Forgive me welding gods, for I have sinned

vulcancowboy · Dec 29, 2014

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

I purchased a 115 volt MIG welder
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:

rankrank1 · Dec 29, 2014

Well first of all that little HF crapbox is not a MIG welder. (MIG = Metal Inert Gas). That thing is a Flux core welder only which is different welding process compared to MIG. Any MIG capable welder can also run flux core wire but only a Mig capable unit can Mig.

Worse is that little HF crapbox outputs AC power. There is not a welding wire made designed to work with AC output wirefeeder in either Mig or Flux core wire. Both of these welding processes are designed to be a DC only process by their very nature. Should be illegal for the unscrupulous stores to sell those things but lots of fools bey em cause they think they getting a deal.

If you just bought it, I would return it for full refund. There are slightly better no name cheapo wirefeeders out there for not all that much more money - just make sure it outputs DC then you may at least have something that is somewhat useable to use in regards to a wirefeeder. Otherwise congratulations on your new expensive doorstop.

(Note: Nothing wrong with an AC output stick welder as there are rods designed to work with AC stick).

FredH · Dec 29, 2014

S.A. gave pretty Good Reviews of the Everlast 140 . I Don't Own one or any Everlast model of anything But I Do Sincerely Trust His Experience and Judgement of machines and their capabilities . While You can use Gas / Mig , If You are doing a lot of your welding outside , I would stick with using flux core wire . S.A. also gives some Good Thoughts on various wire types / brands that He has had experience with through out his Welding Career . :thumbsup:

Fred H.

Shield Arc · Dec 29, 2014

Hard to believe anybody would build an AC Mig machine. Never heard of such nonsense!

I got to play with member here roadhunter's Everlast i-MIG 140E. With Lincoln's .030" L-56 Mig wire it has a real sweet arc.

Power i-MIG 140E - MIG Welders | Everlast Generators

dragoneggs · Dec 29, 2014

Easy to get hooked on MIG. I ponied up for a nice machine, and got a gas tank as I work only in my garage. Yes if you can dump that HF and get an Everlast, I think you will be much happier based on all I have read about them. Good luck. Careful this game is addicting.

Reverser · Dec 29, 2014

Well, I don't have one of those little HF 90amp AC wire feeders, never run one, and don't plan on getting one.

But with that said, to be fair that little 90 amp AC "door stop", must do a pretty decent job for what it is. I looked it up and was surprised at the good reviews it gets.

I guess no one told that poor little thing that it can't weld on AC. :laughing:

90 Amp-AC, 120 Volt, Flux Cored Welder

Mark @ Everlast · Dec 29, 2014

I think it's a case of not knowing what else is out there. It's fine for people who use it and don't know anything else or need anything else. You can't miss what you don't know you are missing.... But one thing about it, you don't get near the punch you'd get with 90 DC amps.

Cat_Driver · Dec 29, 2014

Don't poo poo 115 volt. I bought a Miller Multimatic 200 Welder Does MIG, Stick and TIG and it's BY FAR one of the best welders I've used. The lunchbox size is amazing to take anywhere you want to go. The Multimatic 200 system weighs only 29 pounds and connects to common 120- and 230-volt power receptacles with the Miller-exclusive MVP multi-voltage plug.
For me it does 100% of my needs around the land, being creative, and general welding.
By no means is it a production machine, but that would be like me buying a Ferarri to go grocery shopping.
Buy what you use the most and can afford.

Mark @ Everlast · Dec 29, 2014

It's not the 115 volt that anybody is poopooing really. It's that it's AC OUTPUT

dragoneggs · Dec 29, 2014

Cat_Driver said:
Don't poo poo 115 volt. I bought a Miller Multimatic 200 Welder Does MIG, Stick and TIG and it's BY FAR one of the best welders I've used. The lunchbox size is amazing to take anywhere you want to go. The Multimatic 200 system weighs only 29 pounds and connects to common 120- and 230-volt power receptacles with the Miller-exclusive MVP multi-voltage plug.
For me it does 100% of my needs around the land, being creative, and general welding.
By no means is it a production machine, but that would be like me buying a Ferarri to go grocery shopping.
Buy what you use the most and can afford.

Agreed, nothing wrong with 110/115v... I read great stuff on the Multimatic 200 but it isn't cheap. Ended up with a Miller 211 which also is 110/220v but not as portable. Love that machine but there are cheaper units out there if money is the biggest driver for you. I like the dual voltage ability. I try to live by the motto of buying the best tool you can (sort of) afford and take care of it and it might last a lifetime. I think many of us when we first started buying tools, bought cheapest we could find to do the job at hand and then we learned later what a quality tool was all about. Most of the crappy tools I bought are history. I think I still have all of the higher quality tools I bought.