SheepOfBlue

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Anyone used something like this? I am to lazy to put in a 220 outlet but would not mind having a welder. Is it a POS or will it weld OK?

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luvtolean

I'm no welder, but come on Sheeply, skip the Chinese crap...Miller or Lincoln.

Both have 110V Migs I've messed about with that will do a very good job.

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Someone needs to present the facts and the physics rather than just the rhetoric. Poor old Carmelo doesn't understand the physics of a motorcycle. - Jerry Burgess, on spec tires and changing engine rules

SheepOfBlue

I agree but that was an easy example. I also need a CNC and a garage that can hold a paint booth and more bikes....

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A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way

BizJetGuy

It all depends on what you're welding, SoB.

I am restoring some old british iron ('65 MG) and most of the bones are rusted. Luckily, original tooling is still in use to produce replacement parts so I am removing old rusted pieces and welding in shiney new ones.

I picked up a Hobart Handler 135 with the gas conversion kit at Northern Tool a couple of years ago. I tried both flux core wire and shielding gas and I'll never go back to flux core. Flux core splatters the bead while shielding gas makes for a much cleaner weld.

My brother-in-law, an ex-body repair man gave the thumbs-up on the Hobart. He showed me a few tricks and put it through it's paces and then gave it the seal of approval for what I am using it for. I'll never weld 1/4" steel so a 110v unit works fine for me.

Hobart is also manufactured by Miller.

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"Ix-nay on the Illbilly-hay"

CBR929RE

do you know how to weld? or is your plan just to stay at a Holiday Inn Express and wake up knowing how to do it?

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if you can't fix it with duct tape, you haven't used enough.

SheepOfBlue

Good question but I am not sure. Bar stock items for sure. But I would like to get into creating bits of metal things also. I have looked at mills and CNC stuff but am just trying figure a path to head down.

Yes hippy I have use ARC welders, MIG welders, acetylene torches and even spot welders. I don't claim to be good on any of them but I can do it

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A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way

BizJetGuy

It ain't pretty but here's a little bit of the work I've done with the Hobart:

Mike's 1965 MGB Restoration Page: Wheel Arch Work

Be kind in your criticism.

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"Ix-nay on the Illbilly-hay"

CBRVFR

Sheep, shouldn't you hold out for one that is compatible with your telemetry setup?

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"...the TV also never took away the screwdriver and shoved it up the repairman's ass."

Our own Mr.2nd Amendment, explaining the difference. Perfectly.

Rich Herald, the Gentle Giant

Baketech

Where's it made...

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luvtolean

Er...wait, Sheep has to dig into the wallet now, ideology be damned!

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Someone needs to present the facts and the physics rather than just the rhetoric. Poor old Carmelo doesn't understand the physics of a motorcycle. - Jerry Burgess, on spec tires and changing engine rules

SheepOfBlue

...and your comment on a Lincoln being better is true. My limitation is less the wallet than a place to store more stuff I am going to have to move one day...

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A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way

luvtolean

Lincoln, Miller and Hobart all make nice little 110V portable welders roughly the size of this one.

They just cost more.

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Someone needs to present the facts and the physics rather than just the rhetoric. Poor old Carmelo doesn't understand the physics of a motorcycle. - Jerry Burgess, on spec tires and changing engine rules

figment

iI've been told f you want the prettiest welds, gas shielding is the best. I have a Miller 252 that I got for Christmas along with a plasma cutter. Still haven't used the welder and it will be my first experience with wire...

-master manipulator of molten metal

Hammer

I bought a 110 welder used several years ago. It is a Centry wire feed with gas. That is the way to go for a small shop. You can do small stuff, but do not even attempt anything thick.....it will just piss you off. Works well for what i use it for. If I need anything bigger, I can borrow the one from work. A Miller 225 Bobcat arc welder.

