Harbor Freight tools thread.

I have used, but not owned a HF welder, I have Lincoln and Hobart. The HF was a junker for sure.

I do have and like the auto helmet from harbor freight, and I have the welding cart too. Like many of the like items, a few tweeks and it is great for the money

 

Yeah, but for ranchers and farmers you can not beat the good old tombstone. Red machine lives on.

 

Paid $100 for it.

 

Does anyone have a plasma cutter I can borrow?

 

That is the one. Thousands of then out there, dead nuts simple and reliable.

100 times better, than buying a chinese POS welder at HF. Arc welding should be the first step for anyone, I have actually known many people who have jumped straight in to MIG and got HF or other chinese knock off's. Some have had ok experiences, but most wasted money on shit welding equipment and never developed any skill.

I am all for HF, i frequently call it my facorite store.. because there are some outstanding values, and they don't pretend to be something they are not. But some things should just flat out be avoided!

 

For new welders, I think Blue machines are the best. Bur you will pay for it.

For Hobby jobs, you can't beat the lincoln machines. Some are hit and miss, but they hit a great price point and over all are much better than chinese crap.

For anyone between pro and hobby, I think Hobart is where it is at. Hobart is owned by miller now, and shares parts. Hobart machines are reliable, and they weld great. I have a Hobart (and a licoln) and both have been excellent. Licoln is a older 180, I believe they call it an HD now with metal feed wheels. Many hours of use, short duty cycle but no problems ever. My Hobart is a newer 210 MVP, the biggest little machine and I love it. I put some time in on my dad's Ironman 230, and other than the lightweight gun warming up I decided that was what I wanted. I ended up buying the 210 to save space, and have been totally happy. The tapped control on the newer Hobarts is much better than the old tapped controls I remember learning on. He had an ideal arch 1500 before that, and the Hobarts weld nicer. Not a 100 percent duty cycle like the old ideal arc though, I have had zero issues with duty cycle.

For the most budget minded, you can not beat an old Licoln tombstone (arc welder)

I learned on the old tombstone, a few miller migs and larger licoln migs and one bad ass antique Hobart 400 amp mig/arc machine.

 

What is HTP? I've never heard of them. If you need repairs, are you going to have difficulty getting it serviced?

 

So whats the consensus on the Vulcans?

 

I'm very impressed in the physical quality. I've only seen welds produced by others, but, again am very impressed.

I have 3 Miller MIG machines, so I don't need another welder, but if I did, I would have that Omni pro 220 right now.

My miller spool gun alone cost as much as the whole Vulcan kit with the spool gun included.

 

Awesome. I love old stuff.

The big ass Hobart I learned on had to have been 40s or 50's, it was gold with wheels. The cart was about 5 feet tall and it was an engine welder/gen set 3 phase with all analog dials/indicators and the big crank wheels with giant breaker switches. You had to physically change wires for different process welding, and it had an open spooler that must have been a 100 lb spool.

That thing was an absolute Dinosaur. I don't remember the model, and I believe it was a 400 amp mig setup, no idea what it could do otherwise. Everyone seemed to hate it because it was so old, and had its quirks but damn I loved it. I would love to own one like it, must have been over a ton of old American love.

 

I have no experience with them.

It is possible that they could be OK, but personally I would not bother.

I don't even like running the Janky wire from HF.

 

It looks that way, but I have no experience with them.

Esab on the other hand, and Everlast both pretty popular have been hit or miss. I have seen them run great, and be a total POS.

I have been thinking of one of the multi-process machines for Tig. But I have not really made a decision on anything. I will probably just put it off and by a blue machine to complete the Family lol.

 

One time my dad he had to weld using car batteries so it's all better then that Hahah lol

 

Anyone use a HF creeper or mechanic's seat?

 

@Bentrodder uses their creepers. Never heard a complaint with the mech seat and plan to grab one myself when I get there next.

 

I use this -

Nothing bad to say about it.

 

I have the grey plastic creeper. I like it.
Also have the seat ^^^, I use it often.

 

Thank y'all!

 

I have a craftsman brand mechanics seat that's just like the HF one. I like the seat I posted better. It's nice being able to adjust the height.

 

Use to have a VAutoZone 4 wheel fold up creeper. After a month, the center starter dragging. The HF grey 6 wheel doesnt sag, has tool pockets, and does well on a semi-smooth asphalt driveway. And with the curve, is actually comfortable.