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

[KubotainNH]

I used mine this weekend to put my tools on while working on a car this weekend. I like the sides that lift up. I have yet to use it for welding.

 

[IslandTractor]

I used mine this weekend to put my tools on while working on a car this weekend. I like the sides that lift up. I have yet to use it for welding.

That gives me an idea: these would make a real man's man TV dinner table too!!

 

[DennisFolsom]

After 3 trips to my nearest HF store, and calling the next-nearest, I gave up and ordered the table online. I got the sale price and used the 20% off coupon. They only charged $6.99 for shipping. It's still a good deal. The package should arrive the day after tomorrow.

I have what looks to be the same plastic handled nuts on a pair of lumber support rollers that I got from Sears. One of those gave out and I just took the plastic off and now use a wrench when I need to adjust it. I will probably be folding this table for storage. If the plastic fails, I may be welding a handle to the nut. Thanks for the tip.:thumbsup:

In my trips to HF, I also bought a welding helmet, welding gloves, a MIG cart, one of their cheap angle grinders, and a few other goodies. Thanks to HF, I got set up to use my new welder for far less than I would have spent elsewhere.

I didn't cheap out on the welder, though. I bought a Hobart Handler 140. So far, I've only done some flux core practice welding. I haven't tried welding with shielding gas yet. I have a project in mind for that after I've done some flux core projects.

So far, I've only used the Hobart wire. Tractor Supply has the .030 flux wire for the same price has HF. The last time I was in HF, they had the .035 flux wire for less than TS, but I wonder if their wire is as good.

 

[KubotainNH]

The last time I was in HF, they had the .035 flux wire for less than TS, but I wonder if their wire is as good.

Read the reviews, people complain about too much splatter. My welder is from HF and works admirably for the price. The wire that came with it is no where near as good as the Lincoln stuff from HD or Lowes. I've also used this stuff which is a 2lb roll instead of the box store 1lb. Amazon.com: INETUB BA71TGS .035-Inch on 2-Pound Spool Carbon Steel Gasless Flux Cored Welding Wire: Home Improvement. Hard to beat the price with free shipping.

 

[DennisFolsom]

Read the reviews, people complain about too much splatter. My welder is from HF and works admirably for the price. The wire that came with it is no where near as good as the Lincoln stuff from HD or Lowes. I've also used this stuff which is a 2lb roll instead of the box store 1lb. Amazon.com: INETUB BA71TGS .035-Inch on 2-Pound Spool Carbon Steel Gasless Flux Cored Welding Wire: Home Improvement. Hard to beat the price with free shipping.

Mike -
Thanks for the advice. I get some of my stuff from Amazon, So I might try some of that wire. Glad to hear that your HF welder is working for you. They surely are easier on the bank account!

 

[lostcreekranch]

Read the reviews, people complain about too much splatter. My welder is from HF and works admirably for the price. The wire that came with it is no where near as good as the Lincoln stuff from HD or Lowes. I've also used this stuff which is a 2lb roll instead of the box store 1lb. Amazon.com: INETUB BA71TGS .035-Inch on 2-Pound Spool Carbon Steel Gasless Flux Cored Welding Wire: Home Improvement. Hard to beat the price with free shipping.

Flux core wire has more splatter than welding with solid wire and gas.

 

[KubotainNH]

Flux core wire has more splatter than welding with solid wire and gas.

I'm sure it does but my budget will not allow for an upgrade. The difference between the HF wire and the 2 I listed is pretty big, especially for a novice like me.

 

[CNC Dan]

I'm sure it does but my budget will not allow for an upgrade. The difference between the HF wire and the 2 I listed is pretty big, especially for a novice like me.

Yup. HF wire is kind of known for it's poor quality. I guess it matches the welders.

 

[IslandTractor]

Yup. HF wire is kind of known for it's poor quality. I guess it matches the welders.

I use HF stick electrodes for practice and find them adequate and much less expensive. I wouldn't want to cross a bridge built with them but for general use they are fine.

 

[CNC Dan]

I use HF stick electrodes for practice and find them adequate and much less expensive. I wouldn't want to cross a bridge built with them but for general use they are fine.

Good to know. I would have figured they would be junk like their wire.