HF 180 MIG -- 68886 vs 62181

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:05:46 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for HF 180 MIG -- 68886 vs 62181

I'm looking into getting the HF 180amp to do some 1/4" welding that my HH 140 can't tackle.  I notice they have two models and the manuals show different schematics for the internal electrical components.  The specs are close but the OCV is slightly higher on the 62181.  Does anyone know what the difference is between the units and which is better?http://manuals.harborfreight.com/man...8999/68886.pdfhttp://manuals.harborfreight.com/man...2999/62181.pdfLast edited by Ethereal; 04-28-2016 at 12:47 PM.
Reply:There was a thread comparing Version 1 / version 2 several months ago - if you can find it now.
Reply:I just did a thorough search and the only thread I found was from 2013 when the 180 came out... I'd love to see it if it exists though!
Reply:I thought someone asked what's the difference and a response was similar to your post #1 above. I don't own one of these so I glanced through it and concluded Version 2 was an improvement. Maybe the thread started out with a different topic then evolved to that.Wayback machine shows #68886 was sold in 2012. Some digging around in the catacombs there might provide a starting date for each version of the black 180A unit. I thought they went from blue to black about 5 years ago, then Version 2 a year or so ago, but I'm not sure of that. We're seeing fewer people attempt modifications to these. Both models seem to meet owners expectations out of the box.
Reply:Originally Posted by CaliforniaWe're seeing fewer people attempt modifications to these. Both models seem to meet owners expectations out of the box.