other process would cut it, and if it could, nobody would buy the products.


Not arguing. But I guess the definition of "production welding" dictates which machine to use. Can't Tig a skyscraper, and you can't Arc a nice piece like a full race manifold.

[supportTHEezln]

Not arguing. But I guess the definition of "production welding" dictates which machine to use. Can't Tig a skyscraper, and you can't Arc a nice piece like a full race manifold.

Well played. You win this round.

=D

[brian m]

^^^ not really, just putting it out there. Good job on those cans :bowdown:. The OP is probably thinking "damn, I just want to know if this machine will fix my exhaust so I don't keep having to pay the muffler guy $65 everytime something breaks"

[mrmephistopheles]

Look on craigslist - people are always getting rid of welders on there.

[Andrew Bohan]

i have the lincoln 175hd
it's a 220 and pretty much just like luke's 3200, which is 110
mine just has one higher power setting.
and i got it from craigslist, new in box, for $150 less than home depot sells it for.

i've used luke's as much as i've used mine and they are both great welders for what they are.

i certainly wouldn't buy a welder from harbor freight or schuck's. yeechhh
their carts are decent enough though. haha

[brian m]

their carts are decent enough though. haha

and to make them better than decent, you weld them after you square it up with the bolts:boink:

[JVDSKYRINE]

This is a good thread guys thanks for the help. Me and my uncle tried welding a bov flange on with a stick and it was a little to big of a weld. Sure it is stronger and penetrates more and no one will argue that. Just looking for cleaner welds for things like fmic piping and exhaust. All this is very helpful especially when you go into a store and have no idea what kind of machines you are looking at and whats good.

[HunsakerS14]

yea no doubt. I never knew I was gonna get this much information with that question. I appreciate the answers and no ones flamed me for which is also great. I now know somethin about what i'm lookin for. thanks guys.