HF inverter TIG welder

[PoorOwner]

I am thinking of getting this and want to know what you guys think.?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91811

manual here

http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals/91000-91999/91811.pdf

I am aware it might be a complete POS. Penetration is about 1/8" for the TIG. I need to add bottle and regulator so figure another $100 to get going.

I already have a 110V MIG so even though this TIG will not give me more welding penetration, I am interested in better cosmetic of the weld and possibly doing stainless. I do mostly intake and exhaust piping as thin as 18 gauge.. sometimes MIG will burn through if not careful, and don't mind going slower using a TIG. I think this will give me some hands on with the TIG until I put down $1000-$2000 for a brand name TIG.

HF seems to sell the tips and parts regularly, and the repair parts can be ordered too I think but at this price almost expendable.

 

[Vicegrip]

Frustrating junk. Try a good name brand Tig before you get this one. Be ready to return it.

 

[eschoendorff]

I wouldn't... see Visegrip's post. Re-read it 100 times and then make your decision...

 

[Lyaec350]

Also wouldn't get a HF welder... there is a reason that they're so much cheaper than name brand welders--you'll have a lot more difficulty welding and learning...

 

[engnerdan]

Do some searching around (google, ebay) for "Riland" tig welders. If I remember correctly people have had good luck with them.

-Dan

 

[gorilla]

The things that allow you to do high quality work with a TIG machine are high frequency for arc starting and a foot pedal to control welding current. This machine has neither one. It also lacks the ability to weld with ac current so you are out of luck for aluminum. Inverter type welding machines are the latest thing in welding and can do some really neat things but not at the $200.00 price point. Look around for a old Lincoln 300-300 or a Miller gold star 250 and you will have a machine you can do everything ( except Mig ) with.

 

[jhn9840]

Save your $200, put it toward a name brand machine.

jhn9840
John

 

[PAToyota]

As others have said, save your money. The cheap HF machines really are not going to do you any favors toward "teaching" you how to TIG weld. There is that old saying about how an excellent driver can make any vehicle handle well while an excellent vehicle can make even a poor driver seem passable. The same is true of welding equipment. If you're just starting out, you want the equipment to be operating in your favor rather than against it.

 

[PoorOwner]

Any other recommendation, I want a inverter TIG if possible because they are light and don't require as big of a electrical requirements, it would be great to share with my 30amp receptacle for the compressor.

 

[gorilla]

Inverter welders are smaller and lighter than old style transformer welders but you cannot repeal the laws of physics, it takes the same amount of energy to heat a hunk of metal up to welding temp. no matter how you produce that energy. In my experience the only other downside to inverter machines is service. if you have a problem most likely you will have to ship the machine back to the factory for repairs. I don't want to sound like I have a 'thing' about inverter welders, I just want share my experience's with you.