itt welder thread can somebody redpill me on harbor freight

>>16404947
Cheap and good are very rarely together in a positive fashion and might as well never be together when it comes to tools. If you want something you can actually use and won't shit out on you in four months, look at Lincoln Electric.

>>16404990
is used a good way to go or should i steer clear?

>>16405002
Unless you know someone that is a welder and can try the machine out for you, I'd stick with NIB or else get some kind of 90 day guarantee.

>>16404947
Flux core is kinda tough for thin gauge sheet metal because it runs slower and hotter than gas shielded solid wire mig. Look at an eastwood mig 135. It's cheap chinese stuff but it comes with a warranty and works great for auto body stuff.

>>16405109
>>16405026
thanks my dudes as far as learning is the best way to jump in on some scrap or should i actually read and watch videos?

>>16405131
Books/videos will give you the numbers and teach you how to set up the machine properly but you'll won't learn in a practical sense until you actually start laying beads.
Also, 90% of what makes a good weld is in the prep work. Unless you're laying down a stick of 6010, then it'll look like shit no matter what you do.

>>16405002
Used can be very good. The stuff you need to know to use a used machine overlaps what you need to know to run a new one. MIG gun liners are inexpensive and usually what shits the bed.

Weldingweb and the Miller forums (and Miller videos) are great tools for any level of welder.

Jump on scrap after watching a variety of vidoe, and make MANY SIMILAR practice coupons. An angle grinder and flap wheels have many uses.

You can read how to cut and bend test your work. Destructive testing is how to get good.

Small Lincoln and Miller machines do flux core and MIG and parts are plentiful and popular in countless body shops.

http://weldingweb.com/

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>>16405131
Do both. Mig is easy if you understand the basics enough to know what it's supposed to look and sound like. Contact tip to work distance, angle and travel speed come with muscle memory. Also learn a little about fit up and stitch welding.
>youtube
>chucke2009
>welding tips and tricks
>weld.com
Pic is what happens when someone buys a welder and jumps right in with no practice or knowledge.

>>16404947
For a hobby welder make sure;
It can use gas (flux core sucks dick)
Is fan cooled (duty cycle with be fuck all if it's not)
Has the arc start on the trigger (some super cheap Chinese mig welders are scratch start)
Can take the larger size wire spools (cheaper and more convienient)
135 amps minimum
Adjustable power and wire feed speed

Oh and get an auto darkening welding mask.

>>16405625
>It can use gas (flux core sucks dick)
Can you elaborate on this?

>>16405192
Jesus Christ

>>16406031
It's just shit.
You weld everything in a 6' radius because of all the splatter and can't see anything because of all the smoke and garbage coming off the wire.

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postin mine
got it at local auction for $380

>>16406395
i saw a few millers at a local auction, they were all three phase monsters with wire feeders.

>>16406365
flux core has a shitty reputation because they're usually dirt cheap welders (harbor freight type) and need modification to work right. i can see clearly with my hf one (added caps & diodes, use lincoln wire) if i had to guess though it cost about ~1/3 to 1/2 of a hobart handler 140 after changes

>>16406410
forgot to add they went for ~$60-300 (same model, different years) some with bottles

>>16406395
Quite jelly

>>16405192
chucke is an alright source but fuck does he have an annoying voice.

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Don't get a harbor freight welder. As others have already said make sure whatever you get can use gas. Look into the Eastwood welders if you insist on buying new, you might have to replace a few parts but they seem to be the best of the cheap Chinese migs.

>>16406849
His voice is the same voice an old friend of mine used to use to impersonate stoners.

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>>16404947
The HF 90 amp is great for what it is. It's a cheap starter welder with a warranty for a hobbyist.

AC and flux core means it's going to splatter, so you're not going to be posting pictures of your welds on on forums bragging about weld porn. However it will get the job done and at an unbeatable price.

If it's your first time welding you can practice with the wire that comes with it but toss that shit in the trash and get some Lincoln wire before doing anything else.

>>16405131
Both is best. You can't get the feel of it from videos but videos will teach you how to read your welds and what adjustments you need to make to improve them.

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>>16408674

>>16406410
3 phase is fine. i have it at my place.

>>16408674
if i was just starting out i would just get a AC DC stick welder. stick is better than flux core unless you wanna do thin crap

Northern Tool sells a tiny stick welder for about $170. Good for small light duty stuff.

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is this one good? sorry i see no reason to buy new.

>>16408690
Starter welder for a hobbyist =/= starter welder for a professional
Flux core is fine if you don't need a pretty weld. The HF 90 amp can be had for $80-90.

>>16408737
a starter should worry about technique not the machine. stick is better for learning. i stand by my statement

>>16408737
>The HF 90 amp can be had for $80-90.

sucks they put welders on the do not apply list for the 20% off coupon now

>>16408746
>a starter should worry about technique not the machine
For a professional, absolutely. Buy a good machine that will make you money and pay for itself, and learn more techniques to maximize the variety of jobs you can do and increase profit.

For a hobbyist that's just looking to put shit together in his backyard, it really doesn't matter.

>>16408753
There's a coupon for $94.99 in the Jan. 2017 mailer.

>>16404947
MAGS, go fuck yourself and get a proper welder with HF start not the autotragic of the welding world.

>>16408787
>For a hobbyist that's just looking to put shit together in his backyard, it really doesn't matter.

this. its nothing to come back and knock that spatter off with an angle grinder or a file if nice looking welds are important.

>>16404947
they will work, but flux core welds will always look shitty.

i use a millermatic 130 at work, it's a lower end machine but works great and will do anything you'll need to do on a car.

>>16404947
shill out the extra dough for a lincoln electric mig welder
>sub $300
>reliable enough for daily use