Another "which welder" thread

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FYI, I am reading the sticky about welding basics but would still like some input as I must make a fairly quick decision (need to repair daily driver).Thishttp://www.harborfreight.com/welding...der-98871.html$99or Thishttp://www.harborfreight.com/welding...der-91110.html$1391.  220V is not available - might be someday, if I move...2.  I know there are much better welders available (all of them are lol), but I'm deciding between these two3.  first project, 2.5" exhaust on my truck - cat cons failed, cut them out, want to weld in new ones - and when the weather improves (got a foot of snow here last night) - I'll be installing all new stainless exhaust that will need to be welded4.  I have about 80 hours w/ oxy/acet brazing and have done some silver soldering (both as a prof. gunsmith) - I wish I could afford to buy that setup.  I haven't used arc or wire5.  any other use will be hobby - ie, outboard stand built from bed frame, emt runners for my ice fishing sled, etc.IMO, the pros/cons w/ these two machines wire - thickness range, cheaperarc - beautifully small, more powerful, maybe the wire welder is easier to use in tight spots...like the top side of an exhaust pipe that's still on the vehicle...Thanks in advance for any tips...
Reply:Welcome to WW forums.Mig is easier to learn for a newbie than stick and the stick welder shown is too small to do much useful.  There are 120v migs which are useful but are limited compared to a 240v machine.Since you have already decided on an HF machine, why not post this in the HF forum where I am sure many HF owners can answer your questions better than I could.Good luck."The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25
Reply:Originally Posted by noriteWelcome to WW forums.Mig is easier to learn for a newbie than stick and the stick welder shown is too small to do much useful.  There are 120v migs which are useful but are limited compared to a 240v machine.Since you have already decided on an HF machine, why not post this in the HF forum where I am sure many HF owners can answer your questions better than I could.Good luck.
Reply:Take the $100 and sign up for a welding course at local community college.1) Its fun.2) They have all the equipment you'll need.3) talk to the instructor after a few classes, I'm sure he'll let you pull car out back (maybe bring your own jackstands - maybe use the autoshop next door).4) They give you material to practice on.5) They teach you safety.6) They won't laugh at your first attemtps.The biggest negative on harbor freight stuff is they can be a big frustration for new weldors.  If you search around you will find plenty of people who have gotten the HF or similar welders to work but most of those people actually already know how to weld.  When you start, and your welds look like crap, how do you know if its you or the welder?When I first learned (about 25 years ago) taking the class with me was a father and son team that owned a gas and welding supply store.  They offered everyone in the class a victor medium set at their cost.  Make connections.    In 4 months/16 weeks you'll have money saved up and you will hit craigslist and find a much better welder.  Maybe one that does 110 and 220.BTW, a small 220 machine will run just fine off a dryer plug (30 amps).  Just make an extension cord/adapter.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:sound advice, but...I should have said, the 80 hours w/ a torch was part of the year I spent at the Colorado School of Trades learning gunsmithing.  Most guys finished the welding projects (and other sections, too) as fast as they could so that they could have more time on final gun projects.  I took as much time as they allowed.  I did use some welder other than oxy/acet there, but for maybe a half hour...and its been 10 years, so it really doesn't count lol.My first exposure to metal work (welding and machining) was a 2 credit course while getting my BS in engineering.  That experience had a lot to do with the decision to go to gunsmithing school.In three years as a gunsmith I silver soldered one front sight and had somebody else tack a 2nd recoil lug onto a custom rifle, and I'm a system administrator now, so it is hard to justify spending much on a welder.  I'd much rather save up for a vertical mill, or other tools that will pay for themselves...Anyway, there's no time to save up.  If there was I'd get a gas torch.  Like I said, I need to fix my truck...and a terrible weld is still a lot better than exhaust putty...I've seen both sides of the HF coin.  I don't think I'd buy oxy/acet from them, or anything else that could cause serious injury if it failed (like say a hoist, or jack stands) but I've seen lots of youtube videos, and a lot of reviews, by people using and enjoying their HF welders.  They are certainly inferior, especially to an expert such as yourself, but they're (minimally) functional...so anyway, which one's a better deal lol
Reply:Is there a way I can move this thread to HF forum so I don't double post?  I'm sure the "HF vs higher quality welders" topic has been thoroughly discussed in the past
Reply:The low duty cycle of a 110 volt welder can be maddening!     In addition, penetration is questionable on anything thicker than 1/8" material.
Reply:Originally Posted by dthrckt3.  first project, 2.5" exhaust on my truck - cat cons failed, cut them out, want to weld in new ones - and when the weather improves (got a foot of snow here last night) - I'll be installing all new stainless exhaust that will need to be weldedThanks in advance for any tips...
Reply:duty cycle, yeah, I can imagine.  I use my blast cabinet a lot and I get about a minute or two for every 15. I'm surprised my compressor hasn't died yet.That's one of the reasons I'd like to get an acetylene torch.I searched for info on welding stainless a couple years ago.  didn't know it is as tough as people say.  was surprised to see HF claim the flux welders can do stainless.  is that a total lie or are they just real bad at it.  I did see some info on converting the HF inverter arc to tig.  Total invested would be enough for a better machine, but wouldn't have to spend half of it until later.I don't suppose a flame torch would be much good for stainless either?as for blowing through, I left enough pipe to put a collar over the cut, so that I wouldn't have to butt weld.Maybe I could do ok, for now, w/ some silver solder and my cheapo propane torch.  I'd have to get some higher temp stuff than the plumbing solder I already have though!Then I could wait for a good unit to show up on craigslist.Hey, you guys are good, you've almost got me talked out of a HF welder...
Reply:Originally Posted by dthrcktI searched for info on welding stainless a couple years ago.  didn't know it is as tough as people say.  was surprised to see HF claim the flux welders can do stainless.  is that a total lie or are they just real bad at it.  Hey, you guys are good, you've almost got me talked out of a HF welder...
Reply:read the thread that search found.  funny how HF makes that claim but doesn't sell dual shield wire.Seems like welding SS is out of my price range, since I wouldn't have a need other than the exhaust.  I'd have more use for doing aluminum than stainless but it sounds like that's pretty tough, too.When I finally get around to doing it, I'll probably just clamp it and find a find a local pro to do the welding.btw, good point about the possibility of returning it.  I'll check their policy but I doubt that's a problem if you buy their warranty.  I returned two 5.5hp chonda's last summer, no questions asked - and I had already run the first one (second one had shipping damage).