Harbor Freight Titanium 140 MIG welder?

[Parrothead]

I was just wondering if anyone has the new Titanium 140 welder from Harbor Freight. What are thoughts are on this machine. It gets good reviews on their website and the YouTube videos seem promising, but it’s a pretty new machine.

https://www.harborfreight.com/mig-140-professional-welder-with-120-volt-input-64804.html

*I bought it, but it hasn’t arrived yet. $339 after coupon.

 

[Jeffh40]

I don't know diddly about welders but I am looking to get one in the next few months so I am interested in the thread. I talked to a lifelong welder the other day and he told me that Lowes sells Lincoln welders for about the same price.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Lincoln-Electric-120-Volt-Flux-Cored-Wire-Feed-Welder/3499872

His point was that there are consumables like tips that you will need. Lincoln are easy to get from lots of sources. HF is your only resource for the Titanium.

 

[YoteStalker]

That price isn’t much lower than the Hobart 140. For a few dollars more, think I’d go with a big brand and the support that comes with it.

I’ve got a Hobart 140 and love it.

 

[Parrothead]

That price isn’t much lower than the Hobart 140. For a few dollars more, think I’d go with a big brand and the support that comes with it.

I’ve got a Hobart 140 and love it.

The Hobart Handler 140 was my first choice, but price was an issue. The cheapest I could find the Hobart was $499 which is 47% more than I paid for the Titanium. To me that’s a significant difference for this type of purchase.

I agree though, the Hobart Handler 140 seems like a great machine.

 

[Parrothead]

I don't know diddly about welders but I am looking to get one in the next few months so I am interested in the thread. I talked to a lifelong welder the other day and he told me that Lowes sells Lincoln welders for about the same price.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Lincoln-Electric-120-Volt-Flux-Cored-Wire-Feed-Welder/3499872

His point was that there are consumables like tips that you will need. Lincoln are easy to get from lots of sources. HF is your only resource for the Titanium.

One noticeable difference between the Titanium and the Lincoln is that one is a MIG/Flux Core vs just a Flux Core. I don’t think I’d spend $330 for just a Flux Core

 

[driz]

I have a HH 135 since 2004. I got it from HF of all places. I use their tips on mine of late and they work fine. I just turn them in till they begin to resist but not cross thread. Works fine.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[YoteStalker]

Oh I missed the part where you said you had already purchased it. I’m sure it’ll be a fine welder for you. The reviews are all good. Enjoy!

 

[Legion Prime]

Jeff, I would go with this one instead.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Lincoln-Electric-120-Volt-88-Amp-Mig-Flux-cored-Wire-Feed-Welder/999972168
For about $15 more you get gas capability which gives you more flexibility and after investing in a bottle can use cheaper solid wire. I'm actually tempted to get it myself at that price rather than **** around getting either of my admittedly cheapass welders working again.
That Ti welder from HF doesn't look bad and I've heard theyre decent but as always my concern comes down to parts availability. Good luck with it, I want to get started welding again myself.

 

[mike93lx]

Jeff, I would go with this one instead.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Lincoln-Electric-120-Volt-88-Amp-Mig-Flux-cored-Wire-Feed-Welder/999972168
For about $15 more you get gas capability which gives you more flexibility and after investing in a bottle can use cheaper solid wire. I'm actually tempted to get it myself at that price rather than **** around getting either of my admittedly cheapass welders working again.
That Ti welder from HF doesn't look bad and I've heard theyre decent but as always my concern comes down to parts availability. Good luck with it, I want to get started welding again myself.

I think the extra power of the HF outweighs the gas hook u0 on the lincoln. 88amp is not going to get you very far

Rin the HF til it holds you back, then swing for 240v with gas

 

[sberry]

88A is underpowered. The machines that run on 120v are marginal to start with but get a 140. As for cost,, how much is it compared to a car payment goes on month after month or electronics like a TV that has limited life. Most Hobart 140 class are working 25 yrs later with no parts but a tip.

 

[Parrothead]

Jeff, I would go with this one instead.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Lincoln-Electric-120-Volt-88-Amp-Mig-Flux-cored-Wire-Feed-Welder/999972168
For about $15 more you get gas capability which gives you more flexibility and after investing in a bottle can use cheaper solid wire....

I think the extra power of the HF outweighs the gas hook up on the lincoln. 88amp is not going to get you very far

Run the HF til it holds you back, then swing for 240v with gas

Just to clear something up, the HF Titanium 140 has a gas hookup.

I was just hoping that someone else with more welding experience here had tried it.

*This review is part of why I choose this machine (the guy doing it taught welding for 13 years).

 

[bczygan]

There are 2 things you must factor into the cost of HF units.

First is the cost for additional warranty time.

Second is the unavailability of parts for future repair.

I would spend the difference and get a Lincoln or Hobart with similar specs instead.

Bill

 

[sberry]

Or,, the machine could be replaced down the road too since it cost a lot less.

 

[930dreamer]

Not apples to apples but I bought a HF ultrasonic cleaner and it work three times.

 

[lilredex]

88A is underpowered. The machines that run on 120v are marginal to start with but get a 140.

Agreed, my first one was a rebadged 90 amper and it is basically a sheet metal machine.

Do like that easy polarity switch over on the HF machine. What's with the two output power controls?

