harbor frieght 90 amp welder

[terron gregg]

now before i get all the haters jumping on the band wagon about how much hf sucks listen to why im asking.

i have a decent 220 welder ,but in my appt now i have to run an ext cord pluged into my dryer .im looking into a cheap 90 amp welder from harbor freight , i need to build a few stands to hold my jetski in my garage, nothing crazy like a tube chassis or anything here is the welder http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44567
has anybody used this welder

[jay simmons]

yeah I have my father in law bought one, I needed to weld something on my jeep and it worked pretty good. For what your doing it will do great.

[jpotts]

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/tls/746328339.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/tls/749010848.html

[jpotts]

You can find good barely used name brand welders for a similar price. I'd go that route.

[Markos]

now before i get all the haters jumping on the band wagon about how much hf sucks listen to why im asking.

i have a decent 220 welder ,but in my appt now i have to run an ext cord pluged into my dryer .im looking into a cheap 90 amp welder from harbor freight , i need to build a few stands to hold my jetski in my garage, nothing crazy like a tube chassis or anything here is the welder http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44567
has anybody used this welder

Okay, now that all of the people who don't own this welder have replied, I'll chime in.

It works fairly well. I've welded a few 3/16th items with mine, and quite a few 1/8th" items. My only gripe is that the 10% duty cycle sucks. You spend 90% of the time waiting to weld and 10% of the time welding. Other than that, it's penetrates pretty well. You get some spatter from the flux-core. I use anti-spatter spray which helps tremendously. It would be a good item to tack weld your projects with, so you could follow-up later with the 220. The flux-core will work better outside also. Mine was under $100. Check the local store.

Here's an example of a small project that I did. You can kind of see the penetration in the second pic. I want to say that the round plate was 1/8" and the receiver tube was 3/16".

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=18031

[Tom Schenk]

I used to have one. The wire feed broke after a couple of uses.

[ltklein]

If you don't receive enough responses here, look at www.weldingweb.com.

They have a HF forum and a lot of owners with comments. A larger peanut gallery of non-owner commentators, but also a larger group of actual users...

[SavageSun4x4]

I have plenty of HF stuff sitting around, its cheap, breaks often and usually works well enough to do the job.

I have 4 HF angle grinders that cost between $9.99 and $17.99. At that price I can and do have each one loaded with a different wheel, cut off, 40 grit flap sander, steel wire etc. Sure saves a lot of time instead of swapping wheels.

You get what you pay for. Sure the HF will never be a Miller but its not Miller priced. For your limited personal use, most likely its a good investment.

I work on other folks rigs and I have NEVER heard anyone say anything about my HF angle grinders as I am prepping or cleaning up the weld. BUT I would bet that if I went to weld with a HF unit they would be posting on here about it. And gawd forbid if the weld broke.

Remember that 'form follows function'....:)

[knockonit]

I've got one thats on our service truck, for quick small repairs, it serves it's purpose, it doesn't match my hobart or miller sitting in my garage, but it's not gonna go out in the field where the boys can treat it like uh uh.
with a 20% off coupon you can get a heckuva deal, use the right flux core and have patience as the duty cycle is slow, it'll do light stuff well.

[KeithP]

I had a Harbor Freight MIG welder and spent more time fixing it than using it. The cable liner is made of plastic rather than steel. The wire would get stuck in the liner and cause erratic welds. Welds sucked with flux core solder too, need to use gas. I ended up buying a Lincoln MIG welder from Home Depot. It has the metal cable liner. Went through 4 spools of wire without a problem. Gauges, self darkening helmet, gas and bottle almost double the price of the unit. Worth it though!!!

[Mike 77 CJ5]

Let me know when you want to make these stands and can get you to my brothers shop and build what you want. Way cheaper than buying some junk for a 1 or 2 time use

Mike

[terron gregg]

it wont be cheaper than to do it my self will it?

[Mike 77 CJ5]

You'll do the work!!! I'm just giving you acsess to the tools. Hell, I stand there and give you directions that don't mean s hit. I'm joking.

