MIG Welder for Beginner/Light Use

[Yogi05]

Don't feel bad, I'm confused as well ... one member in this thread is relentlessly poo poo'ing all over "Chinese" parts, but then claims most of what he uses professionally is from Harbor Freight ... Definition of a hypocrite? So yeah, hard to follow some of these posts, lol

I too am in the market for a basic welder, but have only used the higher-end units that we keep in our maintenance shops a few times, just to learn and fix a couple of small personal items. I'm nowhere close to stacking dimes, but my handful of attempts aren't too horrible, so I think I'm ready to get one of my own.

I need practice and will start small as I'll only use a welder once every few months around my property. Thinking I'll try the HF "Titanium stick 225 inverter welder" and see how it works out.

I have a skeptical view that any of these unheard of brands on amazon probably come out of the same factory.
I kind of shopped for features and ease of use. using highest good reviews with the most people reviewing.

 

[AirOpsMgr]

I have a skeptical view that any of these unheard of brands on amazon probably come out of the same factory.
I kind of shopped for features and ease of use. using highest good reviews with the most people reviewing.

I've been putting model names into YouTube and watching reviews as folks open them up, test the different functions and give the pros and cons.

 

[paulsharvey]

Stock picture but my model. I was under the impression when researching welders that you could switch the volts or amps according to your own preferences, but in hind-sight, it may have been one or more of the other brands I spent hours comparing.
The symbol is highlighted in a hard to see orange. I guess to compliment the orange logo writing etc.??

Based on the turnable knob having an A beside it (1 o'clock position) I think it's safe to say it's programmed in amps.

To that end, what would be a setting for 1/8 metal. Test pieces. Should I have cranked that setting higher than 75 when testing?

So, yes, I would give turning it up a try; BUT, if that does nothing, I would contact Amazon for return info. That's the beauty of Amazon, you have 30 days to change your mind, so don't waste too much, if it looks like a DOA, get that thing shipped back.

 

[paulsharvey]

Yogi, I just thought of something. When I got my Vevor 270, I tried it at first using the included dryer style to 3 prong 20A/120v and everything worked fine. I dont have a dryer style 220v in shed, so I ordered a dryer to 25a/220v twist lock (that's what my generator has, old welder, and shed) and it worked great for a 2.2# roll of wire. I waited a few weeks to get a 10# roll, and then I got feed, some very week sparks, and no weld, on arc or mig. I cuse a bunch, regret purchase, and all that. Then, I think, let's try it back on 120V, works fine. What had happened, the cheap Amazon cord adapter had a short and burnt up inside the male connector.

Point being, check your cord adapter (if running one), but if that's not it, get that thing returned ASAP

 

[WranglerX]

Yogi, I just thought of something. When I got my Vevor 270, I tried it at first using the included dryer style to 3 prong 20A/120v and everything worked fine. I dont have a dryer style 220v in shed, so I ordered a dryer to 25a/220v twist lock (that's what my generator has, old welder, and shed) and it worked great for a 2.2# roll of wire. I waited a few weeks to get a 10# roll, and then I got feed, some very week sparks, and no weld, on arc or mig. I cuse a bunch, regret purchase, and all that. Then, I think, let's try it back on 120V, works fine. What had happened, the cheap Amazon cord adapter had a short and burnt up inside the male connector.

Point being, check your cord adapter (if running one), but if that's not it, get that thing returned ASAP

Umm by design the HMW 200 is a 120 Volt machine so 240V plug (adapter) should not even be in discussion...... And its claimed 200A on 120 Volts makes me wonder....

Real question after watching video on Amazon is does cooling fan start up on power up?.... IS there actually anything in display on power up?....

 

[5030]

Most modern welders today are 'fan on demand' and not always on cooling fans and the really higher end machines will have built in air filters as well, Fronius is one.

The issue with a always on cooling fan is, it tends to suck in any and all stuff floating in the shop and deposits that on the internal components and in the case of an IGBT machine, that can eventually cause it to fail. All my welders and plasma cutters are fan on demand with the exception of the 2 Hobart 210 Handlers, they are continuous fan but what I did was I bought suitable sized pleated filters and attached them to the backside's of the machines over the cooling fan inlets to mitigate any dirt ingestion.

As a matter of maintenance, I do remove all the covers yearly and check for crud buildup and if there is any, I blow it out with compressed air at low pressure.

 

[WranglerX]

The reason I ask if fan comes on at power up, is because it seems to be the case in the video on Amazon..... IT would seem to me that no fan on at power up or no numbers in display that the machine is DOA..... And I have thoughts that on such a low end machine the extra cost of "fan on demand" was by passed....

 

[California]

So, yes, I would give turning it up a try; BUT, if that does nothing, I would contact Amazon for return info. That's the beauty of Amazon, you have 30 days to change your mind, so don't waste too much, if it looks like a DOA, get that thing shipped back.

Amazon returns are extremely simple if something doesn't work as claimed in the listing.

Just fill out the form online, and return instructions are provided immediately. Drop off the item at a UPS store (or other Amazon-designated place) and the refund is issued as soon as they are notified it is in the shipper's possession. Easy peasy.

I just did this yesterday with a $20 bogus generic battery I had bought for the Arlo security cams that I use for outdoor critter cameras.

One good Arlo battery from 2018 and one generic replacement from 2022 will charge to 100% in a few hours then last a month in a camera. This new generic battery wouldn't charge over 82% over several days then died in two days use. I described this in the refund request, and dropped it off at UPS yesterday. The refund email arrived an hour later. Returning a DOA welder would be equally simple.

 

[Yogi05]

I've been putting model names into YouTube and watching reviews as folks open them up, test the different functions and give the pros and cons.

Did that too. For hours. It's how I decided this model is probably fine for me.

 

[Yogi05]

So, yes, I would give turning it up a try; BUT, if that does nothing, I would contact Amazon for return info. That's the beauty of Amazon, you have 30 days to change your mind, so don't waste too much, if it looks like a DOA, get that thing shipped back.

I boosted the amps up. Rechecked instructions for assembly. Everything done right. Even eliminated the long extension cord I used the first time.
Mig still didn't work.
Tried MMA again. Spark immediately. Cranked the amps up to around 140 before I could even try to run a bead.
I am NOT a welder
So it's not DOA, just one form of welding won't work. But I paid for multiple forms of welding.