Harbor Freight MIG welder

[GoAlterBridge]

Hi all,
As of right this minute, I don't own a welder. Tonight I found this welder, and wanted your opinions on it. Obviously, from the price, it's not a FANTASTIC welder, but I was just hoping it will be able to get me through my kart and maybe a couple small projects.
Thanks for the input.

[new2me]

I own a Chicago Electric MIG welder for a few years now and its done a great job on my 27' T-Bucket frame. I think its model 151 not sure though. I had to run a 220 line for it which set me back about $75, no biggie.

[new2me]

I should also add that the initial cost are what's going to get you.

Mask
Gas + regulator
wire
gloves
chipping hammer

[kibble]

I have this mig welder (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=94164) from HF. I am currently using the gas-less rolls of wire on it. It seems to be going ok. I just got me a tank at the swap meet this past saturday which I want to get filled with Argon so I can weld aluminum. They sell a three pair pack of welding gloves for about $7 I think last time I saw it. I also got the auto darkening helmet when they had it on sale.

[GoAlterBridge]

It says on the site that it comes with a helmet, and even if it didn't, I can get one for free. Gloves are not an issue, I have them left over from using them at the shop. New2Me: It doesn't need gas because of the eype of wire it uses.
Thanks for all the quick replies, guys!

[kibble]

It does come with a mask but it's a ghetto one with a handle that you have to hold with one hand, unless you were to put a strap on it or something.

[new2me]

lol yea I did'nt like the mask that came with it. I bought a $50 auto dim mask that is great. The welder comes with flux core wire but I personally like using gas w/solid wire.

I have never done aluminum before and was told you need a machine that will pulse the current. Not sure if this 1 will do it.

(just looked at the link and that's the same one I have, guess it will do aluminum.)

You need to get a plug at the hardware store because it dont come with one. I used a 3 prong locking plug and outlet.

[GoAlterBridge]

Alright, thanks. Is there a specific size or brand of the 3 prong plug? or is it pretty much a heavy duty extension cord?
Thanks a lot!

[kibble]

Well it's not really an extesion cord, it's not like a regular three prong extension cord. The pins are actually arranged in a circular shape and one pin has a little tab on it that locks into place once you turn it. The welder doesn't come with anything to plug it in. You have to get the plug and make sure you have a 220V outlet somewhere in your house or wire one in. I didn't have a socket so I had to wire it in but I used a four prong plug and matching socket.

[new2me]

As long as you get a double pole 30 amp 220 breaker & 10awg wire you will be good. Tell the hardware store that's what you have and they can show you what you will need for a socket and plug. If you dont know much about this stuff (running electric) then ask a buddy to come along and help you out. (200 amps to the body= RIP)

[GoAlterBridge]

lol, yeah, I know that much atleast. Are you sure it doesn't come with a cord? I just downloaded the online manual and it clearly says that it comes with a power cord. There's even a picture of it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals/55000-55999/55167.pdf

Thanks again.

[new2me]

No there IS a cord but you have to attach a plug onto it.

[robin]

you lot are confusing me i thaut u ran on 110 volts over ther ?

[mikeandike]

its 120-240 over here in houses(120 is the same as 110 or 115)

[kibble]

We do use mostly 110-120, but most houses are wired with 2 phases so some appliances are on one phase and others are on another. If we want 220 we have to use two phases. Which usually means installing a separate breaker and plug for it.

[GoAlterBridge]

Yeah, Before we had our house rewired, we figured out that it was wired 120, not 220, which is what a power tool that we plugged in, ran on. So my dad plugs it in, pulls the trigger, and all the lights in the house go off. lol

[robertdjung]

220 and 110 have completely different plugs. There's no way you can plug a 220 into a 110 outlet. However, you could have exceeded the AMP rating of the circuit, throwing the breaker.

[kibble]

Actually my mom went to the Fillipines where she plugged in her curling iron from the states into a plug there with no adapter or voltage converter and it started smoking because they were using 220. So if she was able to do that then some other countries must be using the same type of plug for 220 that we use for 110.

[robertdjung]

Well, I'm talking about at your home, in the western world, there's no way that someone would have re-wired your house with the wrong voltage.

[mikeandike]

Unless they're really stupid

[kibble]

^ LOL yeah. Funny story, one of my friends' dad and I went to go do a wiring job at a house that they were adding a room to. Well after everything was done we went to test the wiring and a TV and something else that I don't remember went up in smoke. Well it turns out we didn't connect one of the neutrals so the TV got hit with 220.