New Harbor Freight Welders

[Loscaldazar]

HF is releasing some new welders under their own Vulcan "brand." The only one I've seen the specs for are the MigMax 140, which is a 120V MIG with infinite voltage and wire speed adjustment, an angled cast aluminum wire feeder (like miller's nicer MIGs), 10ft leads. Significantly less weight than a HH140, and they will offer an optional spool gun for aluminum. Initial price is $500, but with coupons and discounts, it should be less than that.


There also then should be a 240V Mig (that looks to be a copy of the Lincoln 210MP, so potentially a multi process unit too), a smaller Stick/Tig Welder (maybe dual voltage or just 120v) and a larger Stick/Tig. It may even be a AC/DC TIG machine.

Photo of the larger welders that has been on their website for a few months. This is where I got the info on the last three welders I mentioned.
https://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-large-welding-cabinet-63179.html

They may not be Miller's, but with the dramatically increasing quality and capabilities of Chinese made welders, depending on price, they may be solid competitors for DIYs and light fabrication/repair. Regardless, it's still cool to see more new welders come to the market.

 

[Cope]

Hopefully they will offer a better warranty than they offer on their current welder line.

 

[Shop Dad]

Haven't seen these welders yet, but I've been happy with the big Vulcan welding cart I picked up a couple weeks ago. Good storage and sturdy enough.

 

[Cummins_Tech]

I'd be comfortable using it on small projects that don't require much in the way of safety...

But if something I was welding had someone's life depending on it?? No thank you, I'll stick with a trusted Lincoln or Miller. I'm not even keen on using hobarts on anything that has internal pressure, even if it's just a watered down miller.


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[mikeceli]

I could not get my 10 plus year old, HF 220V mig to work correctly, since new. I had an experienced welder try it and he said it was junk.

I took a welding course(ox-act and stick), this year and the instructor had a very low opinion of HF welders.

 

[zendriver]

I'd be comfortable using it on small projects that don't require much in the way of safety...

But if something I was welding had someone's life depending on it?? No thank you, I'll stick with a trusted Lincoln or Miller. I'm not even keen on using hobarts on anything that has internal pressure, even if it's just a watered down miller.


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In the "good old days", it was the skill of the human welder, that determined a proper weld, not any particular machine.

Now the more money spent, the better the weld.


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[Cummins_Tech]

Even in the "good old days" there is only so far you can go with a cheap machine. Personally, I wouldn't waste my money on a 120v welder. **** duty cycles and not enough heat to get good penetration on anything over 3/8" thick, even if it does say it can handle 1/2". Cut out and do a bend test, you'd be surprised how little these hobby welders dig...


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[trekgod3]

I noticed a bunch of welding gear on a clearance end cap today at my local store. The first thing I thought was that they were rolling out a new line of welders.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Hopefully they will offer a better warranty than they offer on their current welder line.

One year warranty, which is certainly better than the 90 days on the old ones. Probably will be able to buy a 2 year extended warranty for a few more bucks too.

I could not get my 10 plus year old, HF 220V mig to work correctly, since new. I had an experienced welder try it and he said it was junk.

I took a welding course(ox-act and stick), this year and the instructor had a very low opinion of HF welders.

The old ones were junk for the most part. These new ones look much more promising with more expensive features like infinite adjustment, aluminum feeders (not plastic ones), spool gun ability, digital readouts on some, etc. They may not be industrial/full time fabricator machines, but they aren't bargain basement units anymore.

I'd love to try one, but would probably never buy one. My HTP Pro Pulse 200 MIG isn't being replaced probably ever.

 

[Strouty]

The big name brands are making them in China, so I would not be surprised if they could make ones just as good for cheaper. Look at the Snap On jack copy. That is the risk of making things in China, no one has any loyalty and they will ripoff designs.

 

[SMKS]

One year warranty, which is certainly better than the 90 days on the old ones. Probably will be able to buy a 2 year extended warranty for a few more bucks too.

Has that been confirmed anywhere? I thought these new Hercules power tools might have a longer warranty, but they don't, still that same old 90 days.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

Im curious how much they stretched those duty cycle numbers. i just read the manual on the stick/tig inverter they sell and they claim 60% duty cycle at 165amps. miller's equivalent model diversion 165 is only 30% yet the harbor freight weighs approx 30 lbs, and the miller weighs 50lb. How does a machine with 20lbs less of heatsinks and parts to absorb heat claim twice the duty cycle? I call BS. And remember the diversion is only considered a "hobby" welder by miller... so what does that make the harbor freight?

