hey guys,
i am thinking about buying a non-gas mig welder from harbor freight, all i want to do is home repair, bbq pit, and maybe build a bumper for my friends 4x4. is this welder any good for my needs ? i did a search but nothing on this welder. i do not have much extra cash so i wanted to get the most bang for my buck.
thank ya'll and have a great nite.
later,
lee

 

This machine is not going to run hot enough to use for the things you are thinking of. That welder is more suited for sheet metal up to maybe 3/16" thick, and that would be pushing. If you want to build bumpers and bbq pits, get a stick welder.

 

Ditto, get a 225 amp stick welder. Do yourself a favor though, buy a name brand welder. IE. Miller, Hobart, or Lincoln. These 3 are all excellent machines, as well as coming with a real, good warranty. You can get a 225 amp ac/dc for less than $400 with plug outlet, and cable. You may or may not need the dc feature, but you can run many different welding rods having both. At one point in time in your shop you will say, if I had only bought the ac/dc, I would be able to weld this stainless piece, bolt, pipe, ect. ect. I for years have used mig welders, but don't own one. In my opinion they are not as versitale as a Tig/Stick machine. I have a Miller Syncrowave 250. ( I personally have owned nothing but Millers, would not own anything else, just my opinion.) I can weld stainless, aluminum, brass, steel, or any other alloy under the sun, thick or thin. Many will argue that stick welding is not as fast, but thats only true if you are running .062 flux core. Once you get the hang of stick welding thinner metal, you will be amazed. No gas, no tips, no gun liners, no drive rolls to replace, and the list goes on and on. Just another box of rods please.


Ryan