Jax326

What do you guys think of the Chicago Electric 170 amp MIG from harbor freight? Looking for a cheap welder and this one fits the bill but then again i know nothing about welders.

itsslow98

iTrader: (18)

What are you looking to do with the welder?

I bought the cheap 90 amp flux one to tinker with and do little stuff like exhaust and it worked better then I thought. If it was something I had to trust my life with id spend the money on a nice lincoln or miller.

Jax326

Nothing I need to trust my life to. I have a friend who is a welder by trade that does chassis fab so he can do my tig work. I just want to be able to weld up motor mounts and fab my turbo kit and leave the pretty stuff to him.

Blackpanther99

iTrader: (8)

That machine will work good for your needs other than that go with a Miller and soo on.

Jax326

Thanx good to know. Cheap welder, here I come!!!

smitty2919

I was all about going for the HF unti. But then I found a Lincoln Weld Pak 100 on craigslist for $150.

It is a 110V unit same as HF one but is a Lincoln and can be converted to do MIG.

OP I'm like you, I wanted something to play with and weld some small stuff. This welder is great and being a Lincoln you can find parts for them. Plus my Lincoln had 4 amp/heat settings where the HF only has Low and High.

Do some research. For another $100 you can get into a Lincoln/Miller/Hobart used on craigslist.

I did this on 1/8" sheetmetal with wire feed on about 3.5 (out of 10) and amp setting on 2 (out of 4)



I plan on making a custom exhaust on my 04 GTO and this welder will do GREAT even doing butt welds.

Jax326

I definitely wouldn't mind a nice brand name unit especially if it can be had cheap off craigslist but I've got a $50 gift card and a 20% coupon which means this baby is only gonna cost me $110!

snyousef

iTrader: (11)

You can't use the 20% coupon on welders, compressors, etc. Ask me how I know?

I was thinking about grabbing the $100, 90A one just to weld up little brackets, motor mounts, exhaust, etc, for my swap. I don't know how to weld and it's my first welder so I think it will be a good starting point.

aknovaman

iTrader: (7)

110volt welders lack the guts to give good solid consistent welds as I have had both 220 and 110 versions. Save your $$ and apgat a good used 220 volt version. Like comparing a pit bull to a chia pet.

White6SpdZ28

iTrader: (6)

Can't use the 20% on tool boxes or jacks either. Read the small print. I didn't.

smitty2919

LOL This xmas I was given two $100 gift cards to HF and I still passed on the welder.

It's not a TERRIBLE welder, but if you get a 100V that can convert to MIG, then it would be the last welder you may ever NEED.

I'm in an apartment so I cant get anything higher than a 110V. For my small exhaust project and brackets, I won't need a bigger welder. Plus if i convert to MIG, I can carry this thing anywhere and plus it in to use it.

A 220 machine is limited to larger circuits.

Jax326

Damn you fine print! Thanx for the heads up on the coupon. Apparantly it cant be used with a gift card either! Well played HF.
Also, the 170amp flux/mig I am looking to get is a 240v. According to the website and manual i just dl'd anyway.

Blackpanther99

iTrader: (8)

Just get a Miller. It will work for alot of things

Jax326

Same thing my buddy the "welding snob" said lol. Doesn't fit my no budget theme. I've got my mind and wallet set on this one and I think I've gotten the affirmation that i was looking for that it will be "reliable" and handle the little fab I'm gonna attempt.
Guess I can use that coupon on a grinder to pretty up my awesome welds lol

garygnu

the Lincoln weld pak welders are good,my friend has them around his shop for small jobs.east wood has good prices on welders,they are Lincolns .

onefast84

I have a Harbor freight welder, and it welds better than the matco welder that I have. Mine is converted to MIG. I would reccomend getting the welder and converting to mig. Got mine on sale, and you can use the 20% on the tank and reg though, just not the welder.

Cronic_Moronic

I have the cheapo 90 amp flux welder... after using it I wouldn't have a problem getting another HF welder. They are like the rest of the tools at HF - not awesome but they do work and are very affordable.