Vulcan welders at Harbor Freight

[WittHay]

Honestly, the only thing that interests me about the Vulcan machines is if their existance causes Miller/Lincoln/Hobart/Etc. to improve their machines or downgrade their machines due to the Vulcan competition.

They may have to step up, but they may be able to cut more corners too.

Thats my concern too. Very happy with my Lincoln 210 MP made in North America (Mexico) welder. Use it mainly for portable use with a pto generator for welding 3/8 and plugged into 110 for welding aircraft tubing.

No interest in buying a Chinese made Vulcan with the worst warranty of any welder sold in North Amereica. But if HF takes too much business away from Lincoln or Miller it might affect the quality of their future offerings.

Strictly my opinion but if Canadian Mastercraft or Pro-Point welders can have a 3 year warranty, why can't Vulcan. My guess is they would have to put better quality components in their welders and the price would go up

 

[Detoursusa]

HF Vulcan is for Americans that like to gamble. Lincoln and Miller is for Canadians that don't.

Bit righteous up there.....aren't we?

I'm not 100% convinced this is strictly a HF machine, I've seen them in Russian automotive restoration video's on Youtube.....not center stage in these video's as their work being performed was center stage.....but sure enough, over there on the floor, or trigger held in hand...there it was.

Must be some sort of black market Harbor Freight Chinese conspiracy thing...

 

[Wamsutta]

1. Is that with a pulsed MIG vertical up?

Vertical up weld -

1. Is that with a pulsed MIG?
2. Is that one root pass plus one cover pass?

 

[blake101]

Buy a Miller and don't worry about the rest.

Second that. I have the 211 and it is awesome.

 

[DerekV]

1. Is that with a pulsed MIG vertical up?




1. Is that with a pulsed MIG?

There is no pulser on the Vulcan machines, and he answered this yesterday in post #39

 

[Lelandwelds]

I have an Airco Dip/Stick 160 mig welder that I bought in 1982. I still works great, I can get parts for the mig gun, but if something major inside goes bad, I'm SOL.

I am going to risk angering the off topic nazis .

You are not SOL. Miller made those orange machines in the 1970s. You may be surprised at the support still available. Take down your serial number and call Miller or look at your online ownersmanual. You may need to imagine it in Blue with a different name but it is available. The circuit boards are through hole and ridiculously simple. The part manual lists component values and schematics. The Service Manual adds theory of operation if you need to redesign for no longer available 40 or 50 yo components.

Miller is an outstanding company.

 

[DerekV]

My guess is they would have to put better quality components in their welders

Bingo

more warranty ==> higher risk for HFT ==> mitigated by higher quality components ==> HFT unwilling to take a margin hit ==> higher price for customer ==> priced nearly the same as the firmly established competition ==> customer buys Miller/Lincoln/ESAB equivalent

 

[Lelandwelds]

& feature copper windings....blue/red both feature aluminum windings in their non inverter machines......I lost interest . . . when they started molding in cup holders on their cabinet machines.

Aluminum is the superior choice in some situations for some designs. Welders are not a simple inductive or resistive load.

I think the "cup holders" were originally intended for part storage not holding your favorite adult beverage.

 

[Wamsutta]

There is no pulser on the Vulcan machines, and he answered this yesterday in post #39

That link he gave me in post 39 gives me an "Error 404 - Page Not Found."

 

[seber]

One year warranty is plenty to shake out any flaws. Lack of parts on the other hand is a no go. Sooner or later it will need service. $500 should never be a throwaway.

 

[ryan in louisville]

So does anyone have a review on the welder since its been out for a while? As a hobbyist, I'd like to hear some reviews by similar people. Occasional use, not production.

 

[zendriver]

So does anyone have a review on the welder since its been out for a while? As a hobbyist, I'd like to hear some reviews by similar people. Occasional use, not production.

I purchased the 215, but have not even had time to open the box. LOL It's probably past the 90 day warranty, but I paid for the extension warranty.

Try youtube. There is plenty of reviews there.

 

[Dad Was A Racer]

I just bought a MigMax 215 at HF yesterday off of the "open box" clearance rack. Someone had returned it, according to the guys at the store that I know pretty well by now (avid HF shopper), because he didn't have a correct 220v plug. I purchased it as-is for $348. They hooked me up with all the necessaries (both power cords, gas hose, regulator, etc), took it home and fired it up... I'm impressed. I have three Miller machines (MIG, TIG and Plasma) and, while not as elegantly executed, the Vulcan has 90% of the look and feel of the big blue machine. I bought this because it was a bargain, and I plan to leave it set up with flux core just for times when I need to drag it out away from the shop, etc. but to my eyes, there's no flies on the Vulcan.

