Harbor Freight tools thread.

I found a free tarp in the median last spring. Brand new tarp. Works great!

(one of those pop up tents slipped out of my bed net and flew into the median so I stopped to grab it, saw a tarp thought maybe my tarp flew out too and grabbed it. Nope, not my tarp, but it's a keeper.)

 

For less money, this also has dual voltage, 10 more amps, a spool gun for welding aluminum, 24/7 US based customer service, and a 3yr warranty no extra charge.

MIG180 180-Amp MIG Welder With Spool Gun | PrimeWeld

I don't own this model, but I own two other Primeweld machines and have had zero issues and love them both.

I believe @Kwikvette (professoinal welder) bought one. He would probably answer any questions about the 180 Mig.

 

Never pay full price for a HF tarp, but when they go on sale, they are perfect. I have some massive ones and some small ones, and they all hold up fine.

 

Good to know, thanks, about how often do they go on sale?

 

Thanks for the tag @koditten

Hey Josh!

Feel free to ask whatever you'd like regarding PW's MIG180.

I know this is the HF thread, and as much as I considered the Titanium welder, I went PW for several reasons.

1. The PW is a much better value given that you get a spoolgun whereas you have to pay extra for the HF model. You also get a regulator and gas line too!

2. Three year no questions asked warranty with every product. I believe HF only gives you 90 days.

3. Customer service is absolutely stellar from PW. I'm on their Facebook group and I've seen (two specific admins) that are so quick to post on there about mailing a replacement torch or what have you. Here's an example -





No questions were even asked about purchase date, nothing. This guy asked a general question regarding a non PW product and they were still quick to offer a replacement.

4. It's my main welder at home and I do everything from dumb projects, bumpers, trailer fixes, and more.

Remember, it's the welder (person) not the welder (machine).

Unless you're spending big bucks on red or blue, understand that many of these machines will be made in China and there's no way around it. So at that point, it's up to you to decide where to place value.

 

@Slashaar

This has been my project for the last few days especially; making my own bumper for my Land Cruiser. The MIG180 never shuts down and I've pushed it passed it's duty cycle for sure.



I also run their

$699 CUT60 60Amp Non-Touch Pilot Arc PT60 Torch Plasma Cutter 110V/220V Dual Voltage 3 Year Warranty

CUT60 plasma cutter and I love that thing.

Used to have the TIG225X but I told myself I don't need to do any TIG work at home so I got rid of it.

 

Are you running the MIG180 At 220v? Just wondering how the performance is in 110v? Does it need a dedicated circuit? Just looking to weld 1x1x 16ga square tubing at the moment.

 

If its anything like the

$299 Mig140 120V

Mig140 and it sounds like it's better, it welds pretty good. I welded up my 3/16 steel bumper from Coastal Offroad with my friend's Titanium MIG 140.

^ I'm curious too.

Also have you used the spool gun yet? I have an aluminum project I want to undertake and honestly I've never welded aluminum much at all and only with a TIG machine. Planning to cut down a truck toolbox for something unique.

 

I only use it on 220V.

In fact I had no 220V in the garage and although the MIG180 can weld up to 1/8" on 110V, I wired in my own receptacle and breaker because I don't want to have 'limited' power on either my plasma cutter or welder.

Welder calls for a 30 amp breaker IIRC, though many online have stated using a smaller breaker and never tripping it up. This is all up to the person welding of course.

16 gauge tubing is pretty thin, so yeah I would weld that myself if I had my machine wired to 110.

Making a go kart?

 

Like I always need a reason to buy another tool @Slashaar
I looked at the spool gun and thought about it.

 

I've used the Titanium (tried it, don't own one) and it's good for the money. But if you could pay less, for a better machine, and with more add-ons and a better and longer warranty...why wouldn't you?

I've only used my spoolgun once. It's as finicky as any other spoolgun is, and you'll easily melt wire on your tip if you don't know what you're doing. No different than the Lincoln spoolgun I have experience with when hooked to a Lincoln MP210.

I just don't have Argon at the moment so my spoolgun sits on my rack.

 

Just replacing tubing on a bbq frame. Electrical service is opposite end of the house from the garage. Minimal 110 20v outlets and no 220 close.

 

This came in Saturday; ordered it about 2 weeks ago. anyone know what the threaded holes are on the top?

 

Speed holes....

 

Are Harbor Freight generators any good? Need something to run at least the refrigerator in the house.

 

Their predator 2300 is good and quiet. However for the price they are selling for now you can get another brand. I have a northern tools 2300 that I got for $50 cheaper than the HFT when it’s on sale. I haven’t had a problem with mine yet, but it only has 1 hour on it.

 

I've had 2 of the Northern Tool Powerhorse 2,300 generators for several years they start 1st or 2nd pull & are very quiet, they come with the wiring to hook 2 together, I use my Hobart 140 wire welder with 2 linked they are hard to beat. Right now on sale $499.99 & there is always a $20.00 coupon available plus they come with a 2 year warranty. I don't know if they are any better than HF but I do know they are worth the money. I am thinking about the Powerhorse 4,500 for the additional power, they will also link with the 2,300 or 4,500 & are electric start but as easy as these start that is pretty unimportant.

 

[QUOTE anyone know what the threaded holes are

if you want to reverse the door. Flip it over. The top becomes the bottom. Holes are for the casters.

 

Tested my Pittsburg digital torque adapter the other day on a snap on torque wrench checker and it was within 0.2 at 30, 80 and 147ftlbs. Decided to see how accurate it was outside its range 147+. Just prior to seeing overload on the display it read 181flbs, the snap on checker displayed 187ftlbs. Considering this is way outside of its range I'm pretty happy with that.


Can't say the same for the 3/8" Pittsburg click wrench I have. It was 6ftlbs off at 30ftlbs and 80ftlbs.

 

You can recalibrate the 3/8" with the snap-on checker. There's a threaded adjustment in the bottom of the handle if I remember right.