I'm looking for an inexpensive machine to do light duty work---reweld some brackets to a frame, etc.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94164
This Harbor Freight special is on sale for $180--is it a waste of money? Again---I cant spend much more, so either I wait a while, or farm out the work---which will cost about the price of the unit.

Any other machine suggestions (in that price range) would be greatly appreciated! PS---I have never welded--so keep in mind that this will be a learning experience for me

 

One problem with that one is the flux core wire. If you really want a mig, you will have to get gas bottle. Make sure it will actually use gas and not need conversion kit.

 

You can get the Hobart 140 for about $400 and than it's your choice if you want to use flux cord or pick up the co/argon mix. The 140 comes with gauge and bottle attachments.

 

Thanks for the replies.
Any other advice out there?

 

I've used both the flux core and the gas, and by far the gas is better. I have no experience with a harbor freight type of welder, but with equipment like this, it usually doesn't have the range of adjustment that you need (not enough power on the low setting, and too much on the next setting). You usually get what you pay for with this kind of equipment. I have a lincoln MIGPAK 10, which is a great unit for welding material less than 1/4" in thickness. My unit just plugs into a regular 115v wall outlet, and is great for portability. You can get a 220v unit which is better for welding thicker material, but you lose portability with a unit like this.
My suggestion is to save your money and get a unit that is from a reputable welder manufacturer, and then take some night classes to help learn to weld.

 

I am in my second semester of welding school (I'm retired and doing this for the experience) and I asked a similar question recently.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ghlight=welder The equipment that I get to use in class is well beyond what I want to spend. To give us rookies some reference, we are taught that MIG is for 1/4" thick steel or less. The flux core, which can be run on the same machine is for thicker metal similar to what stick welding would do. Again, I am a welding student, but I've been instructed that MIG and flux core require bare metal to obtain a good arc. That includes removing mill scale, the mixture of soil, grease and oxide on rolled steel. The classic stick welder on the other hand can weld through some incredible surface coatings of paint and rust. Perhaps not the best practice. My skills right now are MIG > Flux Core > Stick with TIG torch and oxy-fuel torch in last place. I guess it's because it requires two hands. The small inverter units 180A/20% or 30% duty cycle with a combination of inert gas and flux core certainly look good for the home hobbyist. There are some places that rent 250A units. I don't know the price. I would prefer to purchase Lincoln but Hobart and Miller seem comparable.

 

The machine in the link is a 220 volt flux core/MIG (gas) machine

Both types of welding have their place

The real test is strength and both will perform just as well in this department.

The flux-core can be used outside in the wind were the MIG can't without the shield gas being blown away.

To learn to weld on one of these, I would say that the MIG would more than likely be the easier of the two to learn on. I base this on you being able to see the puddle easier. You'll need to be able to differentiate between the flux and the molten metal (puddle).

I have four machines, a Harbor Freight 110volt flux-core, a Harbor Freight 220volt (like the one in the link) both flux-core/MIG, a SnapOn 220volt MIG machine and a Lincoln stick machine.

I re-welded the front section of my frame with the 110volt machine and also welded in the frame gussets on the front of the frame with the small machine.

Take your time and learn how to weld with what ever machine you buy, don't get frustrated it will take a little time to learn and as others have said if you have the time take a class at the local trade school.

Start out with what you can afford and once you out grow that one save for a better one.

The Harbor Freight machine will do what you need for now

Neal

 

I have a nice miller 175 amp mig with gas that cost about $900 10 years ago. It welds really nice for about anything but real thin sheet steel. I also have a el cheapo Harbor Freight tig welder that absolutely does some beautiful tig welds. I bought it just to see how it would weld, and I love it. I have made some nice brackets and sway bars with it so far, so you guys that have not tried the Harbor Freight stuff, don't knock it until you try it. I have a feeling that the Harbor Freight mig welder would work ok if it were used properly, to do frame and bracket welding etc. I do think the setup with the argon/c02 gas would weld better, but I have never tried the flux wire so somebody chime in on the flux wire experience.