 

[bfr57]

So, let's revisit these welders. My Hobart 140 has taken a dump. Any long term reviews? Detoursusa?

 

[zkling]

So, let's revisit these welders. My Hobart 140 has taken a dump. Any long term reviews? Detoursusa?

What exactly is wrong, or at least symptoms of, with your 140? They are rather simple and reliable machines.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

So, let's revisit these welders. My Hobart 140 has taken a dump. Any long term reviews? Detoursusa?

well I've had my migmax 215 for about a year and a half, still works like the day I bought it. no problems with it at all. this is used in my garage, not a pro setting.

 

[BlackLS2]

I am wrapping my first 6 months with my Titanium Unlimited 200. So far I am wowed for $629. Have not done TIG with it yet, but the rest of it flat rocks!

 

[Shadowdog500]

My Protig 200 still works good. Hobby shop, occasional use only.

It not sure what Vulcan welders are still on the shelf and if so how they changed. Lincoln sued HF for copyright infringement on the Vulcan line and HF pulled several of them off the shelf including my Protig 200.

 

[rande]

Looks like that lawsuit was filed in 2017.

Here's a draft of the lawsuit.
https://insight.rpxcorp.com/litigation_documents/12725742

It was dismissed with prejudice in April 2019.
https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/Ohio Northern District Court/case/1:17-cv-02329

Here's a discussion of the lawsuit at Welding Web. I haven't ready the whole lawsuit but it looks like they were suing for some rather nit-picky things. I guess that's why it was dismissed with prejudice.
https://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?705293-Lincoln-Sues-Harbor-Freight-!

 

[gearhead1]

Hello Gentleman, Ladies.......My name is Mark, new here but not to welding, I've been a certified welder since 1988. I somehow stumbled on this forum & topic searching something else, came across this and decided to chime in...

I own the Vulcan 215 MigMax....I've owned/used all the others...red,blue,tan,yellow,green....My last machin was a Lincoln 218 cabinet machine, burned the positive internal lead off of it within 1 hour of ownership....cause: Never tightened from factory (Mexico)
Never really liked the machine, bought it to finish a structural job I was almost finished with when my Hobart 220 blew it's diodes.....In this business you do not let a job sit while your welder is being repaired......

So, after a recent 1200 mile relocation, I had to re-equip a shop to make a living, sold off the Lincoln for 1k after about 10 years of use. No longer doing structural, I'm into other things now and limited space.....I needed a smaller machine with power. Up until 6 months ago, I had never stepped into a HF store in my life......But this Vulcan caught my eye, had to check it out.....Over all build quality, cabinet, wire feed.....just about all of it, pretty impressive......I took the chance figuring I could return. I've had all those other machines (or most) previously mentioned......pretty much underpowered over all and to be clear, non of those are intended to be in an industrial environment, field use YES, but not the other. Inverter technology is nothing new, I've used inverter mig machines as far back as 1989.....

So to the point.......about 6 months of ownership, by the end of this week I will have pushed over 100 pounds of wire through the Vulcan, I use it in production virtually 7 days a week, it operates about 5-6 hours a day, this past Sunday....I finally changed out the original tip & cone. The thickest of my steel needs is 3/4" bar to 5/16" plate.....zero issue's at 3/4 throttle. (power) The thinnest I've welded with it was 24 gauge, I use straight Co2 and it's operated flawlessly......

I'll most likely purchase their TIG next, I stay away from multi process machines and digital LCD screens....there's no real point in them. Real world review, trust me I'm slightly surprised in it's performance myself, but it's not new technology.......back to welding, have a great day!!

Mark, I really appreciate you posting. I’m risk averse when I have to spend a lot of money. I’d warm up to the Vulcan as long as they’re not horrible with problems. If you get the AC tig, please post about it!

 

[gearhead1]

My Protig 200 still works good. Hobby shop, occasional use only.

It not sure what Vulcan welders are still on the shelf and if so how they changed. Lincoln sued HF for copyright infringement on the Vulcan line and HF pulled several of them off the shelf including my Protig 200.

Have you welded aluminum with it?

About how many hours do you think you have on it now?

 

[Shadowdog500]

Have you welded aluminum with it?

About how many hours do you think you have on it now?

Yes I have done aluminum. Hobby use so I may only have maybe 5 or 10 hours on it total.

I’m no welding expert, but I like it. They don’t sell the protig200 anymore.

