HTP Welders?

[bmwpower]

http://www.htpweld.com/products/mig_welders/mig_160.html

Any good?

 

[born lucky]

Yes good quality and excellant customer service.
I have the MIG140 and it has done right by me. HTP seems to focus on auto related ads. You will see them in Hot Rod magazines etc etc... This do not mean they are for auto resto work only!.
I also heard that Lincoln bought them, but this I can not be sure of!
Call them up and you will like them!

 

[pipehack]

E-mail them for a catalog. I have one. Their a little pricey. More than the blue and red. They are in Arlington Heights Illinois. So I did consider them. I bought a Lincoln 180c. I have a good friend who is a Lincoln rep , so I obviously got a good deal. I did hear that HTP only ships by truck though. I can't imagine that would be cheap. There are a lot of folks out there that have Hobart also... I have heard great things about those too. It seems like it would be a Eany Meany Miney Moe with Lincoln, Miller, Hobart, And HTP. Not in any order there either.

 

[born lucky]

When you compare the welders you will find that HTP has a better package. The internals are made of better materials. I researched my welders for months before I finally made my choice, HTP WON. For my money their was no better.If you call sometimes their are running deals, that is how I purchased my Mig 140.
You are interested in the Mig 160 great machine.

 

[daw53]

My HTP VersaMIG is over twenty years old. I have no complaints.

- David

 

[sberry]

How would one know there were "better materials" in one of these machines? Anyone figure Miller or Lincoln would let an assembled import beat them up on this?
As for HTP, by all reliable accounts they are a good machine and their rep Jeff Noland is a stand up guy. But,,, the big 3 (includes Esab) are so competitive and well proven it would be hard to pry me off of them. No one beats ITW Miller/Hobart on customer service, lots of other companies would be well off to copy their model in that dept.

 

[krooser]

I've never owned one but 20 years ago a couple friends bought 'em and neither really cared for them.

My objection would be parts and service. I can take a two minute drive and buy most any type of part and consumable from one of two local dealers for Miller/Hobart or Lincoln. A twenty minute drive puts me in a showroom full of welders from the Big 3.

A welder is too personal a tool to buy without at least using one first. I can try out one of the Big 3 at my local stores... I can't do that with an HTP. That, and the fact that it's an import, would make buying an HTP a dealbreaker.

 

[finn]

I've got a HTP mig that's almost 20 years old, and a brand new HTP Tig...Great stuff, much better quality than my Miller Mig and plasma cutter units:

next purchase will be HTP (again)

Alan

 

[gahrajmahal]

Never much cared for mine, about 15 years old believe it is French made. Has a metric gas tube I haven't been able to find a compression fitting for. Always takes forever to set up. Wish I had bought a 220V Miller or Handler.

 

[speed bump]

Remember parts cost 3xes as much as a miller or a Lincoln or an Esab, machines cost 3xes and they are tapped and dealers are pretty much nonexistent.

I used a MM250SL by them and for a $3300 machine: it didn't feed small wire well, it wasn't really a 250 amp machine more like a true 210 amp machine that someone else would sell you and about the only thing I really liked about it was that the feeder detached however for that price I could buy a decent machine and a feeder to go with it.

 

[kartracer55]

People seem to like them. I just ordered $90 worth of consumables from them for the dynasty 200dx/Weldcraft WP-17. A good judge of quality is the accessories something comes with. Depending on the fit and finish of this stuff, I might consider a torch from them. Then we'll see...

 

[MottsRods]

I agree, they seem to be hard to to get any parts or consumables locally. I've personally used the mig and tig at a trade show, and they didn't impress me. Yes they both did make a nice weld. But for the price, compared to the Blue, Red, or Yellow, just can't be justifed. I can go to any or half a dozen local weld shops and get parts and consumables, and they're cheaper than HTP. Remember this, if you buy a 110v welder with a max amperage of 140, your gonna be covered to weld anything up to 3/16. And if you buy one with a max of 250, then you're covered for pretty much anything. But if you buy one of these, that you can't get parts and supplies for quick enough when you need them, then they are useless. Just my 2 cents....

 

[e-tek]

Hey Motts - you seem to have a hell of a grasp on welding/welders! Would you have any thoughts on the Lincoln MigPak 180? Right now they are $590CND, reg $750. I was brought up gas-welding and bought a cheapy flux cored welder a couple years back. I mostly do resto work, so it'd be used for sheet 18G to 3/8th inch cold stock. Thanks!

 

[MottsRods]

In my experience with Lincoln, their smaller welders are good if you're laying a good long bead, but they **** if you're doing a bunch of spot welds, ie; stitch welds. They don't seems to be set up well for it as the trigger and drive motor lags too much and they have alot of problems with burnack. Now the larger machines do well and don't have these problems. In my shop, I have several welders. 1-Millermatic 130XP, 1-Millermatic 250x, 1-Miller Diversion 165 and an Esab Multi-master 260(Jesse James Model). Now, I know your gonna say, why so many!!!! Well, the 130 and the Diversion are on one cart that I can roll anywhere and mostly for thinner metals, and aluminum. And the 250x and the Esab are for the thicker stuff.....framework etc. My favorite of them all for the mig process is the Esab. Simply put, it's perfect!!! The burnback control is your friend, and even when you get in a hurry, won't let you weld the tip up to the contact. And my favorite for the Tig is the Diversion. I added the foot control to it, and while building alot of custom aluminum intakes, the arc is so controlable at lower amps than the Esab. The Esab will not do AC(aluminum). But is very handy when i'm welding up custom SS exhausts and lakes pipes.
Now this all said.......it all comes down to your own welding ability. I will tell even the dude that has been welding for 30 years, you can never have enough practice. Every project is different. Different parts, layout area, positioning and so on........ to those who know me personally, know that I have a prosthetic hook!!! on my left arm. So I have to re-position alot to get where I need to be to weld what I feel is acceptable....and I'm very picky. I don't get in to big of a hurry when tig'ing, but I do while mig'ing, but the control is all in my right hand then so I can move along well....