 

[Cummins_Tech]

A "paper weight" welder.

I guess it'll be ok for some guy to tack lawn furniture together or something along those lines tho.


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[ovrrdrive]

$500 is so far out of the price range of their target audience I don't know why they bothered...

The only reason they sell welders is $89 on sale.

And my garage if full of hf tools.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Has that been confirmed anywhere? I thought these new Hercules power tools might have a longer warranty, but they don't, still that same old 90 days.

Unless what I've seen is wrong, should be one year. Wouldn't be the first typo ever seen in pre-launch materials either though if it does turn out to be 90 days.

Im curious how much they stretched those duty cycle numbers. i just read the manual on the stick/tig inverter they sell and they claim 60% duty cycle at 165amps. miller's equivalent model diversion 165 is only 30% yet the harbor freight weighs approx 30 lbs, and the miller weighs 50lb. How does a machine with 20lbs less of heatsinks and parts to absorb heat claim twice the duty cycle? I call BS. And remember the diversion is only considered a "hobby" welder by miller... so what does that make the harbor freight?

More fans and better airflow help with duty cycle too. I'm not familiar with the current 165 Amp TIG welder harbor freight has, but it wouldn't surprise me if they inflated the rating on their old units.

$500 is so far out of the price range of their target audience I don't know why they bothered...

The only reason they sell welders is $89 on sale.

And my garage if full of hf tools.

But it's also harbor freight and they never sell anything for "full retail." Hell, the 44" tool boxes have a full price of like $700 and I've only ever seen them for half to a little bit more than half of the retail price.

Like many of their recent tool releases, they're aiming to replace Craftsman. The Equivalent Craftsman MIG is $500 retail, and "half off" at $250. Very similar pricing structure to what HF does. The HF MIG looks to be way better with a few more amps, more than 4 power settings, and an aluminum feeder. Admittedly, though, I do not know how successful the craftsman welders are sales wise. I see a few on the local craigslist (definitely not as many as Miller/Lincoln/Chicago electric), which means they are selling some.

Whether or not this move upmarket is successful remains to be seen.

 

[sberry]

The pricing is getting close to the Hobart which btw is a very good machine.

 

[WittHay]

I am always a little unsure of off brand equipment that approaches the price of name brands. The last Lincoln welder i bought has a 3 year warranty and is made in Mexico. There are at least 2 Lincoln service centers in my area if something goes south.

 

[Zeke]

Is this the same crowd that did a group buy on a no name plasma cutter imported directly from PROC?

 

[aka Larry]

Even in the "good old days" there is only so far you can go with a cheap machine. Personally, I wouldn't waste my money on a 120v welder. **** duty cycles and not enough heat to get good penetration on anything over 3/8" thick, even if it does say it can handle 1/2".

Wait, there's someone claiming their 120VAC machine can do 1/2" or even 3/8"? Show me one. I've used a Lincoln 140A machine at home for 8 years now and it will do 3/16" as advertised, but that's a lot less than 3/8" not to mention 1/2".

 

[redvalkyrie]

What makes you guys think HF is going to discount these much? You already can't use their 20% coupons on welders and tool chests--the latter of which is one of the best sellers at HF. The only way I could get $200 off on the 72" (or their biggest chest) was to agree to a date with the female manager...who was nice but not my type.

I would personally spend the money on a Miller, Lincoln (gramp's fav), or Esab. I have a MIG so a TIG would be my choice.

 

[sberry]

I had a chance to field test the Hobart 210 for several months before it came out. I was a little skeptical but as soon as I moved up from the door chart it took about 2 inches to tell it was a winner. It was spool gun ready and that works well enough too.
The bottom was the first bead and set with the chart, the others are the 2nd and 3rd where I tuned it, never had to adjust it again. The door is probably pretty good for vertical up but unless something is quite thin I have these little machines pretty much set wide open.

