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Re: Horrible Freight MIG Welder???

To: <shop-talk@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: Horrible Freight MIG Welder???
From: <jblair1948@cox.net>
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 7:28:31 -0400
> From: "Patton Dickson" <kpdii@earthlink.net>
> Date: 2004/09/13 Mon PM 09:24:41 EDT
> To: <shop-talk@autox.team.net>
> Subject: Horrible Freight MIG Welder???
> 
> 
> I want to learn to weld and I want a welder.  I don't have much money to get
> into this.  Harbor Freight has just put one of their MIG welders on sale for
> $174.99.  That is in my range!  I also know that their stuff can be junk.  
> 
> Here is the info...
> 
> 87 AMP, 115 VOLT FLUX AND MIG WELDER
> For mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Weld with gas or perform flux
> cored gasless operations.
> 
>     * Welding current range: 25 to 87 amps
>     * Input: single phase 115 volts, 60 Hz
>     * Open voltage: 19 to 30
>     * Duty cycle: 20% @ 75 amps, 45% @ 50 amps
>     * Draws 21 amps @ 120 volts
>     * Weldable wires: 0.023'' to 0.035'' steel and stainless steel, 0.030''
> to 0.035'' aluminum, 0.030'' flux-cored 
> 
> Includes: 2 lb. spool of flux cored wire, handheld face shield, brush
> hammer, fuse power line; Weight: 55.8 lbs.
> 
> I know that a certain percent of people on this list will say, this is about
> the best I can afford, is this "pile of junk" worth the risk?


Patton,

Remember you get what you pay for!!!  When I went looking
for a MIG welder I went to a local welding shop and talked
to them.  I ended up with a Lincoln SP150.  By the time
I walked out the door, it was about $850 for the box, 
regulator, gas tank /w gas, gloves, helmit & shades.

The unit you're looking at is billed as flux or mig.  There
is a difference in size of wire used for each.  Typically
in the mig mode, you'll use .023" wire.  For flux I think
it's something like .035".  When I bought my unit they had
to replace the liner in the feed cable as it was set for 
flux not mig.  

I realize you don't have much money, I didn't (don't) 
either.  After I talked to the welding shop, I saved for 
2 yrs to get the money for my unit.

IMHO, you'd be better off using that $175 as a down payment
on a *good* unit.  Also keep in mind, I'm not a welder.  I'm 
just a hobbiest.  Maybe some of the welders will give 
better/different advice.

One thing to look at, are you a good welder?  Does the 
machine have click stop (preset) positions for wire feed and
heat?  If so, you have to be a better welder than if they
controls are continiously variable.  You have to adjust to
the vise adjusting the welder to you and your needs.


John






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