Harbor Freight Welder deal..?

[brin]

I just got this emailed to me....if anyone has an interest $89.99 regularly $149.00 >http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=98871

 

[Sandlot]

For that price, if I already didn't have my little Lincoln Weldpak 100, I would pick one up and give it a trial run. If it doesn't perform, take it back.

 

[FritzII]

I saw a local add on Craig's List for one of these. Bought one day and for sale the next day. Person said he bought it to weld motorcycle frame and didn't need it any longer. Makes me kinda wonder ?

 

[Bedlam]

I have one and it works 'ok' had some problems with the hose. slight bends would kink the wire but if I were careful it functioned well. Great for the small stuff.but if i did it again for price id get the smaller one they have thats a stick welder. It looks to be better .
I paid just over 100 for mine new at HF
this is the one id rather have
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

[ampa]

Hello Sandlot.... How well does your little Lincoln 100 perform for you?I gather yours runs on 110 volt only like my little Lincoln 125,do you run it off a 15 amp circuit or a 20 amp ? Ampa.......

 

[smfcpacfp]

You guys must have the patience of Job!. That $90 welder has a 10% duty cycle at 80 amps which be needed for 3/16" steel.

You weld one minute and wait 9 minutes to cool down and then weld one minute and wait another 9 minutes, etc. So you can weld for 6 minutes in one hour! I don't that kind of patience or time to waste, even if I am retired. :confused2:

 

[tjc1989]

You guys must have the patience of Job!. That $90 welder has a 10% duty cycle at 80 amps which be needed for 3/16" steel.

You weld one minute and wait 9 minutes to cool down and then weld one minute and wait another 9 minutes, etc. So you can weld for 6 minutes in one hour! I don't that kind of patience or time to waste, even if I am retired. :confused2:

Kind of my thoughts, too. Plus, since its from Harbor Freight, it probably is close to junk to start off with. I haven't had a high percentage of success buying HF stuff.

I have a Lincoln Weldpac 100 for about 20 years, now. and still going strong. I have kind of relegated it now to tacking to hold something in place, then finish off with my 235 amp AC-DC stick welder.

While on HF tools, I did buy a HF auto darkening welding helmet for about $50 bucks 2 or 3 years ago. Its been really great.:thumbsup:

 

[welderboy14]

i would never buy a harbor freight welder, but if you are going to just do a few little welds every now and then it would be a good starter.

the first welder i bought was a little 90AMP wire feed for $200 and worked farly well, but afew weeks ago i sold it and bought a much better 135AMP flux/mig welder for $360 and its like comparing a hunDIE and a chev a BIG diffrence.

but really its all about what you feall is right for you, good luck welder shopping

 

[Sandlot]

Hello Sandlot.... How well does your little Lincoln 100 perform for you?I gather yours runs on 110 volt only like my little Lincoln 125,do you run it off a 15 amp circuit or a 20 amp ? Ampa.......

Ampa, that little WeldPak runs like a turpentined cat! I use a 20 amp circuit. I have had mine for over 15 years and it is still my go to welder. I just bought a Lincoln ac/dc tombstone welder, but as yet, haven't plugged it in. In the thread linked below you will see the bucket hooks I welded with the 100. :thumbsup:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/166900-chain-hooks-front-end-loader.html

As for having patients welding with just a 10% duty cycle, welding for a straight minute is a long time. 20 to 30 seconds straight is about all I normally do. Then there is the chipping, grinding, inspecting, and ice tea drinking before the next bead. Plenty of cool down time between starts!

 

[valley]

Soooo? Whats the consensus? Is the 90amp wire feed worth having? I've never had a wire feed, only a stick welder. I've been thinking it would be nice to have for auto body metal.