Let me know and I'll set it up

Mike

[SavageSun4x4]

it wont be cheaper than to do it my self will it?
If you know what you want or have some plans I can build it. It won't be cheaper than you doing it. Parts are always at my cost and I charge a consumable fee based upon how much welding, plasma cutting, grinding etc that is done. Then I have a Tip jar.

To be honest, I doubt anyone is going to do it for free even you doing the work. Steel has gone crazy in price. The Chinese are using every stick of steel they can get their hands on. NOTE: I have no way of bending steel so I work with mostly square stock.

[terron gregg]

no i dont want anybody to do it i was just saying its not going to be cheaper than me doing my work has an account with that supply house of priest so ill just get my metal there

[Erich]

Okay, now that all of the people who don't own this welder have replied, I'll chime in.

It works fairly well. I've welded a few 3/16th items with mine, and quite a few 1/8th" items. My only gripe is that the 10% duty cycle sucks. You spend 90% of the time waiting to weld and 10% of the time welding. Other than that, it's penetrates pretty well. You get some spatter from the flux-core. I use anti-spatter spray which helps tremendously. It would be a good item to tack weld your projects with, so you could follow-up later with the 220. The flux-core will work better outside also. Mine was under $100. Check the local store.

Here's an example of a small project that I did. You can kind of see the penetration in the second pic. I want to say that the round plate was 1/8" and the receiver tube was 3/16".

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=18031


X2
Ive had that welder for 5 years now, no problems. Great small welder for the money.

[Digger]

harbor frieght..... my 2 cents..... you'll be sorry

[brian lujan]

i have a welder from harbor frieght it dosn't like to work when its hot out side.

[ltklein]

i have a welder from harbor frieght it dosn't like to work when its hot out side.


That welder and I have a lot in common! So I would be fine!

[gearhead]

I would buy it just so you can teach yourself to weld....learning to weld for $90 is a great deal!

It takes a lot of practice to learn welding....a person can't just lay down a nice bead the first time they use one....get yourself a ton of scrap metal!

If it breaks, just return it.....if not, upgrade to a better welder later if you figure out that you really like to weld....... :)

[FrenchChili]

a person can't just lay down a nice bead the first time they use one


In most cases, but last time I took welding at EVIT you should have seen some of the noobs' beads, some were better than the teacher's!

[wolf tracker]

Ok time for people to freak I have had my hf welder for a few years now never had a problem. Now for the freak part I used it to weld the frame of my 78 chevy truck I had and never had a problem it held til the scrap yard hauled it off after my son distroyed it.
YES time and patience works wonders.

[Markos]

I have a bucket (actually a small kitchen garbage can) full of scrap steel. I need get rid of the stuff. If anyone wants some metal for small fabrication items or practice, just let me know. The only catch is that you have to take all of it.

[Fire Ball]

As far as a HF unit, never used one so I can't comment. I have people tell me like everything else HF, the units are hit and miss. Some are good, some are crap. No quality control.

For steel to make things like welding carts or other things, keep your eye out for bed frames. They are great steel for small projects. I have a couple around all the time just for these projects. Sometimes you can find them at garage sales for $5.

[AZredneck1862]

im not sure what you are welding but you cant weld much on that 3/16 and small gauge is your limit for me thats not an option because im the go big or go home sorta guy i want at least 3/8 will i ever weld that thick no im too cheap to buy that much metal but hey most rich folk who buy feraris do they take it up to 200 mph no its just nice to have that option so small stuff its prolly a great welder but dont expect to weld up a broken frame

[Markos]

im not sure what you are welding but you cant weld much on that 3/16 and small gauge is your limit for me thats not an option because im the go big or go home sorta guy i want at least 3/8 will i ever weld that thick no im too cheap to buy that much metal but hey most rich folk who buy feraris do they take it up to 200 mph no its just nice to have that option so small stuff its prolly a great welder but dont expect to weld up a broken frame

I have to ask. Did you send this from your phone? :laugh2: :D

[MALLCRAWLER06]

Save the money, invest in a Miller or Hobart. If you need something welded, you could of just asked me. :)

[terron gregg]

Save the money, invest in a Miller or Hobart. If you need something welded, you could of just asked me. :)i live in tempe thats a far drive ive just been using my step dads welders or my neighbors