Anyone tried the new HF Welder?

Bigbandguy · Sep 1, 2019

I know it is HF. What interests me is that it is a DC welder with 125 Volt input. 99 percent of any welding I do is the tack something up, lawnmower repair, weld a bracket type of welding. No heavy duty stuff at all.
It strikes me that for this sort of thing this welder might come in handy. I have not seen one in this price range and voltage with DC. I also know very little about this and hope some of you experienced guys might comment on welding with 125 volts. I like the idea that it could be plugged in in more places.

https://www.harborfreight.com/Titanium-Easy-Flux-125-Amp-Welder-56355.html

CafeTools · Sep 2, 2019

Seems like a great welder. Gas has benefits though.

Bigbandguy · Sep 2, 2019

CafeTools said:
Seems like a great welder. Gas has benefits though.

I am sure it does, but my level is buzz box basic. I may not live long enough and learn well enough to need gas. I do think that a little wire machine might be handy though. I may have to give this a try.

sreeb · Sep 2, 2019

They had recent coupons at $149. It looked really handy for places it would be hard to take/power my mig. I bought one but don't have it in hand yet. At my local store, you buy it and they have it delivered to the store so I should get it next week.

Bigbandguy · Sep 3, 2019

sreeb said:
They had recent coupons at $149. It looked really handy for places it would be hard to take/power my mig. I bought one but don't have it in hand yet. At my local store, you buy it and they have it delivered to the store so I should get it next week.

I would really appreciate it if you report how you like it. I went by HF today and they (as expected) were out of them. Looks like they fly off the shelves pretty rapidly. I am looking forward to hearing about it.

Onefastgsx · Sep 3, 2019

The Titanium 125 Flux welder is great for the money. I picked one up when they were $149.99 last week, and I am extremely impressed with it.
I've had a Chicago Electric 90 amp flux welder for about 10 years, and I've learned to lay halfway decent beads with it, but it's just a really sloppy, low quality machine.
My new Titanium 125 as 100Xs better than my old 90. I am very impressed with it.

Retroman · Sep 3, 2019

I am going to get one of these, been wanting a welder for a while. Just for small stuff around the house looks like it would be perfect. I really don't know how to weld but it can't be that hard to learn. Buddy of mine owns a fab shop so I could go get a "lesson"

jshillin · Sep 3, 2019

Picked up one with it was $149 a couple weeks ago. I don't think you can complain for $150.... It tacked up what I needed without a problem.

Bigbandguy · Sep 3, 2019

Thanks guys, just what I wanted to know. I will keep an eye out and get one when they restock. Somehow I missed that 150 deal. Hope they run that again. Sounds like this is exactly what I need for the sort of stuff I would be likely to do. Any other reports are certainly welcome.

zendriver · Sep 3, 2019

I saw those and I was almost going to snag one and then remembered I have a MigMax is still sitting newly in the box, No time to use.

I did see these for $150 as well hey good pricez

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ekimneirbo · Sep 3, 2019

You will find that if you tack things, you will also want to actually weld things. You can say that all you need is to tack weld, but then you want/need to do more. I've seen some pretty crappy looking welds that had the strength to hold things. The problem is penetration.
With a 110 volt welder you are so limited in that you can't make decent penetration on anything more than thin stuff. Forget the astetic beauty of a proper weld, its still about penetration whether its pretty or not. While you might amaze yourself at first with the fact that you actually got two pieces of metal to stick together.......you will never learn to actually make decent welds with those machines.

fsae0607 · Sep 3, 2019

A long time ago I bought a Chicago Electric flux core welder. If you do get it, replace the ground clamp with an actual welder clamp. The one that comes on looks like it's for a battery charger. Also, run some Lincoln NR-211 Flux Core wire. You can get it at any box store.

Those two things will make the welder decent. I did that and was able to fix the clutch pedal linkage and build an exhaust system for my project GMC truck. The welds won't be pretty, but they'll hold.

theoldwizard1 · Sep 3, 2019

I always tell newbies, buy a MIG welder that is dual voltage capable AND can run gas. You may not need these capabilities, but then again, if you do, they are worth the extra $$$ !

zendriver · Sep 3, 2019

Why buy a $150 welder, when you can buy a $900 welder.