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G-ForceJunkie

The small 110v machines from Lincolin or Miller are great at what they do, but they have limitations. I started with a Lincolin SP101 about 14 years ago and its was a great machine. I currentaly have a Miller 135 and am very happy with it. It has a little more capacity from the older machines. For clean steel, 1/8" and under, you cant beat it. You can generaly go one gauge thicker when you switch out to flux core wire, and that works better for dirty (rusty, some paint, etc) material, such as if you were welding a fence or something. In general, its going to be difficult to get quality weld at the machines thickest rating...generaly its smart to derate the machine by one gauge/thickness. 3/16" rated...stick to 1/8" and under unless you really know what your doing... bevel the weld joint, preheat it with a torch, etc. Dont buy one of the Lincolins from Home Depot...they are a cheap version made for HD, and have less features. Buy one from a weld shop or online...cyberweld.com has good prices and are reputable to deal with. Don't buy the chi-com ones...you will never be able to get spare parts like liners and rollers when you need them, assuming the machine lives that long.

luvtolean

Before it needed rollers, I'd mess up something I cared about due to the POS, and it'd die the death most Chinese tools deserve, a whacking with my US made sledgehammer.

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Someone needs to present the facts and the physics rather than just the rhetoric. Poor old Carmelo doesn't understand the physics of a motorcycle. - Jerry Burgess, on spec tires and changing engine rules

BizJetGuy

Keep a keen eye on pawn shops for a good (Lincoln, Miller, Hobart) model but know that they move fast.

I spent the better part of a year lurking around local pawn shops until I gave up and bought a new Hobart 140 during a sale. With the rolling cart, it doesn't take up too much room in the garage and is pretty mobile. As little as I use it, it will last longer than me.

edit: and since it is a high quality unit, I am confident that the poor welds are a direct result of my low skill level and not the fault of the equipment.

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"Ix-nay on the Illbilly-hay"

gt702

And likely have much better voltage control.

Many years ago (poor college student, so some of you know how long ago that was) I bought the gas version of that welder. It works great as long as you have good power going to it ... but on the days the AC is running or the voltage is a little low (not yet brown-out conditions) then it welds like crap.

I suggest one of the better ones, but for limited use the 110V variety should work OK. Get the 220V one if you want to be able to reliably weld thicker stock you trust your life with.

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seamus

My Miller 180 is all setup now. For 110v, I'd look at the 135 (or 140 now) that GForce has.

Check with Sexton Welding. They've got the best prices I've been able to find in our area.

Or you can just swing by Lowe's, they carry Lincoln.

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Richard Herald, The Gentle Giant

The nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools.
--- Thucydides

SheepOfBlue

No worries I still plan on mooching yours but I have wondered if the 110V is a toy or worthwhile. You will find that I am either plotting or sleeping all the time. So this is just something I am exploring it will be a while before I do something... maybe after I move

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A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way

JohnnyDiablo

I have a miller sp135 that I picked up off craigslist. Kinda wish I had gotten a used TIG. That all changed when I had to weld up new frame for swinging driveway gate. Woulda been hard to drag it out to the driveway.

Doesnt work for crap on aluminum even with the kit.

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"I wont have to worry about putting gas in my car, I won't have to worry about paying my mortgage.. You know, If I help him, he's gonna help me."

seamus

JD, you have the spool gun? Will it fit a MM180?

__________________
Ducit Amor Patriae

Richard Herald, The Gentle Giant

The nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools.
--- Thucydides

SheepOfBlue

Tractor Supply Company - Hobart Handler 140 Welder

How about that one?

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A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way

BizJetGuy

I have this model and it works VERY well. Even got compliments on it from my brother-in-law who was, at the time, an auto body man who did quite a bit of welding professionally.

FWIW - the only thing I use it for is repairing and replacing body panels on old british iron. The thickest I have worked on is about 1/8" for structure support and it did fine.

It comes with the gas conversion and definitely get the gas bottle - it makes a huge difference in the quality of welds.

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"Ix-nay on the Illbilly-hay"

seamus

I wouldn't go above 1/8" thickness unless you're gooood at welding and have a good understanding of metalurgy. Especially on something that requires support or is supporting something under stress.

Like a plate to hold the bike mounting system in a trailer.

They're good welders and can do well for the home hobby welder for a good price.

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Ducit Amor Patriae

Richard Herald, The Gentle Giant

The nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools.
--- Thucydides

BizJetGuy

The structure support I spoke of was just some bracing to keep the car frame from twisting/bending during removal and re-installation of structural bits... nothing permanent or terribly crucial.

Sorry - should have elaborated a little.

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"Ix-nay on the Illbilly-hay"

SheepOfBlue