other than that go with a Miller and soo on. 
harbor freight welder
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 126
Likes: 1
From: Old Bridge, NJ
harbor freight welder 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.
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.
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.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 126
Likes: 1
From: Old Bridge, NJ
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.
TECH Addict
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 21
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.
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.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 126
Likes: 1
From: Old Bridge, NJ
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!
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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.
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.
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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.
TECH Addict
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,103
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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.
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.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 126
Likes: 1
From: Old Bridge, NJ
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.
Also, the 170amp flux/mig I am looking to get is a 240v. According to the website and manual i just dl'd anyway.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 126
Likes: 1
From: Old Bridge, NJ
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
Guess I can use that coupon on a grinder to pretty up my awesome welds lol
9 Second Club
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
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.
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati OH
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.
