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Harbor Freight MIG mods

flypa38

Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2009
Messages
19
Hope I'm posting this in the right spot.
I have an older HF MIG 131. I'd like to do the mods I've been researching to smooth out the feed but everything I've seen seems to improve flux core use. Also output seems to be increased. I'd like to smooth out the feed slightly and NOT increase output or ideally be able to decrease output for thinner sheet metal. I use shielding gas and non-flux wire by the way.
I should mention before this turns into a HF bashing or a "you get what you pay for" thread that I've had no trouble with the welder and it welds just as well as much more expensive units I've used. If the mods aren't practical, I'm OK with leaving it as is. Ill never complain about improvements to already good but it does work well as it stands.
Thanks and again I hope I posted this to the right place!
 
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FriendOfYours

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
303
I have the big cap mod on all my 151s, and on 1/low I can still do sheet metal. You'll definitely be ok with the 131

I have 4 151s and 2 of the new 180 black machines. The 2 180 machines are hooked up parallel in output with a single gun. It'll do spray transfer and burn holes in 3/8"

Great welders
 
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flypa38

Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2009
Messages
19
Cool! Thanks!
Is that just a cap on the feed motor or do you have to add the extra rectifier to stop wire feed when you let off the trigger?
Also is there a way to dial down the output lower than Low 1? Ideally, adjustable instead of a switch like with a potentiometer......
 

FriendOfYours

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
303
No no, I'm talking about the cap mod for the rectifier. You put a cap on the feed motor as well. The feed is way too fast and erratic without it. The arc is much smoother after the big cap mad and the output jumps quite a bit too

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?33848-Mod-Your-151-How-To-Guide

All of the stuff in that applies to your machine as well

You can't adjust voltage like that on this machine. The transformer has too few taps. It would take A TON of work and could be pretty costly. Not worth it
 
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