e-tek, ask yourself this, is that MigPak 180 gonna do all you'll ever want to do? If so, buy it. But if not, use what you got while you save, and look for a bigger more suitable machine that is new or used. For an extra 5-600 $$, you can get an excellent used machine that is bigger and able to do more. Also look at the Spoolgun factor. Is the MigPak 180 able to take spoolgun? Some smaller machines aren't, and if you ever think you may want one, then go ahead now and buy the appropriate sized machine.

Before I get flamed......this is only my opinion, though it's mine from experience.

 

[e-tek]

Most excellent reply - much appreciated!!!!

 

[MottsRods]

Was that long winded? LMAO

 

[GN4WHLN]

e-tek,
If you're going Lincoln, check out the 180 (C or T) Power Mig. It is their light industrial welder and has what they term "Diamond Arc" technology that provides a more stableand forgiving arc. It also has their industrial quality feed. I've had mine for several years now and it has been an excellent welder. I paid less than 700 for it, no tax or shipping direct from a Lincoln where house in LA. Given the price difference, it would be a better buy than the consumer grade Pro Mig in the weld pack.
I bought it from Indiana Oxygen's ebay store. http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Welding-Supplies-from-IOC__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Bought a spool gun for it for 185.

 

[mikhett]

I got a Hobart 140. It welds 3/16 plate.Im happy with it!

 

[dragginbalz]

People seem to like them. I just ordered $90 worth of consumables from them for the dynasty 200dx/Weldcraft WP-17. A good judge of quality is the accessories something comes with. Depending on the fit and finish of this stuff, I might consider a torch from them. Then we'll see...

If you are talking about ordering a TIG torch for HTP, I would consider another option. The HTP torches and pyrex consumables are nothing more than un-badged or re-badged CK torches. You may want to check with your local supplier, they may be able to get them directly from CK cheaper than HTP will sell them to you for.


http://www.ckworldwide.com/

Just something to consider. Unless they changed their torch supplier in the last 6 months. CK makes great stuff.

 

[Senorpablo]

If you are talking about ordering a TIG torch for HTP, I would consider another option. The HTP torches and pyrex consumables are nothing more than un-badged or re-badged CK torches. You may want to check with your local supplier, they may be able to get them directly from CK cheaper than HTP will sell them to you for.


http://www.ckworldwide.com/

Just something to consider. Unless they changed their torch supplier in the last 6 months. CK makes great stuff.

They are CK torches, and they are branded as such. When I wanted to upgrade my HTP Invertig setup to water cooled, I shopped around for torch options for quite a while. I called HTP and got a water cooled torch complete with all machine connections(welder and cooler) and leather cover for cheaper than any online source I could find for the torch and leads only.

HTP customer service is outstanding. I really appreciate a company that isn't intent on double dipping you for accessories and consumables.

 

[StumpXJ]

After buying a cheaper 140 amp/110v flux unit and using it for a few years, I decided it was time to upgrade so I bought a Hobart Handler 210 (220V). Its an awesome machine, and MIG is SOOOOO much nicer to weld with. I still have and use the flux welder, as its a much more portable unit, but I will do all I can to use the Handler if possible.

I got the Handler 210/220V because I didnt want to worry about whether my wleder would be big enough for a particular job. I have yet to get above the halfway point on the heat range, and for that I am grateful! I have always been told to buy the BIGGEST welder you can afford.

~James

 

[dragginbalz]

They are CK torches, and they are branded as such. When I wanted to upgrade my HTP Invertig setup to water cooled, I shopped around for torch options for quite a while. I called HTP and got a water cooled torch complete with all machine connections(welder and cooler) and leather cover for cheaper than any online source I could find for the torch and leads only.

HTP customer service is outstanding. I really appreciate a company that isn't intent on double dipping you for accessories and consumables.

And there is nothing wrong with supporting a company that you have had good luck with! The only reason I suggested that is because TIG consumables are marked up quite a bit and there may be better deals out there. I commend you for supporting HTP. I work for a welding distributor and I can tell you that I would much rather sell you, your consumables than your power source! I wouldn't call it double dipping though.

 

[Senorpablo]

And there is nothing wrong with supporting a company that you have had good luck with! The only reason I suggested that is because TIG consumables are marked up quite a bit and there may be better deals out there. I commend you for supporting HTP. I work for a welding distributor and I can tell you that I would much rather sell you, your consumables than your power source! I wouldn't call it double dipping though.

I understand that completely from your point of view--it's the business you're in.

Miller makes great welders--I have a Hobart MIG that's great--but the company size can also be a hindrance. While it's awful convenient to be able to by parts and consumables near by, that is also a drawback. All the people who sell parts and consumables are middleman and drive up the prices of the parts they sell, sometimes much more than others. If you're getting parts at your local welding supply, you're probably paying too much--you're paying for the convenience.

While I can't get parts for my HTP at local shops, I can rest assured that I can call them and speak to a real person who is knowledgeable about the machine(often the owner or his wife), and who isn't selling me parts and consumables that have been marked up three times before I purchase them. They ship promptly and I have the parts in a few days.