 

[stonesfan68]

HF is releasing some new welders under their own Vulcan "brand." The only one I've seen the specs for are the MigMax 140, which is a 120V MIG with infinite voltage and wire speed adjustment, an angled cast aluminum wire feeder (like miller's nicer MIGs), 10ft leads. Significantly less weight than a HH140, and they will offer an optional spool gun for aluminum. Initial price is $500, but with coupons and discounts, it should be less than that.

What makes you guys think HF is going to discount these much? You already can't use their 20% coupons on welders and tool chests--the latter of which is one of the best sellers at HF.

HF is excluding these new "house brands" from coupons. You're going to pay the price that's listed in the flyer, and as some have already noted the prices are getting close to those of the name brands.

It will be interesting to see if they can keep this new pricing and branding strategy up as they have conditioned consumers to wait for sales and coupons for years.

I'm also not sure why they have so many flipping new "brands." If they're trying to replace Craftsman then why not use one brand name?

Anyhow, back to our regularly scheduled programming.



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[redvalkyrie]

HF is excluding these new "house brands" from coupons. You're going to pay the price that's listed in the flyer, and as some have already noted the prices are getting close to those of the name brands.

It will be interesting to see if they can keep this new pricing and branding strategy up as they have conditioned consumers to wait for sales and coupons for years.

I'm also not sure why they have so many flipping new "brands." If they're trying to replace Craftsman then why not use one brand name?

Anyhow, back to our regularly scheduled programming.



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Well, if you want a real discount find a female manager and buy her dinner.

 

[Loscaldazar]

What makes you guys think HF is going to discount these much? You already can't use their 20% coupons on welders and tool chests--the latter of which is one of the best sellers at HF. The only way I could get $200 off on the 72" (or their biggest chest) was to agree to a date with the female manager...who was nice but not my type.

I would personally spend the money on a Miller, Lincoln (gramp's fav), or Esab. I have a MIG so a TIG would be my choice.

And the 44" tool chest has a retail price of what, $700? The 56" is like $1500? It's never actually sold at that price before.

ESAB is straight up made in China too, and the Rebels have had their fair share of problems (wire feeder slop is the most common, will not properly feed sometimes, and issues with it not welding on 110V and saying the power is dirty even when it is not), so I don't know that I would spend money on them. Even Everlast thought the basic design of ESAB's machines (made by WTL) was lacking.



Chinese welders are creeping into the big three, whether we like it or not.

HF is excluding these new "house brands" from coupons. You're going to pay the price that's listed in the flyer, and as some have already noted the prices are getting close to those of the name brands.

It will be interesting to see if they can keep this new pricing and branding strategy up as they have conditioned consumers to wait for sales and coupons for years.

They only exclude them from the 20% or 25% off coupons, not from all coupons. There are plenty of coupons for US General, Drummond, Earthquake XT, and several other of the "name brands" they have now. They usually don't release the coupons right away, but they will come.

Everyone complained about the Earthquake XT price when it came out too saying no one would pay almost $200 for it. Now you can it get $150 any day of the year, and as low as $110 if you wait for it. That's another item excluded from the % off coupons. The US general boxes have worked this way for years at this point too.

The welders have been excluded from % off coupons for even longer and they still get specific coupons. I'm not sure why people think there won't be any coupons for them. They have coupons for every item they sell (some more common than others).

EDIT: Correction, the Earthquake XT's were sold as low as $100 in the past. That was a 50% discount from the initial starting price, and 33% off from the normal non coupon price (and 23% off from the regular coupon price). https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=345843

Despite all the doom and gloom about the price of the EQ XT on this forum, they sold so well they went on a several month backorder.


Maybe I'm crazy for thinking HF will discount these welders like they have done for every product they've ever sold, even the newer improved ones. It may not be a $400 off discount, but I highly doubt they'll be at the $500 price point for very long before there are coupons for it.

 

[sberry]

I agree that they are creeping up on the major players. There is even a unit or 2 looks like Miller copied the Chinese.

 

[Ign]

Wait, there's someone claiming their 120VAC machine can do 1/2" or even 3/8"? Show me one. I've used a Lincoln 140A machine at home for 8 years now and it will do 3/16" as advertised, but that's a lot less than 3/8" not to mention 1/2".

He doesn't know what he's talking about. He's "afraid" to use Hobart which will create a weld as good as any other - a knowledgeable operator can tell if the weld is sufficient regardless of the markings on the side of the box.