You never know when you come across a submarine in need of repair.

It's a $150 welder. If you get to the point that it no longer fits your needs sell it to your neighbor for 50 bucks and buy something bigger.

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Parrothead · Sep 3, 2019

zendriver said:
Why buy a $150 welder, when you can buy a $900 welder.

You never know when you come across a submarine in need of repair.

It's a $150 welder. If you get to the point that it no longer fits your needs sell it to your neighbor for 50 bucks and buy something bigger.

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Well said! You don’t need a GT3 to go to the grocery store once a week.

tonyciambrone · Sep 3, 2019

Pretty crazy that Lincoln's flux core machine is $60 cheaper than the Hobart Handler 140. In what world is that worth it? I would try the HF machine no questions before I'd buy the lincoln...

I bought a hobart handler 140 when I first started welding, and it's a great little machine. I really never feel like I need more power for the welding that I do. If anything I wish I had a little finer adjustment on the low end.

I bought an AHP alphatig at work, and if I were to do it again I would have bought one or an Everlast Tig/stick AC/DC machine and skipped the Hobart. Yea mig is quick and easy but I am not doing production work, so the low speed of TIG doesn't really matter. And the ability to do thicker material, aluminum and stainless is built right in.

sreeb · Sep 3, 2019

I have a 250a transformer based mig that weighs, with the bottle, 300+ lbs and requires 220v. Things come to it. It doesn't go where it is needed.

The hf flux core welder weighs under 20 lbs ready to weld with a 2 lb spool installed and requires 120v.

If you need to do heavy work, with a little patience you can find a cheap stick welder.

Kenstone1 · Sep 3, 2019

Here's some vid reviews of the Titanium Easy-Flux 125 Amp Welder:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=reviews+of+Titanium+Easy-Flux+125+Amp+Welder
Overall good reviews,

Lucky13driver · Sep 4, 2019

I got the flux 125 for the small jobs where a portable welder is needed works great. I upgraded the ground clamp the original one is the weakest link.

MJK · Sep 5, 2019

Parrothead said:
You don’t need a GT3 to go to the grocery store once a week.

Speak for yourself. I don't have one, but I DO need one and I am dead serious. Preferably a white 997.1, but I could also be talked into Meteor.

As for the welders, I have a Miller 215. In my mind I paid up for:
- Ability to stick weld, which I do not do.
- Ability to DC tig, which I haven't done yet and probably should have saved the money towards an AC tig machine.
- Easier setup, which is both nice and detrimental in that it enables my laziness.
- Serviceability, which I have yet to need.
- Dual voltage, which I do use but do not need nearly as often as I thought I would.
- Gas, which I absolutely won't weld without now.
- The smaller size is worth more than I thought it would be to me.

Personally, a $400 refurb Hobart handler seems like a good way to tick off most of my most important items for not much money. Eastwood looks interesting, but I know nothing about them.

HF may be OK, but no gas = not interested for me. I'd pay up for that.

rpcraft · Sep 5, 2019

Having fought the good fight on a 120 V mig/fcaw welder from Lincoln I never could get the weld I wanted out of it and when I was trying to do anything on my project truck it would usually burn through body sheet metal, even on low settings. There were a mix of switches for low to high heat range but also the wire speed increased the welding voltage as well when you turned it up. If there had been a separate control for voltage and wire speed alone it would probably have been a better unit but I upgraded to the Titanium 175 and haven't regretted it at all. If you have the ability to run 240 I'd step up and get a proper 240 unit but if not then find something that can step down and it is still going to be more capable.

Bigbandguy · Sep 5, 2019

Thanks guys for all of your comments. I looked at the video reviews referenced earlier and from those reviews and comments from you guys I think I will get one of the units. As I said early on, my welding needs are buzz box basic and this will definitely be a step up. Add to that the versatility of being able to weld with 120 Volts and it becomes near perfect for whatever I might do with it. I have this thread bookmarked and will report back after I get the machine and get a little time on it.

