I was at the HF store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ today and saw a new welder called the MIG 180. It's black in the style of the new 90 amp flux wire machine and has a handle on top resembling that found on Clarke welders. The unit runs on 230v and has a dryer style plug on the cord. There are 4 heat settings if I recall. They told me the model replaces the Dual MIG 171, though it has neither wheels nor a bottle platform as the 171 does, thus needing a cart. The 180 is not turning up on the HF web site but the 171 still is. Price was on "sale" at $299. Anyone else see this or have a link to the manual? I am curious to find out the amp rating, among other things.
Reply:You should of take a picture of it. I'm curious about what it looks like. Can't find any information on it anywhere.
Reply:Just found this. http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=5172Looks like a nice machine
Reply:Yes, I do regret not getting a picture but I didn't have my phone on me. Next time we'll remedy that. The old Power Mig 180 is, of course, a very different machine - that thread dates to 2006.
Reply:Found this on the HB website. Image coming soon....http://www.harborfreight.com/180-Amp...:referralID=NA
Reply:Surprised they bill this as a "Flux Wire Welder." Certainly it's gas-ready - just add a bottle and regulator. Even comes with a hose. Thanks for the link. Here's a picture of the welder taken from the front cover of the user's manual. Attached Images
Reply:Basically a 151 type or 110 amp welder with a larger transformer and a 6 position switch.
Reply:AC or DC output?
Reply:Originally Posted by CaliforniaAC or DC output?
Reply
ooks like it has DC output.You can download the manual here:http://manuals.harborfreight.com/man...8999/68886.pdf
Reply:Originally Posted by ltvtomLooks like it has DC output.You can download the manual here:http://manuals.harborfreight.com/man...8999/68886.pdf
Reply:I don't understand why they don't at least put an 8 foot gun and ground on these things or maybe 10 foot.Maxus Pro-125 MigChicago Electric 90 amp DC flux-coreLincoln Electric AC 225 tombstoneO/A torchM/O mini-torch10 acres of flatland15 acres of holler
Reply:Originally Posted by dugndeepI don't understand why they don't at least put an 8 foot gun and ground on these things or maybe 10 foot.
Reply:My friend met someone that works for harbor freight and he says all the black ones are from a new manufacture and said they are a lot better than the previous ones. Funny thing is eastwood new mig welders are black too. hmmmm?Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply
ike all MIGs it does both MIG & FCAW. I wouldnt recommend welding aluminum with it though, because it has a steel wire liner and isn't spool gun compatible. Looks like it does 30 to 180A DC(+/-) and rated 20%@140A, which is a lot better and more compact compared to their old gigantic model 93793 http://www.harborfreight.com/230-vol...der-93793.html You'll probably need a welding cart if you need to be mobile with your cylinder...
Reply:About 3 weeks ago, I bough the 93793 dual mig 171 unit from HF. I saw this post and went back to the store to see if they had the 68886 mig 180 unit and they haven't gotten one yet. I'm trying to figure out if I should go and return the 171 for the 180? Is it worth the extra $50? I like the fact that the 171 is a self contained cart with bottle holder where as the 180 is not and would require a cart. I planned on doing the CAP mod to the 171 anyway, but are the specs different enough to warrant going back and getting the 180? Either way, out of the box, I'm impressed with the 171 unit for only $300....
Reply:I myself wouldn't choose the 180 over the 171.The capacitor mod takes space to do,and the 171 has more room in the box.Until I see the layout of the 180 and the wirefeed board,I don't even know if the mods will work, as they are written now.
Reply:Well, I think I'm gonna be keeping the 171. I put some solid .035 in it, hooked up the regulator and gas and was pretty impressed with the beads I put down, like I said before, with a $300 welder. Looks like ill stick with my plan and mod this one. Thanks for your great write up on that Blue.
Reply:They finally put up a picture on the HF website. Up until today, they only had a blank white screen on the product page. At least now, we have something to look at. It only has a 6ft whip. It should come with backpack straps, because that's the only way you're going to reach your work. I also see they took down the 171 off of their website. Does that mean I now have a collectors item?
Reply:I got an email from Harbor Freight saying they was having a close-out sale on the 98871 90 amp welder so I reckon all of the blue models are on their way out.Maxus Pro-125 MigChicago Electric 90 amp DC flux-coreLincoln Electric AC 225 tombstoneO/A torchM/O mini-torch10 acres of flatland15 acres of holler
Reply:Anyone buy this one yet? My local store has one, and I may be able to get one as a gift. Might try it out as a first time welding experience.
Reply:I just bought the new 180 on Sunday. Haven't had a chance to use it yet. It looks like a real nice machine.
Reply:Originally Posted by mxrdrverI just bought the new 180 on Sunday. Haven't had a chance to use it yet. It looks like a real nice machine.
Reply:I just picked up one of these. It works ok. Wire feed is very inconsistent. I have tried with both 2# and 12.5# spools and the wire feed motor is just weak.
