Harbor Freight Welder

[rebellinredneck]

Does anybody have the 90 amp flux core wire welder from harbor freight. If so what are your thoughts about it, and how long have you had it.

[Masteryota]

Originally Posted by rebellinredneck

Does anybody have the 90 amp flux core wire welder from harbor freight. If so what are your thoughts about it, and how long have you had it.

I don't have one myself, but a few guys at work have one. For the most part, they all said to toss the HF wire in the trash and use lincoln or hobart stuff. One guy said it works better if you 'warm up' the inverter by welding some scrap for a minute or two and then it welds really well. I do know that flux works better on the thicker stuff, but I like having the MIG option as well. Plus, a family member just happened to have a snap on 230A welder sitting in their shed, but I was real close to dropping $350 for a Hobart with with the gas set up.

My thoughts are this, if you want a simple welder, then go for it, and get the extended warranty. If you want something long term, and may have multiple uses, then save up and buy one with a gas option, because the first time you use a MIG, you will want one. FYI, Miller and Hobart welders are made in the same factory, and owned by the same company. You can also weld aluminum with a MIG.

[MASTERBATES]

If your welds look Shotty and its making the wire glow red on contact, or you just can't get that bead that you want. I would suggest replacing your ground lead clamp. Most companies give you the bare minimum on proper grounding. Get a REAL clamp. Also look into your wire sizes. I have a 110 plug in cambell hausfeld mig. I was using the .30 & .35 wire. With both flux and solid wire with gas.....couldn't get the welds to bleed into the ,metal, but when I went down on the wire size to a .22 or .25....... it was perfect! Hadn't played a bead that clean in a long time. I thought my welder was a post. Until I started experimenting with it