Lucky13driver · Sep 5, 2019

I have the Hobart 210mvp and it far out welds the Titanium 125 except for one thing portability. At 15lbs and the size of a lunch box and no gas cylinder you can put it in the RV or a Jeep and it could save the day out on the trail or the campground if you have a large enough inverter.

Here's a link to the Harbor Freight Coupon database keep checking you'll find it for $149.99 sooner or later:
http://www.hfcoupons.com/

Kenstone1 · Sep 5, 2019

Bigbandguy said:
Thanks guys for all of your comments. I looked at the video reviews referenced earlier and from those reviews and comments from you guys I think I will get one of the units. As I said early on, my welding needs are buzz box basic and this will definitely be a step up. Add to that the versatility of being able to weld with 120 Volts and it becomes near perfect for whatever I might do with it. I have this thread bookmarked and will report back after I get the machine and get a little time on it.

Wow OK, someone's reading my posts.
I watched the vids I linked to also, and would be all over one of these welders but recently converted my old HF welder to DCEN and I'm happy enough with the results...so far.

So, $40 for a bridge rectifier, capacitor, wire, wire eyes, etc and following one of the many youtube vids for the conversion got me to DCEN.
But know that I modify just about everything :headscrat

If it craps out I'll be headed to HF for that inverter/welder.
:bounce:

Retroman · Sep 8, 2019

I was in my local HF yesterday and saw the display model I was shocked by how small it is. Can you weld up to 1/4" material with one of these welders? I don't think I would need anything thicker than that. Now I need to find something that needs to be welded to justify the purchase.

Kenstone1 · Sep 8, 2019

1/4"
Yes, you just need to V it out for a **** joint, just go slow with a weaving motion and let the weld build up/fill the joint.
That and V'ing/welding both sides of the joint will get you a strong weld.
Also, I have found that pre-heating will shorten the length of shallow penetration weld when starting a bead.

I've welded 3/8 thick stuff doing it this way with my DCEN converted welder and would expect even better results with the Titanium 125 Flux.

In those vids I linked to a guy test welded varying thickness mat'l. using the settings on the included chart.
The chart only went up to 3/16" thickness but the heat setting was not max'ed out, so he welded, just on one side, a simple **** joint in 1/4" material, without any V'ing and got almost total penetration.

Lots of differing conditions affect the results though.

Kenstone1 · Sep 8, 2019

new HF Welder coupon

Here's a coupon I found online for $169 that expires on 11/02/2019
I found it here:
https://www.hfqpdb.com/gallery/free
Do a "save as" on the coupon to take to the store and the scanner at the register will read the bar code.

fasteddie · Sep 12, 2019

My welder died in the middle of a project. I thought I would run out and pick one of these up. No such luck, I have 6 or 7 stores within 15 miles of me, out of stock everywhere.

Bigbandguy · Sep 13, 2019

HF store manager told me this week that HF has 10,000 of them produced and in shipment. Here in the South the storm delayed shipments but it looks like this one will be in stock in the near future. I am ready to buy one too. If it works as well as the reviews it will be very handy to have around.

Catadj78 · Sep 13, 2019

I have been very happy with mine

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fasteddie · Sep 14, 2019

Bigbandguy said:
HF store manager told me this week that HF has 10,000 of them produced and in shipment. Here in the South the storm delayed shipments but it looks like this one will be in stock in the near future. I am ready to buy one too. If it works as well as the reviews it will be very handy to have around.

I considered buying one online since all the local stores are out of stock but wanted to be sure they were available before I pulled the trigger. I called HF sales and the woman I spoke to told me they are on at least 30 day back order.

woody6904 · Sep 14, 2019

Anybody tried one of these on a generator or inverter? This would be a great addition to the service truck in the field.

Kenstone1 · Sep 14, 2019

fasteddie said:
I considered buying one online since all the local stores are out of stock but wanted to be sure they were available before I pulled the trigger. I called HF sales and the woman I spoke to told me they are on at least 30 day back order.

