120-Volt Mig welder.

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   / 120-Volt Mig welder. #101  
It is awfully quiet here in this thread, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice?
 
   / 120-Volt Mig welder. #102  
I'm afraid to say anything since I not only have a 120v MIG, but it is also from Harbor Freight! :shhh:
 
   / 120-Volt Mig welder. #103  
I'm afraid to say anything since I not only have a 120v MIG, but it is also from Harbor Freight! :shhh:
That should get a 'conversation' :D started!

Actually I have the 120V/90amp HF mig and I've done a few decent repair projects with it. After a little experience I'm convinced this model is what they use in China to cobble together all the sloppy-welded bookshelves etc for Walmart and Target. It is sufficient for this kind of work but only within a limited range of projects. It seemed to have a very narrow range between insufficient penetration and burn-through. Aside from the limitation of low power, its AC arc and flux-only operation will always spatter more than a DC shielded-gas welder.

Then more recently I bought a used 120V Century 135 mig welder, and use it with flux wire. It adjusts through a broader range than the HF welder did, and the DC spatters less. I like it a lot better than the HF welder. It feels like I can tune it in better to match what I need, a lot better than the HF's hi/lo heat adjustment that never matched the project.

I'm still curious how the Clarke/Forney 110v welder compares to this Century.
 
   / 120-Volt Mig welder. #105  
That should get a 'conversation' :D started!

Actually I have the 120V/90amp HF mig and I've done a few decent repair projects with it. After a little experience I'm convinced this model is what they use in China to cobble together all the sloppy-welded bookshelves etc for Walmart and Target. It is sufficient for this kind of work but only within a limited range of projects. It seemed to have a very narrow range between insufficient penetration and burn-through. Aside from the limitation of low power, its AC arc and flux-only operation will always spatter more than a DC shielded-gas welder.

Then more recently I bought a used 120V Century 135 mig welder, and use it with flux wire. It adjusts through a broader range than the HF welder did, and the DC spatters less. I like it a lot better than the HF welder. It feels like I can tune it in better to match what I need, a lot better than the HF's hi/lo heat adjustment that never matched the project.

I'm still curious how the Clarke/Forney 110v welder compares to this Century.
I hope to buy something better someday, but for now it was a cheap way to try MIG welding and make some repairs. I feel it has already paid for itself.
 
   / 120-Volt Mig welder. #106  
That should get a 'conversation' :D started!

Actually I have the 120V/90amp HF mig and I've done a few decent repair projects with it. After a little experience I'm convinced this model is what they use in China to cobble together all the sloppy-welded bookshelves etc for Walmart and Target. It is sufficient for this kind of work but only within a limited range of projects. It seemed to have a very narrow range between insufficient penetration and burn-through. Aside from the limitation of low power, its AC arc and flux-only operation will always spatter more than a DC shielded-gas welder.

Then more recently I bought a used 120V Century 135 mig welder, and use it with flux wire. It adjusts through a broader range than the HF welder did, and the DC spatters less. I like it a lot better than the HF welder. It feels like I can tune it in better to match what I need, a lot better than the HF's hi/lo heat adjustment that never matched the project.

I'm still curious how the Clarke/Forney 110v welder compares to this Century.

Interesting. I've never seen an AC output mig welder that I am aware of.
 
   / 120-Volt Mig welder. #107  
Interesting. I've never seen an AC output mig welder that I am aware of.

That HF one is the only one I have seen or heard about. But it is AC only and no gas provision. People do make welds with them.
 
   / 120-Volt Mig welder. #109  
That should get a 'conversation' :D started!

Actually I have the 120V/90amp HF mig and I've done a few decent repair projects with it. After a little experience I'm convinced this model is what they use in China to cobble together all the sloppy-welded bookshelves etc for Walmart and Target. It is sufficient for this kind of work but only within a limited range of projects. It seemed to have a very narrow range between insufficient penetration and burn-through. Aside from the limitation of low power, its AC arc and flux-only operation will always spatter more than a DC shielded-gas welder.

Then more recently I bought a used 120V Century 135 mig welder, and use it with flux wire. It adjusts through a broader range than the HF welder did, and the DC spatters less. I like it a lot better than the HF welder. It feels like I can tune it in better to match what I need, a lot better than the HF's hi/lo heat adjustment that never matched the project.

I'm still curious how the Clarke/Forney 110v welder compares to this Century.

I have one of these too and use it quite a bit for thin stuff. If I buy good wire it runs pretty well with minimal spatter. The HF wire is awful for spatter. The ESAB stuff seems to work well and a 2 pound spool is reasonable. I've run a dozen or so spools through this cheapo box, eventually I'll have the dough for a better unit but not this year. BTW, I have a 220v stick welder for the big stuff so no need to flame me on safety. ;)
 
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