 

[bfr57]

What exactly is wrong, or at least symptoms of, with your 140? They are rather simple and reliable machines.

Basically, it's welding like ****. I had to do some flux core welding and when I switched back to solid, it sputtered and spit. Put the configuration back to flux core welding with solid wire and the it will produce a weld, but still not getting that true sizzling sound. The wire will get a ball of weld and come off the welding surface. The weld is also very sooted or dark after the weld. I've tried different wire and the gas was the same as when I started. I've had this machine many years. Local welding store wants $75 just to look at it and I wouldn't mind having "more power!"

 

[OldGrumpyBrian]

Omnipro 220 update: Dead, 5 weeks after the extended warranty ended. Scenario: Me, the welder and a DC Tig job fabricating a banister/handrail for the stairs in my shop. 1" into the first weld and I hear a snap noise from the box, followed by the box turning into an inert object that no longer makes a sound regardless how many times I curse it's ancestors. Of course HF has ZERO support and my local shop wants a Benjamin just to crack the case and stick a nose in. Further insult; I've accumulated all the peripherals, so I feel like I'm burnt going to another brand. Stupid Orange colored box

 

[zendriver]

Holy zombie thread ****!

I responded in post #52 (2018), just unboxed it a few months ago and just purchased a gas tank for it today. Finally getting to to the rusted fender panel repair job.

Guess I don't have to worry about the extended warranty. Welded smooth as butter the two times I goofed with it.

Finger crossed on how long it holds up.

 

[WWheeler]

Holy zombie thread ****!

I responded in post #52 (2018), just unboxed it a few months ago and just purchased a gas tank for it today. Finally getting to to the rusted fender panel repair job.

Guess I don't have to worry about the extended warranty. Welded smooth as butter the two times I goofed with it.

Finger crossed on how long it holds up.

Just curious. That MigMax 215 goes for $900 today w/o a coupon.
Any chance you remember what you paid for it in 2018?

 

[zendriver]

Just curious. That MigMax 215 goes for $900 today w/o a coupon.
Any chance you remember what you paid for it in 2018?

I'm thinking it was on sale for $700

Extended warranty was maybe $85

 

[driftpin]

Omnipro 220 update: Dead, 5 weeks after the extended warranty ended. Scenario: Me, the welder and a DC Tig job fabricating a banister/handrail for the stairs in my shop. 1" into the first weld and I hear a snap noise from the box, followed by the box turning into an inert object that no longer makes a sound regardless how many times I curse it's ancestors. Of course HF has ZERO support and my local shop wants a Benjamin just to crack the case and stick a nose in. Further insult; I've accumulated all the peripherals, so I feel like I'm burnt going to another brand. Stupid Orange colored box

Not a pro welder, not much of a welder, but I bought the HFT Vulcan Omnipro 220 to learn w/a multi-process welder. We have a car project w/our adult son, and the Omnipro 220 is doing whatever we ask of it. MIG gun, TIG torch, foot pedal, two gases cylinders, etc. and a friend who is willing to help teach me the basics.

These are not my welds, the friend's a pro welder, and while he wasn't too-impressed before using the Omnipro 220, he had no issues w/the MIG function once he was done. He said he would have no qualms about using it again in the future.









I used my HFT class action lawsuit payout to purchase the Omnipro 220 and am glad to have a machine capable of doing what I ask of it, even if it is in someone else's hands.

 

[no704]

Have had a Protig 205 for about 6mo. No complaints.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i bought my migmax 215 in 2018, still going strong.

 

[drmarkr]

Primeweld. That is all.

 

[zendriver]

i bought my migmax 215 in 2018, still going strong.

Good to hear, hope mine does the same. Can't wait to put it to work.

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

I have had my migmax 215 since about 2018 I believe. I know it was pretty shortly after it was released because I purchased it on sale for $549. It has been a fantastic machine.

 

[zendriver]

Primeweld. That is all.

If mine craps out - before I do, I'd likely go this route next.

 

[AA/FC]

I disagree. Apparently, and this is just my opinion, HF has decided to duke it out with the big boys toe to toe. You can see this with the Pittsburgh Pro hand tools, the Hercules power tools and now these welders. Within a year we'll be able to tell if they got the goods or not but the master plan seems to be to move uptown. I predict that within five years HF will be the only brick and mortar tool store left and in preparation for that they are trying to gain legitimacy with pro level users. Don't know if they will succeed in achieving that but time will tell.

Seven years later and all the brick and mortar tool stores around me are still operating just the same as they were in 2017.