HF stud welder is it a POS?

[Chuck McB]

I'd like to buy one but I could use some feed back from you guys.

 

[genevabuck]

I have a ton of high quality Snap oN and MAC tools. At the same time, I have bought a lot of HF hand tools, etc, when it catches my eye and I think that the qualit is there. When it comes to any type of welder, go quality, imho.

 

[3xpendable]

I don't know about this spot welder you are talking about but my dad has bought two welders from HF And had to keep taking them back until he just asked for his money back


(x)

 

[CARS]

I have been using one for about 8 years now. It doesn't see daily use though. I maybe drag it out once a month.

But, I am sure that they have switched manufactures a few times since I bought mine.

 

[Big-Foot]

I've got the big yellow one that weighs about 10#... works fine but the switch is a little finicky at times.

 

[uniballer]

I got one, i like it, only use it about three or four times a year. Had it four years.

 

[OrneryDuck]

I stopped by HF to take a gander at the 90AMP MIG welder they have for sale as I hear a Lincoln tip and spool is all it takes to make a decent welder of it. Now making a decent welder of me is another story altogether but we will see how it goes...

While there I saw this guy sitting on the counter and had to give it a look. Not really applicable to my needs now but I still found it interesting. I assume they work great for pulling out dented body panels when accompanied by a slide-hammer?

 

[KLG73]

How offten would you use it? Would it be somthing you would depend on? most likely not, but if it was i would invest in somthing better. Once in awhile use it would probably be fine. Just have to try and see.

Also i am in the auto body world, and have a snap on one.(got it half off) Not sure who makes it but i Love it.

 

[chevy302dz]

The stud welder works pretty good, mine is about 5 years old and I've had no real issues with it.

 

[RCRGarage]

The stud welder *****. My Snap On stud welder was stolen about 6 months ago, and I replaced it with the HF welder... mistake. The first time using it, it rocked, and I regretted buying the Snap On kit. But.... Next session (same day), it wouldn't penetrate the metal, and the studs kept pulling off with pulls (and I don't mean heavy rocker damage, I mean a light crease! Or, they pop off with little pressure and hammering on the highs around it!) , or not even welding at all. I'm no novice to metalwork, bodywork and welding, so I know how to use the ferking things... It has no balls, cannot weld studs properly, the duty cycle ***** (get on a roll welding studs beaten panel, and it trips the breaker fast - really puts the breaks on a session).
I still have it, and every couple of days I give it another try when working, and it just plain ***** ***. Until I can afford another Snap On unit, I just tack the studs to the panel.
I assume that if you're looking for a stud welder, then you have the skill to use one and work metal. You will be unsatisfied with the HF unit, save up and buy brand name.
Just my opinion.

 

[Chuck McB]

So is the one Eastwood sells any good?

 

[Professur]

I bought an old one off Ebay, opened it up and fixed a few broken bits of plastic inside with epoxy (the rattle the old owner was so worried about), slugged a common nail into in and pulled the trigger ... works a charm. I don't even waste time with the proper studs... just use common nails and grind them flat when I'm done. All that's inside is a large iron/copper transformer, some wires, the contact head and the trigger. Not really a lot to have issues with.

 

[Chuck McB]

It has a 90 day warranty so I may give it a try.

 

[PCO6]

Has anyone tried an Eastwood "MIG Stud Welding Kit" as an alternative to a stud gun? It looks pretty simple and in theory should work. It's probably something you could make fairly easily.

MIG Stud Welding Kit ...
http://www.eastwood.com/mig-stud-welding-kit.html

 

[RCRGarage]

Has anyone tried an Eastwood "MIG Stud Welding Kit" as an alternative to a stud gun? It looks pretty simple and in theory should work. It's probably something you could make fairly easily.

MIG Stud Welding Kit ...
http://www.eastwood.com/mig-stud-welding-kit.html

Thought it was a cool idea at first, but whats the difference between this and just holding the stud and tacking it... besides the $100?

 

[Zeke]

Burned up a lead to the transformer. I fixed it and it works the same as new. You have to time your own welds. The studs are junk and the slide hammer they give you is worse.

Other than that, it's a good tool for one or two jobs at home.

Thanks for the tip on common nails. I assume those are finish nails?

 

[Professur]

Nope .. regular flat head common. Inch and a half if I recall correctly, but don't hold me to that.

 

[PCO6]

Thought it was a cool idea at first, but whats the difference between this and just holding the stud and tacking it... besides the $100?

Not much and as I said it looks like something you could make fairly easily. I like Professur's idea of using flat head nails so that eliminates the special tip for your mig gun. The only tricky part would be making an adapter for the slide hammer to grab the nail / stud. A small pair of vice grips welded to a slide hammer would probably take care of that part of the process.