How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

Hey guys. I want to get a welder.. but dont have much money to spare. Harbor freight has a Chicago Electric 220V input 110 amp output flux core/mig welder (set up for flux) for around 170$. Would that be ok for intake / exhaust pipeing? It doesnt have to make the best welds.. just ones that will last fairly long. What do you guys think?

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

this is your first post here ?? go ---- your self post porn pics of your mom then you will get answers

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

Once of the best things you can buy. HF tools sucks ass but my welder never gave me any problems whatsoever. I've had mine for almost 4 years. I think a good upgrade or mod would be to incorporate a simple fan into the box as they like to hit the duty cycle pretty fast. Overall, cheap, sweet baby blue color, makes chicks wet, can lay a decent bead if you hit if with a wire brush and spray it down with some wd40. I got the dual mig but the cheaper flux welder should be pretty much just the same.

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

i also have one of there flux welders i have had it for almost a year and use it pretty regularly.. no problems either

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

AThanks guys.. ive had mixed answers about it but I think ill give it a try.

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

Both of mine broke within a year.
They're pieces of ----. Speaking of ----. Wash your hands after you're done ------- yourself.

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

dont buy the 110 make sure its a 220 or its useless. i like my HF dual but i mig with it and i dont do alot so it works for me.

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

I don't have a wire feed, but one of the hf stick boxes( http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40388 ) . I've had it for about 2 years now and haven't had a problem. Wait till they go on sale and find a coupon.

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

dont buy a flux core only mig. if you are short on cash get one that can do both and use flux cored wire. eventually you will want to use gas and it is retarded to have to buy another mig welder. i got an awesome 110v mig welder very slightly used for $175. look around and be patient

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

My 110v Hobart has more then enough power, when I built up my 3" exhaust I had to use the lower power settings.

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

HF 151 (gas and solid, will do plate steel) refurbs are $160, new are 200-300, depending on rebates

results from tonight doing freehand:

a plexmaster.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...IMG_0451-1.jpg

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

You have to use the low setting anyway as it's just exhaust tubing. Otherwise it you have it higher, you'll spend the rest of the time filling holes you burned though while welding. It's just about prep work. You hit the ---- with a wirewheel and you can lay a decent bead and actually found I get less splatter also and any splatter left on there comes off easier too.

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

My piece of ---- 110 flux welder has done me very well for charge pipes and various ----. it's not something I will be winning any awards with, but it sticks metal to metal and didn't cost me ---- so I'm happy with it.
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Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

I have a brand new HF Flux core welder with wire (110v) I will sell for $100.00 Shipped....I don't need it, it's been sitting in my car since I bought it. I used it twice. Let me know if you want it.

Justin

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

it's used, not brand new.

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

yea i guess so huh...okay I have a brand used HF flux mig...lol

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

word. Hf unit I bought 3 years ago is still pumpin and has done alot of odd little jobs

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

I got the 110v flux wire one at one of HF's parking lot events for like 90 bucks. I have had it for 2 years now and has worked fine for little projects like exhaust and charge pipes. The best improvement you can make for it IMO is throw away the flux wire that comes with it and buy some Lincoln flux wire. After the switch it seemed to run more continuously and a whole lot smoother when it came to laying beads. I have had my old man who used to be a welder use it for some quick projects and it put out some really good looking/holding beads. So with practice it will probably suit your needs just fine, but if you want to use it on a regular basis for big projects i would suggest something a little nicer because it does have a fairly low duty cycle. Just my 2 cents

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

yeah I feel yah on the duty cycles cause if you lay down some heavy beads it'll shut off really quick. Most of the time I'm waiting longer for it to cool down then I am actually welding. lol. You can't win 'em all I guess and get what you pay for. I was thinking of tossing a computer fan in it to see if it'd last a little longer before shutting off. Overall though I've never had it break on me even with it being from HF and has paid for itself a couple of times already so I'm happy.

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

the welder you want, i have. it'll do 1/4" plate, aka flanges.

ive welded for a good 3 minutes constantly doing frame work with the welder at max output, lays very good beads at higher amperage, smaller wire is needed (.030, .023) for the min 1 and min 2 settings. tractor supply aka hobart aka miller .035 fluxcore will work with the welder pretty well at the max 1, max 2, and occasionally min 2 if you lower wire speed really low

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

you made your own muffler... hahah ftw

Re: How are the harbor freight flux welders?
 

you should see the mufflers i made in my MIG class i took...they are made out of 12g steel :o

the one is like 45lbs, lol

the other one, "MK1" is around 25 lbs, & i believe uncrushable, & sounded nice on my buddies truck...until the weight broke the cheap hanger @ 60mph, the muffler was not hurt at all, but the road was all fucked up, when we went back to get the muffler, haha