New Welder?

[Unit636]

I have used a fluxcore 90 amp welder for about 8-10 months now. However i'd like to buy a mig and begin making cleaner nicer welds. So my question is i've narrowed it down to 2 welders and wonder which you guys would think is better.

welder #1 is a craftsman and id get a 10% discount because I know a friend that works there
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-mig-welder-with-cart/p-00920569000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1


Or option number 2 is a HF welder
http://www.harborfreight.com/weldin...wire-feed-welder-24-volts-140-amps-68886.html


Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Nodroz]

I'd definitely go for the Craftsman welder. You get a nice cart with it and the welder looks more professional.

Reading the reviews for that craftsman welder, everybody is really happy with it.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

The Craftsman looks like a better choice. Keep in mind that MIG (GMAW) welding with a portable machine is quite limited as far as how thick you can go. That machine is good for 3/16 flux-core (FCAW) which probably means your max MIG thickness is around 12ga (2.5mm, perhaps a bit less).

 

[slipknot23]

I would get this one I have it and love it and comes with a great warranty http://www.eastwood.com/mig-welder-110vac-135a-output.html

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I would get this one I have it and love it and comes with a great warranty http://www.eastwood.com/mig-welder-110vac-135a-output.html

I would DEFINITELY suggest this one. I would recognize that architecture from 100 miles away. That's a rebranded Lincoln!

 

[Doc Sprocket]

They can say what they want- but I'm quite certain that Lincoln Electric would sue their cute little fannies off if that unit wasn't made by/for/licensed under Lincoln.

And I'm not altogether that surprised. I have a Century branded Lincoln Weld-Pak 100, (no surprise- Lincoln owns Century) and I also have an old Acklands AK-Matic 1200 which is a rebranded MillerMatic 200.

EDIt- Read this statement (lifted from the page) carefully- "Backed by Eastwood's no-hassle return policy and a 3-year manufacturer's warranty." Note how the "manufacturer" is not named...

 

[Unit636]

Eastwood it is

I have looked at the reviews and watched some videos on the Eastwood and have decided that's the one i'll get. Now where and what size tank should I get?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

After researching my brains out, I have the following to offer-

*Eastwood swears up and down that they did their own R&D- yet multiple inside and outside photos CLEARLY show that this unit is directly knocked off a Lincoln- right down to the inside of the plastic front panel screw locations

*Photos very clearly show that component layout is identical to the small Lincolns- from the circuit boards, capacitor, rectifier, wire feed unit- even the very location of the output studs.

*Eastwood admits that it is made in China, but maintains that quality control is strict


Therefore-

I Will say 100% that this unit is knocked off a Lincoln. I do NOT know if Lincoln is involved, or whether it's even "legal". I maintain that if there isn't so much as a license/patent agreement, they'd be in a lot of deep doo-doo.

All of the above said- All consumables are Lincoln-compatible, and (although it doesn't say so) I would bet one of my machines that the base components are compatible- so there's a lot of parts support. AND- they do offer a comparable warranty- something I am a believer in. So if the price is right, go for it.

FTR- I have many years of experience working with (and inside of) the "lunchbox" series of Lincolns. I know what I'm looking at...