Forgive me welding gods, for I have sinned

[Clay45]

Not a thing wrong with that little wire feeder. Their ads clearly show it is an AC fluxcore wire machine. Their MIG's say DC. If you're not going to buy a bottle and use gas then I reckon its fair game.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

With AC and MIG, there is a chance for more porosity in the welds from what I've read in some older texts way back when. Porosity isn't something that is good, but AC is better than bubble gum and RTV to hold things together.

 

[rankrank1]

Not a thing wrong with that little wire feeder. Their ads clearly show it is an AC fluxcore wire machine. Their MIG's say DC. If you're not going to buy a bottle and use gas then I reckon its fair game.

Okay please show me one Flux Core wire from any reputable welding wire manufacturer that shows AC as an acceptable and recommended output to run their flux core wire.

Just cause it sparks, melts metal blobs, and makes spatter does not make it welding. I can make all those same messes with a lamp cord (assuming I do not electrocute myself), but I can not effectively weld with it.

I like HF for some things but that little welder is not one of them. Gotta watch the discount box stores too as some of them out to steal your money too.. Least HF now clearly showing what it outputs - they used to not do that in their promo ads. Regardless there are better deals to be had for just a few dollars more that output DC if an ultra cheap wire feeder is the goal. Least that way you at least getting something designed to work with all flux core wire sold by the real welding wire manufacturers which is strictly DC.

(Again absolutely not wrong with an AC output stick welder as that is a totally different welding process. AC can be totally fine with stick welding as there are rods designed to work with it and stick welding definitely can work perfectly fine with AC).

 

[Sodo]

I'd like to try one someday, quite curious what you can weld with a $100 tool.

 

[dragoneggs]

I'd like to try one someday, quite curious what you can weld with a $100 tool.

Go for it! Somehow I thought you might rise to the occasion.

 

[Sodo]

I didn't mean buy one, I meant try someone else's. . Theres been a lot of that goin' around

 

[dragoneggs]

I didn't mean buy one, I meant try someone else's. . Theres been a lot of that goin' around

No I didn't intend for you to buy one... just get your hands on one and squeeze what you can out of it. Oh, and don't start a fight!

 

[Ole Orange]

I have read enough posts here to realize I committed 2 major sins :embarrassed::

1. I purchased a 115 volt MIG welder
2. The welder is a 90amp Harbor Freight

In my defense, I wanted to give MIG welding a try and, I have to admit, I pleased and hooked! Now for the question:
If I upgrade to something like an Everlast 140 or Longevity 140 will I notice a major improvement in the quality of my welds? I know, that proper technique (or perhaps in my case, the lack there of) plays a major role, but that aside, what are your thoughts? I want to stay with a 115 volt system since I don't envision welding anything over 1/4" and 220volts are not readily available where I do most of my welding.

Please be gentle with me, a sinner. :wink:

Well I hope you can be gentle with me as well, the wife bought me a HF 170 amp 240 volt Mig/Wire feed for X-mas I ONLY weld for repairs and misc around the garage. Being an electrician, I had it hooked up in no time and had a 50 foot 8/3 extension cord made. I have only welded with a lincoln AC buzz box for years. I do not have gas hooked up yet but I did a bunch of test welds with the flux core wire this past week end and was truly impressed at how nice it welded. I bought the 2 year replacement plan for I think $40.00 bucks.
OK I know its not one of the top brands but for the price and what I will use it for at the present moment it seems to work pretty good also appears to be DC is that correct?
Go easy on me but any comments on it for a cheaper welder just for the average home owner/shop?
PS --2 in store coupons, extended black friday sale and 20% 1 time discount she had and paid $149.00 brand new add the 2 year replacement plan for 40 bucks I have $189.00 into it

 

[vulcancowboy]

Thanks for the advice. I hope I can upgrade at some point, but that being said, I'm still enjoying my little HF box. I would never use it to do a repair or build something were a failure might get somebody hurt, but it is nice to be able to some simple repairs in my own garage.

 

[Cpjlube]

I owned one of those HF 90 amp flux core machines. The feed wheel tensioner was poor, used a c clamp to help provide proper tension. Honestly, it welded fine for thinner materiel. I even turned it up and used it on thicker (12 gauge) I am not a fan of 110 or flux core machines but it welded fine for basic repair of non critical items.

Gave it to a friend of mine last year because I didn't use it. Then ran into a situation where I needed a 110 machine. Kind of missed it. Just a little.

Seriously, it's fine. They are 80 to 90 dollar machines. AC or not they weld. You will see some improvement with a DC 110 machine. Then more improvement with a 110 MIG. But your real improvement happens with a 180 amp capable machine.

Use the HF welder and get on CL and look for 220 MIG to add to your capability.