Harbor Freight 180

[lutt]

Now, don't go thinking I'm promoting these welder a. I'm a Lincoln man, I have a AC/DC red that I do about all my welding with. A couple trips ago out at work, my wife was at the local auction house and called me up, she asked if I was still wanting a mug welder. I said that yes, if cheap enough. Well, 125 dollars later I was owner of a new 180 Chicago electric mig. I welded on my bucket hooks with it this evening, using .30 flux core wire. I don't know how long it will last, but I won't be using it daily either. She will burn plenty hot enough. I'll keep you guys up dated when it breaks or I find any faults with it. Who knows, it may outlast me! LUTT

 

[ericher69]

Congrats! Can't go wrong for the price!

Sent from my iPhone 5s 64Gb using TractorByNet

 

[lutt]

Thanks, that's what I thought! LUTT

 

[Reverser]

Your weld looks pretty good to me. :thumbsup:

 

[Arc weld]

What flux-core did you use? Bucket hooks shouldn't be welded on with the general purpose flux-core that most of those machines come with. Kind of like you wouldn't weld them on with 6013.

 

[MikePA]

What flux-core did you use? Bucket hooks shouldn't be welded on with the general purpose flux-core that most of those machines come with. Kind of like you wouldn't weld them on with 6013.

What should they be welded on with?

 

[Turbys_1700]

I bought the same welder off Craigslist for $150. The owner had it for 3 weeks and had welded with it 1 time. Included a 10' cord. So far I have welded a few things and it has performed flawlessness. Easy to weld with and so far so good. It has DC output on flux core. At the price you can't go wrong. Eventually I will get a larger Lincoln but for now it will suffice. Nothing wrong with these welders.

 

[Pepsiboy]

Now, don't go thinking I'm promoting these welder a. I'm a Lincoln man, I have a AC/DC red that I do about all my welding with. A couple trips ago out at work, my wife was at the local auction house and called me up, she asked if I was still wanting a mug welder. I said that yes, if cheap enough. Well, 125 dollars later I was owner of a new 180 Chicago electric mig. I welded on my bucket hooks with it this evening, using .30 flux core wire. I don't know how long it will last, but I won't be using it daily either. She will burn plenty hot enough. I'll keep you guys up dated when it breaks or I find any faults with it. Who knows, it may outlast me! LUTT

lutt,
Nice find on the welder ! ! :thumbsup: Looks to me like it does a great job. I also have a mig welder, and will be changing to flux core wire. The price of argon / carbon dioxide is getting to be too expensive here. Let me know how the flux core works for you. :cool2:

Dave

 

[lutt]

What flux-core did you use? Bucket hooks shouldn't be welded on with the general purpose flux-core that most of those machines come with. Kind of like you wouldn't weld them on with 6013.

As far as I know, it's just a all position wire, there is really not much info on there brand of wire. I will do some research. Thanks LUTT

 

[lutt]

I bought the same welder off Craigslist for $150. The owner had it for 3 weeks and had welded with it 1 time. Included a 10' cord. So far I have welded a few things and it has performed flawlessness. Easy to weld with and so far so good. It has DC output on flux core. At the price you can't go wrong. Eventually I will get a larger Lincoln but for now it will suffice. Nothing wrong with these welders.

Thanks, that's good to know, it's a smooth running machine when you get it right. I know I'm proud to have it. Specially for a quick weld fix and the like. LUTT

 

[lutt]

lutt, Nice find on the welder ! ! :thumbsup: Looks to me like it does a great job. I also have a mig welder, and will be changing to flux core wire. The price of argon / carbon dioxide is getting to be too expensive here. Let me know how the flux core works for you. :cool2: Dave

Thanks, I also don't like the added expense of gas. But, I made a extension cord out of some 12-2, so I can weld outside. Argon and outside don't mix! LUTT

 

[Pepsiboy]

Thanks, I also don't like the added expense of gas. But, I made a extension cord out of some 12-2, so I can weld outside. Argon and outside don't mix! LUTT

I haven't had a problem welding outside. I just put up a pallet covered with a tarp to block the wind if it is over about 3 mph and no more problem. :2cents:

Dave

 

[Reverser]

I bought the same welder off Craigslist for $150. The owner had it for 3 weeks and had welded with it 1 time. Included a 10' cord. So far I have welded a few things and it has performed flawlessness. Easy to weld with and so far so good. It has DC output on flux core. At the price you can't go wrong. Eventually I will get a larger Lincoln but for now it will suffice. Nothing wrong with these welders.

You're right, it's DC. I edited it out of my comment.
The user manual has apparently been revised since I looked it up a couple years ago. I almost bought one back then, and the user manual then said AC.