Harbor Freight copies StrongHand Nomad welding table...$59

[IslandTractor]

I have the portable StrongHand Nomad welding table. I like it. Smallish 20x30 inches and constructed out of ?12gauge but very functional and extremely handy. Folds up like a TV dinner table. Cost is about $150 as I recall. http://www.stronghandtools.com/stronghandtools/products/nomad.php

This week Harbor Freight started carrying a virtual knockoff. http://www.harborfreight.com/adjustable-steel-welding-table-61369.html The only difference I could see on the assembled floor model was the absence of the two wheels (which frankly are useless) and that the HF model doesn't have adjustable height. It does tilt. The top looked nearly identical including the retractable guide rails and three slots to accept clamps.

For $59.99 it is hard to beat for a welding table you can throw in the back of your truck or trunk. Not useful for production work but a lot nicer than trying to weld on the ground. What's more, you could easily clamp or bolt two or three of these things together and have a 40x30 or 20x60 etc table.

Get'm while their hot. On "sale" now at $59 with regular price listed as $149. I doubt they will ever be listed for 149 as that is what the StrongHand original sells for but the HF price probably will drift up.

And, they are not welders so the 20% discount coupons will work. $48 is a steal.

 

[rsallen]

Can this be bought not made in China?

 

[CNC Dan]

Must be light construction. Shows a shipping weight of one pound.

 

[IslandTractor]

Can this be bought not made in China?

Now that is a dumb question! I'm not even sure the original Nomad isn't made in China!

 

[IslandTractor]

Must be light construction. Shows a shipping weight of one pound.

No, I lifted it. About the same weight as the original. 12 gauge is my guess.

 

[bandaidmd]

I'm thinking of getting one to pair with my nomad.
They also have a new mig cart with drawers that I want to check out, it's half the price of the northern tool one.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm thinking of getting one to pair with my nomad.
They also have a new mig cart with drawers that I want to check out, it's half the price of the northern tool one.

Beat you to it. I got both this evening. 20% off total purchase ends tomorrow. I haven't assembled the ersatz nomad yet so I don't know how easy it will be to pair with the nomad but it should work. If not, for $48 it might be worth just getting a second one to pair.

The new MIG cart is quite nice. Drawers are smooth and one drawer has lots of compartments for little stuff. Leads and MIG gun can be draped over purpose built holders on either side. Spot for one tank. More compact than the traditional lower and longer cart. Space in the garage is a premium for me and I prefer to have the welder controls higher than on the older style cart too. Older style cart would be more stable wheeling around outdoors but in a garage there is no advantage.

 

[KubotainNH]

I like that table, I have a coupon and gift card to HF bouncing around the house. Curious, what is the p/n for the MIG cart with the drawers? Thanks.

 

[IslandTractor]

I like that table, I have a coupon and gift card to HF bouncing around the house. Curious, what is the p/n for the MIG cart with the drawers? Thanks.

61705

 

[ThomasH]

So I stuck my Nomad on a scale and it was 38 pounds according to the scale. They are close to being the same weight. That said, I haven't seen the fit and finish on the Harbor Freight unit, but the Nomad is nothing special so matching it's fit and finish wouldn't be hard to do.

 

[IslandTractor]

So I stuck my Nomad on a scale and it was 38 pounds according to the scale. They are close to being the same weight. That said, I haven't seen the fit and finish on the Harbor Freight unit, but the Nomad is nothing special so matching it's fit and finish wouldn't be hard to do.

I only looked quickly but my impression was that the HF version had typically low end hardware. The good news is that the hardware is generic and can easily be replaced. Really just the plastic handles for tightening the tilt mechanism is the only weak spot I could see. I virtually never adjust the tilt on my nomad anyways so that wasn't a biggie for me. The actual stand and top were very similar.

 

[ThomasH]

Ahso, I think you said it when you said "plastic handles for tightening...", not that I would use them that much but I sure could bump the table into something when putting it up and break a plastic handle right off. That said, at the price of the Harbor Freight unit, it might be worth buying a couple carriage bolts and knobs to replace the far east plastic junk...

 

[IslandTractor]

Ahso, I think you said it when you said "plastic handles for tightening...", not that I would use them that much but I sure could bump the table into something when putting it up and break a plastic handle right off. That said, at the price of the Harbor Freight unit, it might be worth buying a couple carriage bolts and knobs to replace the far east plastic junk...

The plastic tightening handles are not likely to be bumped moving the table around or walking around it. If you look at the HF catalog photo you'll see where they are. My concern is that that type of plastic handle used to twist a bolt head, unless high quality, can easily be broken off just trying to tighten them sufficiently. But, as you point out, a couple of carriage bolts and decent phenolic knobs would solve that issue easily.

I'll try to put mine together later today and give you an update. Today however is the last day to use the 20% off the whole purchase over 100 bucks. If you are on the fence and have a HF nearby you might want to grab one and then return later if it doesn't suit.

 

[brin]

I just called my local Harbor Freight to see if they had the welding table...they said they only have one coming in on their truck tonight...would not let me prepay for it since they weren't sure it would be on the truck...said I could call the manager tomorrow at 7 AM and he would hold it for me to pick up tomorrow if it was on the truck...but the sale will be on until the end of March...and I have a 25% off super coupon...so for $40 or so...it's a deal....Thanks for posting about it.

 

[Reverser]

I would like to get one but 32 7/8" high seems kind of short. I don't like having to bend over a project too long. My old back don't like it. :confused3:

 

[brin]

I would like to get one but 32 7/8" high seems kind of short. I don't like having to bend over a project too long. My old back don't like it. :confused3:

Just a thought but since it is so cheap why not just use some scrap and weld a few inches onto each leg...easy enough...

 

[Reverser]

Just a thought but since it is so cheap why not just use some scrap and weld a few inches onto each leg...easy enough...

I could. But I don't have any scrap that would work and would have to go buy something, and not sure if my need is great enough to go to the trouble.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

A guy did a side by side comparison on our site forum with pictures, and even measurements of both. My thoughts are they are probably made in same factory, with minor differences which are probably optional like a height adjustment. Strong Hand Nomad portable welding table review - Page 2

 

[IslandTractor]

A guy did a side by side comparison on our site forum with pictures, and even measurements of both. My thoughts are they are probably made in same factory, with minor differences which are probably optional like a height adjustment. Strong Hand Nomad portable welding table review - Page 2

Thanks for the link. Those photos really do show either it was made in the same factory or is an awfully faithful clone. Key point is that the table top thickness is identical.

 

[IslandTractor]

I would like to get one but 32 7/8" high seems kind of short. I don't like having to bend over a project too long. My old back don't like it. :confused3:

I don't stand at my Nomad either. I bought a cheap mechanics stool with casters (from HF!) and just adjust that for comfortable height.