Campbell Hausfeld Mig/Flux Core?

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Ok Ok, I'm a newbie and i'm looking at purchasing a Campbell Hausfeld Model: WG300000AJ  85 AMP Mig/Flux Core Wire Feed Welder 120 Volt. Can anyone give me some feedback on this perticular model, and if it will get the job done for the type of work i'm doing.I'm going to be welding some small tables and night stands and also some repair on a go-cart and dirtbike. My questions are: 1. Can I use it without the gas to do hidden welds that i don't care if their ugly, but hold up fine?2.I'm aware that this is not a top of the line welder, but will it last for the work i'm doing? 3. Can anyone tell me a little bit about the brand Campbell Hausfeld in general? like how they rate next to Lincoln and Hobart?Thanks in advance.  P.S. I've taken a class in oxy-acetylene and have sone some minor gas welding before.
Reply:DO NOT BUY IT ! save your $$ and get a hobart miller or lincoln, they are a huge step up and once you start welding you wont want to stop  ands you will be disapointed in the quality of that machine !c.h. is a joke as far as there welders go, let them stick to air compressers spend the 500.00 and never look back and as far as gasless, its fine and stong too just be prepared to do a little more grinding !! the hh mm or lincoln will have a lot more BALLS  too  and easier to get  parts and service if you even think of buying the c.h. just send me the money instead !!dawg
Reply:They dont even do air comps or air tools very well, welders are a sideline,, need we say more.  I agree with dawg 100%www.urkafarms.com
Reply:Well, the 'Dawg came on a little strong, like garlic, on that last post, but ya' know, he's basically right.  If you are limited to a 115V unit due to location or budget, you could do a lot better than CH.  I'd bet they're built in Italy or China.  Import units typically have small transformers and lack cooling fans which translates to miserably low duty cycles.  You'll spend a lot of time between welds waiting for the thermal switch to reset.  Then, most of them lack a filter capacitor and decently matched choke (or reactor, if you prefer) in the output circuit to aid in arc stability.  That makes them tricky, frustrating  and difficult to use, especially for a beginner - not what mig machines are supposed to be!  Can you weld with them?  Well, yes, sorta!The best bet for the money probably is the Hobart HH-135 (or HH-175 if you can spring $175 extra for a 220V unit).  These units are easy to use and have great arc stability.  Tractor Supply sells the HH-135 for about $427 set up for flux core and it includes a regulator for when you want to move up to gas.  Flux core isn't as pretty, the wire costs about twice as much, but it has deep penetration making for strong welds and you can use it in the breeze outdoors too.
Reply:For my tastes it would be the HH175.  Way more power when you want it and you can always turn it down.  It also prevents it from trying to be run on general use circuits which I am not a big fan of welding from common wall outlets anyway.  Even the 120V units should be run on dedicated circuits.  The body shop guys are always wondering what the problem is and are constantly tripping breakers. I had one get a heavy cord and dedicate one recept near the panel for welding use. They were always trying to weld on a 15 a with a couple lights on same circuit.  You should run  a dedicated wire,, just as easy to run one for 240 as 120, gives twice the available power.  Ask the Old pilot above, 2 planes same except one has 180 hp engine and one has 300 hp,, which one flies better?Last edited by Sberry; 05-11-2004 at 07:52 PM.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:I had one for years, welded a lot of things butgot tired of slag and the constant shutdowns due toexceeding dutycicle.....Now with my MM210 no problems......Save your money and buy good stuff....
Reply:My advise is stay with Miller or Lincoln (Hobart is Miller).  1. Can I use it without the gas to do hidden welds that i don't care if their ugly, but hold up fine?Your basic choices of of wire are solid (must be used with gas, I recommend 75/25 Argon/CO2.  And flux core wire, there is gasless flux core and I would go with that if you want to keep it simple.  Remember you change polarity when running FC versus solid wire.2.I'm aware that this is not a top of the line welder, but will it last for the work i'm doing? You won't be happy with it.3. Can anyone tell me a little bit about the brand Campbell Hausfeld in general? like how they rate next to Lincoln and Hobart?Nuf said, above.Now the important stuff.  Since you live in Naperville (and I won't hold that against you too much, lol, I used to live in Plainfield and now live south of Wilmington)  If you want to come down an play around in my shop and get a feel for MIG you are welcome too.  When you are ready to buy I strongly recommend you go to the Joliet  BOC Store and talk to Warren let him know I sent you.  He will take care of you Warren is very knowledgable.  I am guessing the Miller 175 (HH175) will work for you well.  The MM 210 would be a good choice if you ever thing you may do aluminum.  I will send you a PM with my name and cell.Ron ShopFloorTalk Millermatic 350P, M-25, M-40 gunsDynasty 300DX, Coolmate 3, Crafter CS-310 TorchTrailblazer 302, 12RC, WC-2430A spoolgunSpectrum 2050Thermal Arc Plasma Welder PS-3000/WC-100B
Reply:Hobart has come out with a new HH185, so the HH175 should have a little better pricing.
Reply:Instead of buying a Crapball Horse**** MIG machine, just save a ton of money and buy a shovel.  A decent shovel will pile crap on metal much better than a Crapball Horse**** "welder".Crapball Horse**** is on the short list of machines I've thrown across the room.  Even ignoring the short duty cycle, and crappy arc, that damn thing AIN'T a welder.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:Dont be shy,, go ahead,, say whats on your mind.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:i see we got franz*s stamp of DISAPROVAL !!i can see that machine getting airborne in hilton !dawg
Reply:Ok, so I'm NOT buying the Campbell Hausfeld welder. I guess too many people can't be wrong. It's good to see that you all are so passionate about welding. I'm just getting started so I have no idea how the different brands/models match up. So thanks for everyone's help! I would like to buy american, so I think i'm going to go with the HH-135, (which is now the HH-140 right?)Last quick question. So if i run this on 115V with a few lights on in my garage, how often should i expect to be tripping the breaker?Whether you think you can or can't - you are right
Reply:Depends on what you are welding.  If you have it cranked up all the way penetrating some 1/8 - 3/16" material, you may find that it does trip it.  But if you are doing sheet metal, you'll probably be fine.  I've gotten away with it maxed out before on a non-dedicated circuit.  Try it; you won't hurt anything.
Reply:Poonker, do a search on google for hh 175 and see if anyone has them on close out.  I bought mine from Cyberweld a couple of weeks ago on close out for $500.
Reply:What kind of power supply do you have in your garage or work area?  That helps to know when considering machine choices.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:the thing about the 110v machinces is there duty cycle  is some thing like 20% so that means that you can weld for two minutes and the machine has to cool for eight ( i could be wrong w/ the #s)  and 2 minutes might not seem like a long time but it is !dawg
Reply:[QUOTE]Originally posted by OlPilot [B]Well, the 'Dawg came on a little strong, like garlic, on that last post, but ya' know, he's basically right.  old, i will take that as a complement, just add some olive oil, basil and some totamtoes and i would be happy  dawg
Reply:Enough of the welder vs. welder controversy, lets address that 180 hp vs 300 hp plane issue. This will take alot longer...
Reply:Plane?? Don't know nothing about a plane but I could talk a little about "68 300hp plymouth fury that could smoke a "68 Judge in the 1/4 mile.  But that was back when I was young and foolish
Reply:Jim, thats a great price for that welder..Ive been saving my nickles and watching prices. Best I saw was at northern tools, but you price beat that by $100.  I bet Franz must have an old mig laying around he dosent use that he'd feel good about giving to a fellow Northerner...