Chicago electric 80 amp invertes dc stick

[paulharvey]

Ive been looking at this Chicago Electric 80 amp inverted DC arc welder. Its $149 and I have 20% off. Reviewa are all positive, and even searching online they se.to be good. I currently have a Campbell.Hausfeld 110v arc which kinda works but is very limited.

 

[Stimw]

It's a toy! If you only want to weld sheet metal it might work but for other fabrication you want more machine.
The best deal on stick welders is the Lincoln 225 amp "Tombstone" welders. You can find them used for $100. ballpark if you look long enough. They are very durable, take a lot of abuse and are simply a transformer with a switch to change amps. With the Tombstone you can easily weld 1/2" steel!

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

That tombstone still won't weld as good as the little inverter up to the maximum amps. The 225 basic is AC only which is far less desirable to weld with than the DC output of the HF unit. Plus it is small. IF you get a AC/DC tombstone, you are only getting 125 amps DC and not a lot of performance either. I've had opportunity to use and weld with a lot of them at various times. (several dozen), and they are NOT as reliable as people make them out to be these days. Older ones yes...are not bad at all. But on the newer ones, I've had/seen issues with fans, power switches, and selectors. And some just seem to have the arc die out for no reason. My father owns one as well. I've owned other transformers myself. Given the probable use you are talking about the little HF will be fine. IF you want more serious performance, a little PA 200 or even a 140ST from Everlast isn't much more.

 

[Shield Arc]

Oh come on Mark! That little Chicago Electric 80 machine looks like it would make a perfect door stop. :laughing:

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

It isn't the size that matters...

 

[Shield Arc]

It isn't the size that matters...

I know. I read the specs on that machine! Again, looks like it would make a great door stop.

 

[weldermike]

Oh come on Mark! That little Chicago Electric 80 machine looks like it would make a perfect door stop. :laughing:

LOL!

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Yey, that little 80A will do a lot with 3/32 rod ans 10-12 passes to weld 1/2" plate. Size of machine is all relevant to what you use it for and how much time you want to spend doing it. I have an ols Wards 225 AC/Dc and I run it wide open with 5/32 rod and can do a lot of work quickly. I don't turn ot down much for 1/8". Its limitation is its duty cycle. Getting endurance with that HF will mean a lot of cool down time also.

Ron

 

[Brad_Blazer]

I have the HF 80 amp. It's a neat little machine. It welds 3/32 7014 pretty well. It will not weld with 6010 - it's like the resistance is too low and the "anti-stick" feature trips it out. 6011 isn't much better. If the steel is thick it won't weld - just not enough heat. It's a step up from a 110v transformer but not a big step.

And now for the rest of the story Paul Harvey: I also have a Hobart 135 amp mig and a Lincoln SA200 engine driven welder. I don't recommend anything from HF as your primary welder if you are a member of a tractor forum. If you need to use 110v look at the dual voltage DC stick welders at Everlast and Longevity. They are running Christmas specials just for TBN members. If you are interested in multi process units look at the 200amp inverter mig stick with spoolgun at Northern Tool.

 

[yomax4]

Arc characteristics alone lean to any dc inverter. Tombstones are , Well , Tombstones. Sorry it's evolution.