Harbor Freight

Dennis Pereira

Dennis Pereira

Well-known member
I stopped by there yesterday and they had a small tig welder looked like it was a combo machine. For about $ 460.00 I was wondering if this would work for model A sheet metal. I was only in there for a few minutes to buy a cart wheel. And was wondering if anyone has one of these and if they like it.
 
If it's made in china, save your money. You're better off finding a good used name brand welder than throwing any money away on any chinese made crap.
 
When you start looking at the features required to weld sheet metal, you will find that it is better to save your pennies and go with a nicer one. I have a DC Miller, the high frequency start and pulse controls make welding in patch panels almost a breeze.
 
Do a search on the internet and you will an idea on what to expect. There are numerous posts that say the thing is just fine and many that think the things are junk but I've found few from actual users that think they are junk. There are threads out there that even have do it yourself mods to make it even better.
 
Another option is to look at good used machines at the local welder's shop, they will even show you how to run it. Also check out craigslist. The cheap machines often use plastic for the drive system that don't hold up very well and have coarse adjustments.

With tools, you get what you pay for, I do get some stuff at HF but with a grain of salt.

Good Luck,
GW

Sorry, I mistook your question for a MIG, hence the drive system comment. I do have miller TIG non-inverter type.true it's a power hog and heavy but that's OK, It's a MAN welder.
 
Last edited:
Go find a dealer for Miller,he set up the Miller welder for me...let me use it so I could see what it would do in his shop. He also would have delivered it to me.
That was 4 years ago,I get my bottle refilled from him,and any questions answered.
Sure I spent a little more $$ and it was well worth it! The "FREE HAT" was the deal maker!
Wick
 
Dennis,

If I'm not mistaken, the HF model is a stike the tungsten on a copper grounded strip to get the arc started. If so, then I wouldn't spend 2 cents on the unit. Welding sheet metal with a whole bunch of small tacks would be difficult, frustrating, or impossible.

As 30cabriolet says, the high frequency start and other settings is what you need. You should be able to find a good used high end unit for $1000 to 1500. I paid $1000 for a like new Lincoln 175.
 
While I am all for a good machine, if you do not plan to do much other than one body there may be some merit to the Harbor Freight units.

There was an earlier unit with no external pedal that has limited use. But some guys figured out how to build a foot control and increase the function of the cheap unit to be marginally useful.

What you need to find is guys that are successfully using the same model and see if it might meet your needs.

For about $600 you can get a Miller 330A/BP (or equivalent) ready to run. It is huge and heavy (about 800 lbs) and still considered to be a fine welder by pros. Several a year show up on my area's craigslist.

If you intend to play a lot in the garage you would be better off finding a quality name brand unit. Keep in mind a lot of older units have come on the market as the pros need to upgrade to the computer units to handle the new materials.
 
Are we talking about the HF 98233 model?

I bought one in January, when it was on sale for $360. I am still playing and practicing with it, but I do not at all regret buying it so far. First of all, it DOES have HF start and a gun that takes standard collets and cups. I had a peek inside and I was pretty satisfied with the build quality and evidence of quality control. The biggest downside is that there is no provision for a foot pedal. I may end up hacking the electronics to add a socket for a foot pedal.

People often recommend looking for a good used Miller, etc. machine. But the older, non-inverter machines have some disadvantages: they are BIG and HEAVY, and even more important, they use a LOT of electricity. I have only 30A 220V power available in my garage (which has to be shared with my air compressor), and that is NOT going to be anywhere near enough for a transformer machine.

I would love to own a Miller or Lincoln inverter machine, but that would bust my budget at this point. I was also looking at some of the fancier Chinese machines (AC/DC or TIG+plasma combo), but those are in the $800 to $1000 range, and I would rather put that sort of money into a name-brand machine that would hold its value better.

Doug
 
One thing about Harbor Freight: It may not always be a great place to buy a tool, but it may be the ONLY place in your area where you can walk in and buy a lot of kinds of tools. I was pretty happy when a HF store opened 20 minutes from where I live. Before that the alternatives might have been to drive an hour to a place that might only be open 9-5 M-F, or get things mail-order.

Doug
 
I have a HF and a Sears within the same driving distance. I still buy from Sears because they carry Craftsman tools that are made in USA. I will not buy chinese made garbage that in a lot instances will not hold up to normal use. I will also not risk life or limb on that crap that HF sells. I'd rather buy the more expensive tools that I know I won't get hurt using. Is a cut, bruised or broken knuckle worth it? Plus I know I'm supporting our jobs and economy here. Happy about the price of fuel right now? Keep buying that chinese crap.
Sorry about the rant.
 
Dennis Pereira said:
I stopped by there yesterday and they had a small tig welder looked like it was a combo machine. For about $ 460.00 I was wondering if this would work for model A sheet metal. I was only in there for a few minutes to buy a cart wheel. And was wondering if anyone has one of these and if they like it.
Click to expand...


Ck your Miller dealer - quite often they have "specials" going. For about this amount you can get a real welder.
 
An important number when considering a welder is the "duty cycle"; smaller / cheaper machines usually have shorter duty cycles and you may find yourself waiting a long time for the machine to cool-down between weld cycles (it will "time-out" automatically)... can get frustrating / time consuming.
 
Herman Munster said:
I have a HF and a Sears within the same driving distance. I still buy from Sears because they carry Craftsman tools that are made in USA.
Click to expand...

Oh, now all the "Craftsman is junk" crowd will start chiming in! :)

My "normal" sockets and wrenches are all from Sears, but I do have a giant adjustable wrench from HF that I got for bending a dented spot in my frame and opening up shock absorbers. I could not justify buying such a large, expensive made-in-USA wrench for those applications.

Doug
 
If you talk to your welding supplier they usually have a list waiting for a used welder. I got my $1800 Miller that way for $750 and they checked it out before I picked it up.

Another option is to rent one for a month if you know you have something coming up. I rented a small inverter type for $40. When it came time to buy mine, they gave me credit for the 3 months I rented toward my Miller.

Talk to the route salesman. They work on commision and will cut the best deals.

Ron
 
Foot pedal for the HF welder, click me


Now for the Craftsman crack...

Well not really. If you are a professional mechanic you get tired of going to the store, at least that is what the guys working with my brother were constantly doing. If you do it right you can double your tool box by taking half the tool back at a time.

All the tools have their places. I have been buying up Snap on tools when they are cheap and bought Craftsman to fill in some holes in the tool collection.
 
Last edited:
I think you will find that a large precentage of Craftsman tools are indeed made in China although of a better quality than HF.
 
You are always going to find at least one person that doesn't like the 'anything' you inquire about. I usually don't buy H.F., but last week since one is close, bought their small floor size blast cabinet, havent used it yet, but looks like it will work well. It is almost the same as the T.P. cabinet (both are imports), i think it will work fine. As for craftsman, i like their tools , but their ratchets are really junk. Do your homework and buy what works for you......
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top