Cheapo Welder Advice Please?

[Bilgamesh]

Would one of these work to touch up my Bronco, like around window frames and to do minor replacements like floor pans?:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=55167

Thanks

 

[PsYcHoBrOnCo]

That would probably work for a thin gauge metal, but (and I mean "but"). I would suggest buying something a little beefier so you can do other welding with it other then just sheet metal....just my 2 cents...I'm sure more will chime in about this ...

 

[NGABronco]

I would go for the one with gas, it's night and day difference in the results on sheetmetal. I bought that one first and then bought again!;D

 

[Bator]

I will second that on the gas as I could not weld sheetmetal with burning a hole through it without it. Save up a get a good machine. You'll save time and money in the long run.

 

[Mherriford]

You will be happier with a bigger machine, save up and buy at least a 130 amp mig machine or better yet a 175-180 amp machine that way you will be able to weld whatever you want on the bronco

 

[Jabo76]

I have had a Miller-matic 130 since 1987 and have never regretted it.

With the right gas you can weld mild steel, Alum, Stainless up to 1/4"

 

[deltarat]

I borrowed a 140 Hobart from a friend to try it out and he did not have the gas hooked up and use the flux core wire. I then bought one myself and hooked it up to gas. There was a big difference for me, Especially where is going to show. I just wed with gas all the time. I think mine was $460 at Northern with free shipping.

 

[bronko69er]

I buy A LOT of stuff at HF but a welder is NOT something I would buy there, stick with one of the big 3 (Hobart, Lincoln, Miller) and you can't go wrong.
I've use one of those HF ones before at a buddy's and I can tell you that you get what you pay for. Save your pennies and get a good one.
I saved up and bought a Lincoln 175-SP (220V) and am very very happy with it.

 

[wildbill]

I would suggest saveing a little more money and getting a little better one. You should have one that will use gas as there much better for body work. Also you would be better off with one that is 220 over 110. Good luck and have fun.%) %) %) Bill %) ;D

 

[Bitch'nBronco]

Yah, itll work. I have the same one. I did all my welding on with it. You'll end up cussin at it, but I upgraded the actual tube that the fire feeds through to a steel one I bought at Air Gas, and that has made the welder much more enjoyable. I also put a fan on it, cuz it overheats like no ones business.

 

[Bilgamesh]

This is not a matter of saving up to buy one. I have the money to do whatever I want to, its just that I have put so much into one-time tools already, that it is hard for me to justify buying the best of everything. If I were going to be using it from now on, the story would be different. On the other hand, I don't want to buy it and find it is unusable. Functional and economical is what I am after. I guess I will continue to browse Craig's list awhile. - Thanks

 

[telcolineman]

I have the 22V 150 amp version of that and it works great, Gas would be a huge plus though

 

[broncow72]

This is not a matter of saving up to buy one. I have the money to do whatever I want to, its just that I have put so much into one-time tools already, that it is hard for me to justify buying the best of everything. If I were going to be using it from now on, the story would be different. On the other hand, I don't want to buy it and find it is unusable. Functional and economical is what I am after. I guess I will continue to browse Craig's list awhile. - Thanks

Well if it's not a matter of price... Then figure out what you need... A gas capable welder is better. I have the Hobart 135 and it is a good unit. BUT... I wish it had an infinite heat selector. It doesn't, it has 4 choices. The miller and lincoln of a comparable size do. Mine is a 110V and I think it's fine for the limited use I need. I assume you are of the same type and I think a 220V is over kill for our useage, but if the price is right, I'd go for it as it is better.
A 140 whatever will do anything on our trucks. They are good up to 1/4" and there isn't much of anything over 1/8" including the frame.
I think the important thing is to learn how to use it.

I think a few week course ot the local community college would be well worth the time and money. I spent lots of $$$ boogering stuff before I finally figured things out... well almost.

 

[bighorn]

Get one with gas. You won't beleive how much easier and better it is. Clean welds and better performance on sheetmetal. Lincoln, Hobart, or Miller.....It's worth the extra money.

 

[ugly74]

I've got a campbell hausfeld cheapy 130. it works good on small stuff. The liner is the source of most of it's problems, and a lube pad helps a bunch to keep it from skipping if the hose isn't laying just right. I keep flux core in it, but in the shop at work I weld with gas on a Miller 130. The gas makes the weld come out smoother and with less splatter, but aint worth a damn in a breeze, and that's why I use the flux core at home, where I'm normally outside. (welding upside down under a drippy truck in a blizzard at 3:00am).
you can weld with flux almost just as well, you just need to get used to the feel of it, and preheat!
In conclusion; cheap welders are okay. but you'd be happier with something bigger than that

P.S.
that's what she said! Oh! giggity giggity!

 

[Dave]

You don't always have to buy the best but these HF welders are pretty marginal. The light weight transformer has a very short duty cycle and will get hot and bun up if you excede it. The wire drive works ok for occasional use but would fail if you used it a lot. The cable and gun are very low quality and will not last long especailly they get mishandle or dropped. Just as a point of reference just a new tweco gun for a 180 amp machine is about $165. Some HF tools are a great deal some are crap. Their welders fall into the latter catagory. IMO

 

[t.lay]

I have a little lincoln - big difference when I added gas. And with all those one-time tools. Well, put them to good use. Get a project eb :-D

 

[trlblazr]

That Chicom welder probably has lead paint on it. lol

 

[Bilgamesh]

I have been watching craigslist every day since posting this. Late this evening a post went up for a Lincoln Electric Weld Pak HD, used once. I bought it for $125, therefore probably saved $100 over retail. The duty cycle is 20%@70A, so hopefully it will work for the floor pan replacement and the spot welds on the doors. If you have experience with one, please let me know your thoughts. - Thanks