I'm not finding these welders in my local stores either.
I wondered around ebay and found a "Lincoln Electric Century FC 90 Flux-Cored
Wire-Feed Welder 120V 90A DC Output" unit that looks to me as identical to the HF welder and priced about the same.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lincoln-El...396682&hash=item4d7d86dbfd:g:OEQAAOSwyWlbqZgP

Anyone know if it the same just a different color?
:headscrat

Edit:
Comparison vid I found:

Looks like they are different inside...

fasteddie · Sep 14, 2019

Seems to be basically the same type inverter welder. The warranty info on that ebay link says the following - "All merchandise listed by Northern Tool on eBay are “as is” (to the extent allowed by law) and, unless otherwise specifically noted, are without warranties of any type, express or implied."

I bought this one for $219 because I need a welder now, cost me $50 more than the HF one with coupon but at least it has longer cables and 1 yr warranty.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CP9CDVQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Kenstone1 · Sep 14, 2019

fasteddie said:
Seems to be basically the same type inverter welder. The warranty info on that ebay link says the following - "All merchandise listed by Northern Tool on eBay are “as is” (to the extent allowed by law) and, unless otherwise specifically noted, are without warranties of any type, express or implied."

I bought this one for $219 because I need a welder now, cost me $50 more than the HF one with coupon but at least it has longer cables and 1 yr warranty.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CP9CDVQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Good info
Looked at NT website for warranty and lists 6 months and an upgrade to one year for more $
How's the Forney working out?

fasteddie · Sep 14, 2019

Kenstone1 said:
Good info
Looked at NT website for warranty and lists 6 months and a upgrade to one year for more $
How's the Forney working out?

It arrives tomorrow.

rpcraft · Sep 14, 2019

Kenstone1 said:
I'm not finding these welders in my local stores either.
I wondered around ebay and found a "Lincoln Electric Century FC 90 Flux-Cored
Wire-Feed Welder 120V 90A DC Output" unit that looks to me as identical to the HF welder and priced about the same.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lincoln-El...396682&hash=item4d7d86dbfd:g:OEQAAOSwyWlbqZgP

Anyone know if it the same just a different color?

Edit:
Comparison vid I found:

Looks like they are different inside...

Avoid the Century units...

jayemm · Sep 15, 2019

While at Home Depot today I passed by the welders.I got a quick glance at a Century that according to the picture on the box looked identical to this HF.Priced at 199$.

sreeb · Sep 15, 2019

Got a chance to spend a couple hours with mine today.

A couple things I didn't like when unboxing it.

1) Ground clamp is junk.
2) Only came with 0.030 tips (2) so I didn't run the Lincoln 0.035 I bought.
3) Manual doesn't show the liner as an item on the parts list.

Other than that ran some beads with the included 0.030 and it works well.

If your needs can be met with a 120v flux core welder, I think you will be happy with this one.

Kenstone1 · Sep 15, 2019

Re:Bought one today...with a "story"

I made the tour of the 2 HF stores near me knowing I had little chance of finding that welder.
I bought some other stuff at store one and the welder shelf was empty but took 1 of those take to register slips of paper to the register to check.
The cashier scanned the slip to check inventory, nope none in stock.

I took that inventory slip to the 2nd store and it showed one welder in stock but unboxed :headscrat

.

She went and got it and mentioned she had taken it as a return from a guy that didn't like it and upgraded to something else that cost 2x more.

It was marked $159 and was missing the shoulder strap, the spool of wire, the manual, and the box :wtf:

.
So she says: if you buy it you have 5 days to return it if it doesn't work right or you don't like it.
So I'm thinking this thru and not saying much, when she says oh and the price is actually 1/2 have of the $159.
SO $79.99 + Tax. :shocking:

I thru out my shoulder getting my plastic out.

I got that deal done and will be testing it tomorrow :thumbup:

I did plug it in and it runs, the wire feed rolls spin and react to the speed setting dial.
My shop with my welding stuff is at my son's house so testing will have to wait until Monday.
I have both size wire tips (0.030/0.035 and wire) and 3 different brands of wire so I'll be able to test both sizes, but don't anticipate having any problems.
:bounce:

FYI: I've been buying Forney flux wire at Tractor Supply for $9.95 for a 2# spool and have gotten good results with it.

Anyone tried the new HF Welder?

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