Reply:Might be something wrong with your feed.As mentioned in the mod thread, I have one of these, and it's an order of magnitude better than the blue models. Wire feed is pwm based, the gun is a copy of the lincoln models, the drive wheels are knurled, there's a better fan, and a bunch of other upgrades.I did the cap mod to it and it didn't need the extra rectifier to control the wire speed... the cap didn't change it.The cap DID up the voltage and power quite a bit.I also added a bigger fan (I like it cool) a 20-ish foot power cord (10 gauge), and a better ground clamp and 6 gauge ground cable.The only down side I've seen to it is that the power is really upped... it's very hard to do thin metal with mine now. I tried doing exhaust work yesterday and I had to move at about 45-60ipm to avoid blowing through... very difficult to get anything like a good weld.Probably I'll put in the cutoff switch someone else suggested to allow me to switch the capacitor out.Right now it also keeps the tip live after welding until the cap discharges... the tip is not hot from the welder power, just the cap.Oh, I also found out the lincoln nozzles and accessories fit. I got a couple of the plastic "flux wire only" nozzles for the lincoln and they fit perfectly. I expect the same for the insulated nozzles and contact tips.ErikI have had 2 of them and they just are not what it should be. I don't need it to have bore power just need it to feed consistently
Reply:Originally Posted by SDPAULIEI have had 2 of them and they just are not what it should be. I don't need it to have bore power just need it to feed consistently
Reply:The black one. The blue one is the 181
Reply:Originally Posted by SDPAULIEThe black one. The blue one is the 181
Reply:Fat fingers. 171
Reply:Originally Posted by SDPAULIEFat fingers. 171
Reply:Im not confused at all. I own one of the black welders. I don't know where you get that from. It has wire feed problems. Like I said in my fist post on this thread I think
Reply:Originally Posted by SDPAULIEIm not confused at all. I own one of the black welders. I don't know where you get that from. It has wire feed problems. Like I said in my fist post on this thread I think
Reply:You are the one that is confused. I posted that I have had 2 of the black 180 migs--the black ones(new model) They have wire feed problems just like the old ones. I know what I own and what I have owned. The 171 was blue. They also had a 181 at one point that was a big one with wheels and everything. I have had all of these models. I have also had the blue and black 90 amp flux core welders. Just in case you arent sure the plasma cutter is blue haha. I have one of those too. =P
Reply:Originally Posted by SDPAULIEYou are the one that is confused. I posted that I have had 2 of the black 180 migs--the black ones(new model) They have wire feed problems just like the old ones. I know what I own and what I have owned. The 171 was blue. They also had a 181 at one point that was a big one with wheels and everything. I have had all of these models. I have also had the blue and black 90 amp flux core welders. Just in case you arent sure the plasma cutter is blue haha. I have one of those too. =P
Reply:If you read the post before I typed the fat fingers 171 it said that the blue one is 181 and I corrected myself saying 171. I don't need to send you a picture. I know what I have. I told you it is a black one. I wouldn't have posted in the thread about the new model 180 mig from harbor freight about a different model. Trying to keep on topic. Give it a rest please
Reply:I'm not picking on you I just don't like being confused.
Reply:I just got one of these new 180amp welders. I didn't see on the box or anyplace where is was made. Are these made in China too? The old ones said it on the front panel.
Reply:never mind... they are made in China. I found the small print.
Reply:Originally Posted by brandonever mind... they are made in China. I found the small print.
Reply:There has been a lot of the Harbor Freight welders that were labeled as 171,180 and /1 /2.There was a large 34092 and these.:http://manuals.harborfreight.com/man...6999/36694.pdfSome were made in Italy ,I think one was made in Russia, and the Chinese ones.
Reply:Originally Posted by BlueweldersThere has been a lot of the Harbor Freight welders that were labeled as 171,180 and /1 /2.There was a large 34092 and these.:http://manuals.harborfreight.com/man...6999/36694.pdfSome were made in Italy ,I think one was made in Russia, and the Chinese ones.
Reply:They were all blue for about the last 10 years or so.The original Italian welders were blue,and when the chinese started building them they were exact copies.The black ones have just been around starting this year.I think all of the blue ones are discontinued.
Reply:Blue is out black is the new color. I dont know why you are so hung up on the color. Go buy them both so you can compare them
Reply:Originally Posted by BlueweldersThey were all blue for about the last 10 years or so.The original Italian welders were blue,and when the chinese started building them they were exact copies.The black ones have just been around starting this year.I think all of the blue ones are discontinued.
Reply:Just FYI - I've found that the wire feed is a lot smoother with a 10lb spool until it gets low on wire. Hmm. Weird..
Reply:It is definitely smoother with the 12.5#spool that I have on it but it is only because there is little to no tension on the spool. It is still great for what I paid for it. I just want to figure out how to get it to feet better. I am going to change the ground out on it too. I got a lincoln clamp and just need to get a new cable. I have a HF plasma cutter that I think is great. Works just as good as the others that I have used. I have a second one for sale if anyone is interested.
Reply:new to the forum, resurrecting this thread. Just bought one of these, MIG180, SKU 68666. Black.havent welded in years but wanted a setup for my home garage for car restoration work.anywayI haven't been able to use the welder at all. already exchanged the one I bought but the replacement behaves identically. maybe it's me that's the problem.Here's the issue: I setup the wire feed spool per the instructions, everything works as expected. I then power off, put the tip and nozzle back on the gun, power on... and nothing. fan and light on the switch is on, but no wire feed at all.This has happened TWICE.Am I doing something wrong here? Or have I really run into 2 brand new welders with the same issue?thanks for any help on this
Reply:It is almost always a problem with your 220v outlet.
Reply:Originally Posted by BlueweldersIt is almost always a problem with your 220v outlet.