 

[2002maniac]

I have a Metalman 140 MIG that I got on clearance at Tractor supply that looks to be nearly identical to the HF Titanium 140 (likely same factory, slightly different features and different branding). Feature wise, it is a much better welder than the basic Miller, Hobart or Lincoln 140 machines.

Advantages of the HF ti 140 over others:
*Digital display
*Inverter (more efficient and weighs HALF AS MUCH)
*Rapid wire feed - if no current is sensed after a second or two of trigger pull, wire speed ramps up to allow feeding with through lead quickly
*Feed delay - first ~half second of trigger pull starts gas flow, but does not feed wire. This insures full shield of weld and is nice for setting your flow meter without feeding wire.
*Metal rollers in wire feed drive. Some of the cheaper name brand welders use plastic here.
*tips are industry standard, so you can source them at you local welding shop, Home depot, or wherever.

Main disadvantage is service and repair availability if something inside the machine gets fried. For me it was worth the gamble getting a higher quality machine with more features for cheaper!

 

[Legion Prime]

I think the extra power of the HF outweighs the gas hook u0 on the lincoln. 88amp is not going to get you very far

Rin the HF til it holds you back, then swing for 240v with gas

Except Jeff wasn't looking at the HF welder, he was looking at a nearly identical Lincoln which for $15 less didn't have a shielding gas option. There are tons and TONS of other option out there but for a difference of $15 I'd still go with the one with the gas hookup over the identical machine without.

 

[theoldwizard1]

One noticeable difference between the Titanium and the Lincoln is that one is a MIG/Flux Core vs just a Flux Core.

And some day you will regret not having gas and not having a dual voltage welder.

 

[Parrothead]

And some day you will regret not having gas and not having a dual voltage welder.

Just to clear something up, the HF Titanium 140 has a gas hookup.

I purchased the HF specifically because it has the gas option.

 

[Parrothead]

Jeff, I would go with this one instead.

Except Jeff wasn't looking at the HF welder

Gotta ask? Who’s Jeff?

 

[Parrothead]

And some day you will regret not having gas and not having a dual voltage welder.

So what would I be welding that I would need dual voltage? Honest question as I’ve managed to do most of what I wanted with brazing and a torch. This is an upgrade by a great deal. The reason I bought this is to do patch panels on my toy car.

HF Titanium 140 = Gas

 

[L.Cheapo]

So what would I be welding that I would need dual voltage? Honest question as I’ve managed to do most of what I wanted with brazing and a torch. This is an upgrade by a great deal. The reason I bought this is to do patch panels on my toy car.

HF Titanium 140 = Gas

Generally, you'd want 240v if either:
You're welding thicker stuff (1/4"+)
You're up against the 120v duty cycle
You only have access to a 240v outlet
You don't have a 120v outlet with enough amperage to run the machine

I have a dual voltage MM211. Haven't needed the 240v yet. Maybe someday.

 

[2002maniac]

I have a dual voltage MM211.

I'm not sure why you're bringing up a machine that costs 4-5X what the OP paid for his.

I think the HF Ti 140 will suit the OP just fine.

 

[Buy2Much]

I didn't know HF had these! They look good. I don't think I'd ever need to do more than what the 120v would do. That video is impressive.

I've heard people buy the warranty as it has an exchange coverage, where the machine can be changed out for a new one before the warranty ends. I don't know if that's true but with something like this mig I would definitely add it on.

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

Not the Titanium but I bought the Vulcan 215 about a year and a half ago. Works fantastic. I would imagine the Titanium should be pretty good for the price. You really only need to use a few times for it to be worth the expense.

 

[Parrothead]

I have a Metalman 140 MIG that I got on clearance at Tractor supply that looks to be nearly identical to the HF Titanium 140 (likely same factory, slightly different features and different branding). Feature wise, it is a much better welder than the basic Miller, Hobart or Lincoln 140 machines.

Advantages of the HF ti 140 over others:
*Digital display
*Inverter (more efficient and weighs HALF AS MUCH)
*Rapid wire feed - if no current is sensed after a second or two of trigger pull, wire speed ramps up to allow feeding with through lead quickly
*Feed delay - first ~half second of trigger pull starts gas flow, but does not feed wire. This insures full shield of weld and is nice for setting your flow meter without feeding wire.
*Metal rollers in wire feed drive. Some of the cheaper name brand welders use plastic here.
*tips are industry standard, so you can source them at you local welding shop, Home depot, or wherever.

Main disadvantage is service and repair availability if something inside the machine gets fried. For me it was worth the gamble getting a higher quality machine with more features for cheaper!

I actually read your thread before I purchased mine. It was part of the deciding factor to go ahead. Thank you!

 

[L.Cheapo]

I'm not sure why you're bringing up a machine that costs 4-5X what the OP paid for his.

I think the HF Ti 140 will suit the OP just fine.

He asked why he'd want a dual voltage machine. I posted to illustrate the point that in multiple years of hobbyist usage, the 240v function has not been necessary for me, and likely won't be an issue for him either. Are you sure now?

 

[rpcraft]

Personally I'd skip the 140 and look at the 175 if you can go up to 220. I've never had a 120 volt welder be the final answer in getting things done well, when it comes to welding.