Technically Snap-On has offered 120V machines with 100% duty cycle. They're not cheap, and I don't know who made them for Snappy.

And agreed, I've never seen a 120V machine (at least not the "consumer grade" wire feeds) claim ability to do 3/8" or 1/2" in one pass. I've seen plenty claim 1/4" which is a stretch. 3/16" is believable with flux core and typically I stop at 1/8" with solid wire in a 140-class machine.

 

[Brick Axelrod]

After learning my lesson 2 times I will never purchase anything that plugs in from HF. If you want a welder I suggest the big 3 and or checking out USAweld.com and getting an HTP unit, the customer service is exceptional. Just my opinion.

 

[dnschmidt]

HTP makes Miller and Lincoln look bad. I think they make the best welders on the planet for the money and maybe the best welders on the planet for any amount of money. Their customer service is also off the charts.

 

[ScottsGT]

And just wait until you need parts or service for it. A little too high for a disposable welder.

 

[Cummins_Tech]

Yup, your right, I have nary a clue about what I'm talking about. How dare I interrupt you golden arms during your circle jerk. I'll step aside and let you tell everyone how you slammed up the Golden Gate Bridge and stitched her up with a car battery, jumper cables, and 6011. Lol, carry on.


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[sberry]

Looks good. I can appreciate that, its too tedious for me and I don't do it enough to stay up on it. BC,,, before computers I had a nice album I lost in a fire. I kind of thought I had negatives but couldn't find them.

 

[Virgil Cain]

A "paper weight" welder.

I guess it'll be ok for some guy to tack lawn furniture together or something along those lines tho.


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You're making statements about a product you haven't even seen yet.

HF has shown recently with these new premium brands of theirs that they are capable of stepping up the quality quite a bit.

That's some fine welding in your pictures. But you can't be an expert on these welders because you simply haven't seen one.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

Hes making that statment from specs i provided from the manual on their website. HF seems to have been able to shave off 20lbs of who knows what to make it cheaper and were supposed to think its gonna any good? Im sure I could get one to produce a solid weld that would pass code but would it last for the whole day? The biggest problem with these kind of welders is they are bad for beginners, and at their price the target customers are the beginner/hobby folks. In my experience once you get to practicing for an an hour or so and things start getting hot the machine starts to act up. How is a beginner who can barely weld supposed to be able to tell the difference between the machine failing or his welding technique that is causing the bad results? A friend of mine had this exact problem when he bought a cheapy welder (not hf) to practice with at home. He ended up finding a powcon used on craigslist for $500 and has never had problems since.

 

[Gittgo]

Hey. Even their shop rags ****. Thats pretty bad......

 

[Wanna Ride]

Even in the "good old days" there is only so far you can go with a cheap machine. Personally, I wouldn't waste my money on a 120v welder. **** duty cycles and not enough heat to get good penetration on anything over 3/8" thick, even if it does say it can handle 1/2". Cut out and do a bend test, you'd be surprised how little these hobby welders dig...

I've got a Lincoln 135Plus (120v), that I bought new about 10-12 years ago. It's a dependable and capable machine. I use it exclusively for smaller projects, but it was the only machine I had, before I bought my 216. I built my utility trailer with it, from the ground up. I've used that trailer to haul either my Harley and my RZR for no less than twenty thousand miles, and have never had an issue with it. That being said, the 135Plus isn't the same little machines sold in Home Depot, either.

Regarding HF welders... I'm not going to try them. I have a lot of HF tools in my shop, but none with an electrical cord.

 

[sberry]

The basic difference between the machine at the box store and the plus is the voltage adjustment, I actually like the T as good or better.

 

[Zeke]

I think you missed a spot.

.

 

[66fl]

I think you missed a spot.



.

Maybe the crappy welding machine died

 

[Chevy-SS]

So I'm getting ready to buy a small TIG machine, mostly to build stainless steel exhaust systems, and other light work. I have small Lincoln MIG and oxy/acet already. I never go over 1/4" thick on anything, mostly work with 1/8" or less. What exact brand/model should I get??? You guys got any specific recommendations? Thanks

 

[anndel]

Is this the same crowd that did a group buy on a no name plasma cutter imported directly from PROC?

Yeah I always wondered how those are holding out after some time has passed. I would stick with Lincoln or Miller.