Chicago Electric 90A Fluxcore

[freewookie]

Anyone know much about these? They have them on sale for $89.

My step-father went by and looked at them for me. Said for that price you can't lose.

http://www.harborfreight.com/welding/mig-flux-welders/90-amp-flux-wire-welder-68887-8494.html

 

[Shield Arc]

Said for that price you can't lose.

Wanna bet?!

 

[freewookie]

Wanna bet?!

Well given what it is...

 

[CNC Dan]

Anyone know much about these? They have them on sale for $89.

My step-father went by and looked at them for me. Said for that price you can't lose.

That's how they get you.

They don't even have a rectifier, so the output is A/C. Not recommended by any mig wire manufacturers.

 

[rankrank1]

Nothing wrong with some brands of cheap wire feeders, but that particular HF one is not worth having. Mig (with gas) or fluxcore (without gas) is a DC only process. Look at the output label of the unit: DC is a must have. AC output not worth owning since there is not a single mig or fluxcore welding wire made to work on AC, but lots of fools buy em anyway cause they think they are getting a deal. (Not bashing HF either as I like some of their stuff).

On the other hand nothing wrong with an AC output stick welder as there are stick rods designed to work with AC output.

If you dead set on a cheapo wire feeder, then put just a few more dollars with it and get something at least usably decent. There are some inexpensive no name stuff out there for only a mere few more dollars.

 

[freewookie]

Nothing wrong with some brands of cheap wire feeders, but that particular HF one is not worth having. Mig (with gas) or fluxcore (without gas) is a DC only process. Look at the output label of the unit: DC is a must have. AC output not worth owning since there is not a single mig or fluxcore welding wire made to work on AC, but lots of fools buy em anyway cause they think they are getting a deal. (Not bashing HF either as I like some of their stuff). On the other hand nothing wrong with an AC output stick welder as there are stick rods designed to work with AC output. If you dead set on a cheapo wire feeder, then put just a few more dollars with it and get something at least usably decent. There are some inexpensive no name stuff out there for only a mere few more dollars.

Suggestions? Need something for fencing and just general tacking.

 

[Midniteoyl]

I bought one of these for general light duty type work.. Though I welded up 1/4" angle to my trailer as ramp holders and it did good. Flux and gas capable (comes with regulator).. Very heavy and nice feed/gun combo for the price. Better than some Hobarts costing 2x-3x as much.

Maxus Reconditioned MIG/Flux-Core Welder — 120 Volt, 140 Amp, Model# RBMXW30900 | Wirefeed Welders| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[brin]

Anyone know much about these? They have them on sale for $89.

My step-father went by and looked at them for me. Said for that price you can't lose.

Wire Welder - Save on this 90 Amp Flux Wire Welder

Take a look at this video...It shows it in use....then you can see if it helps you decide...

Wire Welder, 90 Amp Flux Chicago Electric Welding - Item#68887 Review Harbor Freight Tools -Part 1/3 - YouTube

 

[smfcpacfp]

I watched the 2nd part and the weld was horrible. I personally wouldn't waste a dime on this welder. I think with its limited capabilities, it would cause more frustration than enjoyment. I guess it depends on your threshold for pain.

 

[DXN1EL]

I'm going to say what the knowledgeable gentlemen on here told me, when I wanted to purchase a tombstone welder. That thing is a piece of ****. Get something like Everlast PA 200 or somethig way better machine than that tombstone.
I am just freaking glad I listen, I went with the Everlast PA-300. I cant be happier (sure my welds look like crap but I need more practice, since this is my first welder)

 

[steverino101]

check out as many reviews as you can from people that actually have one and then make a decision based on what you will be doing with it and how often.
checking the reviews will give you a sense of reliability and ease of use, but your bottom line has to be what you intend to do with it, because even if it has good
reviews, it's still a very limited use tool. an occasional light steel project that doesn't require a lot of welding seems appropriate. much more than that will leave you
feeling like you should have spent a little more.

 

[weldermike]

I bet I can knock off every piece that was ever welded with one of those machines with a ball peen hammer. I would guarantee it. Gotta spend some money bud. You'll be happier in the long run.

 

[Wook660]

I bought one about 5 years ago. You get what you pay for, it works but don't expect much. I've used it to fix my dad's lawn cart he pulls behind the lawn mower. Stuff like that is fine but I wouldn't weld anything on my tractor, vehicle, or anything else that could risk injury when the weld breaks. It's a real pain in the *** to use cause it's so cheaply made. Do what the others said, save your money.

 

[freewookie]

Thanks all for the advice. I'll wait and look at a Miller or Lincoln. BTW, taking a welding class at the local votech in the spring. Stoked...

 

[Shield Arc]

freewookie the biggest problem with these little wire feed welders is most people who buy them don't understand the limitations of the machine. Soon as they can run a good looking bead, they want to build a trailer that goes down the highway. When it comes to Mig / wire feed welders Tim Taylor (Tool Man) says it best "More power"!

 

[rankrank1]

Thanks all for the advice. I'll wait and look at a Miller or Lincoln. BTW, taking a welding class at the local votech in the spring. Stoked...

You do necessarily need to buy a Miller or Lincoln. There are cheep wire feeders that are okay for some things for only a few more dollars than that HF waste of money.

just one example
Northern Industrial Welders Reconditioned Flux Core 125 115V Flux Cored Welder — 125 Amp Output | Wirefeed Welders| Northern Tool + Equipment

Just make sure the label says DC output on that voltage output on any inexpensive wire feeder welding unit that you you buy as there are other unscrupulous vendors out there besides HF that pawn those AC output wire feeders off. Why waste $99 or so when you can put $30 more or so with it and have something somewhat useful.

 

[catfishdaddyengineering]

What ShieldArc said: "More power", i.e. Amperage. I have one of these, and it works for small stuff, but the 90A is not enough to get a good penetrating weld. I finally got it to make a good flowing weld, but the wire from HF spits and sputters something awful. You have to adjust the wire speed and have it on the high setting to burn into the adjoining metals that you are welding. Even then, it is not a penetrating weld that would pass any XRay.

 

[steverino101]

perhaps you can't get a penetrating weld from this machine. it isn't what i would call 'industrial' at 90 amps. i would just add, i used flux-core on boilers for years (all x-rayed) and one
thing i didn't like about it was that it was hard to visually see any penetration even with 300 amps, but i assure you, it was penetrating.

 

[Soundguy]

I'm going to say what the knowledgeable gentlemen on here told me, when I wanted to purchase a tombstone welder. That thing is a piece of ****. Get something like Everlast PA 200 or somethig way better machine than that tombstone.
I am just freaking glad I listen, I went with the Everlast PA-300. I cant be happier (sure my welds look like crap but I need more practice, since this is my first welder)

i'd take a tombstone over that ac wirefeeder any day...

 

[Brad_Blazer]

The 170 and 180 amp wire welders at HF actually look interesting. Better specs than I remember from their old offerings. Duty cycles are not great but they beat my 115V Hobart.