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MIG welders (not asking for advice)

To: Shop Talk <shop-talk@autox.team.net>
Subject: MIG welders (not asking for advice)
From: dms@scheidt.chem.nd.edu
Date: Thu, 16 May 2002 04:03:14 -0500 (EST)
As I'm sure we're all aware, the topic of MIG welders and "which one should
I buy?" comes up here periodically.  I bought one a couple months ago, and
have used it enough to share my opinion.  After considering most of the
small 120V MIG machines, I ended up buying the HTP 120.  It's HTP's
(www.htpweld.com) low-end machine, comparable to the the Hobart handler 135,
Lincoln MIG-pack 135, or the Millermatic 135.  I picked it partly on price
(it was $500, delivered, ready to weld less a gas bottle), partly because a
friend reminded me that the HTP machine he used to have, and partly because
the guy at HTP I talked to was much more helpful than any of the folk at the
local shops.  

I'm very happy with the machine.  I've used lots of MIG welders, mostly
bigger than this one, and used to own a Lincoln (some model I can't remember
but the same target market).  It's very solidly built, 10 or 15 pounds
heavier than most of the other machines.  It has a very smooth wire feed
that doesn't push the wire out in jerks at low feed speeds, which some of
the other low-end machines I've used do.  The smoothness of the wire feed is
very important in getting smooth consistent welds (so wehn I don't I know
it's me).  

I do have a couple complaints.  First is that the wire is on the top of the
machine, which means that you can't use a cart with a table top, which is
handy for storing stuff.  Second is that the machine doesn't have any
indication of specs (and the catalog has better spec info than the manual!).
A chart showing what settings to use right on the machine is quite handy for 
things you don't weld often.  Third, the built in bottle rack isn't really
up to holding a decent sized bottle.  It would probably hold a 20 cu ft
bottle, but not my 80 cu ft one.  Not a big deal, as the first thing i did
with the machine is build a cart to hold it.


David

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