Old, but new HF Welder

bczygan · Nov 10, 2011

So today I am getting a NOS (Never had a plug put on it) Harbor Freight (Chicago Electric) welder. It is a stick welder with the model name ARC 180. A guy is giving it to me in lieu of $50 that he owes me (He thought it was a Miller cause it was blue!). Comes with the cables. It is a 220Volt, AC/DC machine. Don't know where to find the manual. I know there's lots better welders. I figure it's worth the price for someone like me who just wants to practice welding. I know it has a very short duty cycle. I'm going to eventually get a helmet, some protective clothing and try it out. What rods should I use? I also heard you can get a bottle of gas and a TIG torch to use with it. Is this worth doing? Anyone else out there who has used one of these?

Note: Just found the manual:
http://www.harborfreight.com/135-ac-105-dc-amp-power-arc-welder-97719.html

bczygan · Nov 10, 2011

Anyone have any user reports on this welder?

bczygan · Nov 10, 2011

Who makes the best sticks for this welder?

sberry · Nov 10, 2011

That looks like a pretty nice unit considering and you did good for your 50$. It is limited for rod sizes but will run any type. Get some 1/8 6011 and 3/32 7018, set machine to DC+ and bust the knob off so you are not tempted to fool with it. Not worth the effort to hook a tig to it but the thing should be usable to some extent. The technology is fairly low and even though its an off brand will likely work fairly well, slightly different than the cheap mig machines.

DavidB · Nov 10, 2011

I'm in the process of learning to weld on my own as well. Electrodes (sticks) have a numbering system to them that tells you about them. See here for some more info on that. http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/weldrod.html

As far as brands go all the sticks with the same numbers are slightly different from what I've read but at our stage it doesn't matter. E6011 and E6013 are good general purpose AC sticks and are good to start on. I'm not sure what you're practicing on but get sticks that are smaller in diameter than what you're welding on. So, if you have some 1/4" sections go pick up some 1/8" sticks. But don't try to use those 1/8" sticks on thin plate (less than 1/8" thick).

I'm not sure on your other questions.

sberry · Nov 10, 2011

I can run 1/8 6011 down to about 16 gage but its starting to be work at that point. The limiting factor here is machine power, only going to deliver so many amps and there ain't no more. While its true that 11 and 13 are famous for being ran on AC its because they CAN, they will run better on DC+.

Danglerb · Nov 10, 2011

I wouldn't spend much money before confirming it actually works, or works as it should. Maybe take it to a friend with some welding experience and get them to "check it out". You don't want to find out months from now that the reason you aren't "learning to weld" very well is a bad machine.

sberry · Nov 10, 2011

I am not a fan of cheap machines when good ones are so competitive in price but,,, have ran across a couple of these and as far as I know they actually worked,,, but its been a while and I don't recall the details.

sberry · Nov 10, 2011

I don't think they come with plug,, use 6-50 hardware on them, makes your circuit compatible with other machines.

sberry · Nov 10, 2011

You could get some 3/32 7018AC also, run it on DC though, it is very easy, easy to strike, only drawback compared to the DC version is its a little loose on verticals and you have to weave it a bit.
This is a skill that is worth a little investment in instruction from someone that knows,,, and I mean that not everyone that has ever struck an arc or that does welding work knows how to properly run these electrodes. I have seen some guys that don't know squat but can use them well,,, ideally learn from someone been thru the schools or has some training background.

sberry · Nov 10, 2011

I looked at your profile, most I don't but was curious about a couple demographic things. The earlier one learns this in their career the more beneficial but have seen many otherwise skilled men who take to it like second nature. There is no substitute for welding skill and experience. It adds 20 IQ points to the average mechanic in some sense as it about doubles a mans ability to get things done that would other wise be costly or time consuming.
Stick skills are well worthwhile, still so widely used and portable. Due to the lighter engineered world of today even a thousand dollar investment in a 200A compact feeder is returned in a hurry. Sticks are difficult on real sheet metal and can be sloppy in appearance but are highly effective. I use stick for all my portable work yet.
I for one would be interested in running one of those just to see how good it works, I suspect it might be fine. 1/8 6011, 3/32 7018 allows for real work in light environment, auto home, light farm, landscape, etc. Even the list price is 169, on sale it might be a bargain and about the cheapest thing a guy could get that would actually work. A transformer machine from 120V ain't worth a sheet but this allows for twice the power.
My Maxstar is twice as good but where a guy had garage power and efficiency was a minor concern this might do ok. Make it super affordable for most anyone.

offroadsteve · Nov 10, 2011

Here is a link to the resources part of Miller's website that discusses Stick welding (SMAW) http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/improving-your-skills/stick/

I realize your unit isn't a Miller (despite your friend's assumption about the blue case) but the theory is the same no matter what color / brand your machine is. We use at least 4 different brands of welding power supplies here at work, and the basics (which is where you are at) are the same.

