Cheapo welders

[Beef52751]

Has anyone ever used a Harbor Freight/Chicago Electric 110V Welder, I saw they were on sale for $110 and im thinking about buying one. I dont weld much, just Rebar, some exhaust stuff, and little Fab work. I dont want to spend much because bigger, important stuff I take to work and use a 220V miller. It is a gasless welder but like i said, it will just be used on little projects. More or less a "just in case" item. Do you guys think it would be worth it?
Thanks
Beef

 

[85DANGERanger]

i think it would. i was thinking about goin to my local harbor frieght and picking one up too. i want to put 1/4's and rocker on the b2 and it would be good to fab up other small things too. hell, even if it just lasted through the body work, it would save me thousands. a body shop would probably charge around 2500 to put left and right 1/4 and left and right rockers on. 2500 or 110 + 30ish for flux core wire. i think ill go with the 140 bucks instead..

 

[countryboy]

bad idea ia have a chicago 110 i picked up at the flea market for 75bucks was brand new and i wouldn't use it as a boat sinker. i started to put cab extensions on my s-cab and it wouldn't burn it to the metal. put with that in mind mine is the 110 with 1-10 for wire speed and hi and lo for heat. i had to borrow my buddies lincoln he gave 300 for it and it is a great welder for body work. put do as one wants i strongly recommend you just pass on that little welder unless you want to give your money away.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Flux core and sheet metal is not the best idea.

 

[countryboy]

 

[ssj123]

my dad bought that same welder to install his trunk floor in his 64 chevelle and it wouldnt penetrate anything. he had to borrow our neighboors welder to get the job done so i would highly recommend not buying it.

 

[85DANGERanger]

Flux core and sheet metal is not the best idea.

very true, totaly spaced that. but if you guys are saying no to the 110v welders, then im gunna pass. so what is the cheapest shielding gas welder that would be worth the money?? ive seen some small hobarts that use a little gallon size shielding gas tank. those work any good??

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

Ill say this again............and again.............
Pawn shops are your friend!I picked up a Miller tig setup for $300 bucks,Sells for $1600.

Do not buy a cheap cheap welder.You dont think you will use it that much because you dont have one hanging around 24-7........lol.When you OWN one............I can fix this..........I can make that...........

 

[99RangerKrazy]

I've got a cheapo flux-core welder I bought off of eBay. The brand is Speedway Series. I only paid $160 shipped (brand new). It has paid for itself in full. It's a 125 Amp model, so you can comfortably weld 3/16 inch, and if you go slow, 1/4 inch (which I have, and the welds still haven't broke!). But I recommend it for a cheap welder just to have around the house.

 

[Beef52751]

thats kinda what i figured, i might just spend the money and buy a Lincoln 110V with gas, thats what we have in the engine shop and it works about how i would use it at home. but if i need something big done ive always just carried it over to the fab shop and did it there.

 

[Bill G]

I also got suckered into a Harbour Frieght welder. All I can say is for you to save your money and buy a good one. But if you really want a cheap one I'll sell you this one for $50 cash. You just have to come and get it.

 

[Beef52751]

for $50 Cash i would buy it, but the couple hundred in gas to get it would be the killer

 

[Beef52751]

I found a Used Lincoln 110V Welder with gas for $100 on Craigslist. The description says "its not as strong as it used to be" What parts can wear out that can make the welder "weaker"?

 

[MrE_Powers]

if you get a harbor freight welder, if you plan on mainly using flux core then go that route. if you use any sheild gas what so ever you need up grade the hose clamps on the argon lines out side of the welder as the ones on the machine suck. and sheild gas leaks like a sieve

then since the gas is controlled by a spring in the gun you need to upgrade the spring to something stiffer

if you plan on using a welder once every few months a harbor freight is the way to go. but if you plan on using it once a week or more. i would get a used lincoln,miller,or hobart mig welder.

I found a Used Lincoln 110V Welder with gas for $100 on Craigslist. The description says "its not as strong as it used to be" What parts can wear out that can make the welder "weaker"?

liner in the gun, the rectifier, maybe a transformer.it depends on what he means by weaker it could be also wire speed he is referring to.

 

[Beef52751]

do you think its worth $100?