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[BiGdAdDeE]

Ok as we know right off the bat I should have invested in a millermatic/ hobart/ lincoln etc etc but I didn't.
I bought this one.
http://www.harborfreight.com/120-amp-230-volt-mig-and-flux-welder-97503.html
the reason I bought this one is because it was on sale for $149 this month and it regularly goes for $299. So 50% off the bat seemed pretty decent, but then I had a 20% off coupon which brought it to $120.01 on top of which I had $65 in store credit so I actually paid only $55.01 plus tax.

I bought the $34 3 year replacemnet guarantee on it so I spent a total of just under $96 bucks.

Now first off the bat I have my father in law ( he's an electrician) putting a much bigger and longer cord on it.  It comes with this punny 6 foot thin arse cord with no end on it.

most people put a dryer cord plug on them I guess.

I also am putting on a new ground lead with a better clamp than the 6foot lead and small copper clamp they have on it.


If you read these reviews they are all pretty good ones on this welder and I just wanted something better than what I had.  Measly 110V fluxcvore welders barely capable of welding fluxcore.  At least this one has a bottle hookup and is 240V
http://www.harborfreight.com/120-amp-230-volt-mig-and-flux-welder-97503.html

I am pretty impressed with it so far and plan to post some pics of my work soon.  I am tackling the frame as my first job once i do a few smaller jobs with it.  Then going to do my perches and my roll cage properly which is long over due.

Laugh if you may but for the $$ it seems so far to be night and day compared to my other welders and it really heats up the steel a hell of a lot better.  I was getting pretty decent at welding 3/16" plate with my small mig and with this I am so much more impressed with my ability. 

Pics to come but don't knock it until you try it.  It is infact junk maybe compared to the higher end units but it is hands down worth the $96 I spent.


Also bought a small HF generator to take with me to the junk yards.  It runs my sawzall and my grinder with ease.  Greta for our camper too.

[BiGdAdDeE]

side note:
Though not worthy of the welder in any way, I am saving the 2 leads that came with the welder so that in the even I have issues I can bring it back to harbor freight and exchange in store for a new one for any reason whatso ever.

[jeepgod]

you know a little trick for welding thick material with a less than adequate welder is to preheat the metal with a torch. it will aid in getting better penetration

seems like you got a cheap (inexpensive) welder.  the price is def good but its the "how long will it last" that i am interested in. i realize you got the warranty but the parts are what i find fail (torch, liner etc)  the other issue is the duty cycle, i bet you will exceed that pretty often? when i had a cheaper welder i had constant issues with that.  i would be elding along and my weld quality would star off good then it would fall off. the issue was i was exceeding the duty cycle, espically on thick metal (3/16)  just keep an eye on that. remember if it has a 20% duty cycle you can only weld for 2 minutes of every 10.

good luck

[BiGdAdDeE]

you know a little trick for welding thick material with a less than adequate welder is to preheat the metal with a torch. it will aid in getting better penetration

seems like you got a cheap (inexpensive) welder.  the price is def good but its the "how long will it last" that i am interested in. i realize you got the warranty but the parts are what i find fail (torch, liner etc)  the other issue is the duty cycle, i bet you will exceed that pretty often? when i had a cheaper welder i had constant issues with that.  i would be elding along and my weld quality would star off good then it would fall off. the issue was i was exceeding the duty cycle, espically on thick metal (3/16)  just keep an eye on that. remember if it has a 20% duty cycle you can only weld for 2 minutes of every 10.

good luck

that is exactly what it is 20% duty cycle and the torch idea is a good one.  I use that currently even with my small mig.  I figure 2minutes of welding will really cause enough heat and area should cool off for a bit before proceeding anyway right? as not to warp/distort by over heating the worked on area.

[Ian]

Ok as we know right off the bat I should have invested in a millermatic/ hobart/ lincoln etc etc but I didn't.

/thread

i wish you luck on your super inexpensive model.

[BiGdAdDeE]

 
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[Ian]

what did you have for a welder before?

[BiGdAdDeE]

what did you have for a welder before?

I have 2.  A 90 amp cambell hausfeld Flux no gas mig and a 120 amp speedway series flux no gas. Both 110V's
The 90 amp Cambell Hausfed welded better than that speedway series as that thing is good for sheet metal at best. I have been using my father inlaws lincoln mig welder but that's 110V too and does about the same .  It's much improvement over what I have been using, might not be the best choice but it's what I could get my hands on

[Ian]

what you were using was serviceable right?

[BiGdAdDeE]

what you were using was serviceable right?

I would call a hooker serviceable, the old welders ...not so much

[BiGdAdDeE]

For those of you who may be considering one of these welders I have to say after a few weeks of owning it I am pretty pleased and have decided I am ready to weld my new Ballistic Perches on the axles.

This mod is a must in my opinion:
longer cord!
in doing so you must go larger with the cord as well because you will loose a lot but adding distance between the welder and outlet.  I went from 6 foot stock cord to 25 foot heavy duty cord and plug as shown.  I also added a 90 degree plug to it as to allow the cord to drop straight from the outlet as with this heavy a cord it would be putting stress on the box and cause a weak connection as well.  Safety first here.

Heres some pics of the cord I chose ( and when I say I  mean my father in law who has been a licenced comercial electrician & residential for over 30 years )










 I will post pics of the welds for those interested.
Any one have any pointers for me?
here's what I am planning to do:
1) weld only small increments allowing axle tube not to over heat.  
2) weld the perches on compensationg for my current lift height and eliminate use of shims
anything I should think about  before I attempt this?

[Bluerocket]

I just built a 50 ft extension cable for mine.  Works great. 

[BiGdAdDeE]

I just built a 50 ft extension cable for mine.  Works great. 

can I ask what that cost you?
I need one so I can use the neighbors dryer outlet   in my basement. I didn't pay for this piece as my father in law had it kicking around but he said I would need to buy 50ft of it for that. He said it would be close to $100 for this heavy a wire flus plug ends would be another 30 . For now I will do my welding at bro in laws garage but eventually I will need the 50 foot like you made

[Twisty]

I made a 50'er out of either 6 or 10 gauge.  Cost me under $1/foot for the wire and $20 each for the ends.

[Bluerocket]

Something like that, I might have paid 1.50/foot or so I forget now.

Either way its a $100 extension cord.