Is this an ok beginner welder?

[spoons896]

i am looking in to learning how to do fab work, i have done alittle welding in the past on farm equipment but not much so assume i am a complete noob to welding. they have this on sale at china freight for 80bucks and i was wondering if anyone had any experience with it. i am not goin to do any work that will have mine or anyone else life in it hands, just little stuff maybe some light bars and stuff like that.


http://www.harborfreight.com/100-amp...der-68887.html

[ranger024x4]

try to find one with adjustable heat. I have a similar one with a high/low setting and at times its a pita to get the proper heat.

[pooleo]

NO! RUN, FAST!!!!

Seriously, harbor freight welders are absolute junk. It will work, but you will have problems. I had one and the wire speed never worked right. If you want to weld exhaust pipe, go for it. But forget about fabbing anything up with it. My dad just bought a welder from there (not sure why ) I tried it out the last time he was up, GARBAGE!

[spoons896]

any suggestions on a used welder to look for? i have been looking on craigslist and i havent found any used for under 300 and i dont have that kind of cash to throw at this at the moment.

[pooleo]

I really couldnt tell ya. The one from lowes is a decent little guy. Its flux core/gas made by lincoln. But those are running $400 or so.

I guess I would buy it. Its cheap, it will work for light duty stuff. It wouldnt be bad for a learner.

[naturecakezzz]

80$ aint bad for a beginner welder... Just DONT DO ANYTGING SERIOUS WITH IT!!!

[knightmare1015]

Originally Posted by spoons896

i am looking in to learning how to do fab work, i have done alittle welding in the past on farm equipment but not much so assume i am a complete noob to welding. they have this on sale at china freight for 80bucks and i was wondering if anyone had any experience with it. i am not goin to do any work that will have mine or anyone else life in it hands, just little stuff maybe some light bars and stuff like that.


http://www.harborfreight.com/100-amp...der-68887.html

Do not waste your money on that thing. They suck and the reason it's that low of a price is because they can't give them away.

Originally Posted by pooleo

NO! RUN, FAST!!!!

Seriously, harbor freight welders are absolute junk. It will work, but you will have problems. I had one and the wire speed never worked right. If you want to weld exhaust pipe, go for it. But forget about fabbing anything up with it. My dad just bought a welder from there (not sure why ) I tried it out the last time he was up, GARBAGE!

Not all of their welders are bad because they do carry Lincoln and various other name brand welders.

Originally Posted by pooleo

I really couldnt tell ya. The one from lowes is a decent little guy. Its flux core/gas made by lincoln. But those are running $400 or so.

I guess I would buy it. Its cheap, it will work for light duty stuff. It wouldnt be bad for a learner.

Try around $500 bucks Jason. The welder you're talking about is a stick welder. I just looked at them last week. Home Depot has them for a little bit cheaper.

[pooleo]

I guess it dont have the gas option but here Link

[SalRanger2]

ehh id pass, try and find a used lincoln, ive used harbor freight stuff....not the quality experts. oh and the kind jason was talking about a mig not a stick, you can use flux core wire or run gas with the mig. go for the mig

[knightmare1015]

Originally Posted by spoons896

any suggestions on a used welder to look for? i have been looking on craigslist and i havent found any used for under 300 and i dont have that kind of cash to throw at this at the moment.

Try going to Tractor Supply, and Home Depot. Tractor Supply wasn't exactly cheap, but I did see one in there made by Hobart called Easy Weld. Basically you pick the setting on the welder based apon your material thickness and type, and it automatically adjusts the heat as you weld. It's really good for beginners and hobbyists whom really don't have alot of experience, and doesn't really know which material they'll be working with from one minute to the next. For example: Let's say your about to make a set of roll bars out of mild steel and instead you get a sweet deal on chromoloy tubing instead. You'll now be able to set that welder to properly weld that material instead of the mild steel without any worries.

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Originally Posted by spoons896

any suggestions on a used welder to look for? i have been looking on craigslist and i havent found any used for under 300 and i dont have that kind of cash to throw at this at the moment.

Here's the perfect welder for your applications and skill level:


http://www.hobartwelders.com/product.../handler125ez/

It's listed at $431.00 bucks on their website, but it's really simple to use, and it will fit light duty type projects.

[brinker88]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/LCN-K2185-1/

http://www.tractorsupply.com/hobart-...welder-3806489 <-- Same one Knightmare suggested only a SHIT ton cheaper ( $319 vs. $431 )

These are two Im actually looking at

[knightmare1015]

Originally Posted by brinker88

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/LCN-K2185-1/

http://www.tractorsupply.com/hobart-...welder-3806489 <-- Same one Knightmare suggested only a SHIT ton cheaper ( $319 vs. $431 )

These are two Im actually looking at

That is kool on that price. They have it listed for $431 bucks, but they do say it depends on which retailer you get it from. That one from Summit also got my attention. The only thing missing is the gas (that's if you're using gas).

[djfllmn]

all i used in school was Miller welders both 110 and 220...miller is a very good welder

[knightmare1015]

Originally Posted by djfllmn

all i used in school was Miller welders both 110 and 220...miller is a very good welder

I used Licoln in Highschool. I liked using the Miller welders down at Nascar tech then they switched to Lincoln. Miller welders are good, but they tend to be a bit too pricey for some people. I've been looking at welding equipment all week.

[TheStig]

Hey pat....i have that welder

if you want it gimme a call....i'll sell it cheap its out of wire at the moment