HF 90 AMP Welder Reviews

mrcubcadet · #1 10-11-2012, 10:34 PM

So I saw that some of you were pondering Harbor Freight's 90 AMP wire welder... http://www.harborfreight.com/wire-we...lux-68887.html

Matter the fact of why the thread got 'closed', meaning, don't bring the argument to this thread... I would just like to start another thread discussing this welder, to help others make their purchase, and to help current owners of this welder discuss how they feel about it.

Anyway...I have owned this welder since about June. I bought it with the intentions of using it for awhile, until I was ready to go out and buy a 'better' welder..probably a Hobart Handler 140.

Since it was delivered, I have been impressed with it...Especially for how much I have in it!...It's a great portable unit for small jobs, but yet can get hot enough to weld bigger widths than the stated 3/16". I have made a good and solid double-sided weld, on steel 1/4" thick with no trouble! Here's a picture of one of my last small jobs done with the unit, welding together one of the trans/rear-end mounting brackets off of my 129...

Long story short, I am very happy with this welder!

nikster · #2 10-12-2012, 06:06 AM

I had the same bracket from my # 109 broken also. Took it to a metal fabrication/welding shop & had it welded last year. Well $ 25.00 later it was fixed.

This is why I bought the harbor freight one. For light tasks it will more than pay for itself. You tube really sold me on it. For my tinkering on my cubs it will do the job.
Eg; my snow thrower, & dragging it to a shop, cost for welding ???

I went out yesterday & bought a new spool of .035 flux/wire to compare with the .030 wire that comes with it. As recommended by a friend & also mentioned in a movie on you tube. We'll see if I notice a difference!

Nik,

mrcubcadet · #3 10-12-2012, 07:31 AM

Let me know how the wire works out. I'm still on .030...I have the original HF wire in it right now, but have a couple brand new rolls ready to try. A Weldcote, and a Hobart.

Here's a picture of my unit...

Sam Mac · #4 10-12-2012, 08:27 AM

I have a 175 Miller mig with gas. Outstanding welder but it cost 10 times what the HF welder goes for. The HF welder is probably enough for most of the things you are going to need it for on a Cub. I like gas for the shielding just because you don't have slag to deal with. For $90.00 go for it.

cubs-n-bxrs · #5 10-12-2012, 08:53 AM

I have a Clarke EN135 wire welder which is a great machine. It has the gas/gas less option. I don't have to weld outside very often but the flux core wire is a must if you are outside and it is breezy out. A wire welder is in my opinion is a must have tool.

Vince_o · #6 10-12-2012, 09:07 AM

One of the welding site I read, and there are a bunch of people there willing to help you out learning, have a section just for the HF migs, tigs and plasma cutters. Most of the people have posted they have real good luck with them using the lincoln .035 wire. I dont know anything about it so I cant say for sure.

Ive also heard good and bad about eastman or eastwood something like that small mig welders. We had all miller migs at the cat shop I worked at, so thats what I started on. In our shop here we have a snap on musle mig, and Franks son can really weld good on the mowers. I just leave it to him to do all the welding.

mrcubcadet · #7 10-12-2012, 04:52 PM

Yeah, my preference would be a gas welder, but then again, it's just another expense, and something to worry about. I mean, it's worth it if your doing a lot of welding..but someone like me, it's not so worth the trouble, or $$.

MrGitrdone41 · #8 10-12-2012, 09:52 PM

I like my HF 90amp. It does a good job on stuff. I used it to weld by wreaker boom together with it on 1/4 plate!! The weld have not broke so i think it works good. One day i'll go buy a Miller 140 auto-set.

mrcubcadet · #9 10-12-2012, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrGitrdone41

I like my HF 90amp. It does a good job on stuff. I used it to weld by wreaker boom together with it on 1/4 plate!! The weld have not broke so i think it works good. One day i'll go buy a Miller 140 auto-set.

Didn't know you had one!

I actually did some more work with it tonight...I welded on the 1782 3 pt sway-chain hooks, to keep the current cracks from breaking all the way while plowing tomorrow. It is such a good unit compared to how much other welders of it's specs are sold for!

nikster · #10 10-13-2012, 07:42 AM

This friend called me & he gave me a used roll of .035 wire. No brand on it but its not HF. I did some stick welding 42 years ago & far from being any good. I changed the wire over to .035 & with my 1/2 hour of a welding experience I noticed a difference from the .030 that came with the unit. I welded ( played around) some 1/8" flat stock, 1/4" black angle iron, about 20 min., worth. So now I have 45 min., worth of welding.
As a bottom line the .035 seemed to flow better than the .030.

I'm going to purchase some & just junk the one from HF.. I think the guy told me its cost is about $ 11.00 or so? But with what he gave me I think I have enough for 5/6 projects. That will git'er- done?

Nik,