There is a PDF on there titled "Guidelines for Stick Welding" gives a great overview of SMAW theory and some basic technique, along with the common electrode types, sizes, polarity, and useage.

You are correct that you could get a bottle of Argon and a TIG torch and successfully weld with this machine, but I would advise against it as well. The cost would be fairly high (probably $400 for all the equipment), and its usually possible to find a good, used Miller / Lincoln TIG machine for around $1000 with all the stuff included, if you decide you want to expand.

Another great resource on the internet is weldingweb.com, I am a member over there as well and there are a ton of experienced welders over there that know pretty much everything there is to know. I am not a welder by trade, but I deal with welding on a daily basis at work, and am an amature TIG welder.

ibedayank · Nov 10, 2011

Bill how about getting working heat and running water before buying more stuff with the money you could use to pay the $6000 in property taxes that you owe.

In that fire trap thats you have with stuff packed to the rafters do you really think welding in it will be a good idea?

bczygan · Nov 10, 2011

ibedayank,
Just had to answer. This cost me no out of pocket money. In fact, this is the only way I will ever see the $50 he guy owes me. And no, I won't be using it any time soon. I don't have the electrical circuit, plug for the welder (It's brand new by the way), proper clothing, helmet, gloves, etc etc. So It's going to just come live in my garage/shop until all my other work is done.
Temp. heat and water is working and we're about to pay 1/2 the taxes.

sberry · Nov 10, 2011

I dont know wjhat the circumstances are but it might be tough in that part of the world for a guy these days. It could be hard to get going. All the stuff that was needed to make it work could likely be scounged up for little and likely nothing.

ibedayank · Nov 10, 2011

Sberry
he is detroit where there is more vacant homes in the poorer/middle income then with people in them.

good old plain glass sheild $20
box of 3/32 rods....$15 old jeanjacket/leather and pair of leather gloves...use what ya got
just make SURE nothing within 10feet around you can burn. after welding stick around for 30minutes to see if you smell smoke...grinders thow sparks a LONG way
aks the shops rags that started on fire on me the other day.....

opps he has the 220 only not the dual voltage ...

sberry · Nov 10, 2011

Yes, the bad news is he needs a special circuit, the good news is that it doesn't have to be heavy. If I had to (and done more than once) would be find range pug and recept, piece of 12 or better romex and hooking on any available over current protection 30-50A

bczygan · Nov 13, 2011

Finally picked it up today. Gotta figure out a 40A twist lock plug, receptacle and circuit. Got to check the old range circuit.

kc-steve · Nov 13, 2011

ibedayank said:
Sberry
he is detroit where there is more vacant homes in the poorer/middle income then with people in them.

good old plain glass sheild $20
box of 3/32 rods....$15 old jeanjacket/leather and pair of leather gloves...use what ya got
just make SURE nothing within 10feet around you can burn. after welding stick around for 30minutes to see if you smell smoke...grinders thow sparks a LONG way
aks the shops rags that started on fire on me the other day.....

opps he has the 220 only not the dual voltage ...

From experience passing through, I recall Detroit was like that back in the early 1980s as well. Before I wired my garage I tested my new Miller Thunderbolt using a 5000 watt generator, not a lot and at low amperage, but enough to motivate me to get the 50 amp dedicated circuit.

Steve

Old, but new HF Welder

bczygan

Well-known member

bczygan

Well-known member

bczygan

Well-known member

sberry

Banned

DavidB

Well-known member

sberry

Banned

Danglerb

Well-known member

sberry

Banned

sberry

Banned

sberry

Banned

sberry

Banned

offroadsteve

Well-known member

ibedayank

Well-known member

bczygan

Well-known member

sberry

Banned

ibedayank

Well-known member

sberry

Banned

bczygan

Well-known member

kc-steve

Well-known member