harbor freight welder

dryin · #1 01-25-2011, 01:09 PM

has anybody used or own one? are they any good? if not dose anybody know where a good place to get a welder at??

brinker88 · #2 01-25-2011, 01:37 PM

JUNK!!! cant adjust them properly internal gears are PLASTIC, and tips go every 2 seconds....Get a Campell Hausfeild from Lowes cheapish and last quite awhile...customer service is easy to understand and you can actually talk to a PERSON...lol

azgilamonster · #3 01-25-2011, 02:22 PM

I have a harbor freight 130 amp 220 volt welder
it works great and it was even re-conditioned, only thing I had to do was ad a heavier gage cord on it, the one it came with was junk
55525 was their number then may have to google that number see if they still use same number.

here is the item # that is not re-conditioned: they call it a 110 amp now ?
http://www.harborfreight.com/110-amp...der-94164.html

TheStig · #4 01-25-2011, 02:38 PM

^^

i've got the step down from that one....
2 settings for heat...low 75amp and high 120amp
adjustable feed speed but not great

works okay for exhaust and small stuff like that

for bigger things i use my dads lincoln....much better quality and heat and speed selections

pooleo · #5 01-25-2011, 02:45 PM

I have a cheapy made by lincoln but not marked by them, Its a small 110 high/low. I can weld 3/16 - 3/16 together. My dad bought one from harbor freight it was the blue one but just 2 settings, that thing was absolute junk. the tip is so thin it got all bent up and it never did feed properly, you could turn the speed down and it would still be just as fast as if on the 9 setting. We sold it for like $75 just to get rid of it.

brinker88 · #6 01-25-2011, 02:47 PM

[QUOTE=pooleo;306173]I have a cheapy made by lincoln but not marked by them, Its a small 110 high/low. I can weld 3/16 - 3/16 together. My dad bought one from harbor freight it was the blue one but just 2 settings, that thing was absolute junk. the tip is so thin it got all bent up and it never did feed properly, you could turn the speed down and it would still be just as fast as if on the 9 setting. We sold it for like $75 just to get rid of it.[/QUOTE]

Thats the one I was talking about....Got it on sale for around $100 plus 20% off

pooleo · #7 01-25-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brinker88

[QUOTE=pooleo;306173]I have a cheapy made by lincoln but not marked by them, Its a small 110 high/low. I can weld 3/16 - 3/16 together. My dad bought one from harbor freight it was the blue one but just 2 settings, that thing was absolute junk. the tip is so thin it got all bent up and it never did feed properly, you could turn the speed down and it would still be just as fast as if on the 9 setting. We sold it for like $75 just to get rid of it.

Thats the one I was talking about....Got it on sale for around $100 plus 20% off[/QUOTE]

haha, yeah you really get what ya pay for with that one! lol

its good for light duty stuff tho, I wouldn't start welding on frames and trailers tho...!

bilko1 · #8 01-25-2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azgilamonster

I have a harbor freight 130 amp 220 volt welder
it works great and it was even re-conditioned, only thing I had to do was ad a heavier gage cord on it, the one it came with was junk
55525 was their number then may have to google that number see if they still use same number.

here is the item # that is not re-conditioned: they call it a 110 amp now ?
http://www.harborfreight.com/110-amp...der-94164.html

I have the same one. And as you found out, the cord was to small.
When I replaced mine, I also found some loose connectors in side.
Then I added a larger,(better) ground clamp and 6 more feet of ground cable.
The working seams like night and day.
Can't beat it for 150 bucks.
Next I have a larger 4in box fan to replace the small one it came with.

totalhitch · #9 01-25-2011, 02:57 PM

It's been a while now, but I bought a HF 220 mig rig and took it back the next weekend. For the same reason mentioned above... plastic gears and feed wheel. I exchanged it for a Hobart 180 and it has been burning strong for 5 years (like I said it has been a while). The only problem I had was it was 220 and just going anywhere was not an option. I picked up a little 120v Lincoln Weld Pak and absolutely love it.

azgilamonster · #10 01-25-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bilko1

I have the same one. And as you found out, the cord was to small.
When I replaced mine, I also found some loose connectors in side.
Then I added a larger,(better) ground clamp and 6 more feet of ground cable.
The working seams like night and day.
Can't beat it for 150 bucks.
Next I have a larger 4in box fan to replace the small one it came with.

yeah, I found a couple loose wires on the switches but now with a 20% off coupon it can be had for 143.00 not a bad price, I have welded a custom hitch and winch mount no problem 1/4" steel and 3/16" piece of cake. it is a little big for sheet metal, I did a couple burn throughs but can be done with patience and skill

ranger101 · #11 01-25-2011, 03:34 PM

How much are you looking to spend? I got a Lincoln 140 MIG welder with a cart for less than $400 from Ebay.

Onesloser · #12 01-25-2011, 04:24 PM

I have that welder and use it for everything,.. Great one to learn with and upgrade later

dryin · #13 01-25-2011, 04:41 PM

wow thanks guys i think iama get the tig and arc welder cause iam certified in all of them. and iam really tryin to find a welder so i can start doin little stuff around the house. sounds like i might get one il keep yall informed tho.

bilko1 · #14 01-25-2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azgilamonster

yeah, I found a couple loose wires on the switches but now with a 20% off coupon it can be had for 143.00 not a bad price, I have welded a custom hitch and winch mount no problem 1/4" steel and 3/16" piece of cake. it is a little big for sheet metal, I did a couple burn throughs but can be done with patience and skill

I am in the middle of replacing the floor panals in my 75 and my 78 el caminos.
I also have burn through when I don't payattention, or when I don't see the bad rested parts.
For a home shop (with no cash) IT has done everything I have asked it to do.
I also made a 1 in sq tube welder cart, with it.
I would not hesatate to weld tow hooks on my truck with it.
(but I also have had a small amount of training in welding. I was trained as a steem fitter and spent 